Delilah

Meet Delilah, a gentle, easygoing girl whose idea of a perfect day involves belly rubs, cozy couch time, and being surrounded by people who love her! This 4-year-old German Shepherd mix weighs 70 pounds and has a heart as big as her love for snuggling. Delilah is a true couch potato who would much rather relax with her favorite humans than go on a long hike or run a marathon. She enjoys leisurely walks, especially when there is plenty of time to sniff and explore and is happy with a couple of short walks each day.Delilah does have a medical condition that will require surgery, but it shouldn't stop her from finding her forever home! She has severe hip dysplasia that has caused deterioration in her hip joint and needs a procedure called a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO). This surgery involves removing the ball-shaped head of the femur, allowing the surrounding muscles, tendons, and scar tissue to form a supportive "false joint." With time to heal and proper rehabilitation, dogs can regain excellent mobility and go on to live happy, comfortable lives. Delilah will need to wait until late January or later for surgery, followed by a recovery period with exercise restrictions and some extra assistance, including help navigating stairs. She can be adopted before or after her procedure, and Pet Haven will cover the cost of her surgery. Her future family will simply need to be prepared to help her through recovery and give her the time she needs to heal.Delilah is wonderful with children of all ages and is calm, patient, and gentle when little ones come by to pet her. She also gets along with other dogs, especially those who are laid-back and respectful of her space. She enjoys playful outings with canine friends but prefers not to roughhouse, and rowdy, reactive, or overly enthusiastic dogs can make her feel nervous. She has also lived with cats in foster homes and reportedly ignores them, making her a potential fit for a home with feline friends.At home, Delilah is quiet, house-trained, and wonderfully content to spend an evening lounging on the couch with her people. She loves belly rubs, affection, and kibble, and she's recently started discovering the fun of toys! She's still learning how to play and beginning to get the hang of it. She may not climb into your lap, but she will happily rest her head or a paw against you to stay close. Just be prepared to share the couch, because Delilah is perfectly capable of claiming the whole thing!Delilah does have some separation anxiety and takes medication to help manage it. She may get into a little mischief while you're away, such as relocating your shoes, but she does not need to be glued to your side. She simply likes knowing someone is home and can eventually settle down for a nap when left alone. She is not crate-trained and is uncomfortable with being crated, so her future family should be prepared to accommodate her without relying on a crate.And one more thing about this princess: Delilah is not a fan of wet paws! A little drizzle may earn you a very judgmental look as she wonders why anyone would expect her to venture outside in such conditions. She will happily wait for better weather if given the choice.Delilah would love a home where she can enjoy plenty of companionship, gentle affection, and a relaxed daily routine. A family with multiple people would be especially nice, and another calm, compatible dog could be a bonus, though she doesn't need a canine companion to be happy. If you're looking for a sweet, low-key friend who will happily trade adventure-filled days for cozy evenings and endless belly rubs, Delilah might just be your girl!If you are interested in Delilah, fill out an application at this link to get the ball rolling - https://pethavenmn.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs/dog-adoption-application/The adoption fee is $450. Adoption fee includes spay/neuter, heartworm/Lyme test, all age-appropriate vaccinations (distemper, rabies, and Bordetella), heartworm and flea/tick preventatives, and microchip implant (including registration). Adoption fees INCLUDE a mandatory sales tax of 7.525%%. Age and breed are based on veterinarian and intake professional's recommendation and not guaranteed as a rescue animal's history is often unknown. Due to post-adoption services provided, we prefer to adopt within a 150-mile radius of the Twin Cities. However, we will consider up to 250 miles if the foster agrees to travel requirements and staff approval.