Name: BellaSuspected Breed:  Lab/Pointer MixApproximate Age: 4 years oldApproximate Weight: 61 lbsObservations with Dogs:  Reactive on leash, but has done well with other dogs with proper introObservations with Cats:  Too interested in kitties Observations with Kids:  Best in a home without childrenCurrently Living at: DC-area foster homeSee Bella's adoption video here: https://youtu.be/h7OOGYp-wv0Please meet our beautiful Bella! Sweet, loyal, and playful, she has a lot of love to give, and will entertain you for hours on end. Bella is a highly intelligent dog who enjoys puzzle toys and learning. Her eagerness to please makes her skilled at retaining commands during training. Though 60 pounds, Bella still thinks of herself as a lap dog, meaning you can expect lots of snuggles on the couch while you work or relax. She is a very energetic dog, so taking her on a run and getting her regular exercise and playtime will keep her happy. Bella is a country girl at heart, who would do better in a quiet home over an apartment in a big city. Introductions to people and other dogs should be slow and not rushed. During dog walking ‘rush hour’, she can get nervous and scared, so easing her into the neighborhood environment is important. We suggest taking her on early morning or late night walks for a while until she seems more comfortable. She does well with other dogs in the home, and would even be happier with a fellow canine friend, but cats and children under 15 are too stressful for her. Homes with lots of parties and activities are not her cup of tea. Because of a medication, Bella is on to manage her allergies and ear infections, she does require a chicken-free diet. Keeping an eye on her ears and diet has greatly helped her disposition though, and we’re happy to offer tips on this to keep Bella healthy. Energetic but shy, Bella thrives with those who can give her routine and predictability, plenty of exercise and time outdoors, as well as time to learn and open up to others. Though slow to trust in the beginning, with positive reinforcement and patience, she will improve dramatically as she learns to enjoy her new space. An affectionate, sweet, and calm dog, Bella is a perfect fit for anyone who already has another dog and lives an active lifestyle off the beaten path.Like most shelter dogs, Bella may need a refresher on house training and crate training. We ask all of DC PAWS’ fosters to work on both house and crate training with their foster dog. The adoption fee for this dog is $350. If you are interested in adopting Bella, please submit an adoption application at http://dcpawsrescue.org/adoption-info/.ABOUT US & IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES:Please note that you must use our official adoption application in order to be considered for adoption.  Applying through other sites (i.e., Petfinder) will not work.  The following are our applications:Dog application: https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=bg0781&method=online_form_html&formid=1Cat application: https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=bg0781&method=online_form_html&formid=6DC PAWS Rescue does our best to provide accurate and complete information about our adoptable animals.  Please note that we cannot make any guarantees about age or breed; we rely upon our rescue partners and their veterinarians to make those assessments.  We also cannot make any guarantees about housebreaking and animal temperament, as animals can behave differently through transition and in different environments.Our shelter partners provide a basic vet screening for each animal we rescue, which includes necessary vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and spay/neuter (unless the animal is too young or otherwise deemed by the vet to not be a good candidate for surgery). Please note that this is not a comprehensive medical exam and as such, may not identify any and all medical issues, though our goal is to flag any obvious health issues through the basic vet screening.  We share all medical records with adopters and are completely transparent about any known issues prior to adoption finalization.  ABOUT DC PAWS RESCUEOur rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based dog and cat rescue in the DC area.  We rescue locally from Prince Georges County, MD, and from rural shelters in the south (presently Pickens County, Anderson County, and Greenville County in SC, and Raleigh County, WV).We partner with a local rescuer in Pickens County, SC, who saves adoptable cats and dogs from the three area shelters.  For the animals in this rural area, rescue is a critical lifeline, and often the only lifeline.  Our rescue partner not only works with DC PAWS to save as many dogs and cats as possible, but she has also established a successful spay/neuter program in the community to decrease the number of homeless and unwanted animals over the long term.FOSTER AN ANIMAL IN NEEDFosters make it possible for DC PAWS to save and care for homeless, neglected and abandoned animals!  To learn about fostering dogs or cats for DC PAWS Rescue, please visit: http://dcpawsrescue.org/volunteer/fostering/foster-applicationSPONSOR AN ANIMAL IN NEEDFor any of our animals!  Sponsors help us provide critical medical care, food, boarding, and other support for animals facing euthanasia.  Individuals who sponsor a dog or cat receive special recognition on the animal's profile.  Sponsorships can also be made in honor or memory of a loved one, and you may designate to whom DC PAWS Rescue should provide notice of your gift. Sponsorship levels of $250 and $150 include “naming rights” for a future dog or cat (respectively) that we rescue.To learn more about sponsorship, please visit: http://dcpawsrescue.org/donate/