Adoption information
About Melina
🐾💕 This Beautiful Girl Deserves Her Chance — Meet Melina 💕🐾
Melina is a 4 year and 8 month old merle Pug
Sometimes the dogs who take a little longer to love you are the ones whose love means the most. ❤️
Melina has had a really tough run.
And honestly...
We think it's time her luck changed.
Melina first came into rescue as an ex-breeding girl, and after spending time in care, she was adopted into what we hoped would be her forever home.
Sadly, seven months later, she was returned.
A family member had been unable to form a bond with her, and with them preparing to go away, Melina found herself back in rescue once again.
So we started over.
She went back into foster care.
She settled.
She grew.
She began showing us more and more of the beautiful little Pug hiding underneath that initial uncertainty.
Then came her meet and greets.
Three families were invited to meet her.
Only one actually attended..... unfortunately that didn't work out..........
And the pattern continued...
People were interested in Melina.
Until they actually had to meet her.
Because Melina isn't the kind of dog who runs up to a stranger and immediately throws herself into their lap.
She needs a moment.
She watches.
She thinks.
She decides.
And honestly, we think that's okay.
Then, just when we thought things might finally be looking up for her, her foster mum found a lump on her side.
We took her straight to the vets.
And received the news no rescue wants to hear...
It was cancerous.
Our hearts sank.
But we didn't waste any time.
Melina had surgery within the week, and our amazing veterinary team removed the lump along with the surrounding tissue.
We are incredibly grateful that the surgeons were confident they had successfully removed all of the cancerous cells.
We breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Surely now...
Surely this little girl would finally get her chance.
We offered another family the opportunity to meet her.
But again, Melina took her time.
She didn't rush over.
She didn't instantly shower them with affection.
She needed to decide whether they were her people.
And then something happened that really brought home just how much the individual connection matters to Melina.
The family met another dog...
And there was an instant connection.
Instant affection.
Instant excitement.
Melina?
She's still waiting.
💔
And that's why we're telling you her story.
Because Melina isn't broken.
She isn't difficult.
She isn't lacking love.
She simply needs someone willing to give her the time to feel safe enough to show it.
And when she does...
Oh, when she does...
You get the Pug snuffles.
The happy little sniffs.
The cheeky personality.
The cuddles she gives when she's comfortable.
The dinner dances.
The zoomies.
The little moments where she looks at you and you can see that she's finally realised...
"I'm home."
And honestly, those moments are priceless.
Melina is a gorgeous 4-year-and-7-month-old Pug who has come so far since arriving in care.
She's playful and loves racing around with her doggy friends.
She's wonderful with other dogs and has happily lived alongside Staffies, French Bulldogs and Griffons.
Because she gains confidence from other dogs, we'd love to see her in a home with a friendly, confident canine companion who can help her continue to blossom.
She loves walks and is lovely on lead.
She loves her food...
Actually, loves may be an understatement.
Dinner time is an event.
Spins.
Head shakes.
Happy dances.
Excited little grumbles.
It's basically a five-star theatrical production performed every evening in the kitchen. 😂
And despite all the excitement, she'll sit politely and wait until she's told it's time to eat.
She's clever.
She's food motivated.
And she's absolutely adorable.
Once she's comfortable, Melina loves affection.
She'll climb onto your lap, give you a little nudge or gently place a paw on you when she decides the cuddles have been insufficient.
Because apparently there is a minimum daily cuddle requirement.
And Melina is very good at enforcing it. 😂
She's also a wonderfully playful girl who enjoys toys, zoomies and racing around with her doggy friends before settling down for a good Pug nap.
She's toilet trained, although rainy weather can occasionally make her reconsider her commitment to outdoor toileting.
Wet grass?
Absolutely not.
Melina has standards.
She's also comfortable travelling in a crate in the car, enjoys relaxing on her bed and loves nothing more than finding a sunny spot to stretch out.
She has been around a resident Quaker parrot and showed very little interest, although cats haven't been tested.
❤️ What Melina Needs
Melina doesn't need someone who expects instant affection.
She needs someone who understands that trust is built, not demanded.
She needs a patient family who will allow her to come to them.
Someone who will celebrate the first time she approaches them.
