09/04/2026
Hey all,
We are still searching for a foster home for sweet Reba. If you recall, her beloved mom passed away of cancer back in March and Reba is the last of her pack needing a home. The following message is from the trainer she has been living with for the past few months gaining confidence and manners. If interested, please email us at [email protected]. She’s a wonderful dog.
Meet Reba
Reba came to me absolutely terrified of the world and everyone in it. She shared an incredibly strong bond with her previous owner, a wonderful woman who rescued many deserving dogs. At the time, she believed Reba simply wasn’t capable of forming that same bond with another person.
Through a lot of hard work, patience, and consistency on my end and an incredible amount of bravery on Reba’s, she has come farther than I ever imagined. Today, she has proven that she is absolutely capable of bonding with someone new and becoming a deeply rewarding companion.
Reba would thrive in a calm, predictable home. I believe she’d be happiest with one primary person who enjoys a quieter lifestyle. She could also do well with another calm, respectful dog that won’t constantly pester her. While she can still become overwhelmed in busy or chaotic situations, she is not an overly fearful or aggressive dog. She simply appreciates having a peaceful environment where she knows what to expect.
Around the house, Reba is an absolute pleasure. She happily lets herself in and out of her crate and sees it as her safe place. If asked to go into her crate, she does so without any fuss, but she’s just as content relaxing beside her person or quietly hanging out in another room. She has a calm temperament and doesn’t require a tremendous amount of exercise. She enjoys leisurely neighborhood walks and does best in familiar, predictable places. She probably isn’t the ideal dog for a hectic downtown city lifestyle, but she would make a wonderful companion in a more relaxed home.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that despite how terrified she was when she first arrived, Reba has never shown aggression. Her response to fear was always to shut down rather than lash out.
When Reba first came to me, she was also significantly overweight, which put additional strain on her hips. She has since lost weight, and that has made a noticeable difference in her comfort and mobility. Her hips are still something to keep an eye on as she ages, but maintaining a lean body condition will go a long way toward keeping her comfortable. I’ve had senior dogs benefit tremendously from staying lean, and I believe the same approach will help Reba enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Reba has become incredibly special to me. If I had fewer commitments, I honestly think I would keep her myself. We’ve built a genuine bond, and she’s shown me just how sweet and loving she truly is.
A big part of her progress came from helping her face new situations in a controlled, positive way. Rather than allowing fear to dictate every decision, I gently encouraged her through new experiences while pairing them with high value rewards and plenty of reassurance. Over time, she learned that the world isn’t nearly as scary as she once believed, and her confidence has grown tremendously.
Reba truly is one of the sweetest, kindest dogs you’ll ever meet. If there was ever a dog with a genuinely good heart, it’s her.
She knows how to use a dog door, so if you have one that doesn’t lead into a securely fenced yard, you’ll want to block it off. In a fenced yard, however, she does great. She is reliably house trained, is not an escape artist, and has never shown any desire to run away. She walks nicely on a leash, settles calmly inside the home, and when she needs a break or simply wants some quiet time, she’ll often choose to go relax in her crate on her own.
Reba isn’t looking for excitement. She’s looking for someone to love and trust. In return, she’ll give you quiet companionship, unwavering loyalty, and the satisfaction of seeing just how much a frightened dog can blossom when given patience, understanding, and a chance.
