Hi, I’m Xena — and while my name might sound fierce, I promise I’m more cuddle bug than warrior princess. But I have been through a battle or two. My story starts like so many others you’ll never hear. I wasn’t always alone. I was someone’s dog. I had a name, a bowl, maybe a favorite blanket. I was part of a life that, one day, simply decided to leave me behind.

It was a long drive out to the far edge of Miami. I didn’t know where we were going — just that the windows were down and the breeze felt nice. I thought it was an adventure. But then the car stopped. The door opened. And they told me to “go.” So I did. Tail wagging. Trusting. Still hoping. The door shut. The engine started. And just like that… they were gone.

I stayed there for a long time, thinking maybe they just needed to turn around. Maybe they forgot something. Maybe they forgot me. But no one came. So eventually, I started to move. I wandered the backroads, surviving on scraps, sleeping under bushes, dodging rain and traffic and heartbreak.

Somehow, I kept going. I didn’t know where I was headed — just that I couldn’t stop. I didn’t understand why I was alone. I only knew that I still wanted to be loved.

Then one day, someone pulled over. She saw me. Not just a dog on the side of the road — but me. And instead of looking away, she knelt down and opened her car door. I didn’t run at first. I’d learned to be careful. But something in her voice told me I was safe. So I climbed in. And everything changed.

She brought me to a vet, and they said I was lucky — tired, hungry, and in need of TLC, but still full of life. And now? I’m safe. I’ve got a soft bed, a full belly, and people who speak to me gently. I’m starting to understand that not every goodbye is forever.

But my story isn’t finished. I’m still searching for what I want most — a forever home. The kind that doesn’t walk away when things get tough. A home that lets me be a little wild, a little soft, and a whole lot loved.

I’m a young adult, large-sized girl with a strong frame and a silly streak. I love other big dogs and would love a playful buddy to romp around with. I haven’t been tested with cats yet, and because I’m still figuring things out, I’d do best with older kids who understand I’m a work in progress.

I’m still learning about indoor life — things like potty training and rules and boundaries. But I’m trying. Every day. I want to be the kind of dog who makes her people proud. I just need someone patient enough to help me get there.

I’m not perfect. But I am loyal. I am sweet. And I am worth it.

If you’ve got space in your home — and your heart — for a girl who’s been to the edge and back, then maybe I’ve been waiting for you all along.

Please apply to adopt Xena today. I may have been left behind once… but I still believe in love. 🐾