CHIA COOKIE

Female | 1.5 years old | 8 pounds | Medium energy | Lives with a dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Goofy & affectionate

Healthy, and ever so slightly sweet with just a subtle nuttiness…wait, wait, wait. We’re describing an oat-based treat! Let’s try that again, shall we? CHIA COOKIE is a dog. Specifically, she’s an adoptable SOS scruff whose personality is anything but subtle. Oh, and she’s a total cutie pie to boot.

A day in CHIA COOKIE’S life looks a little like this:

• An early morning stroll followed by a nutritious and delicious breakfast

• Indoor playtime with her fav toys while her humans have to do this thing called work

• A lengthy afternoon amble (also known as a walk) plus time to relax before dinner

So all in all, that’s a pretty standard day for this gal. Of course, a little variation occurs here and there, which our gal CHIA COOKIE is happy to roll with. Generally speaking, though, she likes to live her best life with her humans being home more often than not. She’s working on just a li’l separation anxiety after all (note that while she will settle, she can be vocal in the first 5-10 minutes when left alone). One thing we haven’t yet mentioned is that she uses her crate to sleep in overnight, and, yes, she’s excellent at this. No biggie or anything! While we’re not so low-key bragging, we might as well also mention just how quickly she got the hang of house training.

Ok. Just a few more things, and then you can apply to adopt. CHIA COOKIE has yet to meet cats. It’s hard to say how she might respond to those creatures or other small animals, for that matter. What we do know is that she gives chase when catching sight of a squirrel, so. She peacefully coexists with her foster’s resident dog, and when she meets other dogs one-on-one in an open environment, she’s sweet, social and in a word, fine. She’s working on responding more thoughtfully to scruffs when on leash and walking with her foster dog sister by her side. 

Ready to adopt who is arguably the sweetest and silliest gal of the bunch?! You’d better act fast. On your mark, get set, go!!!

LUA

Female | 1 year old | ~30 pounds | Medium-low energy | Hasn’t met kids or cats | Curious but cautious with dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Sweet & sensitive

Lovely LUA. Her name is a lovely, more modern alternative to Luna, which means “moon.” Her name is unique and carries connotations of tranquility with a little beauty thrown in for good measure. This couldn’t be truer of LUA. She’s a quiet, low-key dog (with a gorgeous black and white coat!) who enjoys spending time with her trusted humans and good company.

One of her deepest needs is feeling safe and secure, which is something that takes time and patience. Having now spent a few weeks in her foster’s care, she’s come out of her shell, and feels more comfortable in their company. Our gut instinct is that LUA would appreciate finding someone who works from or typically spends more time at home than not. Reflecting on her docile nature, we also believe that LUA would do well spending time with kids.

To feel fulfilled both mentally and physically, LUA spends time learning and going for walks in her neighbourhood. Early morning walks are her favourite, followed by some time to relax. After another walk in the afternoon, she’s content to go people (or dog!) watch, with you by her side. LUA is an obedient walker, and it’s enjoyable to walk with her. This is especially true when she’s in the mood to get outside. While she might be curious about dogs from a distance, she tends to prefer keeping to herself while out and about, enjoying her personal bubble. With that in mind, living in a home with another dog might encourage her to step out of her comfort zone just a little bit more.

We’d be over the moon to find her a furever home. Might that be you? Apply to adopt.

MORITA

Female | 4.5 years old | 15 pounds | Medium energy | Limited exposure to cats | Has met kids and dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | Affectionate & friendly

Meet MORITA! The quintessential pug, MORITA is affectionate, loves her people a whole lot, and is highly food motivated. She’s also willing to work for her food, but every now and again, she can get a little mischievous when left alone.

