Aaliyah

My story

Meet Aaliyah – the girl who definitely read the “How to Be a Good Dog” manual cover to cover... and then probably rewrote it with better grammar. She's the overachiever of the pack — smart, gentle, and just happy to be here. She’s got that sweet, go-with-the-flow vibe with just enough playful sass to remind you she’s not just a pretty face. Think honor student energy with a sprinkle of class clown. Smart? Check. Gentle? Double check. Happy-go-lucky with a sprinkle of silly? That’s the Aaliyah special. Adopt her before she realizes she could be running this whole rescue. Introducing Aaliyah – living proof that dogs are infinitely better than most humans, and frankly, she has the resume to prove it. At just 4 months old, this Aussie mix has already survived more drama than a reality TV star. She was being attacked by some excuse-for-a-human (don’t worry, karma’s keeping the receipts), rescued by a Good Samaritan, and then tested positive for parvo. But did that stop her? Please. Aaliyah looked adversity in the face, wagged her tail, and said, “Is that all you’ve got?” Now fully recovered and absolutely thriving, Aaliyah is the kind of pup who still thinks the world is beautiful and people are good — a level of optimism most of us can only aspire to after two cups of coffee and a nap. She's smart, sweet, occasionally playful, and radiates sunshine like it’s her full-time job. Basically, Aaliyah’s the kind of girl who deserves the world... or at the very least, a forever home filled with love, treats, and zero jerks. Aaliyah approaches new dog friends with the same caution most of us reserve for blind dates — can you blame her? She’s been through more in her short life than any puppy should. But give her a minute (or a few sniffy laps around the room), and once she realizes the other pup is kind and safe, she’s all in. Play bows, tail wags, and the kind of joyful energy that says, “You’re my new best friend and we shall never be apart.” She’s met cats and, in true respectful-little-sister fashion, she keeps it cool. A few sniffs here, maybe a bark there, but no drama. Just curiosity and good manners — two things you don’t usually expect from a toddler in fur. With kids, though? That’s where Aaliyah shines brightest. She’s been nothing but sweet and gentle with her foster’s young children. She soaks up affection like a sponge and will absolutely launch herself into a cuddle pile the moment there’s an opening. Her favorite activity might just be curling up in a lap like she’s still five pounds (spoiler: she’s not). New people can be a little intimidating at first — and again, can you blame her? Life hasn’t always been kind. But give her a little space and a little patience, and she’ll decide for herself that you’re worth loving. And when that moment comes? You’ve got a loyal shadow who will follow you from room to room, heart wide open, ready to trust again. Aaliyah is the kind of dog who reminds you what resilience looks like: cautious but hopeful, gentle but strong, and somehow still overflowing with love despite everything she’s been through. Aaliyah is about a 7 out of 10 in energy— which means she’s not bouncing off the walls all the time, but you’re definitely not living a calm, Pinterest-worthy life either. She’s the kind of pup who believes in starting the day with some good, old-fashioned zoomies and ending it as a snuggle puddle on your lap. Balance. As a road trip buddy, she’s more of a “how close can I physically be to you while you're driving without technically being in the driver's seat?” type. She’s perfectly chill in the car, but she considers herself a lap dog with zero concept of personal space and no shame about it. When it comes to walking on leash, she’s surprisingly agreeable. No sled dog dramatics, no private-eye zigzagging, no tragic pancake impersonations — just a nice little side-to-side shuffle next to you. Aaliyah’s got that magical combo of puppy playfulness and future couch potato potential. She enjoys playtime with her foster dog sibling, and after a good session of bitey-face and tug-of-war, she’s more than happy to call it a day and crash somewhere soft (preferably on you). She’s just as likely to enjoy a backyard romp as she is to sprawl dramatically on your feet during a movie marathon. Her only requirement? Space to run and someone to run to. Her hobbies include collecting every type of toy known to man — squeaky, chewy, tuggy — and proudly parading them around like she’s just won the toy lottery. She’s not a shred-first, ask-questions-later type. She plays with purpose and enthusiasm, especially when there's a canine playmate involved. And while she’s not destructive, let’s be real — that’s mostly because she’s given regular outlets for all her “enthusiasm.” A securely fenced yard would be the dream, but if you’re one of those “apartment life with structured walks” people and you’re committed, she might just go along with your lifestyle… with a dramatic sigh, of course. In short: Aaliyah is the full package. Energy, heart, resilience, and the ability to turn your living room into a Pixar short about the power of love and second chances. Let’s talk about Aaliyah’s home etiquette, because honestly, she’s putting the rest of us to shame. First off, yes — she’s potty trained. No accidents, no surprises, no passive-aggressive puddles when she’s mad. Just a civilized young lady who understands the importance of using the facilities outdoors like a professional. When it comes to the kennel, she’s basically a gold-star honor student. She goes in without complaint, settles in like it’s her own private spa retreat. Chewing? Not her thing. And barking? Please. Aaliyah doesn’t waste her breath on things that don’t matter. She’ll give you a soft growl and a little bark if she’s unsure about someone new — because duh, she has instincts — but once she’s decided they are okay, it’s all love and tail wags. So, if you’ve made it this far and you’re thinking, “Wow, she sounds perfect,” — congrats, you’re right. But perfection doesn’t deliver itself. If you want to make Aaliyah part of your life, you’ll need to fill out that adoption app at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app and prepare yourself for a little road trip to scenic Okarche, Oklahoma — population: worth it. No, she won’t be delivered via magic cloud or dog drone. You gotta come get the fluff nugget yourself. 💁‍♀️

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Aaliyah, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.