Meet Peony, a beautiful 2-year-old sweetheart weighing 62 pounds. While she may be a little shy when meeting new people or experiencing new situations, all she needs is a gentle, patient approach to let her true personality shine. As her confidence grows, so does her affectionate side-and before long, she'll happily lean in for pets, curl up beside you on the couch, or even climb into your lap for snuggles. Once Peony trusts you, she forms a deep bond and loves being close to her favorite people while still happily entertaining herself with a chew or toy nearby.
Peony is currently thriving in a foster home, where she's proving just what a wonderful companion she is. She's completely housetrained, has excellent manners around the house, and has earned the freedom to roam without needing a crate. She's quiet, respectful of her home, and happily relaxes while her foster studies or works nearby. Although she's still adjusting to her new routine and working through some mild anxiety, she continues to gain confidence every day and recovers quickly from anything that startles her.
One of Peony's favorite things in the world is spending time with her people. Her foster describes her as an absolute cuddle bug who loves curling up beside them, following them from room to room, and soaking up affection. She also enjoys relaxing independently with a bully stick or dog bone and has found the perfect balance between being affectionate and easygoing. One of her favorite daily activities is lounging on the deck, soaking up the sunshine while quietly watching the world go by.
Peony is also a very smart girl who loves enrichment. She especially enjoys scent games where treats are hidden beneath tennis balls in a muffin tin and happily uses her nose to solve the puzzle. Watching her work through these games is one of her foster's favorite things because it's clear how thoughtful and clever she is. She also loves her tennis ball, bully sticks, long-lasting chews, and sniffy walks where she can take her time exploring the world.
On walks, Peony enjoys taking life at her own pace. She loves exploring trails, following interesting scents, and taking in everything around her. She walks nicely overall but can pull with excitement when something catches her attention, especially wildlife, so her foster has been helping her redirect before she becomes too focused. She's eager to connect with her handler, proudly shows off her "sit" for treats, and continues making progress with patient, positive guidance. While unfamiliar sounds or sights may occasionally startle her, she recovers quickly and confidently continues on her adventure.
Peony has wonderful house manners and is an easy dog to live with. She sleeps soundly through the night, rides calmly in the car, and has never shown interest in bothering food or household items that don't belong to her. Even during her first overnight foster stay, she settled in immediately, remained quiet when separated from resident pets, and showed just how adaptable she can be once she feels safe.
Although Peony hasn't been introduced to other animals in her current foster home while she continues settling in, she has met other dogs at BARCS and she prefers gentle, respectful canine companions. She may need to meet any resident dogs to ensure they're a good match.
Peony has shown interest in children but has not yet spent time living with them, so a family willing to provide calm, thoughtful introductions would help her continue building confidence. She would likely thrive in a home that offers a healthy balance of indoor relaxation and outdoor adventures. A fenced yard would certainly be a bonus, giving her extra opportunities to stretch her legs, sniff around, and enjoy the sunshine she loves so much, though it isn't required.
If you're looking for a sweet, intelligent companion who loves enrichment games, leisurely sniff walks, cozy cuddle sessions, and simply being near her people, Peony is ready to blossom into an incredible lifelong best friend. With a little patience and encouragement, you'll discover an affectionate, loyal dog with a gentle heart and so much love to give.
Peony is currently enjoying the comfort of a foster home while she waits for her forever family. If you're interested in meeting this wonderful girl, please complete an application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps.
I'm a VIP because I'm still learning, and the shelter can be a tough place for dogs like me to shine. But I've got a whole team cheering me on!
Here are a few things the staff and volunteers are helping me with:
· Practicing calm behavior when seeing pups on walks that excite or scare me
· Feeling less stressed/fearful in my kennel
· Learning to make the right dog friends at the right pace
· Practicing calm behavior behind fences and gates when people pass by
· Learning that the world isn't so scary
If you're patient and open-hearted, I could be your best friend. I'm available for adoption! During the adoption process, a staff member can walk you through what's been working for me and how you can keep the progress going at home.
