My name is Angel!

She's a bit of an attention hog, and she knows the best place in the world is snuggled up close to you - but she's not needy. If you're busy, she'll chill out and keep you company, and if you're up for playtime or a walk, she's good to go. If you're looking for an all-round great companion, Angel is your girl!

HISTORY
She and her sister Harper (also available for adoption) were abandoned in a rural neighborhood on the Benton/Yakima county line around August 2021. Their rescuer has been picking up dogs dumped in that area for several years, so these two little girls were added to the pack and spent the next two years in a small run. They were fed and cared for to the best of their rescuer's limited ability and were in fair condition when taken in by HART.

HART is currently in the process of taking over care of most of the dogs from this property, providing necessary veterinary care, and placing them in foster homes, where they are socialized and prepared for adoption. Angel has been in her current foster home in Richland since mid-June.

The breed mix provided in this profile is our best guess, based on her appearance. She has the sturdy look of a Corgi but is much smaller, suggesting Chihuahua. Her temperament and overall look also suggest some Terrier snuck in among her ancestors.

SOCIALIZATION
Angel adapted very quickly to life as an inside dog! Although initially the separation from her sister seemed to cause her some anxiety, she soon adjusted. She has bonded with her foster mom, and she takes her cues from the older dog in the foster home.

She VERY quickly attaches herself to the primary person in her life. Immediately after intake she spent a few days in a temporary foster home, where she quickly accepted both the foster mom and her preteen daughter. When moved to her present home she again quickly bonded to her foster. However, she is timid with human strangers, and tends to be barky with visitors. If her complaints are ignored and friendly behavior is rewarded with treats she does eventually settle down. We are working to build her confidence with strangers, and she's looking for a family that will be patient with her as she learns that new people can be trusted.

She was initially somewhat defensive and bossy with the two dogs in her foster home, and tried to prevent them from getting their share of mama loving. But when gently and firmly corrected by her foster mom she stopped that behavior. She is now relaxed and playful with both dogs, and follows the older dog everywhere. She may still bark at people and dogs she encounters while out walking.

She ignored the cats in the temporary foster home. We believe she'd be fine sharing a home with a confident, dog-savvy kitty.

GENERAL TEMPERAMENT AND BEHAVIOR
Angel has a moderate energy level and needs daily exercise, but she's able to relax as well. She loves going for walks - someone in her past has taught her to sit the minute the harness comes out, but although she keeps her butt on the ground she'll vocalize her excitement. She would LOVE to accompany you on casual hikes along trails where there are interesting things to smell!

Although Angel is not greatly interested in toys and doesn't really get the concept of balls, she regularly invites her canine foster sisters to play and she loves to run zoomies. She's a busy, inquisitive girl who is loving having free access to a house and yard after way too long in a small run! She now spends much of each day going in and out through the dog door, visiting the yard with her older foster sister and then coming in to check on her foster mom.

But although she likes being busy, she's able to just kick back and do nothing. Angel will happily happily spend hours just hanging out while her foster mom works at her computer. And when mom is busy with chores in the house or outside, Angel is right there, keeping an eye on things. She wants to be engaged in whatever is going on - and when the day is over she wants to snuggle up close and soak up the loving.

She is comfortable in the car, and copes well with visits to the groomer and the vet.

TRAINING
Angel is 90% house-trained, but accidents do happen. Her foster mom is working with her on this, and her adopter may need to be patient and vigilant when she moves in, to ensure that she understands exactly where she's expected to do her business.

She has been crate trained and will quite often go into an open crate to relax, but if she feels isolated in the crate she may bark.

Most of Angel's training has focused on building her confidence and teaching her how to live as part of a family. She usually comes when called, is comfortable on a leash, and responds promptly to "Leave it" and "No". However, she does not yet know any other commands, and when walking on a leash she tends to be a bit all over the place - never pulling, but not walking nicely next to her handler. She's a work in progress - but she's smart, attentive and really wants to please.

HEALTH STATUS
Angel has been vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites, spayed and microchipped. Her full health record will be provided to her adopter.

Based on our veterinarian's opinion, she was born around 9/15/2020, She weighs 17 lbs and appears to be in good health.

ADOPTION
To adopt Angel, please email HearthfireART@gmail.com and request an adoption application. Please note that HART does not have a facility; all our pets are in private foster homes. We'll be happy to arrange an introduction after your application to adopt has been approved.

For more photos of Angel, see her Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.572942694986824&type=3