Mimoso is a tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, born January 23, 2026. Cavaliers are a gentle, affectionate, and sensitive breed — they thrive on calm, consistent care and close human companionship. Mimoso is still very much a puppy and his physical and emotional development are ongoing, which is why the rules in this guide exist and matter.

Mimoso is a real sweetie — and with that comes neediness in the best way. He'll be happiest curled up on your lap while you work, and if he's playing, he loves having you watch. He's a gentle soul who responds beautifully to positive reinforcement. This breed is emotionally sensitive, so please be kind, patient, and calm with him. He picks up on your energy.

Please read this guide fully before caring for him. When in doubt, contact Sam first.

Mimoso thrives with calm, caring people in safe environments. The best thing you can do for him while Sam is away is to be steady, patient, and relaxed in how you handle him.

If he encounters something new or something that makes him nervous, don't coddle him — encourage him to interact with it and work through it. We want a confident, curious dog, not a nervous or neurotic one. Your calm reassurance is the best tool you have.

Mimoso is managed primarily through positive reinforcement and redirection. A gentle correction is fine when needed — but keep the energy calm and the approach positive. Scolding or confrontation doesn't work for him and isn't necessary.

Don't stress about perfection. Mimoso is a puppy in an unfamiliar routine. Do your best and reach out to Sam whenever you need to.

Mimoso has a proper mealtime ritual — it's one of his favorite parts of the day and he takes it very seriously. Follow the steps below and he'll be a happy little froggy prince. 🐸

Start by giving him his two morning chews as appetizers before you prepare his bowl. He loves these and they get him excited for mealtime:

• Angels' Eyes Natural Plus Tear Stain soft chew — for his eye health and tear stain prevention
• NaturVet Bladder Support Plus Cranberry soft chew — helps him manage stress and supports urinary health, especially when his routine is disrupted

In his spaniel bowl (the one that keeps his floppy ears dry while he drinks), add:

• ½ to ⅔ scoop of Purina Pro Plan Puppy — Lamb & Rice formula

Add water to make a light gravy — about 3 seconds of filtered hot water, then 3 seconds of filtered cold water. Check the temperature with your finger before serving — it should be warm but not hot. His nose and paws are sensitive.

Add approximately ⅓ of a packet of Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon in Gravy Topper and one squirt of Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. Swirl it all together gently.

Before serving, put his snood on — this keeps his beautiful floppy ears clean and dry while he eats. Fair warning: he may try to avoid getting it put on and may periodically attempt to take it off during the meal. It's a little song and dance. Just be patient — he'll be happy and relieved when you take it off once he's done.

Set his bowl down and stay nearby while he eats. Mimoso likes knowing you're close, and also — he is a generous little soul who will happily share his food with anyone who asks (including other pets). Make sure his bowl stays his.

After his meal, give him 3 or more blueberries as dessert. These are great for his eyes and he loves them.

He has regular training treats that are great for everyday commands — sit, stay, come, touch, and other basics. Use these freely during training sessions.

For high-stakes moments like recall (come when called) or really important commands, step up to his Kong cheese whiz — a squeeze directly as a reward or spread on his lick mat. Reserve this for meaningful moments — it's his most powerful motivator and should stay special.

Mimoso goes out every 2–3 hours during the day. During or after active play time, take him out every 30 minutes — he's still young and won't always interrupt himself to think about it. He may have a pen available if requested, but it's not his primary setup at home.

Always take him out before and after every nap.

Mimoso reliably poops first thing in the morning and before bed. He may also have a bowel movement during the day, but that's not guaranteed — 1–3 times a day is normal.

Take him to the driveway or grass. Avoid long grass and brush — ticks are drawn to him. If you think he may have wandered into long grass, comb him thoroughly and check for ticks when you get back inside. If one has attached, use the tick remover provided — and yell at it for daring to touch the baby.

If you're babysitting at home, keep an eye on him and watch for these signs he needs to go out:

• Going near his potty bell or sniffing/pawing at it
• Heading toward or hovering near the entryway
• Sudden restlessness or loss of focus when he was previously settled

These are strong indicators he needs to go — don't wait for him to ask more clearly. He's quiet and may not escalate.

Mimoso is learning to use a potty bell to tell you he needs to go out — he's a quiet pup and doesn't always communicate his needs clearly otherwise. Before every potty trip, ask him to "touch" the bell. Sometimes you'll need to press it yourself first to show him. If he presses it, immediately reward him with his Kong Easy Treat — this reinforces the behavior. Then head outside.

