Mel is a 1.5-year-old Chihuahua mix with a big personality packed into a petite 6-pound body. Don’t let her size fool you—Mel likes to be in charge and carries herself like the boss she believes she is. She came to us from the OKC Animal Shelter alongside four other Chihuahuas, where the group earned the nickname “The Spice Girls.” Mel was labeled Scary Spice due to her spicy reputation, but once we got to know her, it became clear she’s much more of a “scaredy spice.” Underneath that initial sass is a sensitive little dog who’s learning that the world isn’t so scary after all. Mel is bouncy, playful, and full of energy, especially once she feels safe. She does need a bit of time to warm up to new people and situations, and being picked up is still a work in progress—she currently prefers it only when absolutely necessary. She’s house-trained with a dog door and crate trained. Mel as become a bit of an escape artist. She will dig under an unsecure fence and has learned to open certain crates. This matched with her hand-shyness makes her a more difficult adoption. She will need someone with experience and patience to help her learn.