Let’s Find Homes for These 4 Pennsylvania Dogs

Trib Live reports that the population of animals in shelters across the US has grown in recent years by 250,000 — 53,000, of which could be found in Pennsylvania. That is, by all accounts, a whole lot of animals looking for homes. By adopting a pet, you’d be doing a good thing for both the dogs who need forever homes, as well as the overcrowded shelters that need more space to take in additional animals. These four wonderful long-term residents have been patiently waiting to find their perfect homes.

What’s in it for you? A whole lot. Here are just a few reasons why you might want to adopt a new dog. 

• You seek companionship.

• You are looking for ways to boost your mental health.

• You want to improve your physical health by being more active.

So, what are you waiting for? The good folks at To Love a Canine Rescue (aka TLC Rescue), which we’re highlighting here, have saved many purebreds and mixes. They also offer a foster-first program to see if you’re a good fit with a pup. Here, adoption also comes with financial incentives for your new dog, including vaccines and spaying/neutering.

Countless Pennsylvanian pups are looking for pet parents. To help you get started on your search, we’re highlighting just a few favorites who have one thing in common: They all made the long journey from Mississippi to the Keystone State just to meet you.

To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc./ Bell

Bell 

All about Bell: This puppy comes all the way from Mississippi. Like a nice Southern girl, she has great manners: With a few toys, Bell is happy in her crate and also does well on a leash. 

Bell has star quality: She beams with playfulness and curiosity, especially when on hikes and walks where she’s one to stop and smell the proverbial roses, plus observe the bees. Indoors, you’ll see her do some recon for a high observation point, where she can watch everything around her. To this pup, everyone is a possible playmate: adults (with a bit of time to warm up), other dogs, and cats. 

Although your life may feel complicated, sweet little Bell is here to remind you that, day-to-day, it’s pretty good.

Traits: Bell is a smily, scruffy-cute mix who, at just a little more than two years old, weighs 45 pounds. She is up to date on all her vaccines and comes spayed, too.

How to meet Fanta: Visit her adoption page for more details. If Bell has been adopted, be sure to check out the many other dogs who are awaiting adoption at To Love a Canine Rescue.

To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc./ Bessie

Bessie

All about Bessie: You’d never realize the calm, kind-natured Bessie was found as a stray in Mississippi — because she is a total keeper. This pup rarely barks and gets along with all people (including kids) and other dogs. She’s also tolerant of, if indifferent to, cats. And you’d be hard-pressed to find another pup who loves to nap in a quiet spot as much as Bessie. 

Bessie doesn’t love her crate, but rest assured: She’s a good girl who will hang out there if needed. Although she is housebroken, she can have the occasional accident — so Bessie would do best with a pet parent who has some patience.

This bundle of sweetness is also currently on a low-fat diet and light-exercise regimen, so that she can be her best self physically. Once she slims down, you can expect her energy levels to increase, but not so much that she doesn’t occasionally crawl into your lap for some cuddle time, of course.

Traits: Five-year-old Bessie is an Instagram-ready Beagle and Dachshund mix — just look at that innocent face! — weighing in at around 40 pounds. Both vaccinated and spayed, she is always ready to hang out with other dogs. 

How to meet Bessie: Head to her adoption page. If she’s been spoken for by a pet parent, don’t worry. To Love a Canine has plenty of other exceptional dogs looking for their forever homes.

Nirvana Animal Rescue/ Elsa

Elsa

All about Elsa: When Elsa was first encountered in Mississippi, she was skin and bones, weighing just 38 pounds and battling an infection. But remarkably, after a week in critical care, this strong girl blossomed into the healthy, social, grateful creature she is today. 

Oh, also: Elsa is all personality — this pup will always let you know how she’s feeling. Once she warms up to you, the initial shyness will quickly give way to her truly gentle, affectionate nature and a desire to keep you at paw’s length, like the loyal sidekick she is. 

This pup would do best in a household with another dog to boost her confidence (and play with), plus a pet parent who’s experienced with guardian breeds. She shows no interest in felines, which is solid news for housecats. 

Elsa loves going outside and doesn’t even fuss when it’s raining. She is potty-trained, terrific on a leash, and as her fosters can attest, she’s a dream overnight. Plus, she already knows how to “sit.” Give her some treats, and this smart dog will surely be eager to learn more cues.

Traits: Great Pyrenees dogs are classic beauties known for their patience, loyalty, and intelligence, and Elsa is no exception. Vaccinated and spayed, she’s a healthy, 59-pound girl who’s almost one-and-a-half years old already. 

How to meet Elsa: Check out the adoption page to meet Elsa. In the chance she’s been adopted, don’t worry: To Love a Canine has many other pups who are just as lovely as Elsa and looking for pet parents, too.

Nirvana Animal Rescue/ Flo

Flo

All about Flo: Being around people of any age fills this sweetie pie from Mississippi with love. She’s always down to join you on a stroll through the neighborhood or a frolic in the park — and has amazing leash skills. Given her irresistible, bright personality, don’t be surprised if she makes plenty of human friends along the way.

Did we mention her favorite pastime is playing? Take her to a dog park or a fellow pet parent’s place, and she will tap into endless reserves of energy to romp around with other dogs. She’s also easygoing around cats, despite being swatted by one who didn’t match her enthusiasm.

She’s a dream inside your home, too: Flo is house-trained, has great manners, and explodes with joy while playing with her favorite pink elephant toy. As if she weren’t already a model student, she’s well on her way to becoming crate-trained. If you need some bliss in your humdrum life, look no further: You’ve found your girl.

Traits: If you look up the word “cutie” in the dictionary, there’s a good chance you’ll see Flo’s pic there. This Mini Australian Shepherd mix, who’s already spayed and vaxxed, mix weighs just 26 pounds. She’s also packed with puppy spirit, just shy of being one-and-a-half years old. 

How to meet Flo: Visit her adoption page to learn more about her. In case she’s been adopted, To Love a Canine Rescue has many other adorable pups looking for their forever homes waiting to meet you, too.

Still looking for your dream dog?

It’s important to find a dog who feels like the right fit with your lifestyle and other preferences. With some perseverance, you’ll find your canine soul mate among the several dogs currently looking for homes. The easiest way to meet them is by signing up for Adopt a Pet’s New Pet Alerts, which will help your search by showing you all the available puppies and dogs near you.