Michael Phelps and Lima are two survivors looking for a special forever home. These adorable 10-pound Jack Russell Terrier mixes are thought to be between 2 to 5 years old. They came from a large hoarding situation in Phillipsburg and were among 40 dogs that were dumped from a truck in the middle of the night in Sussex County. Thankfully, they found their way to safety and have spent the last several months learning that people can be kind and the world doesn’t have to be scary.
Michael Phelps was very shut-down when he entered our rescue. In fact, he earned his name because when rescuers first arrived, he swam across an entire pond to get away from them before eventually being safely trapped. For over a month in foster, he wouldn’t allow anyone to touch him. Watching his transformation has been nothing short of amazing. Today, Michael is the life of the party and the biggest snuggle bug! He loves playing with other dogs, racing around the yard, and collecting as many dog toys as possible. His goofy personality keeps everyone laughing, and he’s always ready for fun.
Lima is the quieter, more reserved gentleman of the pair. Sweet, gentle, and shy, he takes a little time to trust but has a heart of gold. He enjoys the company of other dogs and thrives in a calm environment where he can continue building confidence at his own pace. Both Michael and Lima would do best in homes with another friendly dog to help show them the ropes and continue their social development.
While they are not bonded and can be adopted separately, adopting them together would likely make the transition easier for both boys and allow them to continue benefiting from the comfort and confidence they provide one another. A fully fenced yard is required, as both dogs can be flight risks when frightened. Their home should have older, considerate children only or no children at all as the unpredictable nature and energy of smaller children may overwhelm them. They will need patient adopters who understand that dogs from difficult backgrounds may need extra time to settle in and trust.
Both boys are neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and ready to find families of their own. Their adoption fee is $415 each.
