Paws Across the Water

08/08/2025

🥰 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION 🥰

IRIS | 62 lb | 1 year old | Quiet and gentle | Toronto

Iris is an absolute sweetheart and is gorgeous looking. She was found as a stray when a young pup and lived outdoors until she could come into our care. She is gentle, quiet, and so appreciative of love. She's not destructive at all, and is learning to play with toys.

Iris is shy but opens up when she's in a quieter setting and especially when exploring the outdoors. This is her comfort zone. She's slowly been discovering the pleasures of living indoors, and rather likes it although it's still very new and sometimes a little scary for her. We're letting her determine the pace of exploring elements of indoor life and are so loving seeing her get more comfortable.

Iris immediately warms to dogs, and would be very well suited to life with another dog. A balanced dog would be a wonderful guide as she explores and discovers. The world is so much larger for her than it's ever been before!

Iris feels more comfortable around women, but is very gentle (just more timid) with men. She'll need a patient adopter who will give her time and space to grow, while relishing her accomplishments. A home with a large fenced yard, in a quieter area, would suit her best. She's also best placed in an adult only home, or a home with older and very respectful children.

We adore Iris. Her gentle and VERY sweet nature is so compelling and it is such a rewarding experience to see her inner confidence emerge. Several of us would be the first to add her to our homes if we were in a position to do so.

If you'd like to adopt iris, please apply at: https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application

05/08/2025

🥰 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION 🥰

DUKE | 3 years old | 80 lb | Gorgeous looking and so calm | Toronto

Introducing Duke, the Dalmation mix. Not only has he got the looks, he has the temperament to match. What an incredible and EASY dog.

When adopting Duke you'll get a dog that:

-- is incredibly calm, even in a busy city environment or in new situations. He takes everything in his stride.
-- is curious, funny and affectionate (loves giving kisses and tail wag greetings)
-- is a quick learner (learned sit, stay, down, come within 2 weeks of arrival!). Food motivated.
-- walks very well on leash
-- very gentle when taking treats (and gentle in general)
-- respectful of boundaries (eg won't go on the couch after being told "no".)
-- Easy and low maintenance (low - medium energy and happy to snooze while you work)
-- is in great health.

Despite having a hard start in life, Duke is very trusting and is comfortable with everyone he meets. While very happy to be the only dog in the home he's also great with other dogs. Whoever adopts Duke will have won the dog lottery!

Don't delay! If you're interested in Duke, apply here:
https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application

11/07/2025

🥰 ADORABLE CYRUS IS LOOKING FOR A HOME 🥰

Cyrus | 45 lb | One year old | Healthy, neutered, sweet dog!

Cyrus will make such a wonderful addition to a home.

Apply at: https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application

PLEASE SHARE!

08/07/2025

‼️ CYRUS NEEDS A HOME ‼️

Cyrus | 1 year old | 45 lb | Great dog!

Cyrus is getting out and about with some Paws volunteers, and turning heads due to his unique and stunning looks (he looks even cuter in person). He's loving the walks and especially the treats he gets along the way.

Looking for an adventure buddy? Cyrus could be the one! Please reach out by PM for more details. Or just apply to adopt him using the application here: https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application

30/06/2025

30/06/2025

‼️FIREWORKS - SCARY FOR ANIMALS AND SOME PEOPLE ‼️

Please keep your fur family safe. Some suggestions:

🐾 Walk your dog by midafternoon, with a leash to the collar and another leash to the harness
🐾 P*e breaks in the fenced yard, with the leash on
🐾 Garden gates and exit doors need to be locked/secured
🐾 Make sure your dog is wearing ID, microchip information is up-to-date, and wearing a Tractive or other tracking device (battery charged)
🐾 Find a quiet place in the house where the dog feels safe. Close the drapes, put soothing music or a quiet TV show on and hang out together for the evening.
🐾 If you have to go out please make sure your dog is in a secure place where it will feel as safe as possible.
🐾 DEFINITELY...do not take your dogs to the fireworks display.

