AVAILABLE

Faustina | Female | 44 lbs | Approx. 2 years | German Shepherd Mix | Vaccinated | Microchipped | HW negative 

Good with dogs | Medium energy | 

Meet Faustina 🤎🐾

Faustina is a beautiful 2-year-old German Shepherd mix with soulful eyes, a gentle personality and a heartbreaking amount of uncertainty about the world around her.

At just 44 pounds, Faustina is a lovely medium-sized girl who is struggling with the overwhelming environment of shelter life. She’s very anxious and frightened right now, and it’s clear that the constant noise, unfamiliar surroundings and lack of stability are taking a toll on her.

But underneath that fear is a young dog who deserves so much more than the life she’s currently experiencing.

Faustina doesn’t need someone to change who she is. She needs someone to help her feel safe enough to become herself.

Shelter staff describe her as shy and nervous, but she’s also shown that she can coexist peacefully with other dogs. She’s good with dogs, although she currently prefers to keep to herself and let them go about their business.

A calm, respectful canine companion could potentially help her build confidence, but what matters most is finding a home where she won’t feel pressured to interact before she’s ready.

Faustina has a medium energy level, although right now she’s far more interested in finding somewhere quiet and safe than playing or exploring.

She still needs practice with leash walking and continued socialization, but those things can come with time. What she needs first is the opportunity to decompress, establish a predictable routine and begin trusting the people around her.

And being a German Shepherd mix, Faustina may have some wonderful qualities waiting to emerge.

Shepherds are known for being intelligent, sensitive, observant and incredibly loyal. They often form deep bonds with their people and can be especially affected by chaotic environments. For a sensitive girl like Faustina, having a calm home and someone she can consistently rely on could make an enormous difference.

We would love to see her with a patient, understanding family who appreciates shy dogs and understands that building confidence happens gradually.

There may be days when progress looks like taking a few extra steps on a walk. Other days, it might mean choosing to sit closer to someone, accepting affection or finally relaxing enough to fall asleep without worrying about what’s happening around her.

Those little victories are everything for a dog like Faustina.

She’s only two years old. She should be discovering what she loves, enjoying walks, building relationships and experiencing the security of having a family.

Instead, she’s spending her days frightened and overwhelmed.

Faustina is vaccinated and microchipped. Faustina is scheduled to be spayed and her heartworm status has not yet been confirmed.

We don’t know what happened in Faustina’s life before she arrived at the shelter, and we don’t know how long it will take for her to feel completely comfortable in a new home.

But we do know that she deserves someone willing to give her that chance.

If you have a quiet home, a patient heart and the willingness to help a frightened young dog learn that the world can be a safe place, please consider Faustina.

Some dogs run straight into your arms. Others need you to sit quietly beside them until they’re ready.

Faustina is worth waiting for. 🤎🐾