Meet Darla

Status with People

Cherish my family and thrive with their affection.  Sweet and loving with people once I get to know them, but women are my favorite. I’m typically cautious of strangers at first until I know I can trust them. The majority of men are scary for me right now. I may bark at men I see in the distance because of fear. I’m learning trust and confidence to approach strangers and men that I feel are safe. I’ve even started approaching some men willingly for pets and love. It’s just going to take time and exposure to kind and gentle men. I’m good with older children.

Status with Dogs

Good with other dogs…both genders, all sizes. I’m perfect at co-existing with my dog companions. I lived with a senior dog in my previous home. I have two Retrievers in my foster home who are about my age. We all stay close to each other. I follow them around, go on walks with them, but I’m not one to engage much or play. It seems I’m trying to play a bit, so it may come in time. I’m neutral in temperament and have no issues passing dogs on my daily walks. 

Status with Cats

Good with cats. I lived with a cat in my previous home.

Favorite Toys

Learning the fun of toys! I enjoy chew bones and I’ve taken interest in a ball. I’ve just figured out the fun of it rolling across the floor and following it to see where it stops. Will you help me learn to play with more toys and maybe even play some fetch?

Energy Level

Lower energy with short bursts of moderate energy, laid back, super chill kind of girl.  Napping, following you room to room, lying at the glass door watching the people go by, going for sniff walks, snuggling with you…that’s my kind of happiness. 

House Trained

Yes.  No accidents in the house. I do not give signals, so take me out on a schedule.   

Crate Trained

 No and NOT NEEDED.  I’ve never been crated. I have free roam in the house.  When foster mom leaves I hang out on an orthopedic dog bed or snooze on the couch. 

House Manners

Excellent manners in the house and not destructive in any way.  Perfect lady! I don’t bother anything.  I’m really as close to perfect as it gets. During the day I’m wherever foster mom is, napping on a dog bed or watching the world outside through the door. At night I sleep on an orthopedic dog bed or the couch. I’d likely get in the bed with you if you give me a boost. I’m a furniture dog, so I’m not your girl if you don’t want a furry couch cuddler!

Exercise

 Currently take one walk per day for about 20-30 minutes where I get to sniff and enjoy.  Right now I’m building stamina. Due to confinement and lack of movement in my previous home, I’m trying to re-build muscle and flexibility. I enjoy my walks and they’re important for me for general exercise, but also to build confidence and maximize my health. I also enjoy being outside on a pretty day with my furry foster siblings and foster mom. I enjoy just sniffing, exploring and lying in the sun. 

Leash Manners

 Good on leash. Just know that I want to sniff everything. Let me sniff! It’s great mental stimulation for me. Let it be my walk to enjoy! 

Car Rides

Good in the car, but need help in and out. I’ve never really been taken in the car much. 

Medical

I have arthritis in my hips and muscle atrophy from being confined. I’m on supplements to help with mobility, and NSAID as needed and gentle exercise to build muscle. Keeping me at my ideal weight is important, along with gentle daily exercise. Swimming would be great for my joints. A body in motion stays in motion. 

Things I need in my Forever Home

• Someone who understands that I have had a sad past and need compassion, love, kindness and reassurance. 
• Someone who understands that I’m comfortable with women, but some men are scary for me. It will just take time and positive experiences with kind men for me to trust.   
• Moderately active and low key family that likes to engage in gentle daily exercise such as strolls through the neighborhood and park, leisurely hikes through easy trails, etc. 
• I crave human affection and I’m learning each day, so I need someone who is home more often than not.  Someone who works part time, works from home, goes back and forth to work, retired, etc. I might be okay with someone working away from home with regular hours if my needs are met. It would depend on the situation. 
• I’d be good as an only dog or fine with a dog companion.  If a dog companion, it should be a dog who’s gentle, lower energy and neutral in temperament. I’m not a playmate for another dog, so a dog companion should be content to co-exist and be a walking/lounging around buddy.  
• Home should be “senior friendly”. It should have minimal stairs due to my hips and aging, area rugs, orthopedic dog beds, etc.