🐾
Character
Shy, soft-natured, affectionate
💥
Energy Level
Medium
🐈
Good with cats?
Can be tested
🐕
Good with other dogs?
Yes
👶
Good with children?
Can be tested
👽
Around (new) people
Good with new people
What Makes Me Me
Her beautiful eyeliner!
Story
We rescued Eliza from the government shelter in the summer of 2026. We were told that she was a beloved 'neighbourhood dog', living on the streets, but being fed and cared for by local residents. But under Turkey's Massacre Law, her life on the streets has been made illegal, and with mass rounding up orders being given by the government, Eliza was snatched from the streets she considered his home, and was taken to the government shelter. Not used to the chaos of such a crowded, dangerous environment, Eliza really struggled. She shut down and became anxious and insecure. When we spotted her, it was clear how desperate she was to be saved, and we couldn't leave her behind.
Eliza is now safe in the Melez enclosure. She is still quite stressed being in kennels, but she is so grateful to be safe!
Character
Eliza is a calm, somewhat reserved little dog with a gentle soul. In the shelter, Eliza is a different dog than she is outside of it. Indoors, the noise and activity quickly overwhelm her, leaving her anxious and withdrawn. She tries to stay unnoticed, keeping to the background and not seeking out other dogs, simply because that's what feels safest to her. Even so, she's incredibly friendly toward other dogs, and every once in a while, when things are truly quiet, she'll play with them and genuinely seem to enjoy it.
Behaviour With People
Most of the time inside the shelter, though, she prefers to watch from a distance. She rarely feels fully safe there, so being approached directly can also make her nervous. In that moment, she isn't sure what to expect: can she trust you not to hurt her, or does she need to stay on guard? Her solution is a simple one: she tries to hide.
Outside the shelter, we see a completely different Eliza. She's still not entirely confident, but instead of avoiding the world, she becomes wholly focused on people and connection. She wants nothing more than to curl up in your lap, as close to you as she can possibly get, and she can't get enough of cuddling, which her wonderfully soft coat makes all the better.
She genuinely looks to you for comfort and protection, wanting you to help her feel safe so she can face the world without fear.
Even though she's not fully confident yet, outside the shelter we see a clearly happier dog than the one inside it. It's a glimpse of who she can become: a sweet, loving, affectionate dog who will build an incredibly strong bond with her adopter! She'll flourish with the calm she doesn't get in the shelter but truly needs. Leaving shelter life behind and settling into a home of her own will be wonderful for her.
Ideal Home
Eliza could do well in a home with a calm, stable, sociable dog she can look to for reassurance. But she'd be just as happy being the only dog in the house, with all the peace and quiet to herself. Either way, watching the world from her basket, she'll be perfectly content.
For Eliza, we're looking for a calm, stable home with adopters who will give her time and patience, so she can build her confidence, grow happier, and start facing life with a little less worry.
Eliza is currently in Turkey and is available for adoption in the EU or the UK.
Every Melez Dog Comes Prepared
The dogs arrive in their homes microchipped, up to date on their Rabies and Mixed vaccinations, spayed/neutered, dewormed and deflead and tested for Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania and Anaplasma. The dogs visit the vets for a final health check before they travel. If needed, their teeth are cleaned and X-Rays are taken of any potential areas of concern. Any concerns or potential health issues we are aware of will be communicated with you beforehand.
