Paws and Prayers Rescue Blog

Hi there!  I’m Petunia!  Most likely you've seen my picture if you frequent the Paws & Prayers Adoptable Dog page.  I've been in foster care for quite some time. I was asked to write ‘a day in the life’ of Petunia, but I figured people were more curious about dogs that seem to be around forever.  I assume you wonder what is ‘wrong’ with us.  Really, it’s ok to admit that.  There are various reasons that dogs don’t get adopted as readily as others.  My foster mom says it can be because some are older, some need more training, some have special needs, some look a certain way. etc.  But, I can only tell you about me . . .

My foster mom thinks I’m about the sweetest dog in the world!  Sometimes she can’t stop squeezing and kissing me and squeezing me some more.  Luckily, my body structure can handle it and the love feels so good so I don’t mind at all.

On a hike with my foster mom.

I love being with my people.  It doesn't matter what we do; we can go for walks and runs, I can sit and watch you clean, we can play ball together, or I will lay at your feet while you work or cuddle sooo close to you if you let me.  I think I’m a lapdog and somehow I make it work.  I’m just a people kinda dog.  I love to chew my toys while lying over your lap or your feet or anywhere you'll let me lay on you - I just want to touch you!

Even though I love my peoples, I do just fine being alone and don’t have any separation issues so you can come and go as you please.  I pick up on routines and expectations easily as long as you teach me positively and consistently.  I walk and jog very well on a leash and I sit at the street corners to let cars go past. Not gonna lie, sometimes those rabbits and squirrels can be a random distraction (Mom is working with me on this).  I get several compliments on my leash skills and what an awesome and cute dog I am.  No kidding, people literally roll down their car windows and say so!

Showing my diva side!

Mom has a new expectation this week that whenever she stops walking I need to sit immediately, not just at the street corners.  We've only started this a couple days ago and I’m doing very well.  Mom says training never stops and her own dog, who is a registered therapy dog, confirms this (we've had a few conversations).

Training is cool!  Most of the time I never even know it’s happening.  I just get recognized for being good, doing what’s asked of me, or learning what I shouldn't be doing by being taught what I should be doing. Pretty simple, huh? “Water the Flowers, Not the Weeds” is my mom’s motto.  A professor of her’s once said this and she recently found out it’s the title of a book about building all types of relationships.  Go ahead and Google it.  I hope it makes sense to you, if it doesn't already.

Anyhoo, I also have learned 'come,' 'sit,' ‘wait,’ 'let's go,’ 'stay,' ‘watch me,' and ‘down’ in a structured setting. ‘ Come,' ‘Watch Me,’ ‘Wait’ and ‘Let’s Go’ are very important to me.  Oh, I also know 'crate' and 'basement' too!

"I've got this one!"

Hmmm, what else about me?  I love to play ball and can jump so high to catch the ball.  Well, I only catch it about 70% of the time, but this is something we are perfecting!  I quickly figured out all by myself that another ball doesn't get thrown until I drop the one in my mouth.  Mom says I’m so smart!  I've also been using my brain and trying agility weave poles.  I’m quite the tomboy and a girly diva all at the same time.  I get the ‘zoomies’ a few times a week when I run around the yard as fast as I can and spin around.  Then I bound in the house and I’m ready to snuggle up.

I LOVE snoozing by the heat vent!

Here I've worn myself out chewing on my squeaky toy.

I sound like a pretty wonderful pup, huh?  I am, and I’ll be even better when I get a home to call my own. How could I still possibly be in desperate need of a home?



Stay tuned to hear more from Petunia herself with her Pet of the Month:  Petunia, Part 2 post later this week!

If you would like to know more about and/or meet Petunia please see her listing on Paws and Prayers Adoptable Dogs and fill out an adoption application for Petunia today!