More about Punctuation (aka Punky)

Adoption fee: $750 Mama Punctuation— affectionately known as Punky— is a 1–2 year old, 16-pound Brussels Griffon whose story began with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve arrival. Abandoned at a local shelter while heavily pregnant, Punky was rescued and brought to the DPS Safehouse, where she greeted everyone she met with a friendly spirit and wagging tail despite her circumstances. Just days later, on January 8th, she gave birth to four beautiful puppies and settled right into the role of devoted mother. She has spent the last two months lovingly raising her babies in foster care, and now that her pups are ready to venture off to homes of their own, it’s finally Punky’s turn to find the family who will spoil her the way she deserves.   Punky has proven herself to be a wonderfully affectionate little dog who truly adores people. From the moment she arrived in foster care, she made it clear that human companionship is her favorite thing. If you sit down, don’t be surprised to find Punky gently placing her tiny paws on your legs and gazing up at you with her big, soulful brown eyes as if to say, “Please pick me up.” Once she’s in your arms or curled on your lap, she melts into cuddles and happily soaks up all the scratches and attention she can get. She is incredibly gentle, loving, and eager to connect with her people.   Her days in foster care are structured but full of activity. Punky typically wakes up quietly in the morning alongside her four puppies in their x-pen. Around 7:00–7:30 a.m., she heads outside to stretch her legs, take care of business, and enjoy breakfast. Most mornings include a walk with her large foster brothers— sometimes a mile, sometimes as long as nine miles. Punky absolutely loves to walk and impressively keeps pace with the bigger dogs. Once she sees the leash, she sits politely while it’s clipped on, ready for the adventure ahead.   After her walk, if the weather cooperates, she enjoys some time exploring and playing in the backyard before heading back into the x-pen with her puppies. Lunch comes around midday, followed by a few hours of quiet time. Later in the afternoon she gets another chance to stretch her legs, play, and enjoy the outdoors. Dinner is served in the early evening, and by around 9:30 p.m., Punky and her little family settle in for the night with lights out.   While Punky is wonderfully affectionate, she also has a curious side and enjoys exploring her surroundings. She’s a great balance of playful and mellow— happy to investigate what’s happening around her but equally content to curl up on the couch once she’s had some activity. She’s also quite the foodie, though it’s hard to say whether that enthusiasm comes from raising four hungry puppies or simply from a genuine love of snacks.   Out on walks, Punky is a little star. People are constantly stopping to admire her unique Brussels Griffon charm, and she absolutely loves the attention. She happily greets people she meets along the way and soaks up every bit of admiration. She does start off walks with some enthusiasm and can pull at first, though she settles into a steadier pace once she gets going. A harness may help her channel that excitement more comfortably.   Punky’s foster home includes two large dogs— a mellow hound and a young doodle— and her relationships with them have evolved as she raised her puppies. She was a typical protective mama dog when the babies were young but has since mellowed out and coexists well with them.   When it comes to walking past other dogs, Punky can get quite excited and vocal— especially with smaller dogs. She may bark, jump, or pull toward them. Interestingly, when given the opportunity to calmly greet another dog, she often settles right down and simply sniffs politely. This suggests her reactions are more about excitement than displeasure, but it will be important for her adopter to continue working on leash manners and social skills with training and consistency.   Punky has shown no interest in chewing on inappropriate items. She does enjoy digging— but only when she’s convinced a gopher or ground squirrel might be hiding underground. Squirrels and other critters definitely capture her attention, and if given the chance she would likely chase them. While she will bark when reacting to other dogs on walks or when she hears something outside, she is not a dog who barks constantly without reason.   Above all, Punky is a sweet, soulful little dog with a huge heart. She is friendly with everyone she meets, eager for affection, and happiest when she’s close to her people.   Her foster family says their favorite moments are the simplest ones: sitting down and instantly finding Punky gazing up at them, patiently waiting to be scooped into their arms. With those enormous dark eyes and that hopeful expression, it’s nearly impossible to resist.   After bravely raising her puppies and being such a devoted mama, Punky is more than ready for the next chapter of her life—a forever home where she can trade motherhood for cuddles, adventures, and all the love she has been so eager to give.