Adoption Reviews
Nick and Jackson
I had been looking for a rescue dog for quite some time before finally finding Jackson through Mia. I had become discouraged with my search running into many obstacles in the rescue community. I had the exact opposite experience with Mia.
When I applied online for Jackson, I got a response within hours. I met Jackson for the first time the following day. Another couple was also competing to adopt him, but Mia was forthright about what qualities and environment Jackson would need to make the best transition. I appreciated her honesty and was so glad that I was ultimately selected two days later.
Jackson had been neglected by his previous owner and was very shy around people. Mia was very clear about what to expect and how to handle him. Her experience and instincts told her he was a smart dog that wanted to be social if only given a little time…and she was right! Before I took him home, she had me ease him into the transition. Over the course of a week, I visited her house four times to take him for walks and play with him so he could get used to me. Building on the training foundation Mia had already started during her time with him, he easily took to training and any signs of his shyness were nearly gone after six months.
Like all new owners, I had uncertainties and questions during the first few months as challenging situations arose. I called Mia frequently for her guidance and read articles that she suggested. Her advice was invaluable and completely on point. For example, during one of my first days with him, he refused to get in his crate. Not wanting him to become more fearful of people (me especially), I was afraid to force him in the crate. I called Mia and since we had been together for a few days already, she said “now he’s just testing you…you have to be the master and guide him into the crate.” I did so and there was never another issue with it.
I could go on and on about the multiple calls and her great advice. To be succinct, Mia always took my calls and patiently coached me to a solution. In my opinion, her understanding of dog psychology is spot on and I use it to this day. I may be slightly biased, but he is the best behaved dog I know.
I still enjoy staying in touch with Mia…now sharing Jackson’s successes and adventures rather than challenges. I am madly in love with him and he’s a blessed addition to my family.
Joi and Diego
I have wanted a dog for my entire adult life. But it was important to me to wait until I could really make it work with my busy lifestyle. After opening a new retail store I really wanted to have a shop dog, meaning a dog that could come with me to work every day and be social with my customers, yet calm and well behaved.
I told Mia exactly what I was looking for, and one day soon thereafter she called me and said I just got the perfect dog for you. She found me Diego.
I was a bit of a nervous mom the first few weeks but we both settled in quickly, got to know each other and established a great routine together. He is the perfect shop dog and he steals the hearts of every client that walks in the door.
He is the most wonderful dog and my best friend.
Ron and Lexie
I adopted a rescue dog that had been tested and selected by Mia at East Valley Shelter, and then fostered by Samantha. I needed a dog that was a good match for my running and walking hobby, and could also get along with a cat.
I was introduced to Lexie, a beautiful 9 yr. old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix. I was given an opportunity to meet this terrific dog and walk her a few times, prior to bringing her home. Once I got her home, I had contact with Samantha who really helped with the transition. She was an encyclopedia on both the dog she had fostered and also on dogs in general. I have had dogs for most on my 59 years and I learned a tremendous amount about dogs through the support I got.
I am a better owner and I know the dog is benefiting from this as well. I can’t imagine getting a dog any other way now!
Benjamin and Mascot
(now: Jackson)
A simple google search is what brought me to who would become my best friend I named Jackson. I had been visiting shelters and searching online for weeks to adopt a dog when I came across Jackson's posting online. After some correspondence with Mia, we scheduled a time for us to meet and discuss not only the possibility of Jackson's adoption but also my capabilities and expectations as a responsible dog owner.
The honesty with which Mia communicated about what Jackson's needs and temperament would be like was quite refreshing. It was clear that Mia wasn't just trying to unload dogs as quick as possible but were diligent in finding a suitable forever home for their dogs.
Mia informed me that due to Jackson’s age and breed (stubborn bulldog mix), that he would be a bit of a handful at the beginning but with the proper training and attention his bad habits would clear up and all of the effort would be more than worth it. She was right on all accounts. Jackson was a lot of work, but I was prepared for it as Mia had accurately communicated with me the reality and expectations of my adopting Jackson.
Six months later now and I couldn't have asked for a more loyal, loving, and downright fun, dog!
Bette and Sebastien
I had been looking to adopt a dog for about a year, but was having trouble connecting with one. The minute I saw Sebastien I knew he was the dog for me and my family. My daughter-in-law and I went to meet him and the connection was instantaneous. Mia was great about informing us about Sebastien’s past and his prior fear aggressive behavior that had been very challenging when Mia first got him.
She had worked with him for months, and he was much improved and ready to be adopted by the time we met him. Mia helped us continue to work with him, so that he had the best environment to thrive. To this day I still communicate with her to keep her updated on Sebastien’s progress. Sebastien is the perfect addition to my family.
Thank you Mia!
Senior Dog Adoption
Lorraine and Blackie
When I decided to adopt a dog, I knew an adult small dog would be a good choice for me. I wanted a dog that could keep up with my athletic and social activities some days but wouldn’t mind relaxing in my apartment on other days. Blackies online posting caught my attention.
After speaking with Mia, who was fostering him, I went to her house to meet him. Because he was 9 years old, I could accurately see what kind of temperament and behaviors he had. Plus he was already perfectly crate trained and potty trained! I brought him home the next day, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
He is such a loyal companion and good sport. Two years later he’s just as spunky as ever at almost 12, still hiking, running, camping, and hitting the downtown cafes, bars, and festivals with me. He’s the best little buddy I could ever ask for!!
Megan, Mike and Pita
My husband Mike is widely known for being anti-dog. He doesn’t hate them, he just doesn’t really see the benefits of them: They’re messy and loud and smelly and needy, they make traveling harder, and it seemed like friends were always leaving parties early to care for them. Because of Mike’s dog bias it took a while for me to convince him to let us adopt one.
