The status of MIA was

last posted on 10/07/25 by

Orange County Animal Services

Female Dog, German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd Dog / Husky / Mixed (Medium Coat)

Description:

Foster notes on Mia:`Mia is such a good girl! She did great in the backseat. On the trail she kept a really good pace, except for when she had to stop and sniff! She is very eager to meet other people and dogs, to the point of forgetting her manners. However, she easily refocuses with some treats and praise. I left the children section unknown, as smaller children might get overwhelmed by her. Once you match her energy, she is such a fun dog!We went for a hike/run up a mountain trail. She met a lot of people, and she kept a good pace for the majority of the run, even though it was quite difficult. We took some pictures, stared silently at an unidentified forest creature for five minutes, and then went and got a pup cup from Starbucks as a treat!Mia is so happy to see everyone! She is such a friendly and adventurous dog (and she didn’t care that we got a little lost!).``She was an amazing girl! She was very calm during the car ride. When we started our walk, she was more energetic and pulled a little bit. But overall, she was amazing! We had a great time! She loved the water and she liked being praised and pets. She is such an amazing dog! She was such a calm dog for being still young.``Mia hopped right into the car, eager to start her adventures! She is the perfect passenger, sitting calmly & staring out the window or relaxing herself into a down. We started with a 2.5 mile hike at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Mia loves a fast pace and could make a great running buddy. She happily requested pets from several hikers we met. Everyone who stopped to talk with us complimented Mia’s appearance. She was a “gorgeous girl”, a “striking young lady”, and even compared to a “beautiful coyote”. Mia got a bit too excited when passing other dogs and really wanted to go greet them, even when the other dog was not interested. Intent seems like friendly curiosity, but I'd pick wider trails next time until we could work on manners/neutrality around other dogs. Mia was a good girl hopping back into the car after the hike, so we stopped by the pet store to grab a quick snack. She enjoyed lounging in the shade and gnawing on her pig ear. Next we visited Lowe’s. Mia is a brave, confident dog with no noticeable environmental sensitivities - she handled loud hammering noises and beeping truck sounds like a champ! Mia made another friend and got some bacon treats (which she much preferred over the chicken treats). To finish the day, Mia enjoyed a game of fetch and some tug-o-war at a local park. She is already pretty good at bringing the toy back to hand (using a long line for mild guidance) and seems to prefer fetch over tug at this point. It seems like she could develop into a great play companion. Mia was finally tired out after her games and she rested against my leg at the picnic table while we cooled down before finally heading back to the shelter.She enjoys being petted and leans into you for affection. Very cute!``Mia was wonderful on her outing today. She is a true passenger princess. She was calm in the car, resting her head or paws on the console. She walks pretty well on leash. She has a lot of energy and enjoyed zoomies in the backyard which sufficiently tired her out. We had a nice cuddle and nap after getting some energy out. She loves toys and affection. She was respectful in the home, curious about other dogs on our walk, and immediately friendly with us. Mia is a doll. She received compliments on our walk with some passerby’s noting her beauty. Overall, Mia was a joy to spend time with and will make a great companion to the right person or family.``She was great walking on downtown sidewalks and walking trails. Very friendly and sweet natured. She has a very calm demeanor.``Mia is a true embodiment of a Husky and German Shepard mix! She's quite a large, beautiful girl! She is quite the affectionate lady and loves attention. She does have a lot of energy, so she would definitely benefit from someone who lives an active lifestyle! Despite that, though, she will match your energy! If you want a mellow afternoon, she would be happy to oblige. She's been left alone for long periods of time with no problems (no accidents or destructive behavior). She will occasionally pick up a shoe and lay it beside her (it's as if she wants your scent next to her, which is quite cute), but won't chew it up. She is also a quieter girl; she rarely, if ever, barks. That being said, she can be a little mouthy; it seems to be all in playfulness, but it is definitely a bad habit. So I wouldn't recommend her for a home with small children. Training will likely help; she no longer nips at her foster dad, and he says that if you point and sternly tell her `no,` she will generally stop. She can also be redirected with toys. Being around Mia is so rewarding! She is a sweet girl who just needs a little training and patience. She will make a family very happy one day!`