Mustard

My story

***types into AI prompt*** “Show me an image of a three year-old, fully-vetted, cuddly poodle dog mixed with a little mace, maybe a little head trauma and some brown sugar.” ***gears grind, satellites realign, tech gets wasted*** and BEHOLD! It’s MUSTAAAAAARRRD! Here’s the good, the not so good, and the peculiar breakdown on our most recent curly-haired enigma! Mustard came to us from an area shelter. Having met the guy, it is not surprising that he did not meet their criteria for adoption. The maybe not so good part: He’s got a bit of… “zazz” to him, shall we say… when he’s in an uncertain situation with people and pets that he’s just met. Frankly, can you blame him? Imagine random Nancy at the mall cruising up to you because you’re having a really, really good hair day and trying to rub up on you. Chances are, you would also feel some feelings of “BACK THE HELL OFF, LADY! WE JUST MET! YOU NEED TO BUY ME CHEESE FIRST!” But when the trust cheese has been procured and consumed, Mustard melts down into more of the sweet Dijon flavored boy he’s become in recent weeks. The good part: Once he got past the getting-to-know-you jitters, the REAL Mustard emerged, and man, does this boy love all the attention from his foster Mom! He doesn’t want to be anywhere she isn’t. He loves a rousing game of fetch, or a nice stroll around the ‘hood, but otherwise, Mustard’s not the type to aspire to run a marathon or climb Everest. He’s much more of the Netflix and chill persuasion. Other dogs are kinda “meh” to him. He could give or take ‘em. His initial introductions with his foster pup sister were a little growly, but nothing more. He likes having his own space, especially his kennel. There hasn’t been a single potty accident with the fella. He’s a dutiful outdoor toilet-er. And the peculiar part: Mustard has the tendency to bark. Kind of a lot. Most of the time, it’s directed at nothing. Maybe he’s born with it? Maybe he can see ghosts? And then there’s the toilet routine. Before each poop, Mustard has to spin and spin like a furry ballerina. Maybe it’s the head trauma? Maybe it’s Maybeline? We don’t have the firmest grip on why he does some of the things he does, but being dropped from a distance on his head resulting in a stint at the hospital at K State prior to his tenure with us *might* be the explanation for some of his randomness. Who knows. But we’re sure about one thing- you’ll never be bored with this guy! Mustard is a natural companion who will adapt best to a quieter environment where he is the only dog, or in the company of other balanced dogs after S L O W introductions. Small children might not be the best matchup for a guy like Mustard, since he has some quirks in the “getting to know you” stage. This dog is an absolute sweetheart at his core once he knows the people and the place he’s in aren’t out to get him. If you have the space in a quiet, patient home to welcome Mustard in for the rest of his life, apply to take him forever home at thephoenixremixrescue.com!

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Mustard, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.