Miss Mia (the "at-home" version)

This is what Mia is like at home (at the moment). She's working on being this courageous on the other side of our front door, too.

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Mia's First Adopt-a-thon

Mia didn't move unless we moved her.

February 13 saw an adoption event for August Dog Rescue in Uptown Dallas. It was a chilly day and the event was outdoors in front of Gold's Gym. The wonderful staff provided us with a tent, hot chocolate, snacks and water and the dogs sported sweaters, jackets and fuzzy blankets. Miss Mia wore a special Valentine's Day jacket/cape made by Tim. There were supposed to be wings sewn on, but our power went out the day before and we spent a long, cold night with no electricity, so the wings did not happen.

The day had not started out well at all. Tim took Mia to Petsmart first, in order to pick up a bone and some grooming wipes. As soon as they got into PetSmart, Mia panicked, tried to run away and pooped all over herself, Tim and the floor. This is a dog that is perfectly happy to stay home all day and never go out, obviously. Even going for walks takes some convincing. Perhaps the smells and activity at the store scared her. Nevertheless, that put quite a dark cloud on the morning.

Once we got uptown, Mia and I waited in the car while Tim set up her kennel. She would greet any other dog around her, unless they were too growly or barky, but the people just intimidated her altogether. She hid behind a chihuahua's kennel for the first half hour until I picked her up and put her in her own kennel.

Mia feels safer being with other dogs, no matter what size.

We put a pair of little puppies in with her for company. She didn't move but she seemed comfortable with them, even letting them crawl over her. She really loves other dogs and would likely love to go to a home with at least one other dog, if not more.

Two adorable visitors!

In order to get her to walk around, we took her out with the biggest, most macho male there, a rough looking but utterly sweet dog (who's name I can't remember and I don't see him on the August Dog Rescue page, so maybe he got adopted!). She walked with him and also greeted several other dogs. There were a few other dogs there that seemed to not like any other dogs but they all seemed okay with meek, polite little Mia. So that was kind of cool.

We left about an hour before the event ended so we could make it to the animal shelter to pick up ANOTHER temporary foster named Jasper. He was pulled by a different rescue group and is supposed to be heading to Minnesota tomorrow. Hopefully that will go well. If not, we may need to add another page to this blog! :D

Sweet Jasper lost part of an ear sometime in the distant past.

Mia was so happy to be home and was back to her happy, secure little self in minutes. There will be monthly events starting in May, and one in March, so she should get used to this whole thing. Just the same, we may bring Amelia with us next time, just so folks can see the "real" Mia, and not the intimidated, overwhelmed girl she appeared to be.
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New Photos!

"You're not gonna take my bone away, are you?"


"Okay, now what?"
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Miss Mia the Mighty!

Ever Amelia's little shadow (Mia definitely needs another dog to follow and adore), Mia has come such a long way from the shy, flinching dog we brought home. If Rufus goes outside and barks, Mia may or may not decide to investigate. But if Amelia makes a sound, Mia bolts to her side to join in. She is good at defending her home and family, though. She'll bark when strangers come around the house (sadly, she still barks at the poor, kindly neighbors as well.)

She has learned that she must sit politely for food and treats, and does pretty well with "lay down" as long as we use a gesture (and a treat helps too!) She also knows "off" when she gets in the bed before us. Still loves to snuggle up close at bedtime and there is NO way to stop her from licking any sleepyheads past breakfast time. She can root her little nose under the tightest covers.

February 13th will be her first adoption event. Information is here: August Dog Rescue Valentine Adoption Event.

She loves a good chew bone and that's about the only thing that makes her growl at the other dogs (but never at people.)

Next up: trying to get her used to a crate. Success rate: n/a. Amelia keeps butting in. LOL!

