ALEXIS - APP IN PROCESS

Female | 3 months old | 8 pounds & growing | Puppy energy | Limited exposure to dogs | Hasn’t met kids or cats | Fostered in Mississauga | Loving & curious

Rambunctious, active, playful… however which way you look at it, this young scruff has got some seriously cool puppy energy. Think you can match it? ALEXIS is a 3-month-old growing scruff who’s currently living (and learning!) in Mississauga. In no particular order, some things she couldn’t live without include cuddles with her humans once she’s expended her energy, trying her hand (or rather, paw) at food puzzles and any time where play is involved.

What sets ALEXIS up for success very much includes a consistent routine. We’re talking about a set time each day for eating, playing, and training. It’s a full schedule, if you ask us! ALEXIS has been working hard on house training, in particular when she uses her crate during the day. It’s tricky, but she’ll get there! If we could humble-brag about something, it might be how well she walks on a leash. Sure, sometimes she wants to play instead, but keep in mind she’s still young!

ALEXIS lives with two dogs at home and otherwise has yet to meet scruffs out on walks, though she does show some initial curiosity towards them. At home, she quite enjoys being close to her scruff sisters, and we think she’d like living in a home as a second dog going forward. It’s work, taking care of a pup (or any other grown-up scruff for that matter!), but if you’re committed to her training and looking to love her for furever, well, we’d love to hear from you. Apply to adopt.

ROCKY - APP IN PROGRESS

Male | 8 years old | 12 pounds | Low energy | Has met young kids | Enjoys meeting dogs & people | Hasn’t met cats | From Ontario | Fostered in Peterborough | Sweet & gentle | Not apartment-suitable

Sweet. Chill. Gentle. Those three little words sum up ROCKY over here to a tee. As his foster family’s first-ever (!!!) experience fostering an SOS scruff, life with ROCKY has been equal parts challenging and rewarding. Learning new things every day has been a given, and on the whole, they’ve found this scruff to be loving and friendly. Basically, he’s not one to shy away from new pals, especially when affection is on the line!

An early riser, ROCKY likes to get up and at ‘em and enjoys a leisurely stroll first thing in the AM. As an eight-year-old scruff, he likes spending his time napping and snoring, training, and hanging out outside. You should see his happy dance when he hears the word “outside!” Oh, and he loves receiving pets from humans. Talking about humans, ROCKY is pretty great when it comes to greeting people. He’s even enjoyed a shorter interaction with young children, remaining calm even when the kids were pretty excited to catch sight of him. We get it; he’s a stunner!

ROCKY has made great strides with his separation anxiety and now settles more quickly in his crate with only some initial barking. With barking in mind, we don't think apartment-living is best suited for Rocky. Establishing boundaries with him is key, and he’s been busy practicing crate training for this reason. We’re happy to report he now regularly naps there throughout the day. Learning to become more independent and comfortable when his people leave the home is a big step for him. When it comes down to it, ROCKY does get a little bit of FOMO and, generally speaking, would like to be included in your plans when possible. Your leisurely plans, that is, not so much hikes or runs of any kind!

If you guessed that ROCKY is looking for a quiet and less active home, you’d be right. Having another calm, chill dog in the home could work well for ROCKY, too. He’s always happy to stop and say hello to dogs while out on walks before carrying on. This particular scruff isn’t too interested in play (or toys for that matter!), so living with a dog that has a similar energy level as him would be ideal.

Think you’d like to bring this scruff home sweet home? Apply to adopt!

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.

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.