HECTOR

M | 2 Y | Hound mix | 60 lbs | Med to high energy | Loves the outdoors | Kinda shy | Chill in the home | The sweetest eyes | Can jog with you! | Ok exposure with dogs | Not cat tested l okay exposure w older kids

Could you literally spend your whole day outside exploring? Then you should meet HECTOR! He is the definition of an outdoor dog – he loves going for walks and sniffing all the things. He can even go for a jog with you if you’re into that. HECTOR definitely needs people who will take him out at least a few times a day. He enjoys keeping up with his routine and doesn’t necessarily understand the concept of sleeping in on weekends but that’s ok because we guarantee you can’t say no to those big brown eyes. He loves to sleep after a good walk but will then get up and pace when he’s itching to get back out there. On leash he has shown signs of a prey drive – there’s no barking or chasing but he’s on high alert and does a slow walk over as if he’s stalking. He probably wouldn’t do well in a home with cats! HECTOR is loyal and friendly but definitely has an appreciation for his personal space. He will come when called but won’t initiate any snuggle sessions. He does love belly rubs and will nudge you to continue. Then, when he decides he’s had enough, he walks away just as you’re left wanting more… HECTOR is still working on building his confidence as he can be a little shy in new situations. With continued exposure he generally overcomes this easily. He’s already opened up Lots and is now curious to meet people. He was once afraid of the big, bad elevator and now goes riding with ease. He also warms up to new people as long as they don’t approach too quickly. He greets new people in the home when they get on his level and will allow strangers to say a quick hello on the streets. He’s been good with other dogs so far – giving a quick sniff and allowing them to sniff him. Honestly, at the park he’s more interested in hunting squirrels! HECTOR has had little exposure with older kids and done well. He just needs to be around those who respect when he needs space. If you’d like to meet him fill out an application to adopt!

DOTS

F | 3 Y | Terrier mix | 15 lbs | Medium energy | Loves the park | Chill in the home | Working on crating | Good exposure w people | Ok exposure with dogs | Not cat or kid tested

Meet DOTS! This happy go lucky girl lives for cuddles with her people and park visits where she can chase squirrels and sticks – in an enclosed environment of course! So far she’s been great at meeting new people and will happily trot over to anyone who calls her name, with her little-dotted ears flapping and the cutest grin on her face because she just knows that you’re about to pet her, and that’s pretty awesome. DOTS has been super lucky so far because one of her foster parents has been working from home most of the time so she’s able to go for frequent walks and doesn’t spend too much time in her crate, which she’s still getting used to. She’s good with sleeping in there at night but does whine for about 20 minutes if left alone during the day. This will be a work in progress if her new family has a less flexible schedule than what she’s used to and she would benefit from a mid-day walk to help her transition. With the exception of the whining DOTS would be fine in an apartment/condo as she doesn’t need too much space. She will follow you around but once she confirms that you are not, in fact, taking her for a walk she leaves you alone to go lie down and contemplate WHY you’re not going for a walk. She has been good with basic commands so far but responds to hand gestures more than verbal cues. She’s been ok with other dogs but prefers dogs who are more chill or at least have a good sense of personal space. She does not like when dogs are too interested in her and won’t hesitate to let them know. She hasn’t been tested with cats and would probably be fine with kids as she’s super sweet! If you’d like to meet DOTS fill out an application to adopt!

ROCKY

M | 11 Y | Spaniel mix | Low energy and maintenance | Nervous at first, especially with men | Affectionate | Building his confidence | Ok with other dogs | Not cat or kid tested

Time to meet our sweet senior gent from Tennessee, ROCKY! He’s a pretty low energy, low maintenance dude and is content living the couch potato life for the most part. That said it’s super important that seniors keep active and sharp as long as possible right? So his fam should absolutely provide regular physical and mental stimulation – maybe just shorter walks around the neighbourhood instead of marathons. After a brief stroll, he will go back to his bed for a nice nap. ROCKY is still adjusting to city life and can be a little apprehensive of certain things like street grates or strangers and needs reassurance and guidance. It’s important to continue to expose him to new things slowly to help him build his confidence. He’s also more nervous with men so would like one female in the home BUT also needs the opportunity to interact with some chill guys who can help him feel more comfortable. ROCKY would benefit from some degree of structure in the home so that he can start to figure out his place in his new pack. A good place to start would be only allowing him on furniture when invited. Obviously, he deserves a lot of love too! He’s well behaved in the home and doesn’t get into anything he shouldn’t. Crating makes him nervous and is something that would have to be worked on gradually if his new fam was interested in introducing it. He’s very affectionate with his people but not overly demanding and is happy to chill on his own if you’re busy. He’s a little picky about his food and likes a little bit of wet food mixed in and all the Acana brand duck treats that money can buy. ROCKY would be a great companion dog for someone who is super laid back and has some flexibility in their schedule that allows them to spend time at home with him. He hasn’t been tested with cats and probably wouldn’t want young children around during his golden years. If you’d like to meet him fill out an application to adopt!

