If you are looking to adopt a sweet, and totally adorable small breed dog in Colorado, look no further than Pawsitive Restorations Animal Rescue! 

Scroll down to read all about MAVIS, watch videos, and read a comprehensive adoption bio about this sweet little girl.  Then click on the adoption link at the bottom of this page to submit an adoption application today! 

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Mavis and her original crew...

Mavis and her adopted crew

  • Breed Estimate: Australian Shepherd / Shih-Tzu/Schnauzer/Chihuahua (Based off one of her puppy’s DNA results)
  • Est. DOB: 1/4/24
  • Sex: Female
  • Current Weight: 18lb
  • Estimated Adult Size: Small
  • Spayed
  • Microchipped
  • Age appropriate vaccinations 
  • Loves friendly playful dogs
  • Bonds more quickly to women (typically)
  • Not cat tested
I’m being fostered in: S.E Aurora, CO

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

  • Fully fenced, secure yard with room to patrol and run epic zoomies
  • A very loving family and calm home that will make her care a priority. She’s been failed enough in her life.
  • She would do well with calm, gentle, respectful kids over 10.
  • Mavis will do best in a home with another friendly dog to pal around with
  • A family who will allow her plenty of opportunities for enrichment games, puzzles, an overabundance of tummy rubs. She is SMART and eager to learn
 

MAVIS Can Go Home: NOW

Adoption Fee: $450

💖ALL ABOUT MAVIS! 💖

🐾 A Tale of Two Litters… and Then Some

Mavis was heartbreakingly close to death in a crowded Texas shelter—for the “crime” of being pregnant. But fate had other plans. Because not only did Mavis get to deliver and raise six beautiful babies of her own, this real-life angel then adopted SEVEN more orphaned pups who had no mama to call their own.
Thirteen babies. Thirteen.
And she loved each one with unwavering devotion. Fed the ones she could, mothered the ones she couldn’t. Nurtured. Cleaned. Cuddled. Taught.  She gave every ounce of herself—never complaining, never wavering. Just doing what incredible mamas do. 💜

Now that her job is done, Mama Mavis is ready to retire her apron and step fully into the spotlight as someone’s soul-dog.


🎨 Appearance: One-of-a-Kind Realness

Mavis is the kind of cute that makes you question if she’s even real.
She’s 18 pounds of short-legged, long-bodied, scruffy perfection, with an apricot-and-white coat that just dares you not to touch it. But it’s her eyes that’ll ruin you—in the best way. One soulful brown, one icy blue. They’ll look into you, through you, and straight into your squishy soul.

And then there’s her ear situation. Left ear: trying its best. Right ear: full-time rebel.
Honestly? 10/10. No notes.


💜 Personality: Soulmate Material

Mavis doesn’t just bond—she imprints.
Once she knows she’s safe, she’s your ride-or-die. She’ll be your shadow, your biggest fan, and the warmest little heartbeat beside you at night.

New places and people can make her a bit unsure, and she may bark at strangers in her space—especially when her precious puppies were around (can you blame her?). She tends to be cautious with men but will warm up with time, kindness, and patience. 

She’s more likely to velcro next to you than plop in your lap—but she’s generous with her kisses and affectionate beyond belief. And let’s talk about her signature move: If you so much as look like you might pet her, she flops onto her back, tail wagging, eyes looking up at you coyly as if to say, “Oh noooo, whatever shall I do if you rub my belly?” Spoiler: You’ll rub her belly. Every. Single. Time.


🐾 Her Daily Life & Quirks

  • Potty Trained: She’s a doggy-door pro now and rarely has accidents. (Even when she was VERY pregnant, she was incredibly respectful of our floors.)

  • Energy: She’s not hyper, but ohhhh baby does she LOVE when her favorite hooman walks in, and LAWDY this little thing loves a good zoomie. Bonus points if she’s got an audience.

  • Toys: If someone else is playing with it? She wants it. Crinkly squirrel toy? She’s gone, with the dog she stole it from in hot persuit! This is her favorite game!  She’s basically the fun aunt at every family gathering.

  • Leash Skills: Not great when she arrived, but she’s made awesome progress and is walking more confidently on leash every day.

  • Bedtime: Starts off cuddled beside you, then usually drifts to the end of the bed—or the doorway, so she can keep an ear on everyone like the sweet guardian she is.


