Puma (Sneakers Pups) Terrier & Labrador Retriever Mix Alexandria, VA

ADOPT ME ONLINE: https://ophrescue.org/dogs/12060

Greetings prospective family, I can't wait to meet you!

My OPH name is Puma but I'm known as Autumn in my fosters home. My foster mom says you might like to know some things about me so you can consider adding me to your family....so.....here it goes!

~ I'm 8 months old (I was born in the shelter on 7.10.2022)
~ I was born in Greenwood, SC and came to OPH with my mom and siblings In September, 2022.
~ I'm a big boned girl; I weigh 40 pounds.
~ I'm on the smaller side of a medium size dog.
~ I'm altered! I fully support Spay & Neuter for all animals. No one should be born in the shelter.
~ I'm crate trained. I am SUPER quiet in my crate, eat my meals in my crate and sometimes just hang out.
~ I have not had any accidents in my foster home. When I'm playing and need to go out I go to the door.
~ I LOVE my toys and spend lots of time playing with them.
~ I need a yard, I'm not an apartment suitable dog.
~ I can be a bit shy with new people. I like them, they just make me nervous.
~ My perfect family would be one no little ones (kids 14 and older) until I settle into life a bit more.
~ I'm very friendly, sometimes too friendly and forget my manners for a hot second.
~ I need a family that wants to take me out and let me run in the yard.
~ I'm really good at playing fetch in the house but I'm not so good at it outside yet. I get distracted.
~ I have a special collar here that helps me be my best self. My foster mom can tell you all about it and how to get me one so I can be my best self with you.
~ My perfect home is with me and another doggie friend or two BUT my new parents need to make sure they do slow introductions and they should be at least my size or larger.
~ Oh, NO cats either, they are YUCKY!

So, can we become a family? I promise to love you and be as good a girl as I can be!

** Foster mom here.
Autumn is an amazing girl. She needs a family with a fenced in yard to exercise her daily and a quiet area to take walks when it's pretty out . She would love an active lifestyle as long as a dog park is not involved. Autumn is working really hard to build confidence, so it's not a forever situation. In our home she was scared of other dogs at first but she is now able to play with them. Making friends takes time. She would be an amazing running partner, hiking buddy or agility dog with some training. She loves the slide in our yard.

She is being e-collar trained to help her understand when her full on life needs to tone it down. I am happy to give you some tips at the meet & greet to help you understand how it works and how it works for Autumn. Additionally, we are working on her tendency to guard things known as "resource guarding". Autumn likes to steal things out of the trash can (plastic bags are her item of choice) and becomes possessive over the item. We are working and continue to work on this every day by trading toys and items in our play. She does not resource guard her food, people or toys, just what you and I would consider items of no use. Her tendency to steal things has diminished as she gets comfortable in our home. It may go away with more time and effort on your part.
2.11.23 Update - we have not decided to steal and guard anything in over a week
2.20.23 Update - still going strong on not stealing or guarding anything :)
3.10.23 Update - Officially at the one month mark of not stealing or guarding anything.


To adopt fill out the simple online application at https://ophrescue.org
Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. (OPH) rescues dogs and cats of all breeds and ages from high-kill shelters in NC, VA, MD, and SC, reducing the numbers being euthanized. With limited resources, the shelters are forced to put down 50-90% of the animals that come in the front door. OPH provides pet adoption services to families located in VA, DC, MD, PA and neighboring states. OPH is a 501(c)(3) organization and is 100% donor funded. OPH does not operate a shelter or have a physical location. We rely on foster families who open their homes to give love and attention to each pet before finding a forever home.All adult dogs, cats, and kittens are altered prior to adoption. Puppies too young to be altered at the time of adoption must be brought to our partner vet in Ashland, VA for spay or neuter paid for by Operation Paws for Homes by 6 months of age. Adopters may choose to have the procedure done at their own vet before 6 months of age and be reimbursed the amount that the rescue would pay our partner vet in Ashland.