EMMETT

M | 11 M | Shepherd mix | Medium energy | Needs training/socialization | Sweet and affectionate | Very smart | Doesn’t love the city | Good as a second dog | Not cat/kid tested

From Russia with love – meet EMMETT! Moving to Toronto is understandably a huge adjustment for him and he’s still working on building his confidence. Ideally, we would be looking for a home in a quieter area or outside of the city for him to enjoy a more laidback lifestyle. He enjoys having a backyard as it helps him become more comfortable outdoors, exploring in a familiar area. His adopters will need to continue to push EMMETT out of his comfort zone though and keep exposing him to new experiences. He’s apprehensive on walks, but living on Queen West has taught him that hustle and bustle is actually kind of cool. He has shown massive improvements in his confidence with a second dog to look up to, boundaries, and lots of play time outside. He has overcome some fears that he initially had like the television and a pipe in his foster’s backyard (who put that there?!) so he is very capable and shows improvements on every walk. He’s very shy when meeting new people and needs proper introductions where people ignore him and he’s allowed to approach first. He’s more nervous with males than with females and may bark, especially inside the house. On walks, EMMETT is still figuring out that people in Canada are 110% friendly. He shy's away from crowds, loud noises, and men because, WOW - that's a lot. With a little redirection and helping him navigate these uncomfy situations by showing him you're in control (sometimes, crossing the street or waiting for noisy groups to pass), he will be strutting down the busy streets in no time. With his trusted people he’s very sweet and affectionate. He’s a GIANT goofball and has just figured out that toys are for chewing. SO FUN. When EMMETT is relaxing, he LOVES to cuddle and can take on pretty much any shape you could imagine and make it comfortable. Total pretzel. He’s great in his crate, is house-trained and knows basic commands. He’s comfortable napping away in his cozy den (crate) while you’re out. His training needs going forward will really be focused on socialization with people and dogs. He’s very smart and takes to training very quickly. He has had good exposure to dogs on and off leash, but a continued focus on positive socialization will be needed ongoing. He has shown to be a great fur brother in his current foster home, and looks up to his sibling to show him the ropes (sharing toys? beds? he's got it down). He would make a fantastic second dog, and loves to snuggle with his fur brother when they're done playing. He would love to attend socialization + training classes to learn to meet new dog friends properly, and expand his roster of cool tricks! He hasn’t been tested with cats and shouldn’t go to a home with young children at this time. Can you help EMMETT realize how cool this second chance is? Apply to adopt today!

WENDOLIN

WENDOLIN 

| F | 7 Y | Rottweiler mix | 70 lbs | Med to high energy | Working on leash skills | Very smart | Needs structure | Needs proper intros w/ dogs | No cats | Older kids only

When you’re regal as heck and need a super fancy name… meet WENDOLIN! Don’t let her age fool you, she’s an energetic ball of fire, at least, outside she is! She’s a big dog and can be pretty powerful on the leash when she wants to be so she will need a confident handler. Her leash skills will need work as she’s still pretty apprehensive in high traffic areas or new places so will need to build her confidence. Because Queen W spent most of her life tied up as a guard dog, she is VERY alert on walks, which makes her very stimulated around anything that can be considered prey - these Canadian squirrels are her favourite. She is working on being desensitized to this as we want her to be able to chill when on a leash. Ideally she would do best in a quieter part of the city but she is ok in an apartment as long as she gets a couple of good walks per day. WENDOLIN also has a high prey drive and will try to go after smaller animals (including squirrels, cats and some small dogs) on a leash so her human needs to be mindful of this and in control at all times. She is reactive toward cars as well and will need to learn to co-exist with them comfortably! This is because of her tied up/guard dog life that we’re trying to have her unlearn. She is very smart and totally knows how to work the system to get what she wants. She will benefit so much from structure in the home as it will help her to see you as a leader and realize that you can tackle anything as a team. She is food motivated but also LOVES affection which can be incorporated into her training too. Setting rules like not being allowed on the couch all the time will make cuddles after goodbehaviour that much more rewarding. She will try to follow you everywhere which is a sign that she feels like she needs to watch her pack (you!) but really she should be comfortable not being in control all the time. She is good at meeting people but needs proper introductions with other dogs. She can’t go to a home with cats and should only go to a home with older kids. If you’d like to meet her fill out an application to adopt now!

