We may be several months past Valentine’s Day, but our girl Valentine is ready to fall in love with her furever family! Mama to our three latest adoptable pups, Margot, Frederick and Rupert, this sweet one-year-old northern mutt joins us from Manitoba, where she was found raising and protecting her babies under a house. Val’s fosters tell us she’s the ultimate companion who loves to hang with her people, and she’s hoping to find a family of her own very soon!

If you ask Val what her perfect weekend looks like, she’d tell you that it would start with a walk through the park to chase some squirrels, a quick stop at the café on the way home, lots of belly rubs, time to chew her stuffed cow, and a couch-side nap! Val is a simple girl who doesn’t want for much, just companionship and someone to show her security and help build her confidence.

Val is currently being fostered in a condo, and is, overall, doing well! Her fosters have noted that Val is a little picky about where she does her business. Initially, she would not go to the bathroom for 24 hours (likely due to distractions of city life combined with the newness of being leashed while pottying), but now she’s up to two pees per day. She prefers to pee while at the park versus while on walks. Much of this can be attributed to the number of changes that Val has experienced in the past few months (living as a stray, a quick stopover with a foster in Winnipeg, and then onto a new foster home in Toronto).

Over Easter, Val visited a house with a backyard and boy, did she have some fun! She zoomied around the yard, played with toys and acted like a puppy in a way that her fosters hadn’t seen since she arrived. She was also very comfortable asking to go outside throughout the day for a quick bathroom break. With time, encouragement and the right family, we see both environments as ones where Val will thrive!

When Valentine first arrived in Toronto, she was a pretty anxious girl. She’s acclimated very well and is now much less nervous when out for walks. She has done lots of work on her leash walking, and we’re happy to say this girl is now a pro! Her fosters are using a prong collar and have noted that it’s been a complete game changer. She has a prey drive for squirrels and birds, though she listens when told “no.” Right now, Val receives several long walks per day, and usually requires another 20-30 minutes of active play before settling. She gets squirrely if she doesn’t get enough activity (puppy energy, getting into things, biting at the couch or furniture, etc.), so she’d be best suited for a family who is able to accommodate her higher energy! Val loves hiking and the water – two great ways to help her burn her beans!

Meeting other dogs can go either way for Val: depending on the situation and the dog, she’ll either freeze and wait for the dog to pass, or approach, tail wagging, looking to say hello. Overall, she’s become much less nervous around other dogs since she’s been with her foster, and even has a few doggo friends who she meets up with for weekend play dates. Meeting humans is a much different story! Valentine loves people and is always friendly, sweet, and courteous when greeting someone new. She has a real fondness for pets and belly rubs, and if you dare stop petting her, she will paw at you to get back to business! Valentine has met several kids, as young as one-and-a-half, and was wonderfully patient, curious, and free of anxiety! Her love of being around people has meant that she doesn’t exactly enjoy being crated alone during the day – she’s ripped up her bed when left alone. However, she doesn’t bark, and is fine to be home alone in her crate when it is empty. She does sleep in her crate at night without issue.

Val’s adoptive family should be prepared to continue helping our girl build up her confidence so she knows she’s safe, even when alone! Valentine is spayed, microchipped and up to date with her vaccines. Her test results were negative for parasites, tick-borne diseases, and heartworm. It’s time for this lovebug to settle into her home! Valentine is ready to find the family who will help her grow into the confident lady that’s hiding beneath her beautiful, fluffy coat!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and children) and dogs; likes to chase cats, so feline roommate not recommended
ENERGY: Med-High
QUIRKS: She is so proud of herself every time she pees and does a happy dance!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued basic obedience, continued desensitization and socialization
WEIGHT: 46lbs
MEDICAL NEEDS: None
FOSTER LOCATION: Toronto