Spruce

Spruce is an adoptable female Boston Terrier looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a young adult and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Spruce, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Recommendations FAMILY INTRODUCTION IN HOME TRAINING Memo 8/25/2026 08/25/26 12:48 This dog is experiencing significant stress and anxiety in the shelter, particularly while kenneled, and has begun engaging in self-injurious behavior. These behaviors can develop when a dog becomes overwhelmed by constant stimulation and a lack of control over their surroundings. Although this dog continues to show appropriate behavior outside of the kennel with positive interactions with staff and volunteers, without intervention, both emotional and physical well-being may continue to decline. Immediate placement is needed with an experienced adopter or New Hope Partner who can provide a calm, supportive home and time for decompression. Placement needed by close of business 8/30/26. May be at risk of euthanasia 8/31/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/18/2026 REASON FOR SURRENDER: I PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REHOME HER DUE TO JOB AND HOUSING LOSS. SHE WAS PLACED WITH AN OLDER COUPLE, BUT I MUST OFFICIALLY SURRENDER HER NOW BECAUSE MY CURRENT EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING AS A LIVE-IN CAREGIVER DO NOT PERMIT PETS. DURATION OF OWNERSHIP: ADOPTED ON JANUARY 19, 2026, AND OWNED UNTIL MAY 2, 2026. ORIGIN OF THE ANIMAL: ADOPTED FROM FOSTER SPAYED/NEUTERED: YES, SPAYED. CURRENT MEDICAL/BEHAVIORAL CONDITIONS OR MEDICATIONS: N/A INTEREST IN SUPPORT RESOURCES: NO, AS MY LIVE-IN CAREGIVER POSITION STRICTLY PROHIBITS PETS. BITE HISTORY: NO NEAR BITES (CONTACT WITHOUT BREAKING SKIN): NO PHOTOS OF INJURIES/BITES: N/A BITE WITHIN THE LAST 10 DAYS / DATE OF BITE: N/A SIGNS OF AGGRESSION TOWARD PEOPLE OR ANIMALS: NO AGGRESSION. HISTORY OF SERIOUSLY INJURING OR CAUSING THE DEATH OF ANOTHER ANIMAL: NO BEHAVIOR AROUND CHILDREN: UNKNOWN. DESCRIPTION OF BEHAVIOR AROUND CHILDREN: UNKNOWN. HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND INTERACTIONS: LIVED IN AN ADULT-ONLY HOUSEHOLD AND GOT ALONG WELL WITH ALL ADULTS. INTERACTION WITH OTHER ANIMALS: CATS: NO CATS. DOGS: REQUIRES A VERY SLOW INTRODUCTION. LIVESTOCK: N/A OTHER SMALL ANIMALS/REPTILES: UNKNOWN. RESOURCE GUARDING (FOOD, TOYS, SPACE, PEOPLE): NO RESOURCE GUARDING. HOUSE-TRAINED: YES POTTY TRAINED: YES FAMILIAR WITH A DOG DOOR: UNKNOWN. CRATE TRAINED: YES LEASH TRAINED: YES KNOWN COMMANDS: NO PRIMARY LIVING AREA (INDOORS/OUTDOORS): INDOORS. HISTORY OF DESTRUCTION: DESTRUCTIVE WITH TOYS, BLANKETS, AND TOWELS. LAST VACCINATIONS / VETERINARY VISIT: FEBRUARY OR MARCH 2026. UP TO DATE ON VACCINATIONS, HEALTHY, AND NO ISSUES. ENERGY LEVEL: HIGH ENERGY AND ACTIVE. KNOWN FEARS (FIREWORKS, CAR RIDES, BATHS): DISLIKES CAR RIDES; SKITTISH WITH LOUD NOISES. LIKES (FAVORITE TOYS, ACTIVITIES): BELLY RUBS, LONG WALKS AT THE PARK, AND PLAYING. ESCAPIST BEHAVIOR: NO DOOR DASHING OR RUNNING AWAY: NO ADDITIONAL BEHAVIORAL NOTES: SHE IS A VERY GOOD DOG WITH AN EXCELLENT TEMPERAMENT. SHE IS HIGHLY PLAYFUL, LOVING, AND WOULD THRIVE IN A CARING PERMANENT HOME. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/22/2026 Lunging and growling when handler walked past with a dog. 8/21/2026 day 1; dog didnt eat kibble offered. dog was seen jumping,barking,pacing in kennel 8/19/2026 Wiggly soft body and wagging tail at front of kennel, leaning into kennel door for attentions. Placing \"PURPLE\" based on intake notes and kennel presence. 8/16/2026 walks on leash, pulls hard, very excited and jump up on people. tries to run/push out of kennel when placin inside. 1/16/2026 FROM FOSTER: Spruce is adapting very well to our house, and she’s extremely well behaved. She’s coughing a little bit, but I was able to give her the medication once a day without any problems. She would even take the pill by herself, with no need to hide it in her food. When I walked her, she was very tense the entire time and only relaxed when we got back home. She leaned toward every person to get some pets, but she got anxious when dogs passed by. She didn’t bark once during the entire time she was with me. She is fully potty trained and didn’t do anything inside the house, only in the backyard. Whenever we say “no” to her, she calmly goes to her bed, and she has probably slept about 20 hours a day over the past days. 1/11/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Difficult to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Sit, ignored dogs on way to play yard, got the brief zoomies, then came to handler to lean in for pets, occasionally jumped up but easy to manage. social, affiliative. chased toys but didn't pick up. pushed out on return and hesitated entering kennel. 1/6/2026 dog only ate 1/2 food 1/3/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Sit, Easy pull for kennel, a tad harder to return. Wanted more attention and treats. Walked nicely and was interested in other dogs but not aggressive. Very interested in contact and leaned in while walking as well. 12/31/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, High arousal, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Not interested in treats, Stop and go, High Energy, Fence fight attempt, she is calm and very affectionate outside of the shelter, but inside she is reactive to other dogs and pulls toward them making returning her to kennel quite difficult. 12/30/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Spruce was easy pull and clingy on exit. Showed strong interest in barking dogs past kennel. Took treats nicely and was moderate pull on leash. Harness wrap leash reduced pulling & choking on walk. 12/28/2025 Solicited attentions, went for 4 paws walk today 12/26/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easily startled, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit 12/26/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easily startled, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Spruce was easy pull & return to kennel. Sometimes pulled on leash with an occasional jump up. Took treats nicely & no interest in toys. 12/26/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easily startled, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Spruce was easy pull & return to kennel. Playful with wiggly body, ignoring dogs in kennels. A little jumpy at times while enjoying belly & butt rubs. Took treats nicely & not interested in toys. 12/23/2025 front of kennel, loose wiggly body, tail wagging, stood on door, took treat, licked presented hand. behaviorally adoptable at intake color based on kennel presentation and notes. 12/20/2025 slowly walks on leash, seeks out attention subtly, not interested in treats, light restraint for vaccines, allowed all handling and petting, tail wagging, smiles at affection Name: Spruce Animal ID: A5157016 Breed: BLACK/WHITE AMERICAN STAFF/BOSTON TERRIER Sex: Spayed Age: 2Y 7M Weight: 52.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 161 Intake Date: 8/16/2026 Deadline Date: 8/30/2026