Getting used to a consistent routine in her foster home has helped MORITA get a feel for how her day will look. This routine enables her to showcase a more laidback side (which is a good thing!) as she knows what to expect. Throughout her day, she can often be found close to her humans napping, receiving belly rubs, and engaging in play. She’s often anticipating her next training activity, which, in her mind, ideally involves food. MORITA’s ideal scenario is finding an adopter who either works from home or is home more often than not. She’s been working steadily through some mild separation anxiety, which has improved since being in her foster family’s care. If anything, you might anticipate her whining when her people leave, though she will settle.

We’d describe this scruff as a smarty-pants. Need some proof? We’ll have you know that she’s learned recall fairly quickly! That’s in addition to knowing how to sit, stay, and leash walking. She’s friendly with people and dogs alike, though if she really had to choose a favourite, she’d pick her humans every time! This girl has experience meeting kids, and the only thing you should note that she can jump out of excitement. We don’t blame her, socializing is fun! That said, you’ll want to monitor her interactions with youngsters. Otherwise, we’ve heard that MORITA has previously met cats, though she’s yet to meet any in SOS care. Last but not least, you may have noticed MORITA is missing her left eye. This is from a previous trauma, and you’d best believe she doesn’t let that stop her in any which way.

So what do you think? Are you ready to bring this friendly, affectionate, happy-go-lucky gal into your life? Apply to adopt!

MILEY

Female | 1 year old | 80 pounds | Medium energy | Has met kids | Friendly with dogs and cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Erin | Affectionate, smart & goofy

Meet MILEY. At one year old, MILEY is a young and playful scruff looking for a forever home that’s just as loving as they are coachable! MILEY is likely to grow into a large guardian breed dog and, as such, needs a confident human looking to grow and learn alongside her with continued training.

Some of MILEY’s favourite things include playing outside, going for long walks (and hikes if you’re up for it!), and exploring nature to her heart’s content. She’s got a mild interest in small animals, but only ever gives them a half-hearted chase. After a day of play and outdoor time, you’ll find that MILEY does well with decompressing in her crate and is just as content practicing the place command. She’s well-trained, this scruff, and it’s that kind of structured day where she has time to practice skills that will have her progressing even more in a new home.

Before coming into SOS care, MILEY was living in a shelter environment, with few opportunities to work on her socialization skills and interactions with people. This led to a bite incident where this scruff acted defensively. Routine, patience, and structure, combined with gentle socialization and handling, will set her up for continued success going forward (just like it already has done!).

While MILEY doesn’t necessarily want strangers going up and petting her, she’s become more trusting and is affectionate and loving with those she trusts. Her interactions with people have progressed, and she’s recently started befriending kids during monitored interactions! While this scruff has yet to experience city living, we expect that with a little time and patience, she’d do just fine.

If you’re someone who’s looking forward to continuing this scruff’s training, then you might be the one for her! Apply to adopt!

YORCH

Male | 1 year old | 24 pounds | Medium energy | Hasn’t met kids | Limited exposure to dogs and cats | From Mexico | Fostered in Toronto | A playful cuddle bug

Meet YORCH! He’s a one-year-old scruff who loooooves to receive affection (obviously, since he’s a cuddle bug!) and, on the whole, is a curious, playful pup who’s been busy learning lots when it comes to basic training.

Over the past couple of weeks, YORCH has been settling into a routine at his foster home in Toronto. He appreciates living in a home where his human is home more often than not, especially since he enjoys being around people. Having plenty of playtime throughout the day, along with time for enrichment activities, ensures he utilizes his big brain to its full capacity daily. As much as he loves to play, he can never say no to a good nap, and once he’s comfortable with new humans, he’s happy to let himself kick back and relax into a nap.

We’d describe YORCH as a scruff that’s both gentle and calm. With this temperament, introducing kids to him is likely to go smoothly, especially since meeting more people means more friends to play with. Still young, YORCH has lots to learn, and living with another confident dog in the home could help him do just that. He’s met some dogs in passing on walks, and ever curious, he’s relaxed in these scenarios. YORCH has also previously met cats, though he has yet to meet them in his current home.

