Basil
MALE | BORN APPROX MARCH 2026 | MIXED BREED
LOCATED IN AUCKLAND
Cian's story didn't begin the way any puppy's should.
At just 12 weeks old, he came into our care after enduring unimaginable cruelty. He had been strangled until he lost consciousness, his tiny body already showing the physical signs of abuse, and yet somehow... he still chose to trust.
The frightened little puppy who melted into the arms of complete strangers has grown into a boy who is discovering what life was always meant to be.
Today, Cian is playful, affectionate, and full of personality. He's learning that adventures are fun, people are safe, and every day brings something new to explore.
His recall is improving every day, and he's becoming a fantastic off-leash companion. On lead, he's still convinced every interesting smell deserves a full investigation, so he'll need someone happy to continue building on his training.
Around home, Cian is wonderfully independent. He's happy amusing himself in the garden, where his latest hobby is "collecting" forgotten plastic plant pots hidden amongst the trees. Once he's had a good walk or a play, though, his favourite place is curled up beside—or preferably on top of—his people for an evening cuddle.
Despite everything he went through, Cian has never lost his loving heart. He's affectionate, funny, resilient, and ready to leave his past where it belongs.
He could happily live with a confident, dog-savvy cat that won't be fazed by his playful enthusiasm.
Cian is living proof that love can change everything. Now all he needs is a family willing to keep showing him just how wonderful life can be.
If you're looking for a loyal best friend who will make you smile every single day, Cian is waiting to meet you.
Further Info
Good with dogs: Yes
Good with cats: Confident cats only
Good with other animals: Unknown
Good with kids: Yes
Energy Levels: Medium
Home Experience Level: Some experience needed
Health: Healthy
Weight: Expected to be medium sized
A Note on Training and Adopting Our Dogs
Our dogs are wonderful, and we invest a great deal of time and effort into their training and preparation. However, no dog is “perfectly trained” or ready to adopt without any ongoing work.
All dogs go through normal life stages and changes — puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, moving homes, and adapting to new environments. Any of these can lead to stress, uncertainty, or moments of testing boundaries.
Because of this, ongoing training is essential. Training isn’t a one-off task; it’s a continual process that helps you understand your dog’s needs, support them through transitions, and set everyone up for long-term success.
We would expect adopters to maintain the training we’ve started and seek further guidance if needed. We’re always happy to help with information and recommendations for trainers, and provide advice during the trial and adoption process also.
Can't adopt Cian? You can still help.
Although we charge a small adoption fee, this doesn't generally cover the costs of us getting our dogs ready for adoption. Desexing, grooms, vet care, vaccinations, registration, training and variety of other things can go into these dogs. If you'd like to help either on a one off or regular basis we would be grateful for your donation.
