Sweet Vida is ready to meet her family! Vida is a mutt X from a northern community in Manitoba, where she was living as a stray. A community member was worried about her well-being as winter approached, so our friends @manitobaanimalalliance took her in and kept her safe until she made her way to Ontario. Vida is a shy girl who is slowly adjusting to life inside a home. She’s looking for a patient family (and maybe a doggo sibling!) to call her very own!

Having spent her life as a stray, Vida is new to the experience of indoor living. Though we’re sure the comforts are much nicer than her previous outdoor quarters, Vida is still adjusting to her new space. Her fosters have two dogs who’ve offered a lot of comfort to Vida. She is leashed while inside (a common trick to aid with a safe transition into a new space) but when the leash is dropped, she likes to be near the family dogs. It’s obvious that she wants to play but hasn’t quite figured out how that’s done.

Vida would definitely benefit from a home with another dog, especially a lower-energy pup who can provide comfort and boost her confidence! Vida clearly loves her canine companions: she’ll howl and whine whenever they leave the house without her. This is the only time she uses her voice – she’s an otherwise very quiet lady! Right now, Vida is more of a dog-dog than a people-dog. She is just starting to warm up to her foster family, but only out of necessity rather than desire. Vida is nervous when humans encroach upon her space and will freeze with contact. That said, she’s becoming a little more open to affection. She’s occasionally licked her foster’s hand and stuck around for a few pets or head massages.

Vida prefers the safety of her open crate, returning often throughout the day. She ventures out for brief inspections and to hang with the other dogs before heading back to the safety of her den. The only time Vida does not like her crate is when the other dogs go out and she’s left alone. She will thrash about, so her fosters recommend a heavy duty crate that she can’t bust out of!

Vida’s day to day exercise varies. She receives limited walks (due to a potential issue with her hip; see below MEDICAL NEEDS for more) but has indicated she’d love to walk more frequently and for longer! She likes to lie in the backyard, especially when it’s sunny. A forever home with a backyard would be a dream for Vida, though a secure yard is mandatory since she actively seeks an escape route anytime she’s outside.

Vida doesn’t have any recall or obedience training, though she has mastered one skill that many dogs may never achieve: gently taking treats! Vida is potty trained, microchipped, spayed and up to date with her vaccines. She is experiencing some issues with one of her hips, which our vet team is currently assessing.

Since joining her fosters, Vida has taken lots of small but impactful steps. We have no doubt that time and a continued sense of security will help Vida blossom into the sweet and confident dog that’s hiding beneath her beautiful coat!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and older kids); not cat tested, but she’s likely be fine!
ENERGY: Low to medium
QUIRKS: She very politely takes items from lower surfaces or open bags or purses and prances back to her crate, where she tucks them away as if building a nest or den – she loves relinquishing her found treasures!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued basic obedience, continued decompression and exposure to new things
MEDICAL NEEDS: Vida has experienced some issues with one of her hips; the MUTTS team is working with the vet to further assess and determine next steps
WEIGHT: 42lbs
FOSTER LOCATION: Keswick