Fireworks can happen at unpredictable times, so please play it extra safe for the next few days.

29/06/2025

🥰 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION 🥰

CYRUS | 1 year old | 45 pounds | Neutered and healthy | Toronto

Cyrus loves people and dogs. He's up for playtime anytime, and will happily run and play wrestle with dogs of any size. We don't suggest cats in the home with him, as we aren't sure that he'll understand that they don't necessarily want to play or be chased.

Just one year old, Cyrus is still very much a puppy in his behaviour, and he will need to continue on with his training. He's best suited to a quiet home that will continue to give him the structure and guidance to help him be the best adult dog that he can be. He's learned so much in his foster home, where he's living with other dogs. He has the sweetest temperament and is a cuddle bug.

Cyrus is used to going to doggy daycare (which he loves) and going out on leash walks. He'd be fine as the only dog in the home but would love a balanced and playful dog companion. A fenced yard is ideal.

At present Cyrus is not comfortable living with younger children, so an active adult only home will suit him best.

Apply at the link to bring Cyrus home:

https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application

27/06/2025

FROM NOW ON ALL OF OUR DOGS WILL BE LISTED AS DOODLES 😉

Saw the reel below and realized we had to address something.

Much as we believe that every adopter should be well matched to the dog they adopt, it can be so frustrating when people consider a dog largely based on their preconceived ideas of the listed breed mix (which is our best guess anyway). While there might have been that Shepherd, Rottweiler, Vizsla, Golden, Labrador, etc. that the person knew that behaved exactly as the description on the breed website says, our dogs are mixed breed dogs and aspects and combos of the different breeds can result in them being very different from that dog the person is visualizing when applying for the dog with breeds in mind.

We wish we didn't need to list the breed mix, but unfortunately the adoption sites require it in order for a dog to be posted. Just like people, there is a range of behaviour in dogs, and as we said, our dogs are usually mixed breed dogs that sometimes have several breeds in their genealogy so they can be very different (and even more wonderful) than what you are imagining.

Please read the adoption bios carefully, and you will find out more about the dog and his/her temperament, likes and dislikes and the type of home that will suit him/her best. Then apply for the dog(s) that you feel will fit your home context and lifestyle. It's the match that counts!

We love every breed/breed mix, and will work our hardest to find the best suited home for every dog in our care. We just get so sad when some dogs are overlooked due to what people perceive they will be like based on breed, without knowing the dog at all. Or people apply for a dog that is not a good match for them or their home, based on factors such as the dog's looks or listed breeds.

This reel made us smile (but also feel sad) as we know the story behind it. Time to change the story!

25/06/2025

This has been happening over the last week, so we remind people again....

Extreme heat warnings have been issued this week. We want to remind everyone to please not leave your pets in the car on hot days. Even with the windows down, even for short periods of time, irreparable brain damage or even death can occur if a pet is left in a hot car.

If you see an animal left in a vehicle on a hot day, please call 1-833-9ANIMAL or the police.

23/06/2025

Safety first!

22/06/2025

Please remember that the asphalt and sidewalk get extremely hot in hot weather and can burn your dog's paws. Please feel them with your hand before you set out.

Dogs can die of heatstroke. Just a reminder of that too.

🐾 Heat Alert for Our Furry Friends 🐾
It’s going to be dangerously hot this week, and our pets feel the heat even more than we do! ☀️ We’re sharing this helpful infographic from Petplan that shows how rising temperatures can seriously impact our four-legged family members.

💧 Keep fresh water available at all times
🚫 Avoid walks or exercise during peak daytime heat
🌳 Stick to shady areas and cooler times of day to be outdoors
🚗 Skip unnecessary car rides and never leave pets in parked vehicles, even for a few minutes.

Let’s keep tails wagging safely! 🐶🐱 Stay cool and look out for each other