Barkov / Dahlia

General Notes | Meet Dahlia, a stunning Black Lab who is every bit as beautiful and graceful as the flower she is named after.After a hard beginning, Dahlia is ready to start fresh in Colorado with adopters who will give her patience, comfort, and the love she's waited so long to receive. In return, she'll offer quiet companionship, loyalty, and a heart full of gratitude. Dahlia has done her job, birthing and weaning 8 gorgeous healthy puppies. Now it's her turn to be someone's cherished girl. Want to adopt this dog? Please do not email us. Please fill out the Adoption Application ASAP. Personality | As her puppies gain independence, Dahlia is rediscovering herself-not as a worried, homeless dog, but as a gentle, deserving soul ready for the good life. She's calm, sweet, and quietly grateful for affection. You can see it in the way she relaxes into soft words and kind hands, as if she's realizing she doesn't have to be afraid anymore.Story | In early December, Dahlia was found roaming the streets of Texas-very pregnant, tired, and clearly searching for kindness and a safe place to land. Against the odds, a compassionate animal lover opened their home to her, and there Dahlia did what she does best: she trusted, she rested, and she became an incredible mama. She safely delivered and has lovingly raised eight healthy puppies, now happily growing and beginning to need her less each day.Other Dogs | While she hasn't had much chance to engage with other dogs (motherhood has kept her busy!), she's shown a peaceful, easygoing nature toward the resident dog in her current foster home.Cats | Dahlia has been around cats briefly and has shown no chasing or concern.Children | Dahlia has been around children ranging in age from 1-12 in her current foster home. As she is heartworm positive and will need treatment, rest, and time to decompress as she heals, a calm, relaxed home would be ideal-one that understands she's earned the right to take things slow and be cared for in return. Older children able to allow her this would be best.Training | Dahlia has been busy with her litter so has not had much opportunity for training yet - but she is a very quick learner! Once she is showed something (gently!) once or twice, like how to ask for a treat or how to ask to be let back inside, she remembers!Leash | Leash walks have not been attempted yet - she has wanted to stay as close to her babies as possible.Activity Level | Low. Dahlia is learning to enjoy being outside without fear of being hurt or left behind, and enjoys a good roll in the grass or wander around the backyard to get her heart rate up. Don't let the word 'low' fool you, though - Dahlia has legs, and when she wants to go she can cover ground quickly! Her current activity level is a result of her preference to not expend energy unless it's really worth it in addition to her having just carried and birthed 8 puppies.Health Notes | Dahlia is heartworm positive, but treatment is very successful and completely manageable with all the proper education and care! MHLRM will cover the expense of treatment at one of our approved veterinarians. Heartworm positive dogs go on to live happy, normal lives after treatment and rarely experience long-term side effects. Don't let this stop you from adopting this sweet gal!Thank you! | Adoption Donations | Our adoption donations are $575 for dogs 8 weeks to 1 year old, $525 for 1 - 6 years old, $475 for dogs 7 - 10 years old, and $350 for 11+ years of age. Purebred dogs regardless of age are $625. These minimum donations help to defer the costs of initial vet care, food, transportation to Colorado, and supplies while in foster care that currently average over $750 per dog).Meeting Dogs | Foster dogs may have meet and greets by appointment to approved applicants only. To become an approved applicant - please complete the application process. We will not respond to emails about animal availability or allow meet and greets without an approved adoption application on file. Please Note | Available dogs are updated as soon as possible and we do our best to keep it up-to-date, but occasionally dogs shown may become unavailable without notice due to a pending adoption. We can not guarantee that a dog you wish to adopt is available by the time your adoption application is submitted, processed, and approved. Your application is good for one year from the date of applying for any dog as long as it is a good fit for your family and your lifestyle. We encourage you to put in an application even if you don't see your new family member currently, as once you are approved, we can place you on the waiting list for first priority on the selection of the dogs we do bring in. That means you can often meet a dog upon transport arrival and adopt before they even make it to this page!