But, once he gave in to my near-constant begging, I immediately went on a search for an easy first dog for him and us. I reached out to Mia and wrote: “I’m looking for a super-good dog for my nervous partner and our nervous cat… a dog that likes snuggling and watching tv, but in good enough shape to go on our long daily walks, and is travel-sized for taking on planes when we travel.
The last thing I expected was for her to recommend a 12-year-old chihuahua. But sometimes the perfect dog doesn’t come in the form you’d expect. I pictured a senior chihuahua to be all medical bills, and ear-splitting barks, and pain-induced biting. Chespita was being fostered by Julia and I went to meet her and the rest is history.
She’s so quiet and calm that her nickname is Pita the “chillhuahua.” Pita is a champion walker — she naturally heels, she keeps up with whatever pace we set, and she either happily sniffs or happily ignores every dog we pass. Her calm demeanor also made her the perfect pet to have around our 5-year-old niece who is learning (through Pita) to get over her fear of dogs, and our 1-year-old nephew, who is working on his “being gentle” skills. Pita has put up with both hard and tentative attention from those two with the patience of a skilled service dog.
And when she’s not walking, eating, or babysitting, Pita is burrowing under the blankets and sleeping for hours. When we leave the house we literally throw a blanket over her and give a kiss. When we come back, hours later, she’s still burrowed in the same spot.
Oh, and traveling? Puh-lease, it’s easy. She flies carry-on with us and sleeps the whole time. And every time we de-board, we hear “Oh my god! I didn’t even realize there was a dog there that whole time!”
Ah, the benefits of a senior dog — more snuggles, less struggles.”
Marci and Dora
Last September, I lost my beloved 14 year old Pharaoh Hound. I’d only had him for 6 years… far too short. My mother, who also lives with me, was in love with him. She didn’t want another dog and I needed a break. That didn’t last very long. By November I knew we were ready for another dog. Mom wanted a “sweetie” dog… that’s what she calls the little white fluffy pups. I knew I wanted a senior. My last 3 dogs all made it to senior status so I was used to having seniors around. They are calm and easy. 2 of mine were deaf and they were even easier than the one that could hear.
I started the search. I first saw Dora on the South LA Shelter website. She was a mess – matted fur, fleas, filthy. They thought she was a 15 year old poodle. I was a little worried that a 15 year old might have a lot of physical ailments, but I kept an eye on her as I continued my search. I couldn’t get her out of my mind, but by that time, she had been pulled by a rescue group. When I figured out who had her, I immediately sent in an application. Mia responded that she had just had her spay surgery and wasn’t available for adoption yet, but they thought she was only 10. To me, that’s the ideal age for a small dog. Still plenty of years left and mature enough to be calm and mellow.
We filled out the application and went to meet Dora at her foster mom Julia’s home. She immediately jumped up in to my mom’s lap and the deal was done! Dora has no teeth, but that makes her even cuter. She can’t keep her tongue in her mouth. Her tail has been docked… no idea who/how…. so when she’s happy and wags, she’s wagging a little nub and a lot of butt.
She has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and the perfect dog for us. Zero accidents in the house, calm but loves her walks, loves to cuddle but not overly needy, loves all people and dogs, just a very easy dog. She walked in to our house and made herself at home and now she’s Princess Dora.
I don’t know how she ended up in the pound but I’m pretty sure she has forgotten anything negative that happened before she got here. She is pure poodle perfection!
Shelter Adoption
Debi and Leo
It was so great to have Mia help us find Leo at the shelter, especially since we already have another dog, kids, and small animals in our house.
Having continued support and advice after we brought him home was a huge help as well – it helped us greatly to adopt Leo and successfully integrate him into our family.
Andres, Aurora & Frida
My husband and I had been thinking about getting a dog for some time, so we turned to Julia from Blue Man Dog for help. Before going to the North Central shelter, we talked about the type of dog we wanted, our lifestyle and our experience with dogs (very little) to make sure we could find a right fit.
Going to the shelter is intimidating, but going with someone that knows the place and knows the right questions to ask is SO helpful. Reading the charts on the kennels, getting additional information from shelter staff, and even meeting the dog in an outdoors area are things that we wouldn’t have known to do. Julia definitely helped make the experience less stressful. She coached us on how to approach the dogs we met, how to read their body language, and urged us not to adopt one that we didn’t feel we could handle. Some dogs need more experienced owners.
We met Frida and connected with her very quickly. We’re in love with her and are so happy that we got so much help in the process. I really hope more people can use this service and adopt straight out the shelter. You don’t have to do it alone!
Manuela and Moxi
Looking for a dog turned out to be rather stressful and difficult. I wanted to rescue a dog from a shelter, but it was overwhelming and I got discouraged making a choice. How does one make a choice? I felt lost seeing all the dogs and ended up leaving the shelter very confused and sad.
As I told a friend of mine of this experience, she happened to know someone very involved in dog rescue and also very used to visiting shelters; Mia, from Blue Man Dog. I reached out and Mia met me at a local shelter. We spoke for a while before we started looking at the dogs. It was a totally different experience from before, she pointed out that at this particular shelter, many of the little dogs would get adopted rather quick, they were not all going to die as I had pictured in my head previously.
By observing the dogs in their kennels, and how they behaved towards each other, the people who walked up to greet them and so on, we asked to see a couple of them in the meet-and-greet section where we could interact with the dogs one at a time. I ended up adopting a small adult dog, that was pretty calm in this hectic environment, a little shy but very sweet and appeared to be a good match for me and my lifestyle.
I left feeling very happy that I was able to rescue a dog from the shelter, and go home having a little bit of knowledge already about the dog’s temperament, and what to expect bringing home a new dog. I look forward to our future together, and I my goal is to rescue a big dog when I have more space and can add another dog to my home!