Description:
It's just wrong.  I mean it!  It's just wrong for a dog like this to be abandoned at a kill shelter.  Don't misunderstand me ~ I hate to see any animal in that situation.  But when I see a tiny older dog like Lucas, trembling, absolutely petrified, huddled down in the back of a cage, my heart is broken.  I like to think that he was loved and cared for during the first ten years of his life and that something just awful must have put him in this situation.  All I know is that there was NO WAY we were going to leave him in that place.  Yeah, it makes no economic sense for Judy to rescue older pets, but "sense" isn't Judy's strong suit!  She just does what she thinks is right.  And thank goodness she did, because I don't think Lucas could have taken one more day there.  Please, let's find him a sweet, loving, quiet home where he can relax and have joy again!  He has a bit of trouble with his back legs, so a rough and tumbling home or one with stairs would not be such a good match, but a loving lap seems just right!

06/23 Update:
Lucas went to the vet today to get fixed andwhile doing a dental check they found out the reason poor Lucas is probably so skinny: He had to have 12 teeth removed due to decay so he is now on a soft food only diet which will hopefully help put some weight on his tiny frame! He is such a sweet boy and deserves a great forever home.

06/26 Foster Update:
"I just wanted to give you a small update on Lucas because he has only been with me for two days.  It breaks my heart to see what shape he is in.  He is just as sweet as can be.  He is fine with my dogs and they are fine with him.  No one bothers anyone-everyone goes their own way but he likes to be with them.
 
There have been a few accidents in my house because he is confused and not fully housebroken.  He is so wobbly on his back legs so I cut the grass very short last night so he might walk a little better and balance himself while going to the bathroom.  He is not nervous at all and is very much at home.  He is eating very well and today I bought a vitamin supplement in a tube so he will be able to swallow it – I guess it is in gel form.  I will give it to him tonight and I hope he likes it.
 
I have to wait until Wednesday to give him a bath because they told me I have to wait 10 days after his operation of being fixed.  I hope he will enjoy it. I will be very gentle with his frail frame.  We will work on the housebreaking this weekend when I have the time to be with him. 
 
I will give you more of an update next week to put on the web page.  I hope with his eating more and getting more nourishment, he will improve on his walking.  He would be a wonderful companion for a person who wants a sweet dog that does not demand much.
He follows me around the house and wants to be near me."

6/29 Foster Update:
"I spent the entire weekend at home to get better acquainted with Lucas.  I think he is a mix between a poodle and a Maltese and I just love him.
 
He is getting much stronger and not so wobbly on his hind legs.  I have a large back yard and he travels all across it.  I call him the traveling man.  He loves the vitamin supplement I bought. I trimmed his eyes and ears just a bit and brushed him.  He was very good, he did not mind at all.
 
He has become very attached to me and follows me wherever I go.  He also loves to sit in my lap.  He will come by my chair and wag his tail, look at me and then I know he wants to sit on my lap.  I pick him up very gently because he is still very delicate.  I take him out quite often with my other dogs so I think he understands where to go and do his business.  We did not have any more accidents over the weekend.
 
Also, I think he is younger than 9 years and 7 months.  His eyes are clear and sharp. He discovered my dogs stuffed animal toys and carries them around in his mouth and plays with them. 

If anyone would like more information about Lucas, they are welcome to e-mail me at  Elizabeth.barniville@sypris.com."

7/7 Foster Update:
Lucas is so sweet and he does like to eat.  I tried giving him wet dog food but he prefers the chicken and rice or the London broil and rice. I cut the meat up very tiny.  My dogs ate the dog food!!!
 
He has had a few bouts with diarrhea and I think one was because of the vitamin supplement I gave him so I stopped giving it to him and the other was after I gave him the Heart guard plus. I have some medication I gave him from my vet and he is feeling much better now.  There is a wet food that the vet has that I think it will help.  I am going to pick it up soon.
 
He loves to go out with me and all I have to say is who wants to go bye bye and he is up and almost running with my other dogs.  He has become much more alert and he barks when the other dogs bark.  He has a very deep bark. He still wants to sit on my lap all the time and then my little Schnauzer gets jealous so I have to pick him up and now I have two dogs on my lap!!!!

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.