One area of training that YORCH has been working on in particular is house training, which is, admittedly, tricky. YORCH has also been working through his separation anxiety when his foster parents leave the room. This young scruff is food-motivated, meaning that treats can be a great training tool as he continues to progress in all areas.

Keen to bring this scruff into your life? Apply to adopt!

DOUG

Male | 10 years old | 22 pounds | Low energy | Coexists with a dog | Gentle with young kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Peterborough | Quirky & cute | Easy going

It’s DOUG the pug’s time to shine in the adoption spotlight, and we are SO here for it! Described as “a very good houseguest,” DOUG loves his human interaction, enrichment activities, and getting excited for treats. He’s cute and quirky (it’s the expressive eyes and underbite combo for us) and especially appreciates when his people invite him in for a cuddle or two.

A day with DOUG often involves a healthy amount of napping, which includes structured crate naps, since he experiences some separation anxiety. While he likes to keep an eye on what his people are up to, you’ll find that he’s quite an easy-going guy. His foster parent works shifts, which means every day is a little different, and DOUG over here is pleased as punch to be going with the flow. The one thing that doesn’t please him as much is working through a little ear infection. Obviously, he isn’t the hugest fan of ear drops, but his foster fam has persisted, and it’s definitely gotten easier!

What else? DOUG the pug lives with an older resident dog, and, honestly? He’s indifferent to him, and they simply coexist. On the other hand, DOUG is a happy little scruff when meeting other dogs on walks! DOUG is all tail wags meeting adults, and he shows off his gentle side meeting kids, doing best with those who respect his boundaries.

Lately, DOUG has found his voice in foster care and sometimes barks at the window. Generally speaking, though, he’s a quiet dog and would likely do well in an equally chill home. A couple of short strolls a day (during which he walks well on leash!) plus some enrichment in the evening, suits him well. He’s not very playful, but he will always accept a belly rub. You know, if you were curious.

Apply to adopt!

RAZ

Male | 3 months old | Medium energy | Hasn’t met cats or kids | Curious about dogs | From Manitoba | Fostered in Toronto | Affectionate & sweet | Building independence

Want to be in on a secret? This is strictly on a need-to-know basis: RAZ, this cutie pie 3-month-old pup, is officially adoptable. He’s quite the catch, RAZ is, and likely going to have many potential adopters checking him and his bio out. That’s why we’re sharing this on the sly - so that you can be the first to learn all there is to learn about him!

If there was one thing you should know about this scruffy pup, it’s that he’s the world’s biggest cuddle bug. Now that’s something we couldn’t keep under wraps even if we tried! He’s affectionate, which his foster family loves to see, as it’s visibly shown them just how much he’s come out of his shell in their care. Make sure to maintain your boundaries, though, so that he doesn’t delve too far into clingy territory! The right balance is key.

Let’s talk about his social life! Calmly curious about dogs, RAZ is timid meeting them on walks, though he keeps his composure. When it comes to humans, he prefers to sit and check them out rather than approaching them. If and when they pet him, however, that’s when he’s all in!

Exploring the outdoors is still new territory for RAZ, though he’s showing more interest in going on longer walks. He’ll likely continue to become slightly more active outside than he is now, as he grows more comfortable. Inside the home, he enjoys chill play sessions while chewing on his stuffies or engaging in a light round of tug. Like most pups, RAZ engages in playful nipping here and there. It’s more gentle than anything, though still something to note if he’s to meet kids.

Now it’s time to spill the beans about all things training. Daytime crate training has been tricky, and RAZ tends to cry when left alone, meaning that training to increase his independence will continue to be important! What he has excelled in is house training. RAZ is comfortable using pee pads - a huge help for condo living - and making use of the outdoors. RAZ has done well learning basic commands, and it is repetition that we have to thank for that! Well, and his foster fam of course! There’s some room for improvement with leash training, though he typically follows his human’s lead.

So. Now that we’ve let the cat out of the bag and you know what you know about RAZ, ready to adopt? Apply today!