This is Danielle Hartzell, Rafa’s (fka Sven) new mom. I’ve renamed him “Rafa” for Rafa Nadal, one of my favorite tennis players.
We’re about 1.5 weeks in, and he’s doing GREAT. He’s an absolute sweetie pie and very adaptable and welcoming of new environments and people.
My entire neighborhood has fallen in love with him, and he’s quite the popular man about town. He loves our local dog park in Berkeley, but we’re taking a break as he has conjunctivitis so we’ll let the medication do its work and not spread it around.
We’re having a great time and I just love him. He’s incredibly well-behaved (as advertised!) and seems very trainable.
In our first 1.5 weeks, he has:
- Adapted to my back seat and doggy seat belt
- Taken a day trip to Napa with my goddaughter & I to a dog-friendly wintery, then a dog-friendly dinner
- Made new friends at our local dog park
- Charmed all of my neighbors and various neighborhood folks
- Gone to a dog-friendly brunch in Berkeley
- Had daily visits to our local coffee shop
- Been enjoying his new dog massager
- Been driven down 4th Street Berkeley to see the colorful Christmas lights (multiple times LOL)
- Adapted to walking with our new cross-body dog leash (liking it so far!)
- Cuddled on the couch with me and snuggled (when invited, because he’s so polite)
- Taken to staring out the front window and watching dog TV
- Met my entire remote work department via Zoom as well as many of my clients
- Received toys & treats from three of my friends (and counting)
- Had his wellness visit at the vet & treatment for conjunctivitis
- Had dinner out in Berkeley and was offered a special cooked dog burger
Featured proudly on his mom’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleogram/
Also, her old dog-sitting IG: https://www.instagram.com/hartzandtails/
Thank you for such a great experience at Muttville and for having this beautiful boy available.
Danielle Hartzell
1/26/25
Are you the proud parent of a Muttville dog? Send us your story! Include three of your favorite photos and send it to success_stories@muttville.org with the subject line 'Success Story'.
