Interview: Chia

Pets, they’re your best friend and confidant. Big or small, fluffy or a bit scruffy, it doesn’t matter, we love them all. They’re there for you unconditionally and the feeling is mutual. Our interview series celebrates this special bond between animals and hoomans. Let the awws begin.

Doggo: Chia (9 years old)

Home: Hong Kong

We were initially looking just to foster because we already had two cats at home and thought three furkids would be a bit of a handful. We reached out to different organisations and were recommended Chia (known as Minty at that time) by Villa Kunterbunt Lantau, who were amazing every step of the way. 

We don't know too much about her past except that she was formerly a breeding mom at a puppy mill. We were told she was gentle, calm, loved smiling, walks and people--and all of these turned out to be incredibly true.

When we first fostered her, we were amazed at how quickly she got along with our cats and became a part of our family. We were immediately smitten with her kind, gentle, silly and puppy-like spirit. Long story short, it was a happy "foster fail," and now she's part of our family — in fact, our family life pretty much revolves around her! 

Chia's a Blue merle Sheltie and when her coat is short (which it was when we first fostered her, see photo 3 and 4), the patterns look like little chia seeds on her back, which is why we named her Chia! She also responded quite quickly to her new name and it stuck pretty naturally. 

Chia’s incredibly calm, easy-going and gentle, yet has her little quirks (e.g. she doesn't like hugs nor when people put their faces too close to hers). She's a bit of a shy fly and takes some time to warm up to strangers, but is still friendly about it, just slightly reserved. 

She's incredibly loving and always makes sure both her humans are with the pack whenever we go on walks (otherwise she refuses to walk and waits for the both of us). She's also quite emotionally perceptive and knows what her humans are feeling all the time. 

She is, in short, the best dog we could have asked for.

Follow Chia and her adventures in Hong Kong on Instagram here.