Mija

Mija was rescued last winter from Mt. Bukhan, on the northern periphery of Seoul where she was living with other strays. When she was rescued, she had obvious medical issues that needed to be urgently addressed. She was covered in fleas, had a severe vaginal prolapse, and upon further medical investigation tested positive for heartworms. She underwent surgery for her prolapse, along with her spay, and was treated for her heartworms. After a long recovery, she is now healthy and ready for her forever home. She currently lives with a foster family in Korea.

Mija’s foster has been working hard to give her proper socialization experiences at a slow and controlled pace (meaning they work at her pace to make sure she is given the opportunity to learn without pushing her too far beyond her comfort zone). They have visited dog cafes together, where Mija has really enjoyed playing with other dogs while not showing much interest in cats.

In the beginning, Mija is shy and tentative with strangers and will take some time to warm up. Having settled in with her foster family, she is very gentle, sweet, and obedient to those she is familiar with. She gets nervous when strangers pet her, but allows them to and does not show any signs of aggression.

Despite being found as a free-roaming stray, Mija is still getting used to walks and adjusting to more stimuli. She is still learning, but is overall good on a leash and walks well. She will potty outdoors but also uses pee pads indoors. When inside, Mija has a lower energy level and is quiet – she is usually found sitting or sleeping on her bed. She has not shown signs of separation anxiety with her foster.

This brave girl and her foster family have been working with a behaviorist since March 2021 to better help her with her socialization, walking on a leash, being outdoors, and other outdoor activities, etc. She has come very far and now does well with car rides, putting on her harness, grooming, and nail cutting.

Mija’s ideal home is with someone or a family who with the patience and understanding to help her come out of her shell and reach her full potential. Having experience with dogs would be beneficial. She would do best in a quiet home and neighborhood with a relaxed lifestyle. Having a secure yard and another resident dog for her to mirror would be ideal.