Meet Mia, a sweet,12-year-old Shitzu-mix that is a well-traveled little pup. She’s originally from Florida where Xavi and Henry Dornelas got her from a breeder. Xavi had grown up in Mexico with all sorts of pets, from rabbits and Guinea pigs to a parrot who called her name out repeatedly throughout the day. She even remembers someone selling small chicks outside her elementary school that were too cute to ignore, so she got one. Her mom was a big animal lover and decided to bring home a calf that needed some medical attention. It lived in their backyard while it recuperated.

            Xavi and Henry were living in Orlando with a couple roommates when Xavi suggested getting a puppy nobody really thought it was a good idea. But Xavi persisted and when she brought Mia home one day they all fell in love with her, even though she was a bit on the smelly side due to the fact that she couldn’t be bathed for a few days because she’d just been vaccinated.

            They named her Mia because they wanted an easy to pronounce name. She doesn’t require specific food and although they did start feeding her high-end dog food, they soon learned that she was fine eating just about any brand of food. She is fine to go out front for her bathroom needs but really prefers resting to walking.

            Saying that, she has been on a lot of trips. When they moved from Florida to Texas, Mia went back and forth with them several times and then from Texas to Arizona as well. From Texas they moved here and did many trips back and forth, both by air and car, and Mia went from place to place with no issues. She sits in a small crate or on Xavi's lap when they are flying and Mia sits very happily while all this is happening.

            Interestingly, Mia was the first one that knew Xavi was pregnant with Liam. She came into the bedroom when Xavi was resting and did a very unusual walk around her on the bed that she had never done, sniffing her belly frequently. Soon after this, they found out she was in fact pregnant. When Liam was a baby, she was constantly monitoring him when he was crying, Now Mia and Liam tolerate each other, and are quite happy in their own area of the house during the day.

            Mia is alright with little people, but she prefers casual pets and adoration from kids to being picked up. However, she’s quite happy with getting picked up, belly scratches and even rough play from Xavi and Henry. And while Henry was the one that said he really didn’t want a dog, he’s her favorite, She sleeps in bed with them and has really become a member of the family.

            Xavi does trim her fur herself and has also been known to dress Mia up in super cute handmade clothes. There were all sorts of holidays that provided reasons for Xavi to create fun outfits for both Liam and Mia, and she has lots of photos to prove that. Now Mia is always adorned in a little bow on her head.

            The family is expanding and Xavi is due in the fall, but even with a new baby on the way, she says she loves having a dog and were something to happen to Mia, they’d more than likely get another Shitzu because Mia is such a great dog.