Maisha

Meet Maisha, a gentle 2‑year‑old Bernadoodle looking for a calm, loving home. Maisha’s name means “life” in Swahili, and she’s ready to start a beautiful new chapter with her forever family. Quiet, sweet, and thoughtful, Maisha is a tender soul who thrives with patient people and a peaceful routine. She’s blossoming more every day as she discovers the world with calm encouragement.

Maisha is approximately 2 years old, weighs 51 pounds and has a beautiful black and white curly coat with white on her head, tail, and feet. She has a coat that needs to be groomed regularly so it’s wonderful that she tolerates it beautifully. It is important that her future family is not only prepared for the weekly maintenance of her coat that is required at home but is also prepared to get her in for a professional groom on a regular schedule to help keep her looking like the stunning dog that she is!

Maisha came to us from a puppy mill where her world was very small, loud and her only comfort was the companionship of other dogs. Now, she is learning about the kindness of people and that there is a great big world out there. She is a quiet companion who appreciates gentle, predictable routines. She’s been discovering everyday sights and sounds (trees, cars, people, and the leash). With patient guidance, she’s made impressive progress: after a cautious start, she now walks beside her person with confidence and without resistance—even participating calmly in a 6K walk/run at Victoria Park with a large group. Her prey drive is very low; she ignores squirrels and watches other animals with curiosity at a respectful distance.

A quiet home with dog‑savvy teens (or adults only) suits Maisha best. She values her personal space and warms up on her own timeline. A dog‑savvy cat and/or a calm, well‑mannered male dog could be a good fit. She has enjoyed canine companionship in rescue, and is always well mannered, not rushing into anyone’s space to engage them. Daily walks help build her confidence and bond with her human and are an important part of her routine. We need her future family to keep opening up the world to her, get her out into the world in the form of walks and adventures, gradually pushing her outside of her comfort zone as she is thriving with this gentle but consistent approach.

From the very beginning, Maisha has shown comfort with her crate. It’s a true safe haven where she feels secure and relaxed. She chooses to enter her crate on her own, settling in for naps or quiet time whenever she needs a break. At night, Maisha sleeps soundly in her crate, typically from 11 pm to 8 am, and emerges in the morning when she’s ready to start her day. 

Her crate isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s her personal retreat, helping her adjust to new environments and routines with confidence. This positive association means Maisha is less likely to experience anxiety when left alone. She is transitioning pretty smoothly between crate time and family time where she is becoming more comfortable hanging out in the living room with her foster Mom. Her crate training is a testament to her gentle nature and adaptability, making her an ideal companion for adopters who value a calm, well-mannered dog.

In the house, Maisha is quiet and never makes a peep. She has had no accidents in the house but doesn’t yet know how to signal to go outside so her future people need to be proactive in getting her outside; sticking to a predictable routine will help her learn how to signal to you much quicker. She is working on basic obedience in her foster, like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, and she is picking up the ‘come’ command pretty quickly.

Maisha approaches car rides with gentle curiosity. While she was initially a bit unsure about getting into the car, she now settles in quickly and travels calmly. She prefers to sit or lie quietly on the floor rather than on the seat, and she’s comfortable wearing a vehicle harness for safety. With a little encouragement, Maisha hops in and out of the car without stress. Her calm demeanor means she’s a pleasant travel companion; she doesn’t bark, whine, or show signs of anxiety during rides. As she gains more experience, Maisha is beginning to look forward to new adventures, making her an easy dog to bring along for outings or errands.

Maisha is spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations. At the time of her spay, she had a small umbilical hernia repaired and she has recovered fully. Her check up showed that her teeth are currently in good shape and a minor yeast infection on her feet has been treated. She is in great health and is ready to find her forever family!

If you’re drawn to gentle, quiet dogs who flourish with kindness and time, Maisha will steal your heart. She’s respectful, low‑key, and beautifully crate‑trained, with a growing confidence on walks and around new experiences. Give her patience and understanding, and she’ll give you calm companionship and a lifetime of love.