Miriam

Miriam is an adoptable female German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is senior and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 6 days left, listed due to medical. Adopting Miriam, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Recommendations FAMILY INTRODUCTION LEASH WORK GO SLOW OLDER CHILDREN Memo 8/25/2026 08/25/26 14:36 Geriatric dog has multiple medical issues. Dog is at risk of humane euthanasia on 9/2/26 if no outlet is found by COB on 9/1/26 but may be humanely euthanized earlier if QOL declines Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/21/2026 Closed out for AM cleaning. Dog approached front of kennel for verbal coaxing. Soft body and low tail wags. Tossed treats into kennel. Dog ate treats. Handler placed large loop over while dog was eating treats dog backed up causing leashing to slip off. Moved towards back of divider. Nudging divider with head. Handler was able to step a foot in and placed large loop over. Handler verbally coaxed dog redirected attention and exited kennel. Walked with light pull zig zag. Handler would verbally coax and dog would follow. In yard, dog explored; urinated; defecated; sniffing nose to ground; would briefly approach handler; allowed for petting; more interested in yard; allowed handler to approach; allowed for petting; once handler was done petting dog would go back to exploring; handler approached; offered treats; some what grabby with treats; would approach handler each time for treats; allowed handler to slowly wipe off eye gunk; dog moved away; went back to exploring. Allowed handler to approach; picked leash up; zig zag on leash; verbally coaxed dog would follow; entered kennel; allowed handler to remove leash. 8/20/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog approached handler, head low, body soft, tail wagging, took treats. Backed away when touched with leash, handler placed leash loop on floor with treats in center, able to place leash while dog ate treats, dog retreated to back of kennel as handler secured leash, came forward with verbal coaxing, exited kennel and walked to end of building, dog then froze, unable to coax any further, dog began pulling back towards kennel, thrashed and alligator rolled when feeling leash pressure, took a moment before dog settled then walked back to kennel, allowed handler to guide into taxi, restless and attempted to jump out on the way to yard, stopped frequently to give pets and speak softly to help dog settle. Once in yard dog jumped out of taxi, explored yard, nose to ground, neutral body, panting, approached handler with verbal coaxing, body soft, low tail wags, allowed petting all over, eagerly took treats from hand. Dog sat in corner of yard, gave tail wags when handler approached to give more pets and treats, handler positioned taxi and picked up leash, dog then came forward and followed handler out of yard, easy walk back to kennel, returned to inside portion, followed handler into kennel and allowed leash removal by hand. 8/18/2026 DNE day one, laying outside, not responding to attempts to call in 8/17/2026 was panicking because it was enclosed in a sun area. bit at leash has to use control device to get out of pit and onto truck. once on truck dog calmed down and cooled off 8/17/2026 does not walk on leash at this time, moderate restraint for vaccines, does allow handling and soft slow petting (when settled), dog does best with slow approach due to sight, ,fearful of handling/handler due to sight but will settle, pet taxi used to transport to kennel, rides well in pet taxi, sniffs at people in passing, tilted bucket / canine walked into kennel, no difficulty kenneling Medical Treatments 8/25/2026 Pre-operative Examination, performed by: __BD__ Pre-op tech: _SW___ T: __101.7__°F HR: _100__bpm RR: __40_brpm General Appearance: BAR Respiratory: NSF Cardio: NSF Repro/Urogenital: ABN; multiple mammary tumors SQ on ventral abdomen. Derm: NSF Ears: NSF Eyes: ABN; OU - bilateral hyperpigmentation - unable to fully examine - partial on non-visual. Nervous: NSF M/S: ABN; stiffness in both HLs Dental: NSF GI: NSF L/N: NSF BCS: _4.5_ /9 Dental grade: _2-3_ /4 Surgery canceled due to health. Rx and/or Post-op recommendations: Recommend follow up with primary veterinarian regarding overall health, baseline bloodwork, and preventative care. Entering Tech Initials: ___kds__ 8/25/2026 08/25/26 14:34 Full sx assessment P is BAR; BCS 4.5/9 EENT: OU with extensive dark corneal pigmentation; complete ophthalmic assessment not performed today due to handling limitations without sedation; appears non-visual Dental: Grade 3/4 Cardio/Resp: HR/RR normal; eupneic GI: Good appetite Derm: Multiple lobulated SQ masses palpated along the left ventral mammary chain Neuro: Normal mentation Musc/Skel: Ambulatory x4, mild stiffness in HL's noted A: - Chronic ocular disease OU with functional blindness; r/o: pigmentary keratitis/chronic keratitis vs pannus vs previous corneal injury vs other - Multiple mammary masses, left mammary chain; r/o: mammary neoplasia vs other - Dental disease grade 3/4 P: - Dog is medically not okay to PUFA/foster; No surgery at MCACC d/t health - Senior dog needs transfer to urgent medical NHO partner for further diagnostics and treatment of mammary masses, chronic ocular disease/functional blindness +/- veterinary ophthalmology evaluation for further assessment of OU. Dog is at risk of humane euthanasia on 08/26/26 if no outlet is found by COB on 08/25/26, but may be humanely euthanized earlier if QOL declines. 8/17/2026 Nobivac 3-Rabies, manufactured by Zoetis, Serial number: 871406 administered SQ, R lateral hip, by _ADR__, supervising veterinarian ST. Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv, manufactured by Merck, Serial number: 02121B24A administered SQ, R lateral shoulder by _ADR__. Nobivac Intra-Trac3, manufactured by Merck, Serial number: 00541530C administered IN by _ADR__. Bravecto (fluralaner) for dogs >44-88lb (1000mg) 1 tube of topical solution applied in multiple spots between shoulder blades and along back by _ADR__. Reapply after three months. Female: No tattoo or scar seen with adult mammary and vulvar development, consistent with unaltered female. Confirmed by: __RED__ Mylar given to dog. 8/17/2026 08/17/26 15:31 BAR BCS 4/9 Eyes-hyperpigmentation OU, unable to visualize interior structures of the globes. No menace, does not track. MM-pink, CRT<2 sec. Grade 2 dental tartar. H/L-WNL HR 70, RR panting, no dyspnea. M/S-WNL Neuro-WNL Assessment: adult dog, non-visual. DDX: bilateral corneal injury, pannus, open. Plan: will need follow up with family vet and/or veterinary ophthalmologist for further diagnostics and treatments. Recommend moving dog inside due to functional blindness. 8/17/2026 Been in sun for hours, heavy panting. both eye's red and cloudy. dog began looking better once in kennel and cooling off In-Kennel Behavior Rounds No In-Kennel Behavior Rounds Memos Bite History No recorded bites Name: Miriam Animal ID: A5170136 Breed: BROWN/BLACK GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Female Age: 12Y 0M Weight: 55.8 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing L - 385 Intake Date: 8/17/2026 Deadline Date: 9/1/2026