Sponsored by Toba, in honour of Toby and Penny. Every fur baby deserves a loving home and happiness.

For 4.5 years, May existed to produce puppies. She was not treasured as a companion. She was not raised to feel safe, loved, or chosen.
Now, this tiny ten-pound Shih Tzu is learning—perhaps for the very first time—what it means to simply be a dog.
May came from a life where the world was painfully small. Comfort was limited. Freedom was unfamiliar. The ordinary joys most dogs know—a soft bed, a gentle touch, a walk outside, the safety of a home—were missing from her early life.
And yet, despite all of that, May is trying.
She is trying to trust.
Trying to explore.
Trying to understand that her life can be different now.
Every small step forward is hard-won and deeply meaningful. She has proudly learned to go up stairs, though coming down still feels scary. When she needs help, she lets you know. She is discovering that it is okay to ask. It is okay to be cared for.
In her foster home, May is living with three large dogs and one very round cat, and they are all helping her learn what family life looks like. She enjoys being part of a pack and takes comfort in watching the other dogs. For May, who spent so much of her life without true companionship, that sense of belonging matters.
Her crate has become her safe haven. During the day, she explores the house with growing curiosity. At night, the crate door is closed only to keep her safe from trying the stairs in the dark. She may bark for a few moments in protest, but she settles quickly. Even that small routine speaks to how much she is learning: that safety can exist, and that she is protected now.
May is wonderfully food-motivated and approaches mealtime with enthusiasm and determination. She has also begun to enjoy walks. Despite her tiny legs, she moves along at an impressive pace. A leaf skittering by, a muddy puddle, or a gust of wind can still make her pause, but with gentle reassurance, she finds the courage to keep going.
That is what is so special about May—she is cautious, but brave. Unsure, but willing.
And little by little, her true personality is beginning to shine.
Her tail is often wagging.
Her step is light and bouncy.
Her funny, joyful spirit is emerging.
May is not a dog who wants to spend every moment in someone’s lap, and that is part of her story too. After a life without autonomy, she is learning the beauty of choice—of deciding when to explore, when to observe, and when to come close. The sweetest moments are the ones she chooses herself: sitting quietly beside you, sharing your space, or curling into your lap late at night when she feels safe enough to rest there.
She is still learning house training, and her future family will need patience, compassion, and understanding. She is watching her foster siblings and beginning to learn, but this is still new to her. She does not need perfection. She needs kindness. She needs a family who will understand that healing takes time and that accidents are part of the journey.
May is looking for more than a home. She is looking for people who will honour how far she has come and gently help her continue the journey ahead. She needs a family who will see past where she started and believe in where she is going.
Because May was never meant to spend her life being used.
She was always meant to be loved.

For more information, you may contact Patricia (foster parent) at potterpa@rogers.com

**Adoptions within the province of Ontario only