How you doin’?! Bet you’re better now that you know Joey is available for adoption. Joey was surrendered to FBRN by his owner and breeder due to a reported leg injury. However, since being in foster care, he has been diagnosed with multiple spinal abnormalities. Frankly put, he’s a genetic mess, but if you think that keeps this spunky pup down, you’ve got another think coming!

Joey is a very happy and playful boy. He loves to play with his toys and is even known to hold one toy in his mouth while using his paws to play with another one! If he had to rank his toys, it might look something like this: 1. Balls. 2. Balls. 3. Balls. 4. Stuffies. When done playing, you’ll probably find him snuggling up next to you on the couch catching some zzzs before his next play session. Although he doesn’t need serious exercise, Joey loves to chase a soccer or tennis ball across the yard and can keep it up for quite a while. If you have previous experience with marathon fetch sessions, please be sure to mention that in your application. Joey would highly approve.

Unlike his Friend’s namesake, our Joey is pretty submissive and a little hesitant when he meets new people or dogs. He is good at taking social cues from other dogs and will leave them alone if they growl or tell him to go away. Due to his delicate spine, Joey must not engage in roughhouse play so larger and even smaller exuberant dogs should find a different playmate to keep Joey safe. Same goes with children: his human siblings must be old enough to know his limitations and not expect to reenact WWE in the living room (or any other room in the house).

And while we’re on the topic of houses, no stairs please – or if there are stairs, Joey gets a free ride in your arms up and down for the rest of his life. With his spinal issues, he physically cannot make it up or down stairs. The same applies to furniture. If he’s allowed up on that couch or bed (and let’s face it, what Frenchie isn’t), he must be placed up and placed down carefully. A fenced yard is definitely preferred for those long games of fetch but a garden-style apartment could also work.

Joey is crate trained and sleeps through the night without having any accidents but during the day, he needs to be let out very frequently, every couple hours, or he will accidentally relieve himself inside the house. An ideal family would include a person who is home most of the day and attentive to his needs. If you work in a low-key, calm and pet-friendly office environment with a flexible schedule allowing multiple breaks throughout the day, Joey might become a great office mate.

Joey is still very young and it’s hard to tell how his spinal issues will progress as he ages. He may need physical therapy in the future and his supportive and committed adoptive family should be willing to take all the necessary steps for Joey to live a happy and comfortable life.

Per his foster mom: “Joey is a bit of a weird little dude in the most endearing way! His ideal owner must be willing to play fetch, both outside and from the couch, for several hours a day. His deformities are severe and he may need more care in the future but he has no idea he’s different and his spirit more than makes up for his special needs.”

In the age of social media and Photoshop, Joey may look relatively normal in pictures and videos but meeting in person you may think you’re being cat-fished. Don’t let his bow legs or curvy spine deter you from applying for this adorable pupper!

Every single animal deserves a life full of love and happiness so if you are that exceptional family who can provide this special pup that chance, please fill out an application now. Please Note:  it is very important that you live within 3 hours drive of northern Virginia.

Disclaimer: including pictures of your extensive ball collection may or may not persuade the decision, but Joey would definitely give your app his paw of approval.

FBRN does not ship dogs as cargo, so adopters are expected to pick up their dogs from their foster family.

FBRN dogs are in foster care in people’s private homes. For the foster families’ safety, we do not disclose specific locations, and we don’t set up meet and greets prior to applications. For detailed information about the dogs in our care, please read the extensive bios on each dog.