03/19/26 Looking for a cutie to adopt? Meet Cootie! Cootie has been waiting for her new family to show up since November 2025. The stress of being in the shelter has made her not present well in the kennel; but the second she's out Cootie blossoms! Cootie is a super easy dog to leash and she walks amazingly on the leash. She liked to take her time once she's in the yard, but after spending some time with her and giving her some positive interactions she really starts to open up. Cootie just needs the chance to get to know her new family that she has been waiting so long for. Cootie is only looking for a chance. So if you have the room in your home and the patience to give her time to open up, Cootie would love to meet you. 02/21/26 15:34 MH In a kennel, Cootie's true colors don't shine. When on walks and in yards, Cootie greets staff and volunteers with a relaxed posture and soft tail wag. She can be selective with who she warms up to but with positive reinforcement, she does come around. Cootie has gone from needing a 'helper dog' to BEING the helper dog, and has been assisting many fearful dogs with acclimating to shelter life. Cootie (sometimes called Cutie by volunteers and staff) would benefit from a dedicated foster with experience in positive reinforcement training (PRT), she'd do well with another dog but this is not a requirement. If you'd like to give Cootie a break from the shelter and help us get more information for a potential adopter/rescue, contact us at sjrescue@sanjoseca.gov. Or come on down to meet her! Cootie is a 3-year-old gray pit bull with a gentle soul who is feeling overwhelmed by shelter life. She’s showing signs of kennel stress and can be hesitant to approach new people at first, but she allows full handling and warms up with patience and calm reassurance. One of the best ways to see Cootie’s true personality is around other dogs. When she’s with a helper dog of similar size, she becomes loose, wiggly, and visibly more comfortable. Having a canine friend helps her feel safe and brings out her happy, playful side. Cootie would thrive with: A rescue or foster who can help her decompress A home with another like-sized dog to build confidence An adopter who understands that shelter stress behavior can be different in a home With time, consistency, and maybe a dog buddy by her side, Cootie has all the potential to blossom into a loving, loyal companion. She’s just waiting for someone willing to go slow and give her the chance she deserves