🧸 With Other Dogs

Mavis LOVES other friendly pups—especially her Schnauzer “step-daddy” foster brother who helped her raise the kids.
We’d love to see her go to a home with another kind, playful dog. She’s a wrestling champ, a chew-toy thief, and a fantastic playmate. Watching her engage with other dogs is pure joy. She deserves that level of happiness.


🎁 The Home She Deserves

Mavis has been through enough.
She needs a peaceful, gentle home filled with patience, kindness, and humans who don’t raise their voices. A securely fenced yard is a must for her daily patrols, sunbathing sessions, and squirrel-scattering duties.

She’s okay being left alone for short stints, but really… she just wants to be near her people. Always.

And fair warning:
When you adopt Mavis, you get a whole bonus family.
We, her Aunties, love her fiercely. We will want updates and babysitting rights. You will become an honorary grandpawrent to her 13 beautiful babies. Mavis may be asked to attend birthday parties, family reunions, and social functions. Because family is forever, and Mavis is deeply, deeply loved by SO many people and dogs. At PRAR – we are a family, and as Mavis’ new pawrents, we will welcome you into that family.


🧼 Her Rescue Journey

Noticeably pregnant, Mavis was turned in to an overcrowded shelter in TX where, unfortunately, pregnant and nursing dogs win a one-way, fast-tracked ticket to the euthanasia room. The person who turned her in stated that they “found” mavis in their fenced yard, but couldn’t care for her.  She was VERY skinny and weighed only 15 pounds just 2 weeks prior to delivering 6 puppies. She had fleas and ticks, and the tapeworms that were treated immediately. PRAR moved quickly to have Mavis transported to Colorado where she was welcomed with open arms, loving hearts, and plenty of belly rubs. She arrived scared, but hopeful. And every day since, she’s blossomed.

Her eyes now shimmer with joy, trust, and pure love.


💌 In Conclusion

Mavis is not a project dog.
She is a soul dog.
The kind of dog who will change you. The kind who will remind you every single day why rescue is worth it. Why love matters.

If you’re lucky enough to be chosen by Mavis, your life will never be the same.

But don’t say we didn’t warn you:
Once you look into her eyes…
There’s. No. Turning. Back. 💙🤎


Do you think you might be the perfect person for our #MamaMavis? If so, please complete an adoption application below.

🐾💜

What is Included in Your Adoption Fee:

🐾 WHAT WE PROVIDE: When you adopt a pet from PRAR, you’re not just getting a pet—you’re getting a lifetime of love and support from your new pack!

 
✅ Health & Wellness:  All of our dogs have gone through a minimum 2-week health hold and any known health issues have been treated. All dogs have been given a comprehensive exam by our veterinarian and have been cleared for adoption. 
✅ Spay/Neuter: All of our pets are spayed/neutered prior to adoption in accordance with Colorado State Law.
✅ Microchipped: All of our pets are microchipped (with free lifetime registration)
✅ Vaccines: All of our pets have all age-appropriate vaccinations and dewormers.
✅ Dogs over the age of 6 months are given a 4Dx test to ensure they are free of heartworms, lyme, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichia. (Dogs under 6 months are too young to test)
✅ Starter Kit: All of our pets come home with a “hobo bag” of their favorite things to help them settle in. This includes a collar, rescue tag, handmade blanket, and the toys they were given when they arrived to our program. 
✅ Peace of Mind: Our pets come home with 30 days of free medical insurance through Trupanion, so you can start your journey worry-free! 
✅ Your New Pack: All adopters are invited to join our private adopters Facebook group where you can find support, pet-sitters, share photos, and stay in contact with the foster families and your pet’s immediate family (if we had them).

Please understand that adopting from P.R.A.R. means FOREVER. Please do NOT apply if you do not have the time or financial ability to properly care for, train, and exercise a dog, (professional training will be required within 1 year of adoption) or if you do not meet the minimum adoption requirements for the dog in which you are applying, (see minimum requirements above).

🚩APPLICATIONS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY AND ENTIRELY WILL NOT BE PROCESSED!🚩 
Please read each question carefully and answer with as much detail and information as possible!

Visit our FAQ page to read answers to commonly asked questions, such as:

  • Preview our adoption contract
  • Read what goes into saving these lives
  • Read why we require a fully fenced yard
  • How to keep your new pet safe when they go home
  • And lots more!