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y tail, and joyful energy. After coming to CAWS as a stray from a local shelter, Ruben has truly blossomed into a loving, affectionate companion who delights in his people and his daily adventures.
Ruben is the kind of dog who makes you feel special. When he sees his human, he lights up instantly, hopping with excitement and leaning in for cuddles and attention. Once he bonds, he becomes a devoted little shadow who wants nothing more than to be close to the person he loves. He is incredibly sweet, deeply affectionate, and happiest when he is near his people.
Ruben has boundless enthusiasm and curiosity, and he is so smart. He loves puzzles and anything that lets him use his nose and his instincts. Walks are one of his greatest joys. His happy zig-zag trot and enthusiastic pace bring a sense of fun to every outing and make even a short walk feel like an adventure worth savoring.
Ruben has made remarkable progress in his foster home. When he first arrived he came with significant resource guarding around food, toys, and affection, and over several months he has learned that he will always have enough, that his toys are not going anywhere, and that care is not something he has to fight for. He recently graduated from a training program at Train Walk Poop, where he charmed every one of his trainers and clearly loved the work. With consistent routines, clear boundaries, and calm support, he continues to gain confidence and good doggie manners every single day.
Ruben still carries some fear and insecurity from his life before CAWS, and when he feels overwhelmed it can come out as reactivity. He has a bite history with both people and dogs. His triggers are not always predictable, and he can get mouthy when he is overstimulated. What we know works beautifully for him: when something makes him nervous, his person calmly removes him from the situation, lets him settle, and then reintroduces it. With that careful, patient approach he has done well with the dogs he has met over the past couple of months.
Ruben will do best in a home with an adopter who is genuinely enthusiastic about continuing his training and confident managing a sweet, but sensitive dog. He should be around older children or kids who are extremely dog savvy, rather than young children. He enjoys the company of dogs he knows and trusts and has plays happily with his foster siblings, both large and small, but he can get nervous or feisty meeting new or overconfident dogs, so introductions need to be slow and thoughtful. A calm, confident, patient canine sibling could be a wonderful match with the right introduction.
New people can make Ruben a little unsure at first, especially entering his foster home. With gentle reassurance and a bit of patience he settles, and once he feels safe he connects deeply and wholeheartedly. He knows what a polite greeting is and once he's done sniffing shoes, he's ready for some scritches - especially on his hips. He does a tippy-tappy dance of happiness. He will spend time in his crate but really prefers to be with his human whenever possible. He has not been cat-tested yet, other than the cats he meets on his walks. He mostly shows curiosity but occasionally wants to chase.
He has grown so much since that first day, and he is not done yet. He just needs someone who is excited to help him become the confident, loving dog he is meant to be.
If you are looking for a snuggly, devoted companion who has already done so much growing and is ready to keep building, Ruben Humphrey may be the perfect fit. To meet this delightful little canine, please fill out an application at [.caws/adoption-application](.caws/adoption-application).
CAWS does not place animals on a first-come, first-served basis. We focus on finding the best match for each animal. Ruben Humphrey's adoption fee is $200. Applications may take up to 72 hours to process. All CAWS animals are fixed, vaccinated, and microchipped. If you are interested in adopting a CAWS pet, please fill out an online application at caws/adoption-application