Mimoso doesn't always know he needs to poop yet. Watch for:

• Butt pucker — this means he's close
• Poo dance — tail wagging, walking back and forth, followed by a little squat

If he seems due for a poop, give him 5–10 minutes. If he sits down or tries to go back inside, you can safely assume he's done for now.

Praise him verbally immediately after he pees or poops — not on the walk back. Treats are welcome but not required.

Potty breaks are always on leash unless you have a securely fenced yard. Mimoso is used to leash potty breaks so it won't feel restrictive to him — it's just his normal. A fenced yard, if you have one, is great for play time.

If you're able, ask him to sit before unclipping his leash when you come back in. He's working on this and it's a lovely habit to reinforce. If he's not cooperating or it feels like a battle, don't stress — just bring him in and Sam will keep reinforcing it at home.

Mimoso is an indoor dog through and through. As Sam's wonderful best friend Paulina once perfectly put it — Cavaliers are sports cars, not off-road vehicles. He can be particular about the elements, so a little preparation goes a long way.

• In a light rain he'll generally be fine and won't mind much
• If it's pouring, hold an umbrella over him — this can make a real difference in keeping him outside long enough to do his business
• He has a raincoat but doesn't love wearing it, so the umbrella is usually the better move

• Mimoso gets cold and will shiver — put his little teddy bear coat on before heading out
• If he comes back inside shivering, he appreciates a cuddle with a person and a blanket to warm up — this is a genuine need, not just a preference

Mimoso is a puppy in active development, so keeping him calm and controlled during play is important for his growing joints and overall temperament.

• Play sessions can be longer now, but watch his energy level — when he starts getting overstimulated or hyper, wind it down and transition him to calm time or a nap
• The default should be calm — a settled lap dog in training, not a wild puppy
• He loves having you watch him play, so your attention is part of the fun

• His gummy/rubber textured toys are great for chewing — he's teething, so redirect him to these if he starts chewing on you, your clothes, zippers, or buttons (all things he finds irresistible)
• His little shark rubber toy is a favorite
• We're working on fetch — he's not great at it yet but feel free to practice
• Gentle tug of war is okay — just don't get too rough

If he gets barky, please ignore him completely. He sometimes demand barks and it's important that it never works for him. He's made great progress on this — don't undo it by responding. No eye contact, no talking to him, no reaction.

Mimoso naps a lot — and that's completely normal and healthy. At his age he should be sleeping 16–18 hours a day. He plays for roughly 30 minutes spread across the whole day. Everything else is rest.

Crate naps are also important for building his confidence alone and reducing separation anxiety. Please don't feel guilty using his nap time to get things done or take a break — it's genuinely good for him.

He should have at least two crate naps a day:

• First crate nap around 11am
• Second crate nap in the afternoon or early evening

All other naps can happen on your lap whenever he's ready. Always take him out to pee before and after every nap.

If he's wiggly and restless on your lap, don't give up — gentle petting and a little patience usually wins. He will settle and fall asleep.

Mimoso can be slow to wake up — don't worry if he's not immediately ready to leap out of bed. He often likes to stretch first, and he loves a facilitated stretch: gently hold his front feet and give a slow, soft pull so he can get a deeper stretch in. He won't come out of his crate on his own, so just reach in, pick him up gently, and take him straight outside to potty.

Keep his crate in your bedroom, especially at night. He likes knowing you're nearby.

Before putting him to bed, take his collar off — the bell on it will disturb his sleep. Put it back on first thing in the morning, and always before heading outside so his AirTag is on him.

• Acting crazy and overstimulated → he probably needs a nap
• Fussing after initially settling → he may need to go potty first. Take him out, then try again
• Naps are typically 1–2 hours. If he's been having accidents, preempting him by shortening the time between potty breaks is actually the right move — don't wait for him to wake on his own if you're concerned

Mimoso should be held like a little lamb — supported under his chest with his bottom cupped in your other hand.

If you'd like to pick him up, you can ask him first. Lower your arms toward him and say "uppies?" — if he wants to be picked up, he'll put his little arms up toward yours. It's his way of saying yes. You can still pick him up even if he doesn't respond, but offering him the choice is a lovely way to give him a little control and build trust.

Never grab him from under his armpits. Instead:

• Support his butt and hold him under his chest — think lamb, not baby
• Never let his weight pull on his neck or front legs
• Avoid any pressure on his trachea (throat)

Mimoso is sensitive — he is not stoic and will let you know if something is wrong, even if it's minor. If his tail or a leg gets in a funny position he may cry, but he'll usually feel better once you fix it. Don't panic — just help him. If something persists, call Sam.

