CHICO - APP IN PROCESS

Male l 12 years old | 9 lbs | Chihuahua l Social guy l People + treats over everything l Affectionate, Cuddly, & Loyal l Fostered in Hamilton

Meet Chico – the Steve Buscemi-eyed sweetheart! Chico may be a senior, but he’s full of love, charm, and curiosity. He settled into foster care quickly and is well-socialized. While he’s not into toys or playtime, he coexists peacefully with other dogs, especially senior or calm ones. He would do just fine with a cat too.

This tiny guy lives for human company. He’s happiest when snuggled up next to someone and will follow you around like a shadow. He does struggle with separation anxiety, particularly if crated or left alone, so a home with someone around most of the time (or patient adopters willing to work through this) would be ideal. Crating at night or during long absences may lead to loud protest crying.

Chico loves walks both short and long and regular strolls have helped strengthen his back legs. He occasionally holds up his back left leg due to muscle atrophy (not in pain). Despite some stiffness, he remains mobile, happy, and eager to explore the world one sniff at a time.

He’s polite on leash, though selective about which dogs he wants to greet. Around people, however, he shines—he’s been calm and friendly even in crowds and busy areas, happily soaking up attention from respectful kids and adults alike.

Chico has three teeth (perf for an adorb smile), and a bit of age-related cloudiness in his eyes (lenticular sclerosis), which doesn’t affect his vision much. Regular vet visits will help keep an eye on any changes.

Fun fact: Chico forages for strawberries on his fosters’ property like a pig looking for truffles. Hide your strawberries if you don’t want to share!

His perfect home? One filled with love, patience, and someone he can nap beside. Whether it's a retired person, a work-from-home household, or a quiet family, if you've got a spot on the couch and a soft blanket, Chico’s ready to move in. Chico is affectionate, cuddly and loyal. He's a great companion. With a person or family that can provide walks, soft beds, liver treats, ice cream (special note from his foster haha), and attention he'll be your one.

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

TOOTSIE ROLL

Female | 4.5 months old | 19 pounds & growing! | Puppy energy | Has met children & dogs | No cats, please! Shows prey drive | From Manitoba | Fostered in Toronto | Smart

Just as beloved as your favourite chocolatey treat, meet TOOTSIE ROLL. Smart, curious, and friendly, TOOTSIE ROLL over here could very well be a triple threat. She’s got a hint of a fun attitude, talking back to her foster family as she becomes more comfortable in their care… and that’s just how she rolls!

A big fan of being close to her humans, this scruff is the opposite of a nervous nelly when interacting with new people. In fact, she’s curious and friendly, showing off just how much of a social butterfly she might become as she continues to come out of her shell. Out on walks, TOOTSIE ROLL shows interest in dogs and has met a number of them in that type of setting. We think it’s just a matter of time before she becomes good pals with other scruffs in the neighbourhood.

If we could share one thing with you, it would be that TOOTSIE ROLL isn’t a couch potato type of dog. Heck no! She’d thrive in an active household where long walks, runs, and maybe even a hike are the norm. At just three months old, she’s got a lot of puppy energy, though we think her energy level will remain high as she grows.

TOOTSIE ROLL is looking for an adoptive home that has prior dog experience or has done their research (on puppies and huskies!) and is committed to her training. TOOTSIE ROLL is house trained, sleeps through the night, and will continue to work on crate training. What about during the day? It takes time for her to settle, and since she can be vocal (and stubborn!), she’d do best in a home that doesn’t share walls with a neighbour. Another thing to make note of is that as a pup, she can be nippy. With that in mind, it would be best for her to stick with interacting with older kids for now as she continues to learn.

Apply to adopt!

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

KAJETA

Female | 5 years old | 38 pounds | Medium energy | Does well living with 2 kids | No cats please, strong prey drive | Needs slow intros to dogs | From Mexico | Fostered in Mississauga | Intelligent & affectionate with her humans | Gentle, patient & well behaved

KAJETA. A girl who loves her walks, routine, and her people (once introduced, she gets comfortable and they gain her trust!). This is an easygoing gal who will make a great family dog in a home that can provide the physical and mental stimulation she needs. No matter your daily routine, she’s sure to adjust quickly and find her stride as part of a new family, and that’s something we can’t wait to see!

From Mexico, KAJETA currently lives with her foster family, including 2 older kids. Living with kids has been enjoyable for her; she’s loving and gentle towards her humans and is comfortable in their presence. She’s likely to get along just as well with those who are younger. Belly rubs are a must! She enjoys the presence of her trusted humans and will be the happiest door greeter when you get home.

