Steelia is a beautiful 1.5-year-old girl with a gentle soul and a heart that's slowly learning the world can be safe. She came to our rescue after living outside in Detroit and giving birth to 10 puppies in the middle of winter. Because of her past, she can be a very fearful dog, but with patience, kindness, and slow introductions, Steelia shows just how incredibly loyal and loving she can be. She may not trust people right away and tends to avoid men, but she has never shown aggression. Once Steelia feels safe with someone, she becomes the sweetest cuddle bug who just wants to be close to her person. The bond she forms with her trusted humans is truly special. Steelia would thrive in a calm, quiet home with adults or older children who understand that sudden movements and loud noises can be scary for her. A peaceful environment will help her continue building confidence and learning that life doesn't have to be so frightening. She could live happily as an only dog, but she may also enjoy having a calm, well-mannered dog companion to help show her the ropes. She's still learning how to “dog” — things like fetch and playing with toys are new to her, and has even started going to daycare to spend time with the staff to help build her confidence and socialization skills. Steelia is a little quirky too — ceiling fans make her suspicious — and she tends to observe the world carefully before deciding it's safe. She may not be the dog who runs up to greet every stranger with a wagging tail, but the love she gives to the people she trusts is incredibly deep. Her perfect forever home will be with someone patient, committed, and understanding — someone willing to move at her pace and celebrate the small victories as she grows braver every day. With consistency, compassion, and time, Steelia will continue to blossom into the amazing dog she is meant to be. And for the person lucky enough to earn her trust, she will absolutely melt your heart. Click on more about us to fill out our adoption application.