Critter Details

Meet Rita! A spirited two-year-old Terrier mix currently in Fallbrook, CA, whose essence is a bundle of sunshine wrapped in a soft, tan coat and topped with a heart of gold. Weighing just 17 pounds, Rita may be small in size, but her personality is anything but! She’s an endlessly sweet and fun-loving gal with a playful spark in her eye and a tail that never stops wagging, especially when treats are involved! Rita is incredibly smart and very food motivated, making her a quick study for any future training. She already knows “come” and “down,” and with a handful of her favorite snacks, she’s all ears! Though she didn’t go through formal obedience classes, her desire to please makes her a dream for a guardian who enjoys positive reinforcement and bonding through play. Rita is wonderfully social with both dogs and people and would thrive in a home with a smaller or medium-sized dog friend who can be her playmate! When it comes to cats, Rita does have a high prey drive, so she’s only compatible with confident feline friends who won’t be startled by her curious and playful nature. She’s also wonderful with kids, including her tiny human foster sibling, and loves being in the mix of family life! While she’s playful and still very much a puppy at heart (with an occasional nibble or a curious dig), Rita’s gentle, friendly nature and love of cuddles make her the perfect constant companion. Rita does have a previously injured back leg that gives her a little limp, but it doesn’t hold her back much! Her leg doesn’t currently require surgery, just the occasional doggy aspirin for pain management if needed. She’s doing great without it so far, but her activity should be monitored to keep her comfortable and safe. She’s active and enjoys her daily walks, fetch sessions, and sunbathing breaks, but roughhousing should be kept light and fun, just like her. She’s crate-trained but prefers snuggling up with her people at night, and who can blame her? Rita is ready to bring joy, snuggles, and a whole lot of love to a family who can give her playtime, companionship, and care. Are you ready to welcome this sweet, treat-loving gal into your heart and home? If you’re interested in providing Rita with a loving home, please email meetme@joyfulpets.com for more information about adopting her! Please note that Rita is currently in foster care through one of our trusted rescue partners and will remain with her foster family until the right match is found. Because rescue-partner pets are managed directly by their respective organizations, their adoption process, requirements, and fees may differ from Joyful Pets’ direct rehoming program. Our team will be happy to connect you with the rescue and help guide you through their process to ensure everything goes smoothly. Content Notice: This pet is represented by Joyful Pets. All photos, descriptions, and behavioral summaries are proprietary and may not be republished, altered, or used by third-party platforms. Any unapproved aggregation or rewriting of this listing is strictly prohibited.Please complete our adoption application to arrange a meeting with this wonderful pet. Your consideration and eagerness to adopt truly make a difference. We're excited to assist you in this journey!