Temporarily Timid Chihuahua Reveals Adorable Personality

Shy and timid at first, this dark haired Chihuahua takes a little while to open up, but foster mother Anitra Francis said, "Once you earn her trust, she's all yours." 

That was certainly the case with Francis, who has been taking care of Emma since mid-November. Francis said the 13-pound pup started off shy but it wasn't long before she let her true Chihuahua shine through with a playful personality and eagerness to play with canines and humans alike.

Rachel Mairose, director of Secondhand Hounds, explained her rescue organization took Emma in after she was found as a stray in Sioux City, IA. A petite pup estimated to be around two years old, Mairose calls Emma a "very special little girl."

It's no coincidence that one ear is up and the other ear down in each of Emma's pictures. This little Chihuahua, nicknamed Lucky Ear by her foster family, has one ear that stays flopped down while the other stands straight up, adding charm to her already adorable personality. 

As Emma is very attentive around food but does not beg, Francis believes she would make an excellent candidate for obedience training. In that same vein, Emma may also do well with agility training, as Francis says she can "jump and run like mad." 

Chihuahuas are traditionally warm weather loving canines, but this Mexican pooch seems to have a little Minnesota in her blood. Even at a mere 13 pounds, Francis said she doesn't seem to mind the cold as long as it's above 10 degrees. The compact little pup even loves to play in the snow.

Both Mairose and Francis commented that Emma loves other dogs. As she's smaller than almost all of them, Francis said she has a goofy method of getting their attention—she pecks them with her little nose. With her human friends, playing fetch is one of Emma's favorite pastimes, and she likes to try to wrestle with her foster mom and dad. She also enjoys walks and does well on leash. When the activities are done, Emma likes nothing more than sitting on someone's lap.   

Emma is house-trained and crate-trained and is good with both cats and kids. Her adoption fee is $280. 

Francis predicts that Emma will make someone "a great little companion." If you think you're that someone, fill out an adoption application on the Secondhand Hounds website. If this pint-sized pet isn't your perfect match but you'd still like to aid in the Secondhand Hounds effort, you can apply to volunteer or foster like Francis. Applications for volunteers and fosters can be found on the website as well.

An Edina-based 501(c)3 nonprofit, Secondhand Hounds is run by group of volunteer animal advocates. Since the organization was founded in August of 2009, Secondhand Hounds has matched 589 animals with loving human partners and safe homes.