Maya is currently in a foster home. If you would like to meet her, please start by visiting www.sccrescue.org and completing an application. At around 2 years old, Maya is already living up to the meaning of her name — “illusion” or “magic” — because there’s something truly enchanting about watching this shy girl blossom into a loving, loyal companion. When she first arrived, Maya was timid and unsure, taking her time to come out of her kennel and trust the world around her. Now, every day feels like another little reveal of the sweet soul hiding underneath. She’s completely house trained, politely pacing or heading to the door when she needs to go out, and she settles beautifully in her crate when left alone or at bedtime. Maya may startle if someone moves too quickly toward her, but underneath that cautious exterior is an affectionate “cowardly lion” who wants to seem brave while secretly being the biggest baby around. Maya’s favorite kind of magic happens outdoors. She absolutely loves a fenced backyard where she can sprint around with other dogs, supervise the birds and squirrels, and soak up the sunshine. She gets along wonderfully with other dogs, walks beautifully on a leash with frequent check-ins to make sure her person is still nearby, and takes her self-appointed role as staircase escort very seriously — one careful stair at a time. Inside the house, Maya has some adorable quirks that make her impossible not to love. She gathers her toys into a little collection at the top of the stairs, hangs out proudly beside her treasure pile during the day, and if you leave snacks unattended on the counter… well, Maya may decide the kitchen fairies left them there just for her. Though thunderstorms turn this sensitive sweetheart into a closet-hiding cuddle bug, Maya is growing more confident every day. She’s smart, incredibly treat motivated, and eager to learn, making her an excellent candidate for continued training classes. She only barks appropriately at exciting neighborhood happenings like doorbells, critters, or passing dogs, and while she hasn’t met children yet, her foster believes she would do well with respectful older kids. Because of her enthusiastic “bull in a china shop” energy, toddlers might get accidentally bumped during one of her joyful zoomies. Maya is looking for a patient family who will continue helping her build confidence, give her plenty of backyard adventures, and appreciate the gentle magic of earning the trust of a dog who becomes more wonderful every single day. We love our dogs. We want happy lives for all of them and are looking for the home that provides the best fit for each dog’s individual needs. Please understand that there may be multiple families interested in this dog. Also, please know that the breed mix listed is simply a guess. In most cases, we don’t know their background. We encourage you to base your decision on individual personality and pet qualities instead of relying on our guess. Please understand, we only adopt our animals out near the Chicagoland area. Questions? Email us at adoptions@sccrescue.org. Hope to see you become part of the SCCR family!