Viva

Some dogs barrel into your life at full speed. Viva will tippy tap her way into your heart instead. Somewhere along the way, this gentle little Bichon decided that having a family was one of life’s greatest pleasures. She would love a dad of her very own to follow from room to room, shower with quiet affection and devotion, and build a truly special bond with.

Viva is a 3-year-old Bichon weighing approximately 16lbs with a long body, soft snow-white curls, warm brown eyes, and the cutest little black button nose that stands out against her fluffy face. Her tiny ears bounce when she walks, giving her an extra bit of charm wherever she goes. Viva got her name from the beloved Viva Puff cookie because when she first arrived at her foster home, she had a giant puff of white hair on top of her head. Beneath all that fluff is a gentle, sensitive little dog who is learning what it means to truly be loved.

Viva came into rescue from a puppy mill, and when she first arrived at her foster home it was obvious that life as a cherished companion was completely new to her. She was quiet on the drive home from rescue, sitting silently in her crate and watching the world pass by. Inside the home, she paced nervously at first, unsure of where she belonged or what she was supposed to do. Over time, her foster family watched those nervous moments slowly turn into longer stretches of calm and comfort. Viva has discovered that soft blankets, cozy pillows, gentle routines, and safe people can help the world feel much less scary.

Her crate quickly became her sanctuary and remains incredibly important to her emotional wellbeing. Whether she is feeling overwhelmed, excited, or simply ready for some quiet time, Viva happily retreats to her cozy nest of blankets and pillows to decompress. Her forever family will need to continue providing her with access to a crate where she feels safe and secure.

One of the most special things about Viva is the deep bond she forms with the people she trusts. While she has grown more affectionate and confident with her entire foster family, she formed an especially strong connection with her foster dad very early on. She follows him from room to room, comes running when he calls her, and melts into the couch beside him every evening. She even learned to jump up onto the couch just so she could sit closer to him. Early on, during a work-from-home day, her foster family often found Viva lying upside down in her open crate, belly up and staring adoringly at her foster dad from across the room. Every day her toothy little smile shows itself more and more.  It’s impossible not to smile back, watching her quietly love her person with her whole heart.  Viva would love an adult only home or one with teens.  She likes a quiet, calm home environment as quick movements and loud noises can be scary.

Viva thrives with calm, patient people who respect her autonomy and allow her to build trust at her own pace. Once she feels safe, she blossoms beautifully. She can still be cautious at times, but she is becoming more accepting of affection every day and enjoys joining cuddle sessions with her foster family. Back scratches are one of her favourite things, and she has recently decided tummy rubs from foster dad are pretty wonderful too.

Viva would do well in either a house or apartment setting since she is an exceptionally quiet dog who rarely barks. A fenced yard would certainly be appreciated as she enjoys taking her time sniffing and spinning while she finds the perfect potty spot, but she has also been gaining confidence walking on leash and doing her business during walks. Her foster family spent time slowly helping her learn that walks could be enjoyable, and once her foster dad and foster siblings joined in, Viva trotted confidently beside them without hesitation. She learns best when she feels emotionally supported and safe. She does not require experienced adopters, but she does need patient adopters who understand dog body language and are willing to let her progress at her own pace.

Viva gets along beautifully with the other dogs in her foster home and seems to take comfort in their presence. She has formed a particularly sweet relationship with her foster sister, Blossom, and loves curling up beside her whenever possible. Both girls are devoted Daddy’s Girls, and it is common to find them cuddled up together beside their foster dad soaking up affection. Viva has also learned a lot by watching her foster siblings. Jimmy taught her that hanging out in the kitchen while dinner is being prepared is apparently a very exciting household activity, and while Viva may not fully understand the excitement, she happily joins in anyway. She has shown no signs of resource guarding and has been relaxed around dogs encountered on walks.

One of the most heartwarming parts of watching Viva settle into home life has been seeing her discover small joys for the first time. Shortly after arriving, she was given a toy of her very own and immediately treasured it. She often carries it around looking for the perfect safe place to stash it, later checking to make sure it is still there before moving it somewhere new. At the end of especially busy days, Viva will sometimes tuck her toy into her crate and quietly put herself to bed before the rest of the household. These little moments perfectly capture the thoughtful and sensitive nature of this sweet girl.

Viva arrived in rescue with a rough coat, irritated skin, and overgrown nails, but after some proper grooming and good nutrition, her soft curly coat is now absolutely beautiful. She was not a fan of the bath portion of grooming but handled her haircut and pedicure like a champ. She will require regular grooming appointments to keep her coat healthy and mat-free. She also has an adorable habit of rubbing herself against furniture, cabinets, fences, and anything else at her height, leading her foster family to suspect she would absolutely adore body brushes or scratching posts. She tolerates face cleaning, trimming, paw handling, and ear touching very well.

She is doing wonderfully with her house training and will reliably hold it until given an opportunity to go outside. While she has not yet learned a consistent signal to ask out, her foster family maintains a regular routine and she has been very successful with it. Viva happily sleeps through the night in her crate and is comfortable staying crated for up to five hours while her humans are at work. She eats her meals alongside the other dogs and has learned to join in happily at mealtimes. Viva also travels beautifully in the car, quietly curling up in a dog bed and calmly observing the world around her.

At the vet, Viva received a clean bill of health along with her vaccinations and spay surgery. She handled her veterinary visits very well and has proven herself to be a resilient little dog. Her veterinary team noted she may benefit from a dental cleaning in the next year or so, but otherwise she appears to be in excellent health.

Viva is looking for a forever family that will appreciate the quiet magic of earning the trust of a gentle soul. She may not immediately rush into your arms, but when she decides you are her person, the connection she offers is incredibly special. Watching Viva slowly learn that she is no longer simply surviving, but truly loved, has been an honour for her foster family. For the person hoping for a devoted little shadow, a cozy couch companion, and perhaps the ultimate Daddy’s Girl, Viva may just be the perfect match.