WILLOW

WILLOW

| F | 8 M | Hound mix | 30 lbs | Medium energy | Adjusting to city life | Very friendly | Smart | Benefits from strong leadership | Good Exposure w Dogs | Not cat or kid tested

Another member of our Buffy litter… meet WILLOW! She’s totally ready to be your reliable and awesome sidekick. Her tail is always wagging when she sees you. She’s pretty good at meeting new people and as long as they approach her slowly, she’ll greet them in the same way. She is still adjusting to city life and is building her confidence outside the home. She’s getting better every day but does best with a firm leader with confidence. When you first go outside she may want to sit on the porch for a couple of seconds taking it all in but can be coaxed to continue on with treats. She can definitely live in the city but would likely enjoy a quiet side street as opposed to a main road or busy intersection. WILLOW is pretty chill in the home and loves playing with her toys or cuddling. She is crate trained and has been ok in there for a typical working day as long as she gets a nice walk in the morning and when you get home from work. She does at time bark at outside noises. She’s pretty laidback so a less than ideal life for her would be one where she’s bouncing around from place to place, always hitting the hottest parties and doing things just for the ‘gram. She’s more about lowkey hangs with you and your closest pals. She does seem to attach herself to females over males. WILLOW is very smart and has responded well to training but does have a bit of a stubborn streak so a firm leader is important. She will always try to sneak into your bed, just hoping you won’t notice! She will need help with her leash skills as she continues to adjust to city noises. She is much better on leash in quieter areas of the city. Her interactions with other dogs have been limited so far but positive! She generally gets pretty silly and playful and should continue to be set up with successful dog interactions to keep this openness! She hasn’t been tested with cats but hasn’t shown signs of a prey drive. With proper introductions WILLOW would likely be fine with older kids. If you’d like to meet her fill out an application now!

BELO

BELO

M | 3 Y | Lab mix | 45 lbs | Medium energy | Pretty chill dude | Needs training/structure | Needs proper intros w/ dogs/people | Not cat tested | No kids

Meet BELO! The guy is ready for his second chance at a forever and he’s pretty excited about it… only he’ll show that excitement by chilling the heck out. Fetch? Nah. Play with toys? Not today. Spend the whole day relaxing around the apt with his best human pals? YAS! Just because he’s a pretty chilled out dude doesn’t mean he’s a couch potato and he does enjoy going for a few good walks per day. Unlike other pooches who believe walks are all about socializing or sniffing all the things, BELO firmly believes that walks are for exploring and is happy just trotting along. He will need a firm and confident handler as he’s dealing with some reactivity on a leash to other dogs occasionally and small critters. BELO would be more suited for a home outside of the city so he can stretch his legs and spend some well-needed time in nature. Training classes would be awesome for BELO! He has had positive experiences with dogs after a proper intro and has made pals with both active/playful dogs and super relaxed dogs. BELO gets nervous around some people and should be allowed to approach on his own time. His interactions with people have been fairly positive but reading his cues you can sometimes see that he’s uncomfortable. He is very affectionate with his trusted people so he just needs some time to build those relationships. He hasn’t been tested with cats and a home without kids is recommended at this time. If you’d like to meet BELO fill out an application to adopt now! 

PEACH

PEACH

M | 8 M | Border Collie mix | 30 lbs | Medium energy | Kind of an old soul | Building confidence | Loves toys and fetch | Working on leash skills | Ok with dogs | Not cat or kid tested