When Mimoso needs to wind down but isn't ready for a crate nap, two tools work really well for transitioning him to calm independent time — in his pen or on your lap.

Use a spatula to work the cheese whiz into his lick mat. This usually keeps him happily occupied for about 5 minutes and is a great way to help him transition to entertaining himself in his pen without fuss.

His bully sticks go into his Woof tool — this prevents him from swallowing small pieces as it gets chewed down. To get him interested, start by holding it for him in his pen. Once he's into it, he'll settle and work on it independently. Also great for lap time.

• His crate has a divider to keep his den space small — this reduces accidents
• He has a cozy nest-style bed inside. If it gets soiled, wash it and return it. Sam will send a spare in case you don't have time
• Cover the crate to break his sight lines
• Place his cuddle puppy at the front as a pillow — only activate the heartbeat (Velcro on tummy, press once) if he's stressed, unsettled, or being cared for outside his home. It's not necessary for every nap anymore

• For all scheduled naps (at least two per day)
• At bedtime
• When you need a break — please use this without guilt, it's good for him
• If you need to leave the house briefly

He can go 1–2 hours without an accident. If you're out longer, be prepared to clean up when you return. No guilt — it's puppy life.

• Some initial fussing is normal — sit with him briefly, use white noise, and try the cuddle puppy. If he's stressed or away from home, activate the heartbeat device too
• If he really won't settle, try his lick mat or bully stick to help him transition
• If he starts crying or chewing on the crate after sleeping — that means he needs to go potty. Get him outside promptly

Mimoso can come along. He has a console car seat he loves. If he needs to be in the car alone briefly, use his hard shell carrier.

• Never leave him in a car alone for long — temperature safety and because Cavaliers are unfortunately a highly desirable and stealable breed
• Never leave him unattended and unsecured in public — do not tie him outside a store

Accidents will happen — especially when Mimoso is out of his normal routine and away from Sam. Please do not stress about this. It is a normal part of puppyhood. Clean it up and move on without making a fuss around him.

Sam will provide Nature's Miracle:

• Spray Nature's Miracle as a pretreatment
• Wash with regular detergent
• Tumble dry on low

His cuddle puppy can be treated the same way.

Wipe him down with his baby wipes. A full bath is a last resort — if necessary, use warm water only, then towel swaddle him and keep him warm until completely dry.

Start with his eyedrops to flush any debris. Then wipe under his eyes with his Angels' Eyes solution using a tissue or one of his Pochacco washcloths. Finish by gently drying under his eyes. Keeping this area clean and dry is the single most important thing for preventing tear staining.

Tooth brushing is actually his favorite part of his bedtime routine — he genuinely enjoys it. Sam does it with him on his back, which is a deliberate choice to help him get comfortable being handled in that position and build good associations with it. First brush with his enzymatic toothpaste (pea-sized amount), then follow with a second brush using a pea-sized amount of coconut oil. He'll happily chew on the brush — just let him go to town.

This is Sam's complete nightly routine in order. Do as much or as little as feels right — any step is better than none:

Cavaliers are prone to watery eyes and Mimoso is a goopy little boy. Give a gentle wipe under his eyes during the day when you notice buildup — a tissue works fine. This helps keep the area dry and prevents staining.

Every morning Mimoso gets two supplements with his meal:

• Angels' Eyes Natural Plus Tear Stain soft chew — given as his appetizer before his bowl (see Feeding section). Supports eye health and reduces tear staining.
• NaturVet Bladder Support Plus Cranberry soft chew — supports his urinary health, especially when his routine is disrupted while Sam is away.

Mimoso takes NexGard Plus once a month. If it comes due while you're caring for him, go ahead and give it — he took it happily last time and should eat it like a cookie. If he's not interested, put a little Kong cheese whiz on it.

Mimoso may experience loose stool or diarrhea if he's stressed or out of his routine. Keep an eye on it and reach out to Sam if anything seems off. If he has persistent diarrhea, Sam can advise on a temporary chicken and rice diet and will provide guidance or send some frozen. His snood (ear cover) will come into play during a chicken and rice diet to keep his floppy ears clean while eating.

These are non-negotiable. Please do not make exceptions, even with good intentions.

The breed standard for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is a completely natural, uncut coat. No trimming, no tidying, no "just a little off the paws." If it seems long or messy, that's correct. Leave it.

The little tuft of hair at the end of his penis serves an important purpose — it directs the flow of urine so it doesn't run down his legs. It may look untidy but it is doing its job. It takes a very long time to grow back. Please leave it completely alone.

