Meet Mystique, affectionately known as Misty, a sweet senior lady who believes life is best lived with her nose to the ground and a human by her side. At 35 pounds, this affectionate girl may be older and mostly blind, but she certainly hasn't let that slow her down. She's a brave, joyful dog with a huge heart, a serious talent for snuggling, and plenty of pep still left in her step. After spending time in a foster home, Mystique is back at the shelter and hoping to find a family who will give her the love, patience, and security she deserves.
Mystique absolutely adores people and seems to believe everyone she meets is a new best friend. She's friendly with men and women alike, happily wagging her tail when someone approaches and enthusiastically seeking pets and affection. She has also done wonderfully with children, including kids ages 8 and 13 during a previous foster stay. Given her limited vision and excitement when greeting people, respectful children who understand how to interact gently with a senior dog would be the best fit. Once Mystique feels comfortable with you, her affectionate personality really shines. She loves rubbing her head and body against her favorite people to request attention, and she may even remind you of a cat with the way she leans into affection. Her foster describes her as a super-duper snuggle bug who thrives on physical contact and is happiest when she can be close to her humans.
When it comes to cuddling, Mystique takes her job very seriously. She would happily curl up in your lap while you work, sometimes placing one paw on each side of your torso, and snooze away as long as she can stay close. During a previous foster stay, she even slept under the covers at her foster family's feet. She has a funny habit of positioning herself wherever her people happen to be, and she may occasionally snore while enjoying a cozy nap. Despite her enthusiasm for affection, she also has a relaxed side that emerges once she's settled in. She's the kind of companion who will happily join you for an outing and then unwind beside you afterward, making sure you never forget how much she loves being part of your day.
Despite being mostly blind, Mystique navigates the world with impressive confidence and continues to learn new ways to move around safely. She enjoys walks, sniffing through the grass, exploring trails, and even the occasional burst of speed. During her latest foster stay, she initially pulled hard and rushed forward with excitement, but she made noticeable progress within just a few days of loose-leash walking practice. She quickly began spending more of her walks moving at a relaxed pace. Because of her limited vision, she benefits from a consistent, confident handler who keeps her close enough to provide clear guidance and help her avoid obstacles. She is also learning cues like "up" and "down" to help her navigate stairs safely. Mystique is a quick learner, and practicing a pause before going through doors or starting meals can help her build impulse control and make everyday activities safer.
Mystique has been wonderful with housetraining, with no accidents. When first left alone, she whined for a few minutes before settling down to rest. After about three days, she stopped whining altogether and was able to remain calm and quiet when her foster left. She enjoys tug toys and is motivated by tasty treats, which can make training and enrichment especially rewarding. In a previous foster home, she also enjoyed a Kong stuffed with frozen yogurt and kibble and had a favorite squeaky, fluffy bone. Mystique has a playful, sometimes mischievous side, too, and may find creative ways to make herself comfortable on the furniture. Keeping tempting chews and other goodies out of reach will help her stay safe while she explores her surroundings.
Mystique has also shown that she can enjoy canine companionship in appropriate settings, including positive interactions with gentle, respectful dogs at BARCS and previous experiences with small-breed dogs. Her comfort around individual dogs may vary, so any potential canine roommate should meet her to make sure they are a good match. With her affectionate nature, impressive ability to learn, and enthusiasm for life's simple pleasures, Mystique has so much love left to give. She's looking for a family who will appreciate her joyful spirit, help her navigate the world safely, and make sure she always has a cozy place to snuggle. If you're interested in meeting Mystique, please complete an adoption application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps!
MVP Up to Bat! I'm a BARCS MVP because I'm working on my leash skills. Treats help, and so does a loose leash for guidance, since I'm mostly blind. I've done just fine with calm, polite pups in low-key settings. I'll just need to meet any potential doggie roommate first to make sure we click!
Every animal deserves a home run! BARCS MVPs are overlooked pets in the shelter. Thanks to the generous support of the Alonso, Basallo, and Bradish Baltimore Orioles families, all MVP animals have waived adoption fees AND will go home with a brand new leash and collar or cat carrier.
For more information or to see the full MVP line-up, click here: https://www.barcs.org/mvp