Meet PEACH! We’ve watched this handsome dude blossom right before our eyes and honestly it’s giving us all the feels. He’s still shy and is working on building his confidence but he’s made so much progress already. He’s still young so does have that puppy energy where he gets the zoomies but really he’s an old soul. He has the most beautiful brown eyes and he knows how to use them to his advantage. He took to fetch immediately and loves to stockpile all of the toys in his foster home. As he’s developed more confidence he’s been showing the typical areas of improvement for a puppy including nipping, chewing and keep away so will need continued training to help him curb these behaviours. He’s come a long way with leash training but it’s possible he will regress a bit in his new home. He prefers to walk down quieter streets and will freeze from time to time when he hears a loud noise. He would do best with a confident handler to help him power through these moments. He’s become very affectionate with his people but still needs proper introductions with strangers. He is housetrained but has struggled with submissive urination which has gotten better but does still happen occasionally. PEACH is crate trained and relies on it as a safe space. He currently lives with another dog and they get along well but he needs proper introductions with dogs outside the home and may bare his teeth if he feels uncomfortable. PEACH is very smart and learned all the basic commands with ease. He would LOVE to continue training and learning more skills so that he can be the smartest pooch on the block. He hasn’t been tested with cats and young kids would likely be overwhelming for him at this time. If you think you can help PEACH on his path to success fill out an application to adopt! 

FLOPSIE

FLOPSIE

8M l F l 33lbs l Hound Mix l Medium Energy l Playful l Slow to warm up l Good Exposure w Dogs l Great Second Dog l Likely Okay w Cats l Likely Okay with Monitored Kids

Do your ears hang low do they wobble to and fro. Or, were you named after them? Meet FLOPSIE. This girl is so great and has opened up amazingly well during her time in Canada FLOPSIE is sceptical of new things, and being from a sanctuary in Dominican, lots of things are new! FLOPSIE is living the “what is this?” “What is that?” phase when it comes to city traffic, having houseguests, meeting dogs/people on a leash. If you slowly and confidently introduce her to things, she feels the leadership and will trust you. In foster care, she went from not getting out of her crate, to kissing new friends she meets. We love her growing confidence, and this will only continue leadership, bonding and stability. Letting her intro to people/dogs on her own terms is also super key. She doesn’t like to be the centre of attention until she asks for it. Once she comes to you she wants everything to do with you. Even with dogs. Play, wrestle, explore. FLOPSIE has so much puppy energy when she’s feeling open. But if she does not feel safe, she can be a flight risk so please give her space and watch her body language. Her foster has set her up well with calm, patient, slow exposure and because of this says fostering her is super easy! FLOPSIE is fine to be crated 9-5 and at night (which we recommend), and just needs a big walk in the morning/night. FLOPSIE also enjoys her play/wrestling time with other dogs and would LOVE to be the second dog with a playful youngster like her. She may be good with older kids who are monitored and respectful of her space and would likely be playful with cats. FLOPSIE is going to make her new family super super happy and we can’t wait to see her come out of her shell in a forever home where she can trust, build confidence and feel safe always. Is that you? Apply to adopt now!

SAMMY

SAMMY

l M | 1 Y | Collie mix | 30 lbs | Medium energy | Shy | Learning the basics | Very affectionate | Likes quieter areas | Apprehensive of dogs/people – needs proper intros | Not cat tested | Likely ok with older kids

SAMMY says “hiiii, thanks for giving me such a warm welcome to Toronto. Do you know it’s very loud here?” This guy is definitely still getting his bearings and prefers quieter areas of the city without so many loud noises. Streetcars, car horns, construction, oh my! He does love walks though so with the continued exposure we think he’ll become more comfortable. He is very affectionate with his people and is chill in the home as long as he’s had enough exercise. He’s not used to being home alone for long periods of time so someone with a flexible schedule would be best. He can be nervous meeting new people but is very curious so if he’s not crowded right off the bat he will slowly come up to say hello. He is more nervous of men and will sometimes growl. Letting him come to you is best. He seems to be fine with apartment living so far and has absolutely zero ideas what the heck toys are for. Everything seems pretty new to SAMMY but he’s a quick study. He’s working on basic commands in the home as well as on leash and is learning to follow instructions but improving daily. He’s starting to be food motivated which helps with training. On leash he will at times bark or pull towards other dogs. He would benefit from socialization training, which we have started in foster care. He’s nervous of bigger dogs and doesn’t like when dogs are too forward. He’ll chase squirrels if he’s off leash but ignores them if he’s on a leash. He is beginning to show some playfulness with dogs and toys, so we know there's a playful dude in there trying to build the confidence to come out! He just needs the right leader. He’s better with small dogs and would be ok with another chill dog in the home. He’s met a child on the street who was respectful of his space and he was fine to say hello. If you’d like to meet SAMMY fill out an application to adopt today!

