Pet’s name:

Mya

Nicknames: What do you call them when no one’s listening?

Turd Smuggler, Ding Dong, Dog (when i’m frustrated with her), Good Girl (she really perks up with that one).

Age and breed: Tell us about their unique mix or lineage.

2.5yr old pitbull/kangaroo mix (I kid, it’s the ears). According to her sister’s DNA results, she might be 51% American Pit Bull, 14% German Shepherd, 14% Siberian Husky, 11% Australian Cattle Dog, and 10% Supermutt. Not sure how accurate those results are, though.

How did you meet? What’s the story of how you found each other?

Our family was walking on the beach and met a couple with a big, friendly pitbull. As the kids smothered the dog with love, and the dog loved it, we asked the couple where they got it, as it had a great, goofy temperament. They told us about Three Little Pitties, a rescue agency in Texas (the state with the highest kill rate). We looked them up online that day and saw Mya. A couple of months later we were picking her up across the border in Bellingham, WA.

Favourite quirk: What’s one thing they do that makes you smile every time?

Zoomies. Hands down.

Daily rituals: what’s your pet’s favorite part of the day?

When I sit on the couch or bed, she immediately jumps up and snuggles extra close. She’s a velcro dog - she’s the hook and I’m the loop.

Guilty pleasure: What’s the one thing they love that they probably shouldn’t have?

Cheese tax. If I open some cheese or grab cheese from the fridge, she knows, and insists on collecting a cheese tax. She’s a very demanding tax collector. (She also eats poop sometimes when we’re out walking, which is the grossest). 

Life lesson they teach you: What wisdom has your pet brought into your life?

Life is messy and unpredictable despite my best efforts and it’s best to relax and let go of control. 

Most memorable adventure: What’s the most fun you’ve had together?

Off-leash at the beach when the tide is out. She’s happiest when she can let loose and run.

Secret talent: Is there something unexpected or surprising they can do?

She’s surprisingly fast.

What’s something people get wrong about Mya?

Her face can be very intense, making her look serious and scary. But she’s a big suck, and is scared of most things most of the time. 

What do you admire most about them?

Her ability to sleep through the night. I guess I’m more thankful about that than anything. She’s a fantastic sleeper.

Pet peeves: what’s something that always gets under their fur?

Too much attention from the kids. My children have soooo much love to give.

Favourite way to relax together.

Snuggles on the couch or bed.

If your pet had a theme song, what would it be? 

“Every Breath You Take" - The Police. She’s always watching, always beside me, on top of me, in front of me, behind me.

If they could speak, what would their catchphrase be?

“Got Cheese?”

What’s their biggest fear or phobia?

She’s a rescue and is a little afraid of everything. But the scariest are: any kind of box, or bag (plastic or paper), a sudden sound or movement, and my youngest son when he wears a hat.

Who would play them in a movie?

Without a doubt, Kristen Wiig.

If they could change one thing about their human, what would it be?

Less work, more play.

What’s one thing they can’t stand about house rules? something they would change if they were in charge.

She would like to be sitting at the table, eating human food.

What’s their most human-like quality? A behaviour or expression that makes you think, “they get it.”

In the winter, Annie heats up fleece blankets in the dryer for the kids at bedtime. She also heats up Mya’s fleece blanket. When Mya hears the dryer door open, she rushes to the dryer, then to her bed. She LOVES being wrapped up in the warm blanket – it’s one of her favourite things.

You can see more of Mya on Instagram.