My name is Benatar! Do you recognize the 80's pop music icon I was named after? I live up to her famous song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and especially the lyric, "I'm a real tough cookie".  I arrived in Minnesota the week before Christmas after being released by a breeder in Missouri and was in desperate need of grooming and medical care.  My foster mom groomed me up and I was very scared but such a good girl and now I look much prettier.  I couldn't even walk my feet were in such bad shape! She also got me into the vet right away because my eyes were causing me great distress and I was diagnosed with a chronic eye condition called Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, more commonly referred to as KCS or Dry Eye as well as a double ear infection.  As a result, I am on a strict regimen of three eye ointments that must be given in a specific order five minutes apart twice per day for the rest of my life.  The condition might require recheck vet visits and adjustments to medications up to three times per day dosing.  However, with treatment I am doing really well and can see!  I'm a bit squirmy for my eye medications, but it's getting easier every day.  My ear infection was resolved quickly with medication and with regular cleaning and grooming, should hopefully not continue to bother me and I can hear you just fine.  In the short amount of time I've been in my foster home, I've overcome a lot and made great progress in learning to be a dog.  Initially, I was only comfortable in my crate, and I didn't know what to do outside, how to eat or drink out of dog dishes, what a dog bed was, how to climb furniture or stairs, how to be held or play with toys or other dogs.  Luckily, my foster home has two resident dogs that are about my size and I have really learned a lot from watching what they do and trying to do the same.  I have recently started to play with one of them who is my size and age and loves to play.  I've also learned that toys are a lot of fun to toss around and I like small puppy toys like ropes and crinkle toys, but hard bones and things that squeak aren't really for me yet.  My foster mom has been very patient with me and taught me a lot.  I've learned how to eat and drink out of dog dishes, that treats are delicious and it's okay to take them from your hand.  I also don't run away every time she tries to touch me anymore and enjoy being picked up and held, but I prefer to lay next to you or by your feet on the couch and not on your lap yet.  You'll have to pick me up though, I'm really small and can't jump on and off the furniture on my own, that's very scary, I need help! I enjoy my crate when it's full of blankets and toys to snuggle with and I have not destroyed anything or had a single accident in there. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to calm down in there and I'll protest with a cute little howl if I feel like I'm being left out of something the other dogs are doing.  I eat all my meals in there and go in there on my own from time to time.  I sleep in there during the day when my foster family is at work as well as at night and unless I hear a noise that startles me, I'm very quiet.  I ride in my crate in the car without any issues as well.  I am making great progress with house training, and do well on a schedule and with close supervision in the house. I have figured out how to go down a couple stairs to get to the yard and I like to run and potty in the fenced yard with the other dogs.  All this snow has made learning how to use a collar or harness and leash and figure out going potty outside a bit of a challenge.  But, I'm thankful I get to practice my leash skills inside and have learned the outside potty routine from the other dogs here.  I had an accident on the rug and from the reaction of another dog here, I realized that wasn't what I was supposed to do!  I'm still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do when you say "sit", "down", "stay", "come" or "dance", but I'm working on it and I like the chance to earn a treat.  I'm a good eater now!  I am quite a Princess, I like fluffy blankets and pillows and to snuggle with toys.  I also don't mind being dressed up in coats or bandanas or costumes.  I'm sure I'd like to be a purse dog and travel with you in a backpack or carrier.  I'm a little shy at first, but warm up quick and have a playful, sassy, tail wagging personality.  My foster home doesn't have cats or kids or big rambunctious dogs so I'm not sure if I like those or not.  Are you looking for an absolutely adorable, playful, high maintenance (because of my meds and grooming needs) girl in a small package?  If so, I'd love to be the girl to keep you company!