Shilo is a Little Mutts Rescue who had been in a home in Calgary for over a year, when they wanted to return her for behavioral issues.  We wanted to start fostering dogs, so decided to take her, and picked her up just after Christmas 2012, when she was about 4 years old.  When she came to us she had been well fed and well groomed, but was very fearful and very, very mistrusting.  She would hide under our kitchen table between the chair legs where she thought no one could get her, and often snapped when she felt someone got too close to her, though she was very careful never to bite.  She knew no commands and wouldn't even turn her head when her name was called.  She inspected any food or treats we gave her very carefully before she would eat them.  The second day we had her, we took for an on leash walk.  She was so thrilled that when we got home, she charged around the house, leaping over the furniture and into our old lab’s bed! 

After a few weeks of gentle and consistent handling, she started to grow trusting of us, and blossomed into a happy, loving little dog.  We all fell in love with her, and decided to adopt her.  She now enjoys going to obedience classes with us, which are strengthening her bond and trust even further.   And even though she is an older dog and doesn't learn as fast as the puppies, she is making great strides.  The trainers comment on how much she has improved, and how much more relaxed and confident she is than when we first got her.

She likes to spend hours outside, where she’s very interested in squirrels and birds, and likes to keep an eye on them while she lounges on our patio furniture (including the table!).

She looks forward to her morning cuddle and tummy rub with my husband, then settles on the back of the couch to watch the squirrels and birds out the window while we are at work.  In just the few short months that we've had her, she’s turned into a loving, trusting, happy little dog and we are thrilled that we decided to keep her and be her forever home.