Description:
06/04/2015:  Maya just came back from the Florida Institute and got her teeth all cleaned and pearly white.She is ready to give you kisses when you come and meet her.   So come by the shelter and see Maya  you will not regret it.

Maya was owner surrendered.  She is housetrained, loves to go on walks, and walks well on a leash.  Maya does NOT like cats or small dogs, but she should be fine with a larger dog in her home.  She is ready to find her forever home.

Maya is a sweet, loving girl.  We went to PRBJ looking for two happy dogs to foster, and we came home with Maya and her companion, Trigger.  Within a day or two of being home with me, they were following me from room to room and greeting me excitedly.  I felt like I had an entourage! 

Maya is friendly and happy, and quick to become attached to her people.  She’s the first dog I’ve fostered who has a little gray around the muzzle, and she has me totally sold on the benefits of adopting an older dog.  I had seen the “benefits of an older dog” and believed it . . . for other families.  I thought my young family needed to be around young, hyper dogs.  But Maya is just as active as a young dog; she speeds around the yard chasing the kids or another dog, jumps up to come and check in with me every time I move, and is ready to play anytime we are!  On top of that, she really does have all the benefits of an older dog.  She’s completely trustworthy in the house, no mischief of any kind—she doesn’t even get into the trash!  Maya is very obedient, comes when you call her (even outside), goes happily into her crate, sits in front of you to say “please.”  She doesn’t chew, potty in the house, try to get into rooms she’s not allowed (or bolt for the front door), or get up on furniture.  Being older, she doesn’t need constant attention and exercise.  It’s wonderful to sit and watch a movie all the way through with a dog who is content to lie at your feet the whole time!

She loves her dog beds, squeaky toys, going for a walk.  She walks well on a leash, in front of you, but not pulling.  She likes most treats, and will do training work for treats, but they don’t make her crazy or drive her to distraction.  She tolerates baths well, and loves to get toweled off after the bath.  She loves attention and getting petted anywhere, but she really loves a belly scratch.  At the slightest hint that a belly scratch might be forthcoming, she rolls over and wiggles on her back with her front paws folded over like an ecstatic child.

Maya is a medium sized dog; about the size of a Sheltie, her head is knee high for a grown-up.  Her coat is the texture and markings/ colors of a German Shepherd, and she has a fluffy tail, pointed stand-up ears, and tiny, delicate little paws.

Getting along with other dogs:  Maya came to the shelter with her companion, Trigger.  We took them both into our home, and quickly discovered, that despite being half his size, Maya was certainly the Queen.  The two of them got along great, eating and playing together, and occasionally sharing a dog bed, but mostly sleeping and relaxing separately.  Trigger has since been adopted (Hooray!), and we haven’t found another companion for Maya, yet.  She’s quite dominant and territorial with other dogs, although never with her human companions!  Maya will be wonderful in a one dog household, however, if she is to have a doggie companion, it would have to be just the right match.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Shetland Sheepdog is probably descended from Scottish Rough Collies brought to the Scottish island of Shetland and crossed with the Icelandic Yakkin, a small island dog (now no longer recognized) brought over in the boats of fishermen. By 1700, the breed was completely developed. For centuries these little dogs were used to herd and guard the sheep flocks of the Shetlands, those rugged islands off the Scottish coast where many of the animals are rather small in stature. Refinement of the breed took place mainly in the twentieth century after the export of Shelties to mainland Scotland and beyond. These small shepherds were very gentle when herding the miniature stock. One of the top obedience competition breeds, the Sheltie is an extremely smart and willing worker. The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog with a delightful temperament. Gentle, sensitive, loyal and dainty. Very lively, intelligent and trainable. The Shetland Sheepdog is one to the smartest breeds, very willing to please and obey. These dogs are so smart that many fanciers consider them to have almost human intelligence. Loving, loyal and affectionate with its family, but suspicious with strangers, especially with children, but they will put up with a lot from children in the family. The Sheltie is known to not allow themselves to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking. It is a good guard and watchdog. Socialize extensively as a puppy. This breed needs people and must be raised in a home where he can have a lot of companionship. They like to be kept busy. The Sheltie is above all an intelligent herder, capable both of commanding large cattle and holding small sheep in check. The herding instinct is still very strong in many of them. They love to chase things. Unfortunately - and often disastrously - they love to chase cars. A Sheltie should not be allowed to run free near a road as it may decide to chase a car or something else it sees across the road, running a high risk of getting hit by a car. Because of its beauty and kindness, the Sheltie has become a popular companion dog. This breed may bark a lot. Some say males make better and more affectionate pets. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.