'Ugly' one-eyed dog no one would adopt has finally found a home

Mia and Moira
‘I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything as much as I love her.’ (Picture: SWNS)

A one-eyed dog left unwanted at an animal shelter has finally found a loving family to take her in.

Six-year-old Mia was abandoned at a Long Island Animal shelter with scars and a missing eye – signs she may have been abused and used for breeding. The Australian Cattledog and American Staffordshire Terrier cross spent a lot of time in the shelter as many people passed up ‘ugly’ Mia due to her scars in favour of other pups. But then Mia met Moira Horan, from Broad Channel, New York, and it was love at first sight.

Keep Them Active. Energy varies between breeds, says Dr. Becker. “Greyhounds, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Jack Russell Terriers, Border Collies, and other active breeds have unfathomable energy.” He continues, “wolves spend 80% of their time awake, moving. With cats, there’s not such an exercise requirement,” but providing outlets for play at home is still crucial. For both cats and dogs he recommends food-dispensing that “recreates the hunt,” and puzzle feeders that engage your pet’s “body and mind.”

Shelter staff were delighted that someone was finally taking Mia and happily released her into Moira’s care with no adoption fees to be paid. ‘I went alone to a shelter on Long Island,’ says Moira, who works as a nanny.
The Australian Cattledog and American Staffordshire Terrier cross spent a lot of time in the shelter. (Picture: SWNS)

‘I went to this shelter with the intention of adopting a puppy. I looked at the ones they had and none of them were really calling me.

‘I kept walking down the aisle and saw this little girl with the biggest ears and prettiest face that happened to be missing an eye.’

On hot summer days, walk your dogs before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. — or walk them only in shady or grassy/dirt areas.

Now the lonely dog that nobody wanted has a forever home with a caring owner.

‘She was so happy to get out and had so much energy.’ (Picture: SWNS)
‘She was the only dog wearing a red collar, and red is my favorite colour,’ says Moira. ‘She didn’t bark at me. She just looked up at me and I fell in love.

‘I looked at the info posted on her enclosure and saw her name was Mia, which is every other letter of my name and I just knew I needed to take her home.

‘I got the first person I saw and they took her out for me so I could get to know her. She was so happy to get out and had so much energy.’

Use Flour, Baking Soda or Cornstarch to Stop Your Dogs Nail From Bleeding. Did you cut your dogs nail too short? Use a homemade mixture of flour, baking soda or cornstarch with water until it’s a thick paste then apply it to the nail with moderate pressure for a few minutes.

Moira was immediately drawn to Mia in the shelter because of her red collar. (Picture: SWNS)
Mia was likely abused and used for breeding. (Picture: SWNS)

Moira was touched by how the staff reacted when they realised that this special pup had finally been adopted.

‘As we were walking out, one of the volunteers said, “you’re finally going home, Mama Mia”,’ Moira recalls. ‘She had been there a long time.’3

Moira says the best thing about Mia is the unconditional love she gives you.

‘Having someone who is always excited to see you, and the happiness she has added to my life,’ she adds.

Help your pet be the best pet he can be. Train your pet by setting him up to succeed. There’s a reason for everything your dog or cat does, and the reason rarely if ever involves being deliberately disobedient.

‘In some of my worst times, she gives me a reason to keep going. And she’s just so easy to love.’

Moira took the time to address some of the challenges of caring for an animal with special needs.

‘Mia does require some patience at times but she deserves it,’ she says. ‘She’s not very trusting of new people. She definitely takes her time warming up.

Shelter dogs are not for everyone. That’s why they are so likely to be returned.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything as much as I love her. She looks different than other dogs but she’s so beautiful and has so many people who love her and we are both so grateful for all of them.

Stay consistent with training, play time and rest time for your pets so they don’t get too overwhelmed. Your calm and consistent demeanor will help your pet to understand that they can trust you. Once you earn their trust, understand the schedule, and feel secure in their safe place, both of your lives will be much easier.

‘I may have rescued her, but she returns the favor every single day.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk .

The lifestyle email from Metro.co.uk

The Fix

Get your need-to-know lifestyle news and features straight to your inbox.

Not convinced? Find out more