The first cuddle.
The first time she confidently asks for attention.
The first time she runs around the house like she owns the place.
And the first time she looks completely relaxed because she finally knows...
This is home.
We know there are families out there who understand that.
Families who won't judge a dog because she didn't immediately run up and say hello.
Families who understand that sometimes the most rewarding relationship is the one you have to patiently build.
So we're asking...
Could you be the person who finally breaks Melina's bad run?
Could you give this beautiful little girl the chance to discover just how amazing forever can be?
Because Melina doesn't need someone to rescue her from rescue.
She needs someone to believe in her.
Someone to give her time.
Someone to let her blossom.
And when she finally gives you that first proper Pug cuddle...
We promise you'll know it was worth the wait. ❤️
🐾 Professional dinner dancer
🍽️ Food enthusiast extraordinaire
☀️ Sunshine specialist
🐶 Canine friendship expert
🥹 Slow-blooming sweetheart
❤️ Still waiting for someone to choose her.
Melina has had enough people walk away.
We'd really love for her next person to be the one who stays. 🐾💕
The adoption application link is https://goo.gl/forms/PqpkCcE89ikDR2Lw1
** Please note applications will close Friday 14th August 2026 at 5.30pm
Please note
* Please only apply if you are read to adopt now
* A meet and greet is required so please ensure you have
- Your current dogs vaccinations up-to-date and have a copy of the certificate to send thru (please contact your vet asap if you don't have a copy)
- Your dog can travel to the carers location
- You are available to attend the meet and greet within the next 7 days
Medical notes
The following vet work has been completed
* Desexed
* Up-to-date vaccinations
* Microchipped
* Wormed
* Heartwormed
Melina had a cancer lump removed from her side successfully
Adopters are encouraged to do their own research on Pugs and their health needs
Adoption details
Paw Prints Canine Rescue is a non for profit dog rescue located in Southeast Queensland.
All our dogs leave our care with full vet work (up-to-date vaccinated, microchipped, desexed, heart worm and intestinal wormed and flea treated).
Please note - They will not leave for their new homes until they are 12 weeks of age and have been desexed, micro-chipped and vaccinated up to date.
Please note - we are not a pound or have kennels - all our dogs stay in foster carers homes and therefore dogs are not able to be simply viewed - only approved applicants will meet the dogs.
Please Note: We do not hold any animals so please only apply if you are ready to adopt now
Please note - We don't take calls on adoption enquiries - an application must be completed
We can also be found at https://www.facebook.com/pawprintscanine/
Complete the following adoption enquiry link
https://goo.gl/forms/PqpkCcE89ikDR2Lw1
Once an adoption enquiry is completed our admin team will assess the application and if successful we will arrange for a meet and greet to be completed. We may also request photos of your yard for consideration of your application. Please note that we will do no more than 3 meet and greets per dog.
Approved applicants will be contacted to arrange a time for a meet & greet via email. You must bring your current dog along to the meeting if you are meeting another dog/puppy, this is to ensure they get along before commencing adoption - proof of your dogs up-to-date vaccination is required before any meet and greet is arranged.
Our adoption fee must be cleared in our bank account before any animal is available for pick up. Please note we bank with ANZ - any other bank may take 48 hours to process the monies.
Paw Prints Canine Rescue has a 10 day trial period – this basically means that if for any reason the adoption does not work out and the dog needs to be returned to us, the adoption fee minus an admin fee (minimum is $250) will be returned to the adoptees via bank transfer within 7 working days.
Please note that if an interstate adoption needs to be returned or regional adoption all transport cost with be paid by the adopter.
Please also note while this can be a very exciting time for everyone, it can also be an overwhelming time for dogs and we ask that you do try and allow your new family member to settle in their new home and adjust
INTERSTATE ADOPTIONS **
Any transport costs are to be paid by the adopting family, however we can assist you in helping with transport to airports etc.
** Please note some of our dogs are not available for interstate adoption - each bio will state if available for adoption - please check before applying.
AFTER THE TRIAL PERIOD
After the 10 day trial period is completed Paw Prints Canine will send out all relevant paperwork for your new furbaby via email including the transfer of microchip form.