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Miss Mia Gets a Little Braver

Now over her shyness with us, Mia must now learn some basic manners. This isn't easy since our other two pups are still in that rebellious teenage phase and often give bad examples for her to follow. She barks at our neighbors, but she does come back when called. She also does not know the meaning of the words "Stop it!" when she's decided we have slept long enough and she is going to lick our faces and necks until we get up. Her tongue cannot be contained!

She has begun her treatments for heartworms and in a couple weeks will just be on the monthly Heartguard pill. She's energetic, sweet and so eager for attention and praise. I love looking over to see her dark eyes shining at me. She grows more beautiful by the day.

Mia

Mia investigates the tree that the other dogs love to chew.

Mia was brought to the Irving Animal Shelter with two nursing puppies. She was emaciated and so timid she would scarcely leave the make-shift nest in the back of the kennel. Her puppies were just starting to eat solid foods, so little Mia (who seemed much too small to have delivered such big pups) would let them eat first, then nibble at what was left. She never came over to greet people, but watched warily as the braver of her two puppies would come up for petting and kisses. Unsurprisingly, the puppies were eventually adopted after about a week and then Mia got a name change (to "Gladys") and moved to a small, dark corner kennel where she was hardly ever noticed.

Tim and I had been moved by her gentle, dedicated mothering of her little ones and by how meek and submissive she was when being handled or letting her babies be picked up. She never barked, growled, whimpered or resisted. When meeting other dogs, she was neither frightened nor defensive. We thought she must be very passive, but in reality, she was mentally and emotionally shutting down. There was no spark left in her eyes.

Mia at the shelter, getting to stretch her legs.

Knowing her chances of adoption were slim, we asked the amazing Russell Posch to find a rescue group who would pull her if we would agree to foster her. Within less than half an hour, he had put us in contact with August Dog Rescue of Dallas and that night Tim brought her home.

The first night she seemed anxious and wandered from room to room and out through the dog door into the backyard continuously. But when it was time for bed, she hopped up just like our other dogs (yes, one big people-dog pile) and settled right between Tim and me. However, she was still very nervous and on the second night we figured out she's afraid of the dark. Two night-lights later, all is well.

Mia soaking up some sun on a cold morning.

She got spayed on the 6th. She tested positive for hookworms and roundworms, which we've already treated her for, and on Thursday she starts heartworm treatment. (Edit: Heartworm meds are done and now all she needs is the monthy Heartgard pill.)

As for her personality, her eyes are full of joy and sparkle now, but she is still a very shy, very timid little dog around strangers or away from her home turf. She is very comfortable around other dogs, and although very cautious around them, she definitely will want to be part of a dogpack in her future home. She follows our big girl Amelia around everywhere and the two of them are a frenzied slobber machine of kisses. Mia will sleep quietly beside you but the minute you make noises like you're waking up, she will start lavishing your face with enthusiastic licks as if to say "Rise and shine! We're alive and it's a glorious day!" Mia is not at all status-oriented and is quite happy to be the bottom dog, licking the teeth of our other two dogs and remaining calm even when grumpy Rufus growls at her for stepping on him in bed.

Mia is about the size of a Jack Russell Terrier and has the lines and slim legs of a greyhound. She's about 30 lbs right now, filling in nicely now that she has no pups nursing away all her nutrients.

Her perfect home is a quiet one with another dog or two, access to a backyard and a very calm and laid-back person or family. She won't do well with a high-energy or overly nervous owner. Don't yell at her or toss things at her, even a treat or a ball. She'll flinch and back away. Just relax, do your thing and she'll be your adoring shadow, happy to be home and safe.

Mia shows off her silk-on-leather collar custom made by Tim.

Mia is housebroken and knows how to use the dog door. She is learning to walk on a leash, although wandering afield still makes her a bit nervous right now. She comes when called and sticks close to her pack mates. She has learned "sit," and is working on "off" and "down" next. If you are interested in adopting Mia, please go to the August Dog Rescue site. If you would like to meet her, we would be happy to arrange a meeting with you and your dogs (if any) at your home.

Poor dragon, left out in the cold.