XANDER

XANDER

l 8M l M l Hound/Collie/Corgi Mix l Approx 30lbs l Medium Physical Energy l Needs Mental Stimulation l Limited Exposure w Dogs l No Signs of Prey Drive/Not Cat Tested l No Kids l 

Meet the last of the Buffy the Vampire Crew. The one and only, Xander, everyone’s nice boy guilty crush. XANDER the dog is described by his fosters as a good mix of playful and curious. XANDER is in puppy mode still and is dabbling in the DO and DO NOT DO phase of life. Do I.. chew on your hand during play time? Oh okay, I got in trouble for that, that’s a DO NOT DO. He is looking for structure and stability to show him how to dog but also patience and leadership. XANDER can be nervous but can also be loud and proud.. he needs structure and stability in follow through of rules to help him distinguish how to negotiate life. XANDER’s mix of curiosity and playfulness is amazing in that he is generally game for anything, if set up for success by the handler, which makes him pretty adjustable to your flow. XANDER does require some mental stimulation in terms of playing together with him and his toys, hiding treats for him to find, learning new commands, etc, as well as walks.. to then be the best napper in the universe. Sometimes his foster comes home to let him out on her break and he looks at her from his crate with the “why are you here I am trying to nap” face. That is good, tuckered out dude from lots of play/stability. This dude will chew your things if he does not get some stimulation in daily. And as well, he should be crated when alone for that reason as well as to provide boundaries/stability. He’s currently great with crating. XANDER is generally not a cuddle bug/lap dog which is perfect because this helps with boundaries as well. XANDER is better to meet people outside of the home, best ignored until he comes to them. He is generally nervous and likes to do things at his own time versus being forced to be the “cute corgi huggable dog” that people want him to be. We think he’d be best in a home without kids until he gets some stability and currently doesn’t show signs of prey drive so he may be good with an outgoing cat. XANDER is sweet, loyal, smart and a great companion/roommate. He’d make a great condo dog and is ready to be adopted anytime now! Apply now!

MEATLOAF

MEATLOAF

M | 1 Y | Chihuahua mix | Low energy | Needs structure + boundaries | Tentative | Chill in the home | Crate trained | Needs proper intros with dogs | Not cat tested | Ok with older dog savvy kids

Meet MEATLOAF!  If “No New Friends” by Drake is your favourite song, MEATLOAF might be the ideal dog for you! MEATLOAF is very affectionate with his people, once he’s established trust, but is wary of strangers. He does best with a strict no touch/ no talk/ no eye contact rule when new people come over, because he prefers to make the first move. MEATLOAF needs an owner who advocates for him and enforces this rule so he can feel safe and confident. An owner who understands how to balance structure and affection would be right up MEATLOAF’s alley!

MEATLOAF would do great as a second dog, in a home with a chill, non-reactive dog, who could help him build his confidence. Young kids make MEATLOAF feel uneasy, but he could do well with older dog-savvy kids who can understand and respect his boundaries.

MEATLOAF is low energy and doesn’t need much exercise. A quick walk or some time in the backyard is enough to satisfy him. MEATLOAF would do well with someone who’s a bit of a neat freak, because he hates getting dirty. He’s crate trained and is very good about going in there at night and when you’re out of the house. 

We’re looking for a patient, structured home for this cutie, because in the right environment MEATLOAF will thrive and become your new sidekick. If that’s you fill out an application to adopt today!

REUBEN

REUBEN

| M | 4 Y | Egyptian Baladi | 50 lbs | Medium energy | Affectionate | Stubborn | Can be vocal | Working on crate training | Ok with dogs | Not cat tested | Was ok with one kid

Meet REUBEN! He’s pretty affectionate and playful but also has an independent streak and can be a little bit stubborn. REUBEN has been in Canada for a while so is very comfortable living in a home and being a pet. Sometimes though he does think that he runs the show and there’s always room to improve on some manners. Reuben is on cloud nine anytime he’s in nature and gets to run around! He would do best in a home with a backyard where he can compete in epic tug of war showdowns. He loves to people watch and will spend hours analyzing every person and pet that walks by the house. The doorbell and thunderstorms are two things that he just can’t seem to understand, and often he makes it known that he’s confused and isn’t the biggest fan. Crating is very much a work in progress as REUBEN is terrified of the crate and will do whatever he can to get out. He’s completely housetrained and is often left alone for 6-8 hours a day and never goes on furniture, he pretty much spends his alone time lying around on the door mat sleeping. REUBEN is pretty good on leash but does have a bit of a prey drive so can become distracted. However, since his time with his foster his recall is significantly improving and they often let him off leash in the backward and at the cottage with no problems! Reuben is working on understanding that hands are not in fact a part of the treat you’re giving him and now knows what it means to take it gently. He’s generally good at meeting new people and has met children with no problems. He loves playing with other dogs but will occasionally be a little too intense so needs to be monitored and reminded to chill with a firm no. We think REUBEN would really thrive in a home outside the city. If you’d like to meet him fill out an application to adopt today!

