Ara (Bella)

My story

Meet Ara, who seems to prefer going by Bella these days. She is a quiet, loving dog who spent time in a foster home, and was nothing short of wonderful. She’s incredibly affectionate and enjoys nothing more than resting her chin on your lap, soaking up gentle pets and calm cuddles. She’s very handler-focused, naturally heeling on the left during walks and regularly checking in with her person. She appears housebroken, has excellent house manners, and is responsive to verbal cues. While she may not yet know formal commands like “sit,” she learns rules quickly and is eager to please.Bella has a low to moderate energy level and prefers closeness over play. While she’s not much for toys (unless it`s using them as a pillow), she loves interactive games like chase or hide-and-seek with her humans. She doesn`t jump, bark, or pull excessively on walks—she`s often content to simply sit in nature beside you. She rides very calmly in the car, though she prefers a little help getting in and out. She’s quiet in her crate, including overnight, and is starting to respond to cues like “nap time” when it`s time to go in. She may not love the crate, but she tolerates it without much fuss.In the shelter, Bella needed slower introductions to new experiences—but in a home setting, she’s shown she adjusts much more quickly with just a little mindfulness. Bella presents beautifully in public environments—calm, social, and friendly even when meeting new people and dogs. At a recent adoption event, she remained relaxed and composed, showing interest in other dogs and even walking calmly past barking ones. Her big, blocky head and soulful eyes drew plenty of attention, and she leaned in for pets once she felt comfortable.She interacts well with men, women, teens, and children (the foster’s son is 14), and has very good house manners. Bella has a phenomenal off switch and is happy to snooze quietly by your side. She can stay out of the crate overnight and would likely be trustworthy to free roam during the day as well. Her favorite things include hugs, naps, being talked or sung to, car rides, bonding time, and simply being close to her people. She’s well-behaved, intuitive, and adored by everyone who meets her.With her loving nature, steady temperament, and natural ease in public, Bella would be a great candidate for many homes. She’s a truly special dog, ready to bring calm, joy, and companionship into someone’s life.Come down to BARCS and

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