Hello! My name is Vanilla Ice.
People call me Vanilla for my handsome blonde coat as well as my friendly, warm nature. I’m always happy to make a new friend. I’m told I have kind, loyal eyes and a very cute profile.

I am a 9-pound, neutered mixed Chihuahua, and I’m 10+ years old. I was a stray in Merced, California, when Beyond Rescue decided to help me find a new home.

I am affectionate and love to snuggle and be petted. I always wag my tail when my foster shows up. When my foster is working, I sleep in my bed near her desk. I use my eyes to track movement and also have a good sense of smell. And did I tell you about my appetite? BIG!

My job description is to snuggle, create a comforting mood in the house, give kisses, and nap.

I am house trained. If there are steps to the backyard or to the area where I do my business, I need to be carried. If there are no steps, I can manage on my own. Let’s be honest: I’m not very stable on my legs since I’m older.

I don’t bark, which makes me a great match for apartment living. I tolerate my foster being gone for 4–5 hours just fine. If she were gone longer than that, I might need a pee pad, but she hasn’t been away longer yet.

As I’ve grown older, I sometimes pace or get a little disoriented. The vets have me on medication that helps with this, and I sleep well at night. I get one pill with dinner, and that’s all I need. Sometimes we older dogs get ticklish throats, and mine can make me cough a bit in the morning or during the night.

I get along with other dogs. I don’t know about cats. Children who know how to approach me slowly would work for me, since I am deaf and startle easily.

I am not a hiker — I’m a mellow dog with a very positive attitude. Let’s be friends!

From his foster:
“The longer I know Vanilla Ice, the more I see beyond his physical limitations. He has a sweetness and a ‘willingness to try’ that I admire and find truly endearing.”