Ola

My story

Ola is living in a foster home. Please submit an application from our website and/or email dogs@heartlandanimalshelter.org to learn if you are a match! Sweet senior Ola came to us as part of a "breeder release," which is code for when puppy mills are shut down and the dogs need to be relocated. That is when rescues like ours step in. These poor dogs, of course all females who have been bred many times, are typically extremely shy, in shock, and unfamiliar with leash walking. They are also testaments to the resilience of dogs. Ola came in as a shell of a dog, and it has been so rewarding to see her blossom. Before she moved to her amazing foster home, she was at our shelter for a few days and staff and volunteers showered her with love. Though her expression would not change, and she would not move much, her tail would wag any time we picked her up and held her. At first, we would just sit beside her, and talk to her. Then we started carrying her outside and placing her in the grass so she could learn to go potty there. Every day she changed for the better, and has continued to thrive in her foster home. Ola's foster mom says that she is mostly housebroken now, aside from the occasional small pee accident. Ola is still learning that she can tell her people when she has to go potty. Ola's foster home does have a fenced yard, which seems to be what Ola really needs given that she is not comfortable on leash walks just yet (she has made it down the block, though!). Ola has never needed to be crated, and is fine left in a bedroom for a few hours when her fosters are out of the house. She likes to get her beauty rest! Ola loves her canine foster sibling very much, and is truly learning to be a dog from her. She is much more confident with a friend, so we do feel that is essential for her in addition to a yard. Anyone who adopts Ola should expect to need to give her time to warm up to you. In just one week, Ola went from trembling on the couch when her fosters put her there to be next to them, to trying to jump up there to be next to them! Ola's foster mom writes, "Ola is a timid, gentle girl who enjoys being outside and spending time with other dogs and humans. She takes a little bit to warm up to new people but once she does her wiggly, playful side starts to come out! She adores other dogs and makes the cutest squeaking noises when she's happy or excited - especially when it's about food! She is not yet used to some aspects of house life, such as stairs or walks, but is doing her best to overcome those fears - and luckily, is small enough to be carried, which is helpful!" Ola is so deserving of a permanent place in which to live out her golden years. We know it feels restrictive to require her to go to a home with a yard and another dog, but our puppy mill survivors do often need those elements to live successfully in a home after so many years of living in a terrible environment like a puppy mill. It would break our hearts, and Ola's, for her to be returned, so we need to do our best to ensure a successful placement by requiring those elements. We do hope you will reach out to inquire about this darling girl. Ola’s adoption fee is $175. This animal is spayed, up to date on core vaccines, and Heartworm negative. Ola does need a dental with extractions, which we will cover and which will be done at our shelter with our veterinarian on 7/2/25.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Ola, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.