Myrtle

Picture a park in a residential neighbourhood in Turkey. A little family of dogs lived there — warm, open, and loving people with their whole hearts. But that same friendliness made them vulnerable. Too approachable, too trusting, they drew complaints from locals and the threat of animal control. Government shelters in Turkey are no place for dogs like these.

In June 2025, the whole family was brought to safety at a dog sanctuary. And now Myrtle has made her way to the Netherlands, ready to discover what home actually means.

Her mother Hermione (also available for adoption) is a Labrador mix, and somewhere along the way an Anatolian Shepherd — or a dog very much like one — must have played a role, because Myrtle is tall, substantial, and strikingly beautiful. White with soft black brindle markings here and there, she is still growing into her long legs at just one year old. She is a big dog. But on the inside, she is pure tender-hearted puppy.

Myrtle is sweet, deeply affectionate, and follows you from room to room with those enormous soulful eyes that are impossible to say no to. She is a cuddler, a leaner, a shadow. Highly food motivated and a fast learner, she is at the perfect age to train — old enough to focus, young enough to shape. She just needs a patient hand to show her the way.

Indoors she is calm and cuddly, perfectly happy to settle beside you at the end of the day. But this is her very first experience of home life and she is still learning the rules — what is a toy and what is not, how to be alone, how to rest in a crate. Myrtle needs an adopter who is genuinely excited to guide her through all of this. Someone who sees training not as a chore but as the beginning of a wonderful bond. She will reward every bit of patience tenfold.

Outside, she walks so close she could almost trip you up — leaning against your leg, glued to your side, asking for nothing more than to feel you near. No pulling, no zigzagging. The world is still new and sometimes overwhelming, but Myrtle’s response to fear is not to bolt. She simply leans into you harder, like a child reaching for a hand.

With other dogs she appreciates a calm, proper introduction. She can be shy at first and very respectful of other dogs’ space. Bigger, boisterous dogs make her nervous and she prefers smaller, gentler playmates. If an unknown dog charges up with explosive energy, even if friendly, she may be protective of her person and maybe even a bit jealous if it involves belly rubs 😅

She loves water. Cats catch her curiosity and she will give chase. Birds and smaller animals don’t interest her much so far.

Myrtle never had a home or a sofa of her own. With the right family — patient, warm, and ready for the adventure of raising a gentle giant — she will become the most devoted companion.