CAVA.

It’s time for our sweet Cava to get her second chance! Cava is a one-year-old Manitoba mutt who found herself pregnant and without a proper shelter to have her babies. Being the smart girl that she is, Cava located a cave where she could protect herself and her babies (aka the beans!) from the elements. She has since weaned her babies and has been spayed, and she’s well on her way to finally relaxing into her new life!

Since arriving in southern Ontario, Cava has been decompressing with her foster family. After a busy and stressful few months, our girl is doing surprisingly well and enjoying all that home life has to offer! It’s possible that Cava had a home before finding herself as a stray. She is potty trained and will communicate when she needs to go out by sitting near the door. She’s well aware that the kitchen is THE place to be when meals are being prepared – making sure no scrap goes to waste is a big job, but someone’s gotta do it! Cava loves attention and loves to be loved on. She will come over to give you kisses to let them know she’s available for pets. She has a serious case of FOMO and needs to follow her humans around the house, just to make sure she knows where you are. When she’s satisfied with an answer, she will go back to her bed and lay down. She’s not the biggest fan of going inside the crate but does tolerate it once she’s in, and hasn’t shown any signs of separation anxiety. Cava is currently being fostered with children, and although she is gentle most of the time, she has knocked the littlest human down during a round of zoomies. She is otherwise lovely with kids and shows no signs of resource guarding. As such, we believe she will do well in a home with respectful children older than four years.

When out and about, Cava is curious with people she doesn’t know. She loves to give an unsuspecting stranger a sniff but needs a quick second to assess whether the human is kind. Once satisfied the human is safe, she will gladly accept pats and will sometimes jump up on people from excitement. With other dogs, she is a friendly and submissive pup when off leash, and can thrive in a home with or without another dog! She has spent time as both an only dog and part of a pack in a multi-dog household in her previous foster homes, so either environment would suit her needs just fine! On leash, she is friendly and curious with other dogs, unless the other dog is reactive towards her, in which case she will bark back. Cava does need some work with her leash skills and recall. She lets her nose lead the way when on walks, so her adopter will have to work on training Cava to direct her attention to her handler versus the very good smell up ahead! She is currently receiving about one hour of exercise per day, which seems to do the trick for her. Cava is able to keep up with a higher energy family, and can also tolerate a few slower-paced days when needed (who likes walking in the rain, anyways?). Cava is quiet as a church mouse when in the house, unless a nearby dog begins to bark, which will prompt her to join in. She’s been fostered in a home and a condo and has shown to do well in both environments!

Cava is spayed, microchipped and up to date with her vaccines. She has minor hip dysplasia in her left hip, but our vet feels that medical intervention is not needed at this time. Instead, the focus is to provide support to that hip by way of glucosamine, good quality food and walks to increase strength and flexibility. Cava is currently being treated for tapeworm, Giardia and Demodex mange (all associated costs will be covered by MUTTS).

Now that she’s done her job as a good mama to her beans, it’s time for our sweet Cava to find a family to cozy up with! Despite her rough start, this girl is ready to leave the cave behind and move into the light!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and kids) and cats (limited, but showed fear)
ENERGY: Medium
QUIRKS: She snores when she sleeps and her tail helicopters around when she’s excited!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued basic obedience, leash skills
WEIGHT: 52lbs
MEDICAL NEEDS: Currently being treated for tapeworm, Giardia, and Demodex mange
FOSTER LOCATION: Toronto and Bancroft