Mimoso loves absolutely everything and everyone — which means it's your job to keep him safe, because he certainly won't do it himself.

Do not assume other dogs are friendly just because Mimoso is. If you can't confidently read a dog's body language, err on the side of not allowing a greeting. A polite decline is always the right call. He is fully vaccinated and cleared for dog-to-dog contact, but that doesn't mean every interaction is a safe one.

If another dog is off leash, the owner isn't listening, or a situation feels like it could escalate — simply pick Mimoso up and carry him away. Keep it calm, neutral, and low key. The goal is to keep him safe without making a big dramatic moment out of it. We don't want him developing anxiety or wariness around other dogs.

Mimoso is used to cats but is still learning boundaries and how to play nicely. You can allow a greeting but keep an eye on the interaction. A reasonable hiss or swat from a cat is normal and helpful — it's how cats set boundaries. However, if the cat is being too intense, escalating, or really using their nails, step in and remove Mimoso from the situation. We don't want him getting hurt or scared.

Mimoso will love first and ask questions never. Your job is to be the one asking the questions. Keep things calm, safe, and positive — for everyone involved.

This is an estimate of what Sam typically sends with Mimoso — not a guaranteed list. Items may vary by stay. Use this as a guide for what to expect and what each item is for.

• Purina Pro Plan Puppy — his kibble, pre-portioned for the stay (approx. ¾ cup per day)
• NaturVet Bladder Support soft chews — one per morning to support urinary health while his routine is disrupted
• Filtered water — helps prevent staining around his mouth; please use this instead of tap
• Spaniel bowl — specially shaped to keep his floppy ears out of his water while he drinks
• Puzzle feeder & snuffle mat — for enrichment feeding; his meals are more fun when he works for them
• Kong cheese whiz (can) — a squeezable cheese used as a high value treat for recall, spread on his lick mat, or to make medication more appealing
• Lick mat — great for settling him down; fill with cheese whiz using a spatula

• Bully sticks + Woof tool — the Woof tool holds the bully stick safely so he can't swallow small pieces; great for lap time and pen time
• Gummy/rubber toys — teething toys including his little shark; redirect him to these if he chews on you or your clothes
• Training treats — small treats for practicing come and other commands
• Kong Easy Treat — squeezable treat used specifically for potty bell rewards and post-potty praise; this is his potty training currency

• Crate + divider + cover — his den; divider keeps the space small to reduce accidents, cover breaks his sight lines
• Nest bed (x2) — cozy crate bedding; a spare is included in case one needs washing
• Cuddle puppy — heartbeat toy; Velcro on the tummy to access the device, press once to activate; place at the front of the crate as his pillow

• Harness — always use this for leash attachment; never his collar
• Collar — holds his ID tag, bell, and AirTag; the bell helps you hear him coming so you don't step on him; remove at bedtime, put back on for outdoors
• Leash — for all potty breaks unless in a securely fenced yard
• Tick remover — in case of tick encounter; avoid long grass and brush
• Raincoat — he doesn't love it, but it's there if needed; an umbrella is usually more effective
• Teddy bear coat — for cold weather; use at 50°F and below
• Console car seat — for drives; he loves riding in it and it keeps him safe
• Hard shell carrier — for when he needs to be briefly in the car alone

• Comb/brush — for his pre-bed groom; focus on ears and behind ears
• Paw balm — rub into his pads before bed to keep them soft
• Enzymatic toothpaste + toothbrush — he loves this; pea-sized amount, let him chew the brush
• Baby wipes — for wiping him down after a pee accident or muddy walk
• Tissues/soft cloth — for wiping under his eyes throughout the day to prevent tear staining
• Snood (if needed) — ear cover for messy eating; only relevant if on a chicken & rice diet

• NexGard Plus (if needed) — only included if it comes due during the stay; monthly parasite prevention; he'll eat it like a cookie
• Nature's Miracle — for cleaning up accidents; spray, wait, wipe
• Chicken & rice (frozen, if needed) — for persistent diarrhea; Sam will advise via text if this becomes necessary

From the bottom of my heart — thank you. Truly. Leaving Mimoso is never easy, and knowing he's in the hands of someone I love and trust makes all the difference in the world. He is my whole heart in a tiny fluffy body, and the fact that you've read this guide, that you care enough to do right by him — that means everything to me.

He will shower you with love, curl up on your lap like he's always belonged there, and probably steal your heart a little. Let him. He's very good at it.