Critter Details

Meet Willie – A Gentle, Shy Soul Ready for a Fresh Start Willie is a 6-year-old, 25-pound Chihuahua mix who came to CAWS after losing his beloved person. This sweet boy’s world was turned upside down, but thanks to incredible volunteers, he made the long journey from New Mexico to Utah to begin his next chapter surrounded by love and safety.Understandably, Willie arrived scared and unsure. It took him nearly three weeks to feel secure enough to give his foster mom his first kisses—but now he offers the softest, sweetest kisses imaginable. His gentle nature shines once he trusts you.Willie is fully house-trained and crate-trained, with no accidents or marking. He gets along beautifully with all the dogs in his foster home—big or small, male or female—and moves through daily life quietly and kindly. He isn’t a barker and is easy to have around; sometimes you hardly notice he’s there, except for his soft presence at your feet.He recently had a dental (three teeth removed, several already missing) and had a tough recovery, but he’s now eating well and feeling much better. Willie is currently on metabolic food and is working toward losing about 10 pounds at a slow, healthy pace. Because his bloodwork suggested a possible thyroid issue, he’ll have follow-up testing in a few weeks to determine if medication is needed. His skin is a bit dry, so he receives soothing medicated baths, and his ears are being gently cleaned each day—something he patiently allows.Even with extra weight, Willie moves around surprisingly well, quietly padding up and down 16 stairs several times a day to keep his foster mom company while she works from home.Given his shy and sensitive nature, Willie needs a calm, predictable home without young or rowdy children. He would thrive with adopters who are retired, work from home, or can take him along during the day—he’s had enough loss and loneliness for one lifetime. While he does fine in a crate, we prefer he not spend much time in one going forward. He loves sleeping with his foster family (two- and four-legged alike) but will also settle into a dog bed if needed.Willie is truly a special little soul—quiet, tenderhearted, and overflowing with sweetness. He deserves a home filled with patience, security, and unconditional love for the rest of his many years ahead.If you feel you can offer Willie the safe, loving home he deserves, please fill out an application to meet him. This precious boy is ready to give his heart to someone who will cherish him.Dogs are not placed on a first-come, first-serve basis; we thoughtfully choose the best fit for each animal. Applications may take up to 48 hours to process. All CAWS pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Willie’s adoption fee is $200. Apply at caws.org/adoption-application. If you are interested in adopting a CAWS pet, please fill out an online application at https://caws.org/adoption-application