Tia: The Princess

I had always considered having a dog, but my lifestyle of leisure and travel didn't allow me the time needed to give to such an animal. For years I thought about it - what breed I would want and how I would never let it sleep on my bed (ya, right...)

In May 2014 I moved back to the wonderful town of Invermere, BC with my boyfriend Kevin. I was lucky enough to start working as a graphic designer from home and finally felt like my globe-trotter, gyspy days were over - this was home. Shortly after I started realizing working from home was leaving me a little lonely and I wasn't getting outside enough. A-HA! I think what I need is a little companion - someone to keep me company and someone who I would be responsible for taking outdoors EVERYDAY!

The next step was to start researching dogs available for adoption in the Alberta and BC area - adoption was always my plan. I was looking for an older dog who needed some love and attention. I learned people often want puppies and the older dogs weren't chosen as often. A friend mentioned Bow-Valley SPCA since most dogs were rescued from a local reserve. Bingo! There she was - the most perfect and beautiful girl with golden eyes staring at me off the computer screen. Everyone I showed said aww, oh no - there's no way you're not going to go home with this dog. They were right.
My boyfriend was out of town at the time so I didn't want to to surprise him - but I did make a stop at the SPCA to meet Tia. She was shy, timid, nervous, dirty, scruffy and... chubby. But my heart melted when after 20 minutes or so she finally warmed up enough to give me a nuzzle. She melted my heart immediately. I placed a hold on her and headed back home to share the news with my boyfriend. After I convinced him she was the sweetest girl ever he proclaimed bring her home now! and I arranged to pick up Tia the following week.

I was nervous for the poor girl to have to travel for over an hour from the SPCA to my home but she was nothing but perfect. She laid in the backseat and smiled, not one peep, not one whine - I think she knew she was being 'saved.' It took Tia several days to even be on the same side of the house as Kevin (she was VERY timid of men.) But eventually she warmed up to his gentle approach. Since she was fairly dirty and matted we decided to give her a bath - not sure how she would react we took every precaution. However, she simply stood in the tub and let us scrub her down. To this day she LOVES to be bathed and brushed and primped - she is a true princess.

Tia is still a quiet, shy dog but she has started to bloom in so many ways. Her matted and shaved fur has grown back and started to get shinier and thicker every day - she is healthy and has lost 10 pounds. She is learning to run, play and be a dog! She is a total goof and is so much less timid with people and other dogs. She gets daily walks by the lake and she loves to play in and eat the snow. She even put her head out the car window the other day to feel the breeze and I thought - she finally knows what it's like to enjoy life!

Needless to say, Tia is the light of our lives and she is a loyal and special girl.