More about Ziploc

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, January 24th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance.   Adoption fee: $750 Meet Ziploc (aka Zippy)!   Ziploc is a 3 year old, 9 lb Maltipoo with a soft, non-shedding coat and a gentle, easygoing nature. He arrived at the shelter as a stray with a severely matted and dirty coat, but after some much-needed TLC and a glow-up from one of our volunteer groomers, his sweet personality and handsome looks truly shine. Ziploc is a calm, well-mannered little dog who has been a joy to foster and would make a wonderful companion in many types of homes.   Daily routine: Ziploc starts his day whenever his foster does, usually between 7–8 AM. He sleeps through the night in a chair beside the bed and wakes up quietly. After a quick trip to the backyard to potty, he often hops onto the bed to continue snoozing for a while longer. He isn’t very interested in breakfast and would much rather have treats, though kibble is offered in the morning.   Around 11 AM, Ziploc goes out for a walk, which he enjoys very much. After this walk, he’ll usually eat a little bit of his kibble. The rest of the late morning and early afternoon is dedicated to his favorite activity: napping. Around 2 PM, he perks up with excitement to help pick up the kids from school, and by this point he’s hungry enough to finish his first proper meal of the day, usually by around 4 PM.   He heads out for another walk around 5 PM, followed by more food and then a relaxed evening. Ziploc spends the later hours of the day lounging, napping, and quietly hanging out near the family— often sitting with the kids while they do homework. His final potty break is around 9 PM, and he typically settles in for the night shortly after, often syncing his bedtime with his foster’s, sometimes as late as 10 or 11 PM.   Personality: When Ziploc first arrived, he slept a lot— so much that his foster jokingly had to remind themselves there was a dog in the house. Those first few days were clearly about decompressing and observing his new environment. Over time, he’s become more engaged and aware of daily routines, getting excited for walks and especially car rides.   Ziploc is not a velcro dog, but he does like to be near his people. He prefers to nap in the same room or somewhere he can keep an eye on what’s going on. In the evenings, he may cuddle close on the couch or retreat to his favorite chair in another room for a peaceful snooze. One thing that hasn’t changed is his love of sleep— he is truly a champion napper.   As he’s grown more comfortable, Ziploc has shown his affectionate side. Early on, he could give a low growl if touched in a way he didn’t like, but now he clearly communicates his desire for affection by inviting belly rubs, resting his head against you, or placing his front paws gently on you for pets. He’s especially alert when the garage door opens, just in case it means a car ride, though he handles staying home calmly as well.   Ziploc did not do well sleeping in a pen and would whine and try to escape. Once allowed to sleep in his favorite chair, he slept peacefully through the night without issue. He is also sensitive about having his ears or paws cleaned if something is stuck, and may give a little warning growl in those situations, though with patience, confidence, and trust-building, this is likely to continue improving.   Dog, cat, and people interactions: Ziploc does well around other dogs on walks, though he can be wary of larger breeds and may bark at them. He has remained calm and polite with small dogs, even when one unexpectedly ran up to him. He showed minimal reaction to a stray cat in the backyard, suggesting he may do fine in a home with cats. He enjoys people and attention on walks and approaches others in a friendly manner. He has spent time around school-aged children and comfortably hangs out with them during homework time.   Energy level and play style: Ziploc is not a very playful dog and leans more toward being a lounger than an entertainer. He enjoys the occasional belly rub and will briefly engage with his stuffed rabbit but loses interest quickly. He doesn’t fetch or chase balls. That said, he is very treat-motivated and already sits automatically the moment he sees a snack, even before being asked, suggesting he could easily learn more with positive reinforcement. When he’s not walking or riding in the car, he is content to sleep most of the day.   On leash: Ziploc is excellent on leash and rarely pulls. He has barked at larger dogs a couple of times but generally walks calmly.   House training and behavior: Ziploc is perfectly house-trained and has not had a single accident in his foster home. He reliably potties in the yard or on walks, can hold it for several hours, and sleeps through the night. He does not chew, dig, or bark excessively. He may bark briefly when excited or startled, but overall he is a very quiet and polite dog.   Ideal home: Ziploc would do well in many types of homes and lifestyles. A calmer household may suit him best, as he enjoys long naps and a relaxed routine, though he also appreciates daily walks and time spent with his people. He is adaptable, gentle, and easy to care for, making him an excellent companion for someone looking for a low-maintenance, well-behaved dog.   What makes Ziploc special: Ziploc stands out for how easy he is to live with. He is calm, non-disruptive, fully house-trained, walks beautifully on leash, and settles quietly into daily life. While he may not be a high-energy or toy-obsessed dog, he is a sweet, steady presence and truly a very good boy.   Favorite things: His dramatic before-and-after haircut is a fan favorite—his foster lovingly compared his original look to characters like Doc from Back to the Future and Pennywise, all in good fun. Another endearing habit is how gently he extends his paw when you touch it, a dainty little gesture that looks incredibly polite and charming.   Ziploc is a quiet gem who is ready to bring calm companionship and gentle affection to his future home.