There are two kinds of people in this world: those who treat dogs like their kids, and those who...well, think dogs are just "dogs."
This handsome fella is Squirrel. At about 7 years old (give or take a few), he's spent his entire life outdoors. Snow, storms, heat, cold—Squirrel’s been through it all. He was never taken to the vet because, well, he was “healthy,” or so they thought. And as for the indoors? Not allowed—apparently, his shedding was a dealbreaker.
Sadly, his owner recently passed away, and with no family able to take him in, they reached out to ensure Squirrel would find a safe place—ideally with a warm, cozy bed indoors. As soon as we saw that sweet face, we knew we had to help. We can’t imagine how hard it must have been for him to not only lose his human but also the only home he’s ever known. Thanks to his amazing foster family though, he’s now receiving the love and care he deserves. A trip to the vet revealed the truth behind Squirrel’s “health” – turns out, the poor guy wasn’t feeling so great after all. He had a mass growing on his eyelid that needed to be removed and was struggling with chronic arthritis, causing him to limp. But don’t let that fool you – this handsome boy has a heart full of love and a spirit that’s still as strong as ever. Now that he’s in a safe place, Squirrel is ready to live the indoor life he’s always deserved. He’s hoping to find a family that will see beyond his past and embrace him for the sweet, resilient soul he is.
Squirrel is the kind of dog who’s spent most of his life within the safe, familiar confines of a backyard, never venturing far beyond. And like many of our older folks, he’s a creature of habit—set in his ways, but oh-so-sweet. So when he was introduced to the big, scary “monster on wheels” (aka the car), let’s just say it wasn’t love at first ride. Squirrel wasn’t thrilled about the journey and made it clear he’d prefer to stay out of it entirely. Once he was inside, all he wanted was to get out. But, bless his heart, his foster mama did her best to comfort him with sweet songs, and we think that helped ease his nerves a little. Still, we’re pretty sure Squirrel wouldn’t mind if he never saw the inside of a car again. While he may not be a fan of human transportation methods, Squirrel is a huge fan of the people he loves. He is all about the companionship, and we have a feeling he’d be thrilled to join you on all your adventures—as long as they don’t involve that giant metal beast. He’s a happy, sociable guy who just wants to be by your side, soaking up all the love and attention. With his Golden/Labrador Retriever mix roots, it’s no surprise that Squirrel is such a cuddlebug. These breeds are notorious for their loving, happy-go-lucky nature, and Squirrel is no exception. But don’t worry—Squirrel isn’t asking for a tour of the town or a whirlwind of new experiences. This guy is just as content snuggling at home, enjoying the simple pleasure of being indoors and with you. However, if you have a nature trail nearby, you’re in luck—Squirrel loves going on walks! He’s got great leash manners, so you won’t have to worry about him yanking you around, tangling you up, or tripping you. Even your kiddos will be able to walk him with ease. Squirrel loves making new friends on his strolls too—he’s calm, polite, and well-mannered around people, never one to cause a scene. Now, when it comes to play, Squirrel might not be the “fetch and tug-of-war” kind of guy. He doesn’t seem super interested in toys or playing with the other dogs, but that could be due to his age or the fact that he never had the luxury of toys or playtime when he was younger. But even without the games, Squirrel’s still full of love and affection, and his happiest moments are spent simply by your side. He’s the laid-back type, but with a heart full of excitement that overflows every time he sees you, like you’ve been gone for years, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You might even catch him letting out a little whine if you disappear from sight. Yep, Squirrel is definitely the dog that will be with you for every single bathroom break.
Squirrel does have some arthritis, which we’re managing with pain medication to keep him comfortable. That said, it’s important for his future family to understand that there will be days when he moves a little slower. While he enjoys his walks, he might not always be up for the longer, more strenuous outings or high-energy activities. But don’t let that fool you—Squirrel’s still a trooper, and he’ll happily join in on shorter, more relaxed strolls. Just know that his ideal day is one filled with love, cozy naps, and some low-key outdoor adventures at his own pace. Squirrel is the epitome of a laid-back gentleman when it comes to other dogs. He’s more of a "peaceful coexistence" kind of guy, so don’t expect him to be sprinting around with your energetic Husky anytime soon. While he’s perfectly fine sharing his space with other dogs, he’s just not interested in engaging in their playtime antics. He’s like the cool, older dog who’s perfectly content to chill on the sidelines while the younger ones run circles around him. Currently living with a few “purrinators,” Squirrel takes a rather indifferent stance toward their feline plotting. They’re busy being sneaky, and he’s busy... well, just being Squirrel—he tends to just ignore their antics. When it comes to kids, Squirrel is a big fan, but given his age and laid-back nature, he’s best suited for kids who understand that he’s not a jungle gym. While he’s still got plenty of love to give, he’s not up for being climbed on, tugged, or constantly messed with. That said, we’re not sure it’s even possible to tire this boy out when it comes to affection—he’ll happily soak up all the love you’ve got to offer, and if you let him, he’ll happily keep the love train rolling right alongside you.
Squirrel would happily share an apartment with his new family—though, just a heads-up, don’t expect him to tackle a flight of stairs like he's training for a marathon. If you're looking for a good workout by carrying a 45lb dog up and down the stairs multiple times a day, Squirrel’s got you covered. But if you’d prefer not to build your upper-body strength, he’d be much more comfortable in a ground-floor apartment where he can gracefully stroll in and out without the hassle of a stairmaster. Now, whether you’re in an apartment or a house, you can rest easy knowing that Squirrel is potty trained. He’s spent his entire life pottying outdoors, and he’s not about to start treating your indoor space like a bathroom anytime soon. As for kennels, forget about it—this senior gentleman has impeccable manners, and he’s never been kenneled. Why start now? You can trust this handsome guy to free-roam the house like he owns the place—because, well, he does... with the added perk of zero destructive behavior. He’s not interested in chewing on your stinky shoes, eating your walls, or even stealing the TV remote (so no need to worry about an unscheduled binge-watch session!). Squirrel’s idea of fun? Cuddling on the couch with his people, no questions asked. He loves being a part of whatever you’re doing—just expect some serious puppy-dog eyes as he waits for you to give him a hand up onto the couch, since his hips aren’t exactly built for jumping anymore. But, hey, if you can’t resist those eyes, who can blame you? He’ll be more than happy to snuggle up with you on a chilly day. As for barking, well, Squirrel is about as quiet as they come. If you do happen to hear him bark, it’ll probably be a treat for you, because it’s such a rare occurrence. This boy’s just here for the snuggles, the pets, and the naps—he’s not here to make any noise or cause a ruckus.
If Squirrel’s adorable face and chill vibes have melted your heart, prepare yourself for the ultimate cozy companion experience! While he won’t be climbing trees, hoarding acorns, or running up and down the fence like his namesake, he will gladly snuggle up with you on the couch, join you on peaceful walks, and shower you with sweet affection. If you're ready to welcome this handsome, laid-back boy into your home, the next step is simple—just fill out the adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app. Once we get it, we’ll send it over to his foster family to make sure you two are the perfect match—because Squirrel is all about finding the family he can settle down with. Currently living the chill life in Tulsa, OK, Squirrel is ready for his happily ever after—but if you’re not local, don’t worry! He’s not about that commercial transport life. A road trip with you? Now that’s more his speed. After all, he’s too dignified for anything less than VIP treatment. Plus, you can bond over scenic views (or, more realistically, a couple of naps, given you have a chauffeur of course) before he becomes your new best friend.
