We’d like to reintroduce you to Dempsey. Dempsey falls into an unfavorable population and situation. You see, due to overpopulation, the majority of rescued dogs in Arizona are Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas. The shelters and rescues are flooded with the two breeds. These dogs get overlooked, passed by, and get little consideration from potential adopters. They don’t stand out like the fluffy dogs and the less common breeds do. The shelter staff and volunteers work hard to be the family each of the dogs need and want. But, at the end of the day, the humans get to go home; the dogs don’t.
Sadly, some of the sheltered dogs get lonely and sad and their behavior, health, and mental wellbeing suffer. Others get to the shelter injured and if the shelter doesn’t have the resources available for their medical care, they reach out to rescues. If there aren’t foster homes and funds, rescues can’t help either. All of these situations can turn their fate in a terrible direction. Thankfully, MAIN was able to step in and welcome Dempsey to a foster home. BUT, that was only the beginning.
Even in a rescue, Chihuahuas don’t get adopted quickly because, once again, they’re overlooked and become long-term fosters. Many people think, “at least he has a foster.” True; very true. However, being a long-term rescue dog means there are life interruptions. Foster families move, aren’t able to foster anymore, have babies, job changes, and so on. Those changes mean, having to move the dog to a different home. That’s what has happened to Dempsey several times. It’s no fault of his and no fault of his foster families. It’s that he’s an overlooked and long-term foster.
Dempsey started his life as a boy in a world full of look alikes. He then got sick. He was lost in the sea of unwanted dogs at the shelter and too sick for the shelter to work with. Then he got his second life with MAIN. He has become long-term and had to move foster homes a few times. And now, although he’s always loved in his foster homes, he continues the wait for a family he can say is his own and his forever.
Dempsey grew up in that overgrown population of what, sometimes seems to be, throw away dogs. He deserves a family to adopt rather than always being “temporary.” Please share his picture and bio so we can get this boy the forever family he should have. If you’d love to meet Dempsey or have any questions about this cool guy, please fill out our adoption application or contact us at medicalanimalsinneed@gmail.com.
Not sure if complex is the right word for Dempsey. “Chihuahua” pretty much describes him. He’ll bark at horses, act tough towards chickens, sometimes growl at big dogs but if a stick accidentally touches him as he’s walking along the earth, you better get the tissues ready for him. And for heaven’s sake don’t let the leash get under his back leg. Any humans within a mile will assume that you just murdered him. Now that his foster mom is used to it she just laugh at him and, onward they march. He’s vocal, sassy, the BEST snuggler, and would love to forever be someone’s shadow.
Dempsey is not a purse dog but wants to be close at all times. He has a high energy level so those little legs need to stay busy. He probably prefer not to have K9 siblings but peacefully coexists with dogs who ignore his little man complex. He’ll play with them when it’s his idea; which isn’t too often. He’s usually shy around people. He doesn’t want someone to bend down to pet him when his face is clearly saying he’s unsure. If a person can ignore him for just a couple minutes, he’ll initiate, and if you’re a chosen one, he’ll ask for pets and to be in your lap. Dempsey is getting to socialize and meet new people. His two favorite people are cowboys he’s met; scary spurs and all.
If you’d like to know more about Dempsey or to meet him please fill out our adoption application or contact us at medicalanimalsinneed@gmail.com.
8/21/2019
Meet Dempsey. This 5 year old boy is looking for his perfect forever family. Dempsey found himself at the shelter and on the euthanasia list due to severe mange. MAIN entered the picture and brought Dempsey into the rescue. Dempsey is healthy and happy and loved in his foster home but of course he’d like his own people. Dempsey does well with going outside to go potty when the foster mom takes him out. He isn’t thrilled with dogs that are bigger than him but tolerates them on a case-by-case basis. He’s respectful of the senior dog in his foster place and plays with the bigger dog there too. Dempsey shouldn’t be around young children because they make him anxious and fearful. He does well with older children as long as they are dog savvy and able to understand Dempsey’s needs and boundaries. Dempsey has some separation anxiety but his foster mom is working hard to find something that will offer him comfort and keep him from verbalizing his fear. His foster mom shared that Dempsey has to have regular long walks so he can let loose some of that boy energy and he must have consistent exercise in order to lessen the severity of his anxiety. Lastly, Dempsey loves being a lapdog but, again, does need exercise to stay balanced.
This cute boy is 5 years old, potty trained with a chaperone, current on his shots, neutered, and has a microchip. He needs someone who will help him learn that the world isn’t as scary as he may think it is. He loves consistency and has the simple wish to have a family of his own.