Apart from walks, some of her favourite things include playing with her toys and spending time in her foster family’s backyard, where she gets occasional zoomies. Inside the home, she’s quite chill and enjoys curling up to relax while you’re otherwise occupied. She understands boundaries.

This intelligent, well-behaved scruff is, of course, still working on training, though we’d like to humble-brag about how well crate-trained she is! KAJETA uses that space when she wants some alone time during the day and even puts herself to bed there at night. Know that if she’s had a busy day with lots of human interaction, she’ll need some time to decompress after. Ever the patient scruff, she’ll also respectfully wait for her food at mealtimes. Her manners in this area are next level!

KAJETA has a strong prey drive towards squirrels, which can involve being vocal and trying to chase. Regaining her attention is key! Practice and patience will go a long way. KAJETA enjoys making new friends and is happy to meet dogs her size and smaller. Meeting larger dogs outside on walks isn't really her thing, though slow introductions will help her warm up to them in time.
Apply to adopt!

This dog is sponsored by PetSmart! This means their adoption process includes a visit to PetSmart’s Mississauga Lakeshore location to finalize the adoption. Adopters will receive an exclusive PetSmart adoption kit with $300 worth of coupons and special offers! Plus, adopting through PetSmart Charities helps support rewards and grants that benefit pets in need.

TUBA - app in process

Male | 5 years old | 88 pounds | Low energy | Lives with a dog | Needs proper intros to cats | No kids please | From Hamilton | Fostered in Toronto | Sweet with goofball tendencies | Loves stuffies & snuggles

He thrives with structure, a balanced training approach, and has completed Obedience Level 1 with K9 Academy. This is TUBA, a scruff who loves to learn. Oh, and, yes, he responds well to food motivation. 

The best way to start your day? Greeting TUBA. He’s eager for affection, plays with his foster sister dog, and looooves his breakfast - especially as enrichment. After a short walk, TUBA is content to rest with time to go outside and engage in structured play like tug and fetch. Working on calm, confident walking, TUBA benefits from training tools to set him up for success on leash. His foster says his walks have become a lot more relaxed. We’re impressed! What are evenings like? Another short walk, dinner, cuddles, and playtime. 

Similar to mornings, there’s no better way to end the work day than TUBA zooming toward you. For real, though, his whole body will wiggle in excitement. While TUBA can be left alone in his crate for the day, he’s still highly affectionate and a big-time cuddler. It takes him time to warm up to new people, and his adopters must advocate for his boundaries, especially around those unfamiliar with his cues. Once he knows you’re in his corner, he’ll lean in for all the belly rubs.

TUBA would do best in a moderately quiet home experienced with large-breed dogs. Know that busy or confined shared spaces can be overwhelming for him, and any interactions with cats will need to be supervised. TUBA is generally indifferent to dogs, but has built a solid friendship with his foster’s resident dog. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, similar energy levels, and slow, thoughtful introductions!

Interested in giving this big-hearted boy the loving home he deserves? Apply today.

TUBA is currently in Toronto and available for informal meet & greets with his foster to see if it's a good fit. Email adoption@saveourscruff.org to set that up, and don’t forget to tell us a little about yourself and why you think Tuba’s the one for you.

VANNA

Female | 3.5 years old | 42 pounds | Medium energy | Lives with dogs | Good with dog-savvy cats | Best with older kids (10+) | From Mexico | Fostered in Sharon, ON | Loves affection | Looking for an adopter

Meet VANNA! She enjoys walks or hikes, solving enrichment puzzles, playing tug and playing with a flirt pole (Google it! So fun), and of course, chill time hanging with her people. VANNA has spent time building skills, and she’s now a master with leashed walks, crate-trained, and while initially nervous, has built some great social skills.

VANNA currently lives in a rural setting, but could be fine in a different set-up. She likes exploring time, but inside she’s quiet and chill. With proper exercise, she can be left alone during a workday if needed.

Her previous foster says, “She’s been an angel, honestly. She’s so dang sweet. And she’s so funny, her facial expressions never cease to make me laugh.” Oh, and her current foster told us she’d say the same! VANNA is a scruff that’s full of personality!

As mentioned, VANNA and her handler have been working diligently on social skills. She did well being introduced to her foster family’s dogs, and while she can be nervous meeting new people, she also shows curiosity towards them. While she hasn’t met kids in her current foster home, she has in a previous home and would do best in a home with adults or with kids over the age of 10. It’s her spunky nature (and some playful mouthing) that brings us to this conclusion.

She also has a prey drive outdoors, though has interacted with a few dog-savvy cats and did really well! VANNA does need support with guidance in new settings and with new people/animals, so something to think about as you’d need to commit to ongoing guidance. 

If you're looking for a loyal, sweet, and intelligent companion, VANNA is ready to meet you! Apply to adopt today.