Meet Loch Ness, affectionately known as Mabel! Her foster family fell in love with the meaning behind the name Mabel-it comes from amabilis, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love"-and they couldn't think of a name that fits this sweet girl better. Now weighing 54 pounds, Mabel has blossomed in her foster home and is showing off more of her wonderful personality every day. Her energy has settled into a comfortable 5/10, and she's becoming a happy, confident companion who is ready to find the family she's been waiting for.
Mabel is the kind of dog who wants to be your very best friend-and preferably know exactly what you're doing at all times. She absolutely loves being near her people and will happily soak up all the affection you have to offer. Belly rubs, couch cuddles, and simply hanging out beside her favorite humans are right up her alley. She's also discovering her goofy and sassy sides! Her latest favorite move is lying upside down on the couch with her head hanging off the edge, apparently because it makes her people laugh. She may also give you a wonderfully judgmental stare when she thinks you're being weird or doing something that doesn't meet her approval. Mabel has plenty of love to give, along with a growing collection of hilarious little quirks that make her impossible not to adore.
This girl is also a curious, social butterfly who loves meeting new people. At a recent farmers market, Mabel wore her adorable "Adopt Me" outfit and received plenty of pets from new friends. She was especially gentle with children, happily greeting little ones in strollers, and enjoyed the attention from people of all kinds. She also joined her foster family for lunch at a dog-friendly restaurant, where she apparently decided that standing in front of people and staring at them was an excellent way to request more affection. After about two hours of constant socializing, her social battery needed a recharge, but she had clearly enjoyed being included in the fun. Mabel loves people and is eager to make new friends, while also benefiting from a little downtime after a busy outing.
Mabel has met other dogs at BARCS and prefers rowdy play! Mabel may enjoy having a compatible canine companion to play with and share life's adventures. She may need to meet any resident dogs to make sure they're a good match. She also showed no reaction to the cats on her foster family's porch, though further introductions would be needed to determine whether she could safely live with cats.
Mabel's leash skills have been coming along beautifully, and she's enjoying getting out into the world with her foster family. Between farmers market visits, walks, and lunch outings, she's proving that she can be a lovely companion for adventures beyond the living room. She's also making progress with her window-watching manners: after realizing that her people praise her for paying less attention to dogs outside, she has started sprinting past the window dogs to collect her reward! It's a pretty adorable example of how quickly she can connect the dots when learning pays off. Mabel would love a family that can continue building on her progress with encouragement, consistency, and plenty of opportunities to explore.
At home, Mabel is doing amazing with housetraining and has had no accidents this week! She's also been doing well when left alone, keeping herself occupied with bones and leaving the house undamaged. She's learning how to settle into a comfortable routine and doesn't need constant entertainment to keep herself busy. Her favorite new discovery is ice cubes, which have apparently earned a spot on her list of life's simple pleasures. Whether she's working on a bone, enjoying a crunchy ice cube, or hanging upside down from the couch for no apparent reason, Mabel is finding more ways to entertain herself and make herself at home.
Mabel's foster family has watched her grow into a happy, affectionate girl who is ready for her next chapter. She loves snuggling, meeting people, getting out for adventures, and being part of whatever her humans are doing. She may have a little sass, a wonderfully expressive face, and a social battery that needs recharging after a busy day, but those are all part of what makes her so endearing. Her foster says she has taught them so much and is excited to see what life will look like for Mabel with a forever family of her own. Mabel has so much love to give, and she's ready to share it with people who will cherish her goofy antics, encourage her continued progress, and make her part of the family.
Mabel is currently in the comfort of a foster home. If you're looking for a loving, people-oriented companion who enjoys outings, makes friends wherever she goes, and will keep you laughing with her silly couch poses and sassy stares, Mabel could be your girl! If you're interested in meeting her, please complete an adoption application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps.
