NENE - APP IN PROCESS

1 year old | Male | 18 pounds | Social with people & dogs | From Mexico | Arriving in Toronto March 29 | Affectionate & playful

In the romance languages nene is a term of endearment. Looking at the pup in these photos, and knowing what we know about him, well, we couldn’t have chosen a better name ourselves! This little one lives for the affection of those who look after him and we’re quite certain he’ll receive many affectionate nicknames in no time at all.

NENE is his happiest self when making friends with other scruffs and spending his time playing. Life right now looks like living in a shelter with a number of other dogs, which is where he’s developed his social side. He regularly interacts with shelter staff as well and likes being part of the action. Speaking of activity NENE is no doubt sure to enjoy being part of your daily activities. Just make sure that also includes all basic training (think leash walking, crate, and house training).

NENE is in search of someone(s) to bring him into their life in a forever kind of way. As of March 29, NENE will not only have made his way to the country, but right into Toronto Pearson airport and needs an adopter able to pick him up there. So what do you think? Has NENE endeared himself to you? Apply to adopt!

GUMBY - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 11.5 months old | Medium energy | Good second dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Hamilton | Fostered in Toronto | Affectionate, happy-go-lucky and  a bit of a smarty-pants

He might not be a blocky green humanoid made of clay, but he very well could be your confident canine companion. This right here is GUMBY.

With his medium energy level, GUMBY is both a social and rambunctious young scruff, who will thrive in a home where action and adventure are more common than not. Wherever he goes, you’ll find him making new human friends, which is always something that has him doing his seriously cute full body wiggles. Just you wait and see!

His foster family have found that a consistent, active routine keeps him physically and mentally engaged. His day typically involves 2-3 walks and, of course, some time for play and training. He’s a fan of puzzle feeders and enrichment toys and has been picking up house rules rather quickly. GUMBY is a good listener, which enables him to easily pick up verbal commands. He’s already nailed place, sit, and down and is comfortable using his crate. Want to know something we’re especially impressed by? GUMBY’s patience as he waits for his people to open the door to his crate.

Right now, GUMBY is busy working on his leash manners and learning not to jump. The latter means that his interactions with little ones should be monitored in the event that he gets overly excited. When it comes to adult humans, this scruff loves to cuddle. That said, don’t get it twisted - he’s not clingy! GUMBY enjoys the company of living with another dog with a similar play style and these two are often found napping next to each other. Lately he’s been showing more interest in meeting other dogs as well, which you might notice as he’s inclined to pull towards them on walks. 

Think you might like to bring this happy-go-lucky guy into your life? Apply to adopt!

RIGBY - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 11.5 weeks old | 14 pounds & growing! | Medium energy | Likely good with kids | Limited interactions with cats | Lives with a dog | From Manitoba | Fostered in East Gwillimbury | Playful, cuddly & sweet

RIGBY. A little guy who has stolen the hearts of SO many already and he’s only 11 weeks old! Wanting nothing more to hang out with you, sure RIGBY likes his fur friends, and likes his people even more! So, if you’re looking for a loyal companion, RIGBY might just be the one.

RIGBY has been busy gaining confidence in SOS care and has become more brave, showing off his playfulness in the company of his foster’s dog. Playing outside with her is one of his fav activities. While he has an independent side, we still think he’d love living with another dog going forward, as long as they can tolerate his puppy tendencies!

On the whole, RIGBY is likely to thrive as part of an active family that encourages his love for play and running. It’s also important that they’re keen on furthering his training as he still has much to learn. RIGBY is comfortable in the car, has learned commands including come and sit, is continuing to work on place, and, of course, is new to leash walking and tends to crisscross lots. You’ll be pleased to know that he’s progressed with his crate training, though you might occasionally experience the (not so subtle) sounds of him missing you in the night. What can we say, he’s still young!

This playful pup finds a lot of joy in bringing alllll of his toys to one spot before plunking himself down for some independent play. He can often be found chasing his fur friends or a toy when he’s not busy bouncing around in the snow. He loves snagging a good shoe or slipper too, so watch out! Another thing to keep an eye on is his puppy teeth and any nipping, particularly if he’s to meet any kids. One thing humans of all ages can look forward to when it comes to life with this scruff is his love for a good snuggle! He’s a fan.

Think you’d like to bring this pup into your life? Apply to adopt.

ROMEO - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 6 years old | 30 pounds | Medium energy | Good second dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Waterloo | Timid, but spunky & sweet

Meet ROMEO - like his namesake, this gentleman is ready to steal your heart! ROMEO has shown so much growth and progress since first arriving in foster care. Having never been on leash before, ROMEO is now really enjoying his walks and is absolutely excelling at loose-leash walking.

