Matt was found as a stray and was brought to the local "pound". Poor guy was so matted he had to be fully shaved. He is so sweet and shy. He was clearly loved but poorly taken care of! Were hoping to find a forever home that will love and care for him as he deserves!

Foster Update:  We are on our first week with Matt and he has been a perfect fit for our family.  He has to be one of the sweetest dogs I have been around.  In the past few days I have found out that he loves to snuggle, once he is asleep he is out and he loves to swim.  Matt is housebroken.  He has not had any accidents.  He gets along great with our other dog and the kids.

Foster Update:  It is going to be a happy but sad day at our house when Matt gets adopted.  He has us all hooked.  He is going to make a family very happy.  Matt is so adorable. He has us all wrapped around his little paw, even the cat and she is very selective who she is around.  Matt has had a few accidents in the house, but when kept on a schedule he is accident free. Matt likes to stay close and feel safe. I believe he would do best in a home where someone is home most of the time.  We have been learning some basic tricks.  He is learning sit, down, stay and come.  He is a quick learner but only performs for treats.  Matt is a little afraid of bikes, but he is getting better since a sweet lady in the neighborhood who rides a bike stops and gives him treats.  He is also careful when meeting new people.  He needs to know he is safe before he gets close.  When he is afraid he just stands close to me or wants to be held.  He has never shown any sign of aggression.

Like many dogs in the South, Matt is heartworm positive, but don't let that stop you from adopting a great dog.  We are treating him with monthly heartworm preventative, our preferred method.  Many heartworm positive dogs go on to lead long and healthy lives.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, this ancient dog was described by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus as belonging to the "Melita" breed, an archaic name for Malta. It was developed in Italy with the addition of miniature spaniel and poodle blood. It was thought that these lively little dogs were first brought to England by Crusaders returning home from the Mediterranean. The breed became particularly popular with women, who often carried them in their sleeves and even to their beds. The dog was not only popular with women though. Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, prized his Maltese enough to commission a portrait of "Issa" and even have poetry written about her. Today, the glamorous Maltese is an adored pet and sought-after show dog. The Maltese is spirited, lively and playful. Gentle, loving, trusting and devoted to its master. Highly intelligent. Good at learning tricks if he feels sufficiently rewarded. Bold and quick to sound the alarm in case of suspicious noises. It is a classical companion dog; graceful and lovable. They do well with other animals. Maltese love to play outdoors but have a penchant for jumping in puddles. A bath must follow! These dogs can be snappish with inconsiderate children and may be difficult to housebreak. Sometimes they are picky eaters. Include small biscuits and dry dog food in this breed's regular diet to help the teeth stay strong and healthy. Do not over-pamper or overprotect these little dogs, for some become unstable, and some may become jealous of visitors. They have a life expectancy of 15-18 years.