CHICA POGO

CHICA POGO 

F | 2 Y | Terrier mix | 7 lbs | Medium energy | BIG personality | Bossy | Vocal | Working on socialization | Bouncy | Good exposure with dogs after proper intro | Not cat or kid tested

This is CHICA POGO and she’s a boss. She’s 7 lbs of sass and has enough attitude and confidence for about 100 dogs. She’s pretty weird looking but she doesn’t care, she thinks she’s cute. Her facial expressions are priceless and will keep you entertained for days. She is an actual bouncy ball and can jump very high when she gets excited, usually when you’re holding something she wants… food. CHICA POGO is working on her socialization skills because she doesn’t approach many situations with a lot of chill. She is vocal and not hesitant to use her voice. On leash, she barks and lunges at other dogs. When she actually has the opportunity to meet them she’s quite dog social but it’s obviously not possible for her to meet every dog so she will need to work on being less reactive on leash. She is being fostered with two other dogs and loves playing with her fur sister who is easily 8-times her size. She’s less interested in the other dog in the home who is less playful but she doesn't always read cues and will try to instigate (unwanted) play so close monitoring is important. She’s ok being crated for a work day as long as she gets enough exercise before and after work! She loves her people so would love someone with a flexible schedule who can hang with her more often. If she has regular pee breaks throughout the day she won’t have any accidents in the home. Size-wise she’s ok in a condo but she does bark at noises in the hallway. She needs proper introductions with new people as she’s very sceptical at first. Even when people ignore her she will bark and circle around them like a shark for a good 3 to 5 minutes. Once she stops barking she will take a treat and become your BFF pretty quickly and curl up in your lap. She hasn’t been tested with kids. She has barked at kids on the street and likely shouldn’t go to a home with young children. She has spent a bit of time with a cat while being babysat and it went okay but she would need to be monitored. CHICA POGO will need a home who can provide structure/boundaries while continuing to work on her socialization. If you’d like to meet her fill out an application to adopt!

Or, if you’d like to set-up an informal meet-up with Chica and her foster please email nicolekennedy@saveourscruff.org and please tell us a bit about WHY you two would make a great fit!

SPIKE

SPIKE

| M | 8 M | Hound mix | Medium energy | Building his confidence | Very chill | Working on training | Good with dogs – great second dog| Not cat or kid tested

Meet tough guy SPIKE! Just kidding about the tough guy stuff because he’s such a softie. He’s still working on building his confidence but is coming out of his shell more and more every day. SPIKE is still young so does best with a home with a flexible schedule. He’s used to going outside a handful of times each day for short walks. New areas and noises can make him a bit nervous so it’s important that his new humans are confident when exposing him to new things. Although he’s cute as heck, babying him won’t help him overcome his fears. SPIKE is great with his trusted humans but needs proper introductions with others where he’s allowed to approach first. He doesn’t love being approached by strangers on the street so it’s important to advocate for him. At first, he had no ideas what toys were for and would just chew on his crate instead (crazy SPIKE!) but then we totally blew his mind and gave him a kong and a bone. Game over – those are way better than chewing the crate. He’s a follower and is great with other dogs so would do well a cool canine role model in the home who can show him the ropes. If there’s no other dog in the home he will follow you around which is cute but he needs to learn to be more independent for sure. He’s been working on his leash skills but walks best when it’s very quiet otherwise he’s always looking over his shoulder to see who might be following him. He enjoys outdoor time in quiet parks but busy streets make him nervous. A quieter part of the city or life in the suburbs would be best for him if possible. He hasn’t been tested with cats or kids. If you’d like to meet SPIKE fill out an application to adopt now!