Since everything is new to this sweet boy, ROMEO can be nervous and cautious when adapting to new environments and when getting to know new people. He might initially be shy and tuck his tail, or look to his crate for a retreat, but ROMEO is warming up to things on his own time. He’s courageously learning new skills, including staircases. Going up is a breeze now, going down is another story, literally, but he’s proud to say he no longer needs a lift.

A note from his foster mom: “I love his courage! You can tell that he is really embodying the idea of doing something anyways even when he is scared.”

While ROMEO hasn’t been introduced to kids or cats yet, he would likely bond with dog savvy kids and/or cats with good boundary setting. His foster family has noticed he loves having their scruff around, and having a fur-sibling is definitely helping ROMEO’s confidence grow. This lover boy follows her around, looks to her for guidance, and is even starting to initiate playtime. Can you guess his fave game? - Chase me 😉 ROMEO loves to play keep-away.

ROMEO recently went for a full grooming because his fur was so matted and dirty there was no chance of him getting a true fresh start without a real haircut. Swipe for after photos of his trim - but don’t worry, it’ll fully grow back! With his coat he’ll likely need regular grooming appointments and brushing so he never gets to that point again.

Wherefore art thou Romeo’s adopters… no sorry, scratch that… Ready for to give this spunky little lover boy his furever home? Apply to adopt ROMEO!

PIPPI - APP IN PROCESS

Female | 2 years old | 14 pounds | Medium energy | Good second dog | Hasn’t met kids or cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Mississauga | Cautious, shy, & cuddly, with a touch of sweet zoomies

Meet PIPPI! Drawing more of a quiet strength from miss Longstocking, the self-proclaimed strongest girl in the world, scruff PIPPI is slowly coming out of her shell and courageously experiencing the world for the first time.

When PIPPI arrived in foster care, her crate was her safe space and this cautious girl would often quickly retreat to keep an eye on everyone from a safe distance. Now PIPPI bravely explores her new home, and is warming up to her new foster family by even snuggling up to them. She’s also started to play with her toys, trying to figure out tug-a-war with her foster fur-sibling, and is also attempting to play for the first time with humans. PIPPI’s still shy around people, especially strangers, but with slow introductions once she feels safe she settles right in.

While PIPPI is great to sleep in her crate at night and nap during the day, being left alone is still a challenge for her and she might whine and need support settling. Someone with a bit of flexibility to help PIPPI adapt to a new routine would be beneficial till she learns how to handle being on her own. PIPPI does love a good lick mat or puzzle, so keeping her entertained with enrichment activities would also help with a busier schedule.

Starting to love her walk time, PIPPI is currently going out three times a day, though loud noises and sudden movements still scare her. PIPPI also doesn’t love the snow… she tolerates it, but she does love a good run around in the backyard. This golden girl is so full of sunshine that waking up, meal-times and walkies fill PIPPI with such joy that she’ll do sweet little zoomies all around the house multiple times a day and return to her foster parents to play.

Ready to be the steady support this shy girl needs to shine? Apply to adopt PIPPI!

CARLOS - APP IN PROCESS

Male | 13 years old | 6 pounds | Low energy | Lives with dogs | Limited exposure to kids | Hasn’t met cats | From Hamilton | Fostered in Milton 

At 13, sweet senior CARLOS is all set to find his retirement home! Think you could help us set him up? Here are the deets: He likes to snooze, he likes to catch some Zzz’s, and he likes making friends with other scruffs. For CARLOS, it’s all about the little things in life, and he’s looking to enjoy those little things with someone perhaps just like yourself! Interested? Love that for you both!

Picture this: a pooch that snoozes by your side, keeping you company throughout the day and a fresh air buddy that gets you out and stretching your legs on a work break. Just FYI, he’s great on leash! Life with CARLOS is all about companionship, and you’ll soon find that after a period of getting to know you, he’ll become more comfortable and more readily show you his love.

For CARLOS, his crate is his safe space, and he uses it freely as he pleases. He also enjoys playing gently with his stuffies and his foster family’s dogs too, for that matter. CARLOS is happy living with other dogs and would continue to do well in a home as a second dog. Not only because he has fun playing with them, but also because having another dog(s) to learn from may help his confidence grow in his old age.

While CARLOS would likely do fine living with a cat, we think he’d do best in a home with no kids, as rambunctious energy might be too much for him. He’s working through anxiety and is regularly taking medication to help support him. All in all, living in a calm environment where there’s a consistent routine will set him up best going forward.

Apply to adopt!

Please note: Adoption fees for senior scruffs vary depending on age, breed, and health! CARLOS’ adoption fees are $550.