Say hello to Lollie, a gorgeous Golden Retriever and the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week. This fluffy girl loves meeting new people and is looking to settle down.
Lollie’s friends at Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which is currently at or near capacity for its dog kennels, had this to say:
Lollie recently arrived here from one of our rescue partners in West Virginia, and seems to have already settled into city life. She’s a friendly girl who enjoys playing with other dogs and getting gentle pets from people. If you’re lucky, she might even roll over for a belly rub! Lollie also loves playing with other dogs.
While Lollie enjoys meeting new people and is very affectionate, she is not what people tend to think of as a ‘typical’ Golden Retriever who loves any and all interactions with people. She can be nervous and uncomfortable with some people, especially those that don’t pay attention to her body language or respect her personal space.
At the shelter, we practice something called “Consent to Pet” with Lollie (and all of our dogs and cats). When Lollie approaches us for pets, we pet her chest for 2-3 seconds, then stop. If she moves towards us or nudges us with her nose, that’s a signal that she wants more pets. If she moves away or shows other signs of discomfort, we stop petting. Lollie’s signs of discomfort can be very subtle — turning her head away, tension in her face, slight ‘freezes’, lip licks, etc.
It’s important for anyone interacting with her to pay attention to these signs so that you can give her space when she is asking for it. It is very important that her new family, friends, or visitors also use this technique so that Lollie has a choice in her interactions with people and feels more confident.
Because of Lollie’s need for gentle interactions and a calm household, she is looking for an adult-only home, with a family who is comfortable giving her space when she asks for it and encouraging others to do the same.
Is Lollie the furry companion for you? Check out her complete profile to learn more and schedule a time to meet!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos — they don’t fit in our photo galleries!