Max

MAX

M | 4 Y | Shepherd mix | 70 lbs | Higher Energy | Smart and excitable | Needs an experienced owner | Cuddle monster | Flexible Schedule | Dog Social | Not cat tested | Older kids only l Needs to be outside of City but could thrive in the city with the right owner

Meet MAX! MAX has a BIG personality and will need an owner who can help allow all his best qualities shine! He’s medium-high energy and will need at least one good walk per day along with mental exercise. While MAX has been in our care for 2 years, it’s not indicative of his potential to be an excellent family dog, but rather because we know EXACTLY what he needs and we’re waiting for his perfect match to come along! MAX would do best with an experienced owner, but would also thrive with an owner who’s dedicated to learning the ropes and creating a strong bond through training. MAX needs a calm, confident leader who can provide appropriate outlets for his energy. He is a very social dog who benefits from structured routines and exercise. He needs an owner who will lead him into a better walking mindset. MAX can be pushy (so he needs someone who will use this to their advantage to challenge him mentally with training. MAX is VERY human-friendly but needs an owner who will advocate for him and allow him only to meet people who can approach him in an appropriate way. “Baby talk” and over-excited people can easily overstimulate him, so it’s important to encourage appropriate interactions. MAX is fully crate trained and often uses his crate throughout the day to nap, have time to calm himself and sleep overnight. It’s essential that MAX’s new owner continue to crate train, as MAX gets anxious when he doesn’t have a quiet space of his own to unwind. He is incredibly dog social, he enjoys life in foster with a pack of 12 and has helped other dogs learn better social skills. He's very playful with dogs, listens to signals well and adjusts his play to the size of the dog. He hasn’t been tested with cats. MAX has spent most of his life with children but needs a dog-friendly family who all understand his cues! MAX will absolutely shine in the right home. He would LOVE a place outside of the city but could thrive in the city with the right handling and a solid routine. If that’s you fill out an application to adopt now!

PIXIE

PIXIE

| F | 5 Y | Min Pin mix | 7 lbs | Low energy | Loves to sleep | Nervous on leash | Almost housetrained | Dog social | Not kid tested | No cats

Oh hey PIXIE! She’s super cute and rocks the best ugly smile ever as she’s lost most of her teeth. It definitely adds to her overall look. This LA lady is all about the chill life and is as low energy as they come. A hike is her worst nightmare and she would prefer to sleep like 22 hours a day. She’s extremely nervous on leash and needs to be double leashed for security. When she gets freaked out she tries to wiggle out of her harness so she needs to be treated as a serious flight risk for the foreseeable future. The good thing is she hates exercise so if you have a house with a backyard that’s more than enough for her. She likes to do her business off-leash, in a fenced yard. She generally spends 5 – 10 minutes outside to do her business and then just wants to nap inside. She gets random bursts of playfulness that again only last a couple of minutes and then she’s exhausted. She is 90% housetrained but needs to go outside as soon as she gets up in the morning so if you don’t take her directly outside she may have an accident. Although she’s pretty low maintenance she is definitely a companion dog and wouldn’t enjoy spending too much time alone. She loves people and is usually comfortable interacting with anyone who shows interest in her. If they get down to her level she will more than likely jump right into their lap for a snuggle! Although she prefers people over dogs she lives with a whole pack at the moment and is friends with others her size. She will occasionally try to play with them for a minute and then yup, you guessed it, fall asleep. She’s a bit bossy if another dog interrupts her naptime though and will out a little growl to tell them to back off.  She loves food and will jump around like a grasshopper when is mealtime. She hates cats and cannot live with them. During her vet appointment, she tried to eat the clinic cat, which is hard with like 4 teeth. PIXIE hasn’t been tested with kids, but wouldn’t like a home with too much activity that would interfere with her beauty rest. If you’d like to meet PIXIE fill out an application to adopt now!

Or, set up an informal meet-up by emailing: missy@saveourscruff.org. Please tell us a little about yourself and why this dog works for you!

NORMY

NORMY 

F | 3 Y | Border Collie mix | 35 lbs | Low to med energy | Chill | Shy and nervous | Suburbs/country dog | Needs proper intros with dogs | Not cat or kid tested

