Sariah Mixed Breed Philadelphia, PA

Hi, my name is Sariah! I'm a shy little pittie mix who turned up at the shelter on 5/10/23 after a good Samaritan found me alone on the street. They said I was a little shy and scared, but also friendly and playful! I was really nervous to be in the shelter at first, around so many new people and dogs. But I've made huge strides in warming up to people, and even made some new friends - I even scored myself a spot as an "office foster" and get to hang out with my new humans all day! I am very dog-friendly and love making friends with other pups.

Things I love include treats, Kongs, crinkly and squeaky toys, tug-of-war, Milkbones, cheese, peanut butter, hot dogs, and pretty much any snack ever! I am an EXCELLENT walker on my leash and hardly ever pull. I am such a cuddle bug who will take long naps curled up in your lap. I'm housetrained and will sit by the door and tell you when I have to go!

I'm patiently waiting for my new family to come meet me! I'm hoping to find someone who is patient, loving, gentle, and kind. I'd prefer an adult-only home or one with older children who can go slow with me. Please consider adding me to your family!

Check out the staff and volunteer notes about me below to see how much I've grown since I arrived at the shelter!

5/10, per finder: "A little scared but friendly. Shy, scared, playful. Doesn't belong on the street."

5/10, per medical team: "She loves cheese. QAR, low growl and whale eye as approached door to kennel. Patient is too fearful for full exam."

5/11, per behavior team: "Very scared in kennel and shaking."

5/11, per behavior team: "Sariah was laying on her kuranda bed trembling when I approached. She was very scared and curled up making herself as small as possible. I tossed in a high value treat but she had no interest. When I opened to leash her she did begin to growl. I lassoed her easily and sat on the edge of the kennel for a few minutes trying to coax her to come out. After a few minutes she slowly stood up and exited the kennel. No issues returning. Walks very slow and low to the ground. When seeing another dog outside she showed interest but was too nervous to engage. Sariah sat next to outside and curled up very small beside my leg. She was trembling still and very scared. She had soft eye contact and allowed me to pet her head but remained very scared. She was very shutdown and did not want to engage or walk around and preferred to stay curled up in the corner by the bench... She is very scared and shutdown."

5/12, per behavior team: "When approached, Sariah was lying down in her kennel bed looking at me with soft eyes. I threw a treat which she did not take and opened the door to attempt leashing. She got up and slowly came forward on her own to the front and although she was a bit nervous, allowed me to leash her easily. The leash even got caught around her leg and she let me lift her leg and unloop it. Exited without issue. Did not want to return but stepped in once I did as well. Once I closed the door she jumped up and I gave her a treat through the bars which she ate. Pulls minimally on leash. Sariah was like a whole new dog! She immediately came to solicit attention from me and although she began with a lowered body she became much more relaxed and comfortable over time. I kind of ignored her at first, was mostly uploading videos and just letting her explore and she was confident to explore the room and lick treats off the ground. She would run over and climb in my lap, lick my face, and rub her head on my hand for more pets. She is very demanding with asking for pets! She's got a silly personality and loves being around her handler soaking up lots of attention. She is now taking treats like a pro! She also sits for them. She is a playful girl! Loves running around with you. Toys: interest but does not take possession. Almost playing with squeaking toys."

5/13, per behavior team: "Walked by ACA with Sariah on leash standing by H row as her kennel was being deep cleaned. She was pulling far away from him so I came over and she hid in my legs. The cleaning process had just started so I decided to stay with her since she was shaking profusely and wouldn't let ACA get close. ACA also said he thinks she bared teeth at the staff member who tried to get her out before ACA did. I sat down and she was climbing in my lap shaking and I gave her some treats which she took. When ACA reached his hand out to her she did lift lip a couple times, although he pulled his hand away and she didn't escalate past that. She was curious of everyone passing by and would go forward to try to sniff them but ultimately backed up back into my lap shaking. She did take treats from ACA and took one from a manager as well. She allowed all over handling from me and gave me kisses as well. She might be wary of men, or she might just be people selective. "
5/16, per office foster: "Sariah is so nervous but SO sweet once she gets to know you! Now that she's my office foster, we're already best buddies and she follows me around like a little shadow. She loves to be petted and will rest her face in your lap. She is timid and will shy away from new people, so approaching her slowly and offering tasty treats is the way to go. So far she is very well mannered in the office, alternating between sleeping and soliciting attention from me."

5/17, per office foster: "Sariah is very sweet, but gets nervous when new people approach her and did growl at a staff member today when the staff member approached her and put her hand near Sariah. Sariah growled briefly and backed away from the staff member. She needs a slow approach until she gets to know you!"

5/21, per office foster: "Sariah continues to be super sweet but shy with new people in the office. When I first met Sariah, she was so scared she would just stand completely still and tremble whenever anyone approached her. Now, she loves going outside to hang out in the play yards, getting attention from her staff/volunteer friends, and relaxing in the office. She is definitely coming out of her shell more and becoming more playful - today she got the zoomies when I came into the office, and was even getting jumpy and a little mouthy, but was easily redirected. I was happy to see her getting overly excited, since before she was so shut down she wouldn't even get off her bed. When new people approach, she is still a bit conflicted and will approach the gate giving low tail wags but then growl slightly and back away. However, she is improving and has been fine with multiple different staff members (men and women alike) removing her from the office for walks. It seems to take about 2 to 4 visits with a new person before she is fully comfortable and will give big tail wags and let them pet her. She is slowly getting used to meeting new people, and her behavior is improving every day."

5/23, per office foster: "Sariah LOVES toys! She seems to especially like squeaky toys and crinkly toys, anything that makes noise. I think the only thing she likes more than toys would be treats."

5/28, per office foster: "Sariah is really warming up to more people this week! Two different staff members told me she was much more friendly and social with them over the weekend, having remembered them from previous interactions. She now greets more staff members with a wagging, happy tail and loose body language, jumping up to seek affection. She is still reserved and nervous with new people."

Video:
Sariah!: https://youtube.com/shorts/rF_MaHGCQHE?feature=share
Sariah playing: https://youtube.com/shorts/bGNlUUyb7B0?feature=share
Sariah and kee-kee!: https://youtube.com/shorts/0J7qejHpKi0?feature=share
Rocket and sariah!: https://youtube.com/shorts/7hf-ZR5OEBs?feature=share