Hi my name is Mia. I am chocolate in color & turned 1years old on October 25, 2012. My mom was a Black Lab/Vizsla mix (we think Vizsla); my dad was a Chocolate Lab, & both my parents lived on a farm in Michigan.
I & my siblings were rescued by a group of women from a farmer who was going to shoot us. My 1st family didn't research how very HAPPY and EXCITED a Lab puppy can be. They had children (I LOVE children) that were younger, and my Dad didn't like me. Even though my 1st Mom took me to puppy obedience classes, I guess I was too much for them. His uniform required him to have a hat so when I came to my adopted Mom's house, and she had on her garden hat; I was very afraid and didn't want to go back into the house. It took my Foster Mom hours that night to convince me that she and hats are OK! I don't have a problem with hats now. I am still shy around men . . . I want very much for them to love me, and I approach very submissively. Once I know you aren't going to hurt me, I am your friend for life and follow you everywhere and just want to please you.
I still LOVE children and am much calmer now, but unless you have Lab experience maybe children 10+ would be better. My Foster Mom has 3 grandchildren 11, 7, & 5. MY Foster Mom has worked very hard with me since I came to live with her and the 2 other dogs and a cat. I have never shown aggression. I LOVE everyone & just want to please you.
I used to dig up yards but not now. I still like chewing on sticks. So you will have to watch me and not leave me out in the yard unattended. I DON'T counter surf. I DON'T get into garbage. I can sit, stay, come, get out, drop it & leave it. I play hide and seek. I wait on my rug for you to fill my bowl and wait until you say it is OK to go eat. I can sit and wait patiently while you open the door to let me out. You just have to give the command "wait." I do the same thing when coming in. I am crate-trained. I love car rides. I am house broken. (I haven't chewed anything naughty except a stick in 3 months!)
I have been left out alone with my "sisters" for up to 4 hours without my Foster Mom being home....aren't I a good girl?! I LOVE the water so I hope my Forever home buys me a doggie pool so I can splash the hours away in the summer again. I love to play, play, play with my foster sisters all day long. So I really want my Forever home to have another dog for me to play with. I want you to know though I am respectful in the house and DON'T bounce off the walls anymore. OK, maybe a little bit still when people come over, but my Foster Mom has helped me so much in this area too.
Noises DON'T bother me like thunder, vacuums, any sudden loud noises. My foster Mom had a bad back injury when she took me in so medical equipment like crutches, canes and wheelchairs I am fine with as well. My foster Mom has 2 therapy dogs and thinks once I am socialized more I would make a great therapy dog if you are into that type of thing. Because of Mom's back we haven't quite mastered walking on a leash without pulling so I really would like my Forever Parents to take me to obedience class again.
I love to run & am active. I would like very much to have a large fenced yard & my Forever home to be with active athletic types. I would be wonderful in rally or other competitive doggie sports. I don't want to hunt though. The only thing wrong with me is that I was born with very small openings into my nasal passages. My Foster Mom took good care of me and had tests, biopsy and X-rays done. So we know it isn't allergies or anything else, but if I am in dusty conditions I can sound snuffly for the night. Other than that I am very healthy and happy girl.
If you are interested in meeting/adopting Mia please fill out an adoption application and have a home visit. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-application
