Mia

WOLFDOG

UPDATE 07/03/23:

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to Princess Mia. She always had a smile and showed us how to take everything in stride and accept any new friends that come our way.  Mia came to us at only 8 months of age over 14 years ago. she lived a long and happy life at the sanctuary and was one of the first wolfdogs new volunteers would meet because of her gentle spirit. She had many companions over the years, male and female, and never showed the first sign of aggression.
She was bred and sold as a pet quality animal, but was afraid of everything. The people who bought her had wanted a dog that would go out in public and experience life with them. Her fears of the great big world and everything in it prevented her from doing that at an early age. Had she not come to Shy Wolf Sanctuary she would have not seen her first birthday, let alone her 15th.
We are the safety net for animals that have nowhere else to go. Your support helps us to continue to save animals in need like Mia and her companions through the years. We know there was one big celebration on the other side because she was loved by all who knew her here and went before.
Please keep our volunteers, staff, and residents in your prayers as we have had a challenging weekend. They say it’s easier to cross on a full moon and that certainly seems to be true this week.
Mia lived her last days in air conditioning being spoiled by dedicated staff members who made it their mission to make her as comfortable as possible. It became evident that we were no longer able to ease the pain and Mia left us surrounded by loving volunteers and staff. Keep her smile in your hearts. We will!

BIO

Mia came to Shy Wolf Sanctuary in 2008 when she was about 18 months old. She had been purchased by a couple as an inside dog from a known breeder. The owners started contacting the breeder to take her back when she was just 6 months old as they realized she was not quite what they had in mind for an inside companion dog. Their previous wolfdog had been a very low content and social animal and they were in over their heads.

 

Mia was very shy of strangers. They had only a 4′ fence, could not leave her at a boarding kennel to travel anywhere and could not leave her unsupervised in a house, so they were crating her during the day. Only a very few close family or friends could interact with her. The breeder was willing to take Mia back, but had concerns about her shyness and their ability to work with her long term. Shy Wolf Sanctuary decided to take Mia in originally as a companion for Yuki, a young male we had recently rescued from a shelter in Broward County.

 

Mia and Yuki got along, but were not extremely close, more just roommates. Mia started showing an interest in another rescue that came after her (Koda) during her daily walks. When Koda was medically cleared and moved to a permanent enclosure it was decided to match up Mia and Koda. It has worked out amazingly well and Mia has gradually become more outgoing and even affectionate to some of our volunteers. Mia’s paperwork states she is 62% wolf and she displays the “wolfier” traits in that she is very timid and shy, has an extremely narrow chest, flat forehead, lean build and large feet. Very little about her looks “doggy” other than her larger-than-normal (for a wolf) ears and her facial markings.

 

Our big Koda bear passed in the summer of 2016 and we were pleased Mia accepted Jasper. Mia resided with Jasper until January 2017, when we moved her in with Cree and Saia. She still loves to go for her walks around the perimeter!

 

After the passing of Yuki in November, we successfully introduced Bella to Mia.  They are now our Senior Duo and are content to hang out and greet volunteers they love.  Bella is becoming more confident and willing to interact now that her packmates allow her attention.