A volunteer writes: I’ve got your remedy for rainy days and no, it’s no umbrella. 6.5 year-old Nala may not be a lion “queen” like her namesake but she’s still royally adorable. And bashful! At least initially but that proves to be all a show. For the moment this little angel sets her vanilla cream toes between blades of grass that smile shines like the sun. And there is the cure for all that ails you because Nala, she never stops grinning. While she waits for a snack (keep them coming please!) or a rub on her belly (and those too please!) that delicious face keeps beaming. But as luck would have it that smile is only the beginning of this princess’ charms. A fit of wiggles is where all the real action is brought on by, well it’s hard to say. A toy, another pup, just the mention of her name – all have the potential to send this happy girl into shimmies and you into fits of joy. But as our Nala is low-key royalty she never forgets to bow, play bow to be specific, and that happens early and often. And if your heart doesn’t swell and then burst at the sight of her accompanying wiggles and wags, then I’d call the doctor straight away and have that “awwww” reflex checked. Nala can be a bit shy initially so would do best with an experienced family who can encourage this star to shine. She walks beautifully on leash, appears to be housebroken, and has greatly enjoyed the company of other pups at the shelter earning a coveted role as a playgroup greeter! Your personal sun on the rainiest of days – that’s our Nala. Well “ours.” Ours for just now. And if you’re very lucky – one day yours. Nala is waiting in adoptions at Manhattan ACC.
Basic Information: Nala is a 6 1/2 year old female white and gray medium mixed breed dog. Nala lived with previous owner for 6 1/2 years and was born at home. Nala was surrendered along with another dog named Sadie because her owner could no longer care for her. Nala has no injuries or health issues and has not been taken to the vet.
Previously lived with: Nala previously lived with two adults and one dog.
How is this dog around strangers? Nala will bark at strangers first and then approaches to sniff them. If Nala feels comfortable, Sadie will stop barking and allow to be pet.
How is this dog around children? Nala has previously interacted with children between the ages of 1 and 3 years old and older than 8 years old. Nala is described as being friendly with all children.
How is this dog around other dogs? Nala previously lived with a 7 1/2 year old female medium mixed breed dog named Sadie. Nala is described as being friendly, affectionate and playful with the other dog and likes to sleep next to her on the dog bed. Nala is described as being dependent on the other dog and becomes anxious and she is away. Nala will sometimes not go on walks if she does not see the other dog walking with her.
How is this dog around cats? Nala has never interacted with cats.
Resource guarding: Nala is not bothered when her food or bowl is touched while she is eating. Nala is also not bothered when a toy, treat, or object is taken away from her.
Bite history: Nala has never bitten another animal or human.
Other Notes: Nala has never been pushed or pulled off of furniture or held or restrain. Nala is afraid when being bathed and becomes tense, and has never had her nails trimmed. Nala is not bothered if her paws are touched. Nala barks when an unfamiliar approaches her owner or a family member.
For a New Family to Know: Nala is a playful, shy, and anxious dog. When at home, Nala likes to lay on her bed with the other dog at home. Nala likes to play with rubber tire toys but destroys them pretty quickly. Nala was kept mostly indoors and was fed Pedigree dry and wet food twice a day. Nala is house trained and usually went potty outside on the grass. When left home alone, Nala is well-behaved. For exercise, Nala is used to slow walks on the leash twice a day and is sometimes allowed to be off the leash in the park. On the leash, Nala pulls hard when she wants to enter the park.
Behavior Notes: Upon intake, Nala looked away when the counselor approached her. Nala allowed the counselor to collar her and place a leash on her. Nala walked well on the leash and walked into the kennel on her own. Once inside, Nala began to bark.
Summary: Nala appeared a bit anxious in the assessment room, panting and focusing on the exit. She approached the assessor when called and displayed some social behavior. During tag, Nala became a bit fearful, turning towards the assessor and barking once on the last pass.
Nala has displayed soft and polite behavior around other dogs in the care center. The previous owner of Nala describes her as “friendly, affectionate, and playful with the dog she lived with”. Slow introductions are recommended between Nala and other dogs who are respectful or gently playful.
Summary (1): 4/19: When introduced off leash to the male greeter dog, Nala initially stays away, offers brief bounce when solicited, bounces away.
Summary (2): 4/20: Nala engages in brief bouncy play with male and female dogs.
Summary (3): 6/13: Nala is polite and soft when greeting other dogs. She offers correction for mounting.
Summary (4): 6/14-6/17: Nala greets all dogs softly and politely and will engage in some soft play with select dogs.
Summary: Nala approached and allowed handling. She whined when the other dog was taken away.
Summary: Nala stared at the door throughout the exam but allowed all handling.
ENERGY LEVEL: Nala’s previous owner described her as having a high level of activity. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.
Recommendations comments: No young children: Due to Nala’s previous owner reporting that she barks at new people at first, as well as barking at the assessor during her assessment, we recommend a home without young children.
Potential challenges comments: Fearful: Nala was described as shy with new people and was reported to bark when she first meets them. At the care center, she appears a bit fearful. It is important to always go slow and give Nala the option to walk away from any social interaction. Nala should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Nalaâ€™s choice to approach a new person or thing. Nala would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings.
Anxiety: Nala’s previous owner described her as anxious, especially when she was not with the dog she lived with. At the care center, she has displayed some anxiety, panting heavily and focusing on exits. We recommend giving her puzzle toys, long walks, and things to do to relieve her anxiety. Positive reinforcement, reward based training only should be used.
NALA is a pretty girl. She was probably staring at the door through entire exam because she was waiting for her owner to walk through the door. It is sad to see the surrendered dogs go through the loss of their owner and home only to end up in the shelter because their owner betrayed them. Hoping NALA gets rescued and placed quickly so she can have a new beginning. She is only 6 years old, she is still a young dog.
I pledged on her in April and I will pledge on her again. $20. Please spring her.
Any updates about NALA and her status ? Please let her be safe with a rescue. She is such a sweet and pretty dog.