For most of his 5 years, Bart spent his days in a small cage at a puppy mill, and he is just now learning what it is like to be a dog. Never socialized with other dogs or people, this 12-lb. Rat Terrier mix is trying to get used to the touch of a human hand. He is hesitant when hands reach to pick him up, and he will run when approached too quickly. For this reason Bart should not be in a home with young children, whose propensity for quick movement and running and jumping and just being kids is likely to make him fearful. And while he's slow to warm up to people, once you have gained his trust, he is a loyal fellow. Bart gets along with most of the other dogs and cats in his foster home but would probably prefer to be the only dog in the house. At night he sleeps in a comfortable open-door crate. He will lie on the bed with you if you're watching TV, but as soon as lights are out, he will head to his crate. The crate is his safe place. Since Bart was never house-trained, it's one of the major things he has been working on in foster care, and his great improvement in this area is quite an achievement. He still has the occasional accident, but his enjoyment of being outside is a definite advantage. However, because he is still uncomfortable with a leash, he should have a fenced yard where he can safely walk, wander, and take care of business. If you have a hankering to help a dog discover what a dog's life is really meant to be and if you have the patience to allow him to make this discovery at his own pace, then please open your heart to this boy called Bart.