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.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.Meeting your new puppy, kitten or any other pet can be an exciting experience. Your pet, however, has some adjusting to do. New sights, smells and sounds can be overwhelming for the little guy and keeping a calm household is important.
‘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.’
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Stray dogs in Russia have learned how to ride the complex subway system, and get off at specific stops in search of food.
Now the lonely dog that nobody wanted has a forever home with a caring owner.
‘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.’
Socialize your pet. This is especially important for puppies. Again – behavior problems are the number one reason dogs don’t stay with their families and don’t get adopted by new families. Lack of proper socialization can result in inappropriate fears, aggressive behavior, general timidity, and a host of other behavior problems that are difficult to extinguish once a dog is mature.
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.
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‘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.
Seeing spots? Or not… Dalmatian puppies are pure white when they are born and develop their spots as they grow older.
‘I may have rescued her, but she returns the favor every single day.’
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