Fidel

My story

Fidel / Male / 7 Years / 13lbs / Chihuahua / Slow Intro to Dogs / Good with Older Kids / Not Tested with Cats / From Mexico / Fostered in Toronto Follow Fidel’s journey on Instagram: @fidel_the_chehuahua Meet Fidel! Fidel is a spirited, affectionate 7-year-old Chihuahua who came to us from Mexico. At just 13 lbs, he’s small in size but big in personality—full of charm, quirks, and love to give. Fidel is playful and loves toys, balls, sticks, and Kongs. He’ll occasionally burst into a set of zoomies that are as funny as they are short-lived, and then happily settle on the couch. His favorite greeting is standing on his hind legs and dancing for kisses. He’s also a big cuddler, often curling up on a lap and falling asleep instantly. Fidel thrives on calm environments. While in Toronto, the noise, constant dog encounters, and construction left him overstimulated. During a recent long weekend in Wales, he showed a completely different side—calm, relaxed, no bite incidents, and content to nap or enjoy his walks without issue. This tells us Fidel will do best in a quieter home and neighbourhood where he won’t feel overwhelmed. He bonds closely with his people, showering them with kisses and affection. He’s met respectful older children and done well, so we feel he could live with dog-savvy teens or pre-teens. With strangers, he’s social and quick to offer a friendly lick. With other dogs, Fidel is curious but still learning manners. He prefers slow, careful introductions and space at first. Recent progress with our behaviour team has shown that he can be social in the right setting, especially with decompression, structured introductions, and balanced dogs. He is not yet tested with cats. Fidel’s energy level is moderate. He enjoys several short walks a day and outdoor sniffing time but is not a distance walker. He currently gets 4–5 walks daily, ranging from 10 minutes to an hour. Indoors, he enjoys puzzle feeders, lick mats, and toys to keep his mind busy. He is house-trained (with a short adjustment period when he moved foster homes) and crate-trained, sleeping soundly overnight and settling when left alone for short periods. He hasn’t been left alone for a full workday yet, so gradual build-up will be important. Fidel sometimes startles if woken suddenly from sleep and once reacted with what seemed like a reflexive nip. This wasn’t done with intent, and he immediately settled, but it’s something his new family should be mindful of. Fidel is food-motivated, which makes training fun. He is working on leash skills—he loves to sniff and may stop frequently—but he is eager to learn. He’s also been practicing impulse control, nose work, and touch training with his foster. He has no current health concerns impacting his daily life, though he tested positive for Ehrlichia in the past (a tick-borne infection, not contagious). His bloodwork shows no active infection, but adopters should plan for annual monitoring and pre-op bloodwork before any surgery or dental procedures. Fidel also has extra premolars (supernumerary teeth), and dental x-rays have been recommended to assess whether extraction is needed. Surgery costs related to this will be covered by Fetch + Releash if not done before adoption. Fidel is a loving, adaptable little companion who shines in calmer settings. With patience, structure, and continued support, he will thrive and reward his family with endless affection and joy. If you’re interested in adopting Fidel please apply at https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/adoption-info#adoption-form Fidel’s adoption fee is $850. To learn more about our adoption fees and the adoption process, please visit our FAQs at https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/about-us#about-faqs.

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