Amelia **Foster / Foster-to-Adopt** - Belgian Shepherd Malinois and Shepherd Dog for Adoption in New York, New York

Amelia (or Lia as she prefers!) **Seeking Foster-to-Adopt**
5 y/o | 27 pounds | Malinois / Sheperd Mix

Lia is a slow burn. There is really no other way to put it. She traveled all the way from Mexico to find her person, and she is going to take her time making sure she's found the right one. While Lia was recently adopted, it didn't work out. Not because of anything she did wrong — she didn't. That's just the reality of rescue sometimes...

Lia is fiercely loyal, bonds deeply, and once she has decided that you are hers — and she will decide — you will feel it in a way that is difficult to describe. She will curl up beside you, melted on top of you, woven into the fabric of your daily life in the most wonderful way. She will make you feel like the most loved person on the planet.

But she needs you to go first. She needs you to show up consistently, give her space to open up at her own pace, and trust that what's building beneath the surface is real — because it is. Lia doesn't do surface-level. She deserves forever.

And here is what you get in the meantime: a fully house-trained, subway-seasoned, city-savvy girl who settles beautifully when left alone, never touches a thing she shouldn't, and greets every walk with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you remember why you got a dog in the first place (bonus: Lia has peacefully resided with a cat!).

She walks beautifully on leash, enjoys going for long walks or runs, knows "sit," learns quickly, and has a gloriously silly side — zoomies at the park, a toy collection she takes very seriously, and a playfulness that sneaks up on you right when you least expect it.

She would thrive as an only dog — an adored solo queen, though she could share a home with a calm, confident small dog. Small children would not be a good for Lia— she simply needs a quieter, steadier energy than that environment tends to offer. A calmer, lower-traffic home is not a boring home. It is exactly the kind of home where Lia will bloom.

Lia has already made one journey across borders to find her person. She's been passed over once, through no fault of her own, and she is still here — still gentle, still hopeful, still ready to give everything she has to the right home. The people who earn her love will tell you it was the best thing that ever happened to them. We are certain of it.

Vaccinated for Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella. Neutered and microchipped. Tested for vector-borne illnesses. Current on flea, tick, and heart worm prevention.

To apply to adopt Lia, visit our website (www.waggytailrescue.org) for a foster application. It is important to fill out an application as soon as possible for consideration, and we require a complete application for you to meet an animal. We are currently unable to respond to general email inquiries as an all-volunteer run rescue. If the dog is on our website, they are still available.

Waggytail Rescue CANNOT guarantee the exact age of any adoptable dog, or final size of any of our adoptable puppies. We rely on the information provided to us by veterinarians, shelters, owner surrenders and other circumstances bringing the dog into our rescue.

Questions: adopt@waggytailrescue.org

The Belgian Shepherd Malinois is a versatile and intelligent working dog breed known for its agility, loyalty, and protective nature. Originating from Belgium, these medium-sized dogs have a distinctive short coat in shades of fawn with a black mask. Malinois excel in various roles such as military, police, search and rescue, and as loyal family companions. With proper training and socialization, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois thrives on mental stimulation and physical activity to channel its high energy levels effectively.

The shepherd dog breed encompasses a versatile group known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic. With a heritage deeply rooted in herding and protecting livestock, shepherds excel at various tasks ranging from obedience and agility competitions to search and rescue missions. Their protective nature makes them excellent family pets, offering unwavering devotion and a natural instinct to watch over and care for their loved ones. In addition to their remarkable abilities, shepherds are often characterized by their distinctive appearance, including a sturdy build, alert expression, and a signature double coat that provides insulation and protection in various climates.

Founded in 2004, Waggytail Rescue is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has rescued over 6000 abandoned dogs (300 each...