Do you prefer Netflix marathons over actual running marathons? Do you prefer parties on your couch more than actual parties? Are you all about that laidback chill lifestyle? NORMY might be the perfect dog for you! This girl is so relaxed in the home and nothing seems to phase her. She adjusts to your schedule pretty seamlessly and is cool to go with the flow. She’s also SUPER affectionate with her trusted people. Currently NORMY is not super active and prefers to just lounge around the house in her PJs but as she becomes more comfortable in her surroundings we expect her energy might increase a bit. She is currently being fostered right in the city and although space-wise a condo is good for her, some other elements are a bit overwhelming. She doesn’t like too much action so a very busy condo building where she frequently runs into people and other dogs is not ideal. She is still building her confidence outdoors and will require a patient owner who can continue to expose her to new situations and surroundings gradually. She will try to resist going outside or going for walks but is getting better every day and draws inspiration from the cool as a cucumber attitude of her trusted people. In calmer areas, she goes outside happily and will even be playful outside! She needs proper introductions with people where she is allowed to approach first and doesn’t like when other dogs are too forward with her. She has ignored other dogs that she has passed while walking on a leash. NORMY would likely do better in a quieter area but shouldn’t be locked up in the comfort of her own home all the time. She needs to understand how great the world can be. Just the other day she was caught investigating a toy for the first time. YAAAS NORMY GET IT GIRL. She hasn’t been tested with cats or kids. She is housetrained, chicken motivated and is finding more of her fun spirited personality daily! If you’d like to adopt her fill out an application to adopt today!

FANG

FANG

FANG | F | 4 Y | Chihuahua mix | 7 lbs |Dominican | Low energy | Super chill | Low maintenance | Needs proper intros with people | Almost Housetrained | Only child | No dogs or cats | Older kids only

She claims she’s a dog but looks more like a cute little alien, meet FANG! FANG is like the classic definition of an only child… she has a preferred person and likes to spend most of her time with them. She does not like sharing attention, snacks or time with other animals. She can be selective with people as well and needs a proper intro. FANG is not the type of dog that you just run up to on the street and start petting… stranger danger is real for her and she prefers to interact with people she knows. She is fine with people coming over to your crib but they should remember not to force interactions on her, she should be allowed to make the first move when she’s ready. With her trusted people she’s such a low maintenance dog that she’s basically a cat, but don’t tell her we said that because she hates cats. She also hates squirrels. She sleeps A LOT and is fairly quiet in the home when her people are gone. She’s even super snuggly with her trusted humans. She’s low energy and doesn’t need a lot of exercise. Living in a busy area with lots of foot traffic and dogs will be a challenge for FANG as she is leash reactive. A quieter area would be ideal for her. At this stage FANG should be an only dog. In the past she has lived in a home with other dogs and was fine under the supervision of a very experienced owner. She is selective with kids and should only go to a home with older, dog savvy kids if it’s the right fit. She is generally uncomfortable passing children on the street. FANG would be an excellent companion animal for someone who is low key and willing to accept/work through some of her quirks. She has so much love to give and just needs the right outlet. If you’d like to meet her fill out an application to adopt now!

Or, set up an informal meet-up by emailing: nicolekennedy@saveourscruff.org. Please tell us a little about yourself and why this dog works for you!

BART

BART

| M | 8 M | Australian Shepherd mix | 45 lbs | Medium energy | Shy but curious | LOVES toys | Crate trained | Needs proper intros w/ people | Very dog social | Best Second Dog l Not cat tested | Not kid tested in Canada

Ay caramba – meet BART! He doesn’t exactly sport the spiky yellow hair or mischievous attitude of his cartoon namesake. Our BART is shy yet curious and super sweet. His confidence is a bit low after his big move but with patience and ongoing exposure to new things he will continue to thrive. He was fairly confident on his walk with his foster before a loud car horn went off and he was like what is this witchcraft?! He relies a lot on his canine foster brother who continues to show him the ropes. He would do best as a second dog with a pup who will give him his space when he needs it (he does not like sharing his crate but is never aggressive when pushing the dog out), lightly wrestle with him and share a massive collection of toys. BART loves toys and we cannot stress this enough. He likes to quietly chew a toy at most times during the day and if he doesn’t have access to them he will chew something else. He tends to hoard them throughout the day and build a mountain in his crate, which is his safe space. BART is still very nervous with new people and needs proper introductions where he’s allowed to make the first move. He will observe new people from his crate first before assessing if he’s comfortable enough to say hello. Anyone applying for him should understand that he’s not going to be all over you right away and it may take some time for him to warm up to you. Once he does he’s very affectionate and loves making a big cuddle pile on the floor with his people and his dog siblings and he is ALWAYS the little spoon. He also likes to give a steady rotation of kisses amongst all parties in the cuddle pile. He hasn’t been tested with cats and he was kid-friendly in Mexico, but may need time to adjust to kids here. If you’d like to meet him fill out an application to adopt today!