WILLA.

Let’s give a big ol’ summer solstice welcome to our sunshine, Willa! Willa is an 11 month old petite husky x who came to MUTTS as a local shelter transfer where she was found as a stray. This furry ball of energy has embraced the comforts of home life and is on the lookout for a family who loves to stay active (if you love running, this is your girl!). Willa promises to be the bright light that we all need and she can’t wait to find her people!

If we could use one word to describe Willa, it would be “energetic!” Willa’s need to be active stems from the perfect combination of big puppy energy and her breed (husky x). Willa is fortunate enough to have access to a backyard and has been soaking up the outdoor playtime! For Willa, the perfect day would look something like this: joining her foster on a morning run, an afternoon in the backyard, an evening walk with time to sniff and explore, and a final round of zoomies before calling it a night! Willa loves to play – fetch, chase, tug o’ war – you name it, she’s game! She has a tendency to nip at her fosters’ clothes when she wants to play. Her fosters have been incorporating a lot of training into her day as a way to burn off some of her beans. She’s a very smart girl who learns quickly and will no doubt grow out of her puppy antics with the right training and guidance!

When it comes to meeting new people, Willa is still learning about the power of the first impression! She’s a friendly girl who is eager to make as many friends as possible. She’s starting to learn that jumping up isn’t exactly the nicest way to say hello (she always listens when told no), and instead turns to requesting belly rubs. When other dogs approach, she is pretty insistent on making contact (pulling, jumping, etc.), but is friendly and respectful when they meet. Willa is making steady improvements on the leash (some walks are good, others are a challenge), so her adoptive family should be prepared to continue putting in the work with her! Willa really likes to run alongside her foster while on the leash – she will run ahead but matches pace. Back at home, Willa loves to play with chew toys (tougher toys are recommended, as she has no problem destroying a soft toy in record time!). She keeps her chewing behaviours to herself, and though her fosters have often found various items in random places around the house (a slipper, a baseball cap, a sweater), they are never chewed up so it’s clear she knows the difference!

Willa is spayed, microchipped, and up to date with her vaccines. She’s almost potty trained (a few accidents in the house but improving!) and though she’s not a huge fan of her crate, she will go in if lured with treats and settles nicely after some short-lived protests. Willa has tested positive for Sarcocystis, though no treatment is required as dogs aren’t hosts for this type of parasite and it should go away on its own.

Our sweet girl with the sunny disposition is ready to start a new journey and she can’t wait to run off into the sunset with her perfect family!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (not kid tested) and dogs; not cat tested
ENERGY: High!
QUIRKS: Likes to lay down with her arms crossed and loves to sleep on her back, paws in the air!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued basic obedience, leash skills, potty training (nearly there!), continued training re: introductions to new people and dogs
WEIGHT: 30lbs (for now!)
MEDICAL NEEDS: Tested positive for Sacrocystis (no treatment required, as this should go away on its own)
FOSTER LOCATION: Richmond Hill