Merica

Some dogs have an incredible way of finding exactly the right people when they need help most. Merica is one of those dogs.

This sweet girl wandered up from the river and made a beeline for one of our volunteers while they were helping a family catch their lost dog. It was as if she knew exactly where to find kindness. No one ever came forward to claim her, so now we're determined to help Merica find the loving home she deserves.

Merica is a young, affectionate, deaf girl with a resilient spirit and a heart full of love. Her deafness doesn't slow her down one bit! She is eager to learn and is already picking up hand signals with our team.

She loves walks, car rides, and does wonderfully in a crate. She walks nicely on a leash, although she's still curious about sticks and other treasures she finds along the way. Thankfully, she's happy to trade them for a treat.

Because Merica is deaf, she needs a patient family willing to give her time to decompress and build trust. It took nearly two weeks before she consistently began checking in with her previous foster, and once she did, her training really started to come together.

Merica would do best in a home without cats. She enjoys chasing and playing with them, but her play is too rough, and because she can't hear verbal corrections, it's difficult to redirect her in those moments. A confident canine companion could be a wonderful influence, but thoughtful introductions are important.

Like many young dogs, Merica is still learning boundaries. She can become overstimulated in busy environments, has shown some guarding behaviors around gates and food while kenneled, and will need continued positive reinforcement training. She has already shown that she is eager to learn with consistent guidance.

Merica is currently staying in our boarding facility while she waits for a foster or forever home. We're looking for a structured, positive-reinforcement leader who can help her continue building confidence and good habits.

Despite her challenges, Merica is incredibly sweet with our staff and has so much potential. She's looking for someone willing to invest in her—and we know she'll repay that commitment with a lifetime of love and loyalty.