Tinker is an endearing older gal who is described as “totally awesome” by the `tweens in her second foster home. We say second foster home because Tinker flatly refused to fit herself into the large pack in her first foster placement. In her next foster home she and the resident female dog were able to reach an eventual accord, but the ideal home for Tinker will be filled with people and cats, not other dogs.

That’s right, cats. Tinker loves them. And humans, who Tinker loves even more. African grays, even—she found the resident bird interesting, not edible. This big barrel of personality wants all the ear scritches and belly rubs to herself, and if you stop scritching too soon she’ll gently let you know by raising her right paw to say, “More, please.”

A big girl with a bigger heart, Tinker was surrendered by her owner because of chronic skin infections. Although the infections were most likely caused by allergies that Tinker will always have, in foster care we’ve discovered that proactive skin care and a long round of antibiotics keep the itchies away and heal her weeping wounds. Tinker’s deep nasal folds crust easily and require a daily wipe with a medicated pad; twice a week she takes a medicated bath. She’ll happily sit in the tub and trade loving stares for the ten minutes or so the shampoo needs to do its job—all attention is good attention, Tinker says. And the towel rubdown after? Tinker lives for that.

Anecdotally, Tinker’s foster moms think she has benefited from living in two smoke-free, carpet-free homes. (Some dogs, like people, are extra-sensitive to environmental irritants.) Tinker has had a T4 thyroid test and has no issues there. (Because her skin responded so readily to basic care, she did not undergo an allergy panel test.) Since flea bites are a common allergen, Tinker should remain on Advantix or a similar product. Her wipes are about $16 for a two month supply and when she’s on antibiotics, the pills are $2/day.

Tinker has been an exceptionally polite houseguest. She had no potty accidents in either foster home, and happily sleeps in her crate when the routine demands it. She could easily stay home all day with a mid-day potty break, or happily while away the hours in a low-traffic office setting. Tinker does love everyone, but not always at first sight.

Tinker adores car rides, and can be taken visiting with no problem--when a toddler bonked Tinker with a toy, she just walked away. Tinker comes when called, and walks on a leash—in fact, she pirouettes on her hind legs when she sees it come out--but pulls hard at the sight of people (loves them!) and other dogs (not so much.)

Two cents from Tinker’s foster family: “Tinker has been a joy to foster. Other than her issues with other dogs, she is a mellow girl who is eager to please and easily contented. She’s a smart one, and if her needs aren’t met, she’s resourceful—look how she made a bed out of a padded guitar case!

“Tinker would be a wonderful first Frenchie, or even first dog. She enjoys a daily walk around the block, but that’s enough. She’ll chase a ball across the yard a few times, but that’s enough. And even though she loves her loving, she is not a Velcro Frenchie or always underfoot. She likes to know where you are, but that’s enough.

“Tinker is on the chubby side, but is slimming down as she walks. Her forever family will have to practice vigilance to keep her allergies under control, but if her foster care is any indication, this is not difficult. Routine skin care and cleanliness seem to do the trick; if or when her allergies reappear, a consult with the vet and antibiotic should keep any resultant sores from becoming infected. With consistency, it is appears to be much easier to prevent skin sores like the ones that brought Tinker to rescue than it is to remedy them.

“Tinker doesn’t bark and could easily live in an apartment building. Tinker isn’t even particularly snore-y or gassy, but she does have an epic honking reverse sneeze, probably because of her allergies. As if all this good stuff in one package isn’t enough, Tinker even has a functional tail that she wag-wag-wags when she’s happy. Unlike most Frenchies, Tinker never makes us guess what she is thinking.”

If you think Tinker is tailor-made for you, plan on bringing your tourist dollars to Western Pennsylvania, because Tinker won’t be shipped.