Darby

My story

🎉 Introducing Darby: The Fluffiest Ray of Sunshine You Didn’t Know You Needed ☀️ You know how some people wake up cheerful, singing to the birds, radiating joy before coffee? Yeah… Darby is that person. But in dog form. And fluffier. And she doesn’t require caffeine to maintain her perpetual state of happiness (we’re both impressed and mildly suspicious). She’s got a sweet soul, a wag that could power a small fan, and an emotional support smile that she freely hands out to everyone she meets. Basically, she’s here to brighten your life, steal your heart, and possibly your couch space. You’ve been warned. Oh—and one more thing. Darby may be a Great Pyrenees mix, but she missed the memo about becoming a full-blown, couch-hogging behemoth. She’s on the smaller side (don’t tell her that), which means she brings all the fluffy charm and Pyr attitude without requiring her own zip code. Think of her as a fun-sized version of the breed: easier to fit on the couch, in the car, and, occasionally, in your lap—because she hasn’t quite accepted that she’s not a teacup. Meet Darby — a 10-12 month-old, 33-pound Great Pyrenees mix who is basically a golden retriever trapped inside a slightly smaller, much floofier body. Think bunny tail texture, and you will understand the softness of this girl. Listen, if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a golden retriever got reincarnated as a slightly under-socialized cotton ball—meet Darby. She came to us from an overcrowded shelter, where no one claimed her, and it quickly became clear that her previous life included absolutely zero curriculum in “How to Dog 101." Darby is experiencing a lot of “firsts” lately—her first couch nap, her first zoomie, her first time being indoors, her first realization that peanut butter is, in fact, amazing. And while she may initially approach new things like they’re suspicious government plots, give her five minutes (and maybe a snack), and she’ll be snuggling up like she’s always lived in your house, on your couch, and preferably in your lap. She’s soft. She’s silly. She’s still figuring out life. But she’s got a heart the size of Texas and enough love to make up for the year of living like a forgotten background character in someone else’s story. Darby’s ready to star in her own feel-good reboot—complete with snuggles, snack breaks, and the occasional dramatic flinch at ceiling fans. Think you’ve got room in your life for a slightly confused, overly affectionate fluffball? Great. She’s ready to be your ray of sunshine! Darby is basically that overly friendly extrovert who assumes everyone at the party is dying to meet her—and honestly, she’s not wrong. She loves other dogs. Like, "I just met you and now I live in your personal bubble" kind of love. She has zero sense of space, boundaries, or what the word "subtle" means, but she’s so ridiculously charming that most dogs just sigh, accept their fate, and end up playing with her anyway. Resistance is futile when you're faced with 33 pounds of enthusiastic fluff. She also has a surprising soft spot for cats. She thinks they’re fabulous, slightly terrifying, and probably magical. Darby plays gently, respects their sass, and listens when they say “no thanks” with a single withering glare. It's honestly impressive—she’s better at taking a hint than most people on dating apps. As for kids, Darby’s still working through her “what in the chaotic whirlwind is that?!” phase. She’s met a neighbor kid and did alright, but loud noises and fast movements still spook her a bit. So unless your child is more yoga retreat than sugar rush, older and calmer kids who know how to act around dogs will be much more her vibe. Meeting new people is kind of a vibe check for Darby. If her trusted humans give you the thumbs up, she’s all tail wags and "love me now" energy. If you’re a stranger walking into the room uninvited, she’ll hang back and analyze you like she’s trying to solve a murder documentary—cautious but curious, with just enough side-eye to keep you humble. Once she decides you’re not a threat, congratulations: you’re now her new favorite human. If you crossed a curious baby goat with a marshmallow, you'd land somewhere in Darby territory: bouncy, cheerful, and occasionally confused by her own feet. Darby’s energy level is a solid 8 out of 10—but think more “enthusiastic toddler who just discovered their legs” than “Tasmanian devil on espresso.” She’s still a puppy, so there’s plenty of pep in her step, but it’s all wrapped up in a sweet, slightly wobbly package that’s still figuring out how this whole “confidence” thing works. If you crossed a curious baby goat with a marshmallow, you'd land somewhere in Darby territory: bouncy, cheerful, and occasionally confused by her own feet. She actually enjoys car rides, once you convince her that getting in the car isn’t a trap. And considering most of her current rides end in someone sticking a thermometer somewhere deeply personal, the fact that she still hops in with a smile says a lot. She rides like a champ in the backseat—cool, calm, and probably assuming there’s a Starbucks Pup Cup waiting at the end. Leash walking? Let’s just say… we’re not there yet. Leashes and harnesses are still part of the suspicious objects list, right alongside vacuum cleaners and possibly ghosts. But don’t worry—she’s working on it, and given how far she’s come (doorways are no longer portals to doom), there’s hope yet. Darby’s still figuring out who she’s going to be when she grows up—adventure-seeking explorer or nap-master general. But if we’re reading the pawprints correctly, she’s definitely got that curious, brave spirit brewing under the puppy jitters. She's been sampling life one cautious victory at a time: wooden floors? Conquered. Doorways? Check. Playing outside with the pack like she owns the place? Oh, absolutely. Temperament-wise, she’s a walking serotonin boost. Darby is pure joy wrapped in fluff, with a personality that says “everything is amazing, even if it terrified me five minutes ago.” She’s still shaking off some leftover fear from her past, but every new day adds a little more sparkle to her confidence. Watching her bloom is honestly one of the best parts with a dog like Darby. Her hobbies include solo toy time (yes, she can throw her own stuffies), dramatic play-wrestling when the grown-up dogs are finally ready to engage, and leading outdoor adventures with the enthusiasm of a camp counselor hopped up on s’mores. Chew toys, soft squeakies, and canine companions are her vibe—she’s the social butterfly that never met a playmate she didn’t like. And let’s not pretend she’s going to thrive in a high-rise apartment where her only yard is a patch of grass shared with 12 strangers and a suspicious poodle. Darby is potty trained—because despite being a puppy, she’s got standards. As for the crate, she’ll tolerate it like a polite houseguest forced to sleep in the laundry room. She’s not throwing tantrums or plotting her escape, but let’s be real: if given the choice between chillin’ with her dog friends or being confined in her “not-a-party-zone,” she’s absolutely choosing the pack every time. Darby may be sweet, snuggly, and currently working on her “model citizen” badge—but let’s not forget: she is still a puppy. Which means your house? Yeah… it should be thoroughly puppy-proofed. She’s not malicious—just curious and powered by the eternal question: “What happens if I put this in my mouth?” If you go into this with realistic expectations, a sense of humor, and zero emotional attachment to your socks, you’ll do just fine. Darby isn’t out here giving TED Talks, but she’s definitely not mute either. She barks when she has something to say—like “excuse me, I have feelings about this situation,” or when her canine roommates launch into their own group discussion about the suspicious leaf blowing across the yard. She’s not the ringleader, but she’s absolutely on the chorus team. Call it cooperative barking. So if you’ve made it this far and you’re thinking, “Wow, I could totally love a joyful, ball of fluff, toy-hoarding puppy who’s still figuring out life,” then congratulations—you might be Darby’s person. Just know this isn’t Amazon Prime. If you want this fluffy little sunbeam in your life, you’ll need to fill out an adoption app at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app and physically come to Midwest City, Oklahoma to claim your prize. That’s right—no delivery, no teleportation, and sadly, no drone drop-offs. Just you, the open road, and the promise of a life with a very good girl.

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