Meet Blaze, Toronto Animal Services’ longest stay dog: ‘READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER’

The eight-month-old-ish American bulldog has had to start over every time she returned to the shelter, but despite all the challenges she’s endured, she’s remained the same amazing dog

Published Jul 31, 2026  •  3 minute read

Blaze, an eight-month-old American bulldog that has been with Toronto Animal Services since March. Photo by Toronto Animal Services /Facebook

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The latest instalment of Spider-Man is opening in theatres this weekend but the City of Toronto is looking for a different kind of superhero.

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Blaze needs a hero.

Actually, scratch that. Blaze needs a forever home.

Toronto Animal Services shared a video on its social media accounts spotlighting this black beauty that has been in their shelter for 131 days – and counting.

Now the shelter wants to find someone to love her and be her person.

Their heartbreaking post begins by introducing their “longest stay dog,” adding, “131 days of Blaze waiting for someone to see what we see.”

Described as “playful” and “loving,” they note how Blaze has “overcome so much and still wakes up every day ready to make a new friend.”

Look at this face

Blaze, an eight-month-old American bulldog that has been with Toronto Animal Services since March. Photo by Toronto Animal Services

“Blaze came to us as a puppy, and while we hoped her stay would be short, her journey has taken longer than anyone expected,” the shelter wrote, noting she arrived on March 21, 2026.

Since then, she has undergone two major surgeries and recovered in loving foster homes – which were only temporary stays.

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The eight-month-old-ish American bulldog has had to start over every time she returned to the shelter, but despite all the challenges she’s endured, she’s remained the same amazing dog, animal services said.

She loves playing with other dogs at the shelter but now that she’s healed, Blaze is “ready for the next chapter of her life,” animal services noted.

The sweet, happy pooch, still greets people with hope every time they show up at the shelter, and is “counting down the days until she meets her forever family,” the shelter added.

“We’re hoping today is the day someone finally chooses her.”

Sweet, sweet girl. Photo by Toronto Animal Services /Facebook

Larger dogs take longer to adopt

According to the City of Toronto website’s adoptable pets page, she is located at City of Toronto Animal Services North Region.

Given that larger dogs tend to take more time to get adopted, it’s no wonder Blaze and other canines of her size tend to have longer shelter stays.

“They often stay sort of one-and-a-half to two times longer than any of the other animals that we get into our shelters and it’s typically through no fault of their own,” Elana Trainoff, partnerships manager at Toronto Animal Services, previously told the Toronto Sun.

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“I think there’s sort of a trepidation for people to get a big dog, thinking that they’re more work, they need more exercise, they’re going to be more expensive, they need more space,” Trainoff said, adding that’s not necessarily the case.

“Sometimes that is true, depending on the dog, but I always tell people they need to come in and meet the dog and understand the backstory and and the needs of each specific dog because they’re so different.”

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How to adopt Blaze and other dogs, big or small

That said, Blaze is a “gentle giant with a heart of gold,” her adoption bio reads.

“This sweet, affectionate girl believes everyone she meets is a potential new friend (especially when treats are involved!),” they add.

“Her loving and social personality makes her a joy to be around, and she’s always eager to share her affection with the people lucky enough to meet her.”

Come on, who wouldn’t want a dog that is “wonderfully gentle” with a “happy, goofy personality?”

Her bio adds: “She loves making connections, soaking up attention, and spending time with her favourite people.”

People looking for a “big-hearted companion who is friendly, playful and ready to be everyone’s new best friend,” Blaze is your girl.

For more information, reach out to the North Shelter at (416)-338-8723 between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. or visit toronto.ca/adoptapet to learn more about other animals.

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