* Interested in adopting? Please read the dog’s full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an application at www.dpsrescue.org. All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.Adoption fee: $650 Meet Sketch: a velvet coated seal with a non-stop tail-wag! Sketch is a 12–14 week old Mini Lab mix who was rescued from the shelter alongside her sister, Scribbles, and she’s been busy blossoming into the sweetest little companion in foster care ever since. At first glance, Sketch looks like a tiny velvet-coated seal disguised as a puppy. But once you get to know her, it’s impossible not to fall for her soft, snuggly personality, her endlessly wagging “battery-operated” tail, and the way she dramatically flops over for belly rubs every chance she gets. Personality When Sketch first arrived, the world felt big and overwhelming. She was timid, uncertain, and cautious about everything around her. But after one good night of sleep and some patient reassurance, her real personality started shining through. Now? She’s a happy little shadow puppy who wants to be wherever her people are. Sketch is absolutely a Velcro dog. Her favorite place is curled up next to you on the couch with a toy nearby while you provide ongoing belly rub services. She greets her people with full-body wiggles, kisses, playful little nibbles, and the kind of enthusiastic tail wag that looks mechanically powered. She’s naturally gentle and sweet with humans, warms up quickly to visitors, and has a soft, affectionate temperament that makes her incredibly easy to love. Daily Routine She wakes up around 6:30 AM for an immediate backyard potty trip, followed by breakfast around 7:15 and some playtime in the family room before heading into her crate for a morning nap. She’s usually back up around lunchtime for potty breaks, meals, and more play before another afternoon nap. Evenings are spent hanging out with the family, playing with toys, and winding down after dinner before bedtime around 9:30 PM. At night, she sleeps quietly in her crate beside her foster family’s bed without making a peep. Play Style Sketch has a wonderful balance of playful puppy energy and calm snuggly sweetness. She gets adorable little zoomie bursts after naps, proudly carries toys around the house, and loves collecting treasures. She’s also deeply committed to her teething hobby. Thankfully, she redirects easily to appropriate toys and is very eager to please. One of her foster family’s favorite moments was catching her carefully carrying her favorite toy into the backyard, thoughtfully selecting the perfect hiding place, burying it under mulch, and then standing back to admire her work like a tiny landscaping professional. Dogs, People, and Confidence Building Sketch lives with two resident dogs and absolutely adores them. She keeps trying to convince them to play with her, though the older pups are currently less enthusiastic about her plans. She hasn’t spent much time around children yet, but her foster family feels confident she would do well thanks to her gentle, affectionate personality. While she has gained so much confidence already, Sketch can still feel unsure in brand new environments or when being picked up suddenly. She’s looking for a patient family that will continue helping her build confidence at her own pace. A playful canine sibling would likely make her very happy. Training Sketch is doing incredibly well with potty training for such a young puppy. Her foster family reports zero accidents so far, and she’s already started going to the back door when she needs to go outside. She’s very smart and learning routines quickly. She sleeps wonderfully in her crate overnight and naps there during the day as well. Like many puppies, she sometimes cries briefly before settling for naps, but overall she’s doing great. Her Perfect Home Sketch would thrive in a patient, loving home that continues encouraging her confidence while appreciating her naturally sweet temperament. She doesn’t need nonstop activity — she’s just as happy snuggling on the couch as she is having a short burst of puppy zoomies. She would especially love a home where belly rubs are plentiful, toys are always available, and someone appreciates a puppy who occasionally hides her treasures in the backyard for safekeeping. Why Everyone Falls for Her There’s something incredibly special about Sketch’s combination of softness and bravery. She may start out cautious, but once she trusts you, she gives her whole heart. From her velvet-soft fur to her upside-down belly-rub poses to her tiny tail vibrating with excitement whenever she sees her favorite people, Sketch is the kind of puppy who quietly sneaks her way into your heart and stays there.