Mia

Mia / F / 9Y / 20lbs / Toy Aussie Shepherd/ Fostered in Owen Sound 

Mia is a sweet, affectionate girl who's discovering that the world is a safe and loving place. This adorable pup came to us with little life experience—she'd never been on walks before.  In just a few months, she's made incredible progress and is proving herself to be a resilient, loving companion ready for her forever home.

Mia's favourite place in the world? Right next to you! She's the ultimate cuddler who will climb onto your lap (or right on top of you if you're lying down) and shower you with kisses. Her signature move is making cozy nests out of blankets before settling in for epic snuggle sessions. When she's not cuddling, you'll find her perched on top of the couch, keeping watch over her family.

The absolute best part of Mia's day? Seeing her people! Whether you've been gone for hours or you're just waking up in the morning, she greets you with pure, unbridled joy that will melt your heart every single time. She's particularly smitten with older kids and gets absolutely thrilled when they come home from school. Bonus: she can howl on command, which makes for some hilarious family sing-alongs!

This girl has been working hard and it shows! Mia has:

- Mastered crate training - She's so comfortable now that she'll even go into her crate on her own when we're home

- Become a confident walker in familiar areas - She can now handle 45-minute walks and could likely go even longer! 

- Improved her greeting manners - While she still barks initially at strangers and people on walks, she's getting better every day and settles much more quickly

- Conquered house training - Those initial anxiety-related accidents are a thing of the past

Don't let her age fool you—Mia does NOT act like a senior dog! After her daily walks, she's happy to settle in for a long, contented nap, but she's got energy and enthusiasm to spare.

While she's come so far, Mia continues to work on:

- Building confidence in brand new environments (give her 20 minutes and she's golden!)

- Greeting new people calmly on walks

- Leash manners in unfamiliar areas

Mia would thrive in a home where:

- She's the only pet or the other pet is okay with her getting most of the attention (she's a bit jealous and wants all the love for herself!)

- The household is quiet with low traffic

- She has older kids (12+) to adore

- Someone is home most of the day or can keep alone time under 5 hours

- Her humans are patient and understanding as she continues building confidence

- There's a cozy couch she can claim as her lookout spot and plenty of blankets for nest-making

With medium energy, Mia is content with a 45-minute daily walk (or longer if you're up for it!) and potty breaks every few hours. The rest of the time, she's happy lounging around the house, napping in her blanket nest, or gazing out the window from her couch perch.

- Will need a dental within the next 12-18 months

- Currently on Apoquel for skin irritation, which has helped tremendously. She may need to stay on this medication long-term or use it intermittently (approximately $100/month)

Mia has proven she's a fighter with a huge capacity to learn and love. She just needs a patient family who will celebrate her victories and give her the stable, loving home where she can continue to flourish. Could that be you? Her adoption fee is $500.