AARF Houston

05/14/2026

Please share to help Varda find her forever home!

●Varda means “Rose” in Hebrew—and this 1 year-old Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix is just as beautiful and sweet as her name, With her shiny coat and joyful personality. Varda is smart, affectionate, and incredibly athletic.

●She loves people, belly rubs, cuddles, and especially toys—noisy, squeaky ones are her absolute favorite! Varda also enjoys a good game of fetch and has a soft spot for kisses and playtime. 🐕

●She gets along wonderfully with dogs of all sizes, including her tiny 10-lb Maltese/Chihuahua sister. Varda would thrive in a home with other canine companions, where she can romp and play to her heart’s content.

●This lovely girl is house-trained, leash-trained, and crate-trained—ready for any adventure or cozy cuddle sessio., She’s fully vetted, spayed, microchipped and eager to find her forever family.

💖 Ready to welcome this rose into your life? 😏

https://us14d.sheltermanager.com/service?method=animal_view&animalid=2797&account=cf3099

05/12/2026

LISTEN TO THE WHISPERS

“Whispers” are soft, subtle and so easy to miss, but paying attention can prevent them turning into “shouts” and prevent situations from escalating.

I believe dogs would be so grateful if we made the effort to learn their language. So many dogs spend their lives trying to communicate through “whispers” - subtle signals that are overlooked, misunderstood, or corrected. When we learn to notice those signals, we create a world that feels safer and more predictable for them.

Body language is one of the only ways that dogs can let us know how they are feeling. When we know how they’re feeling, we can intervene, help them feel safe and prevent emotions from boiling over.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and understand what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when understanding their language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or simply allows us to just enjoy observing what they are feeling.

Although dogs each have their own unique personalities and distinct way of communicating, there are many common signs that can provide valuable insight. We just need to take the time to learn and notice.

We owe it to dogs to really understand them. They spend their lives learning our words, our routines, our expectations and living by our rules. Making the effort to learn their language is one of the most meaningful ways we can improve their wellbeing.

Here are some links for more information about body language –

Preventative Vet:
https://www.preventivevet.com/dog-training-recommended-resources-dog-body-language-decoders

Rescued by Training - Introduction to Dog Body Language and Communication:
https://rescuedbytraining.com/product/intro-dog-communication/

Doggie Language by Lili Chin:
https://academics.lmu.edu/media/lmuacademics/cures/urbanecolab/module09/Dog%20Body%20Language.pdf

Canine communication: recognizing stress in your dog
https://bit.ly/4309ykr

Eileen Anderson
https://eileenanddogs.com/dog-body-language/

05/11/2026

Hi! I am Kia! I am a Daddy's girl. Mom's ok but say the word Daddy" and I fly to find him! I am the best hugger! I can twist my body into a pretzel so I can get as close as possible to you. I have been vaccinated spayed micro chipped and have had my rabies shot so I won't get sick. I don't potty in the house but we have a doggie door where I can go out when I need to. I DO NOT CRATE! As hard as mom tries I hate being crated and will hurt myself. I usually spend time in the Dining room with my friends when Mom needs me to be secure. I love sleeping with Dad at night. I think it is my job to protect him while he sleeps.

I am looking for a forever home where I have at least one other fur friend so I am not lonely. I love to run around the back yard chasing all the other kids so it would be great if when you adopt me you have another small friend for me. I don't know much about kids but I think I would like an older boy or girl to call my own. Mom says - NO WAY CAN I BE ADOPTED by a small child. She would have to say NO WAY! If you think I am as special as my foster mom says I am .

https://us14d.sheltermanager.com/service?method=animal_view&animalid=2477&account=cf3099

05/10/2026

Nova is an intelligent, highly engaged dog who thrives with structure, consistency, and purpose. She forms a strong bond with her person and does best in an environment where expectations are clear and consistent.

She is not a beginner dog but has the potential to be an exceptional companion in the right home.

Please share to help this beauty find her perfect home!

https://us14d.sheltermanager.com/service?method=animal_view&animalid=2846&account=cf3099

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!!

05/10/2026

05/09/2026

My name is Arlo, and I'm ready to be your new best friend. I’m handsome, smart, funny, charming, lovable, cuddly and athletic. I'm a Velcro dog, who needs lots of attention. I hate being left alone for long periods, and I will not be ignored. I enjoy learning new things.

True to my breed, I love to herd my sisters. I’m the best TV buddy. I love shows with animals, especially other dogs. I can jump 6 feet into the air, so I need a minimum 6 ft fence when I play outdoors. I like most adults. I don't care for small kids. I like other dogs, but I prefer to be around females. I don’t like dominant, pushy dogs. I can be protective of my food and toys. I would be an awesome therapy dog, or something cool like that. I can run fast and jump high so I would also be awesome at agility.

I need a parent who can recognize and appreciate my amazing abilities and will continue to bring out the best in me. Is that you?

https://us14d.sheltermanager.com/service?method=animal_view&animalid=300&account=cf3099

05/09/2026

Credit: Bark Side Diaries

05/09/2026

REDEFINING REACTIVITY

Reactivity is a complex topic that requires an individual approach for each dog and their specific circumstances. But the underlying driver is often the same — it’s an emotional response.

Trying to “fix” it through obedience training, corrections, or punishment-based methods focuses on what a dog does, instead of how a dog feels. It doesn’t address the root of the problem—and often creates new ones.

Reactivity can quickly become self-reinforcing because it works. When the trigger moves away, the dog experiences relief—and that emotional shift strengthens the response. The more it’s repeated, the more it becomes a default or a habitual behaviour.

Changing an emotional response is not a quick fix. Real change takes time, patience, understanding, and consistent practice.

Behaviour is the symptom. Emotion is the cause. Work on changing that emotion and the behaviour will follow.

Understanding that behaviour is driven by emotion, should change how we respond to our dogs. They’re not being difficult—they’re struggling.

Looking at reactivity from this perspective should encourage us to be more empathetic and understand that we need to support them rather than control them.

05/08/2026

🎾 Meet Bucky! 🎾He's your Super FUN, Goofy, Ball-Chasing, Silly Best Friend (he's the famous "World's Friendliest Dog" who never met a stranger) who will keep you laughing

Hey, it’s me—Bucky! Can we all agree that I’m absolutely adorable? I'm a confident and loving pup who has never met a stranger, and I love playing with any/other dogs. All I want is love, belly rubs, and a ball to chase. I can carry on full conversations with - cuz I am a talker

👉 ADOPT ME! I’m patiently waiting to meet my forever family. Could that be you? I’m currently staying with my loving foster family, but I can’t wait to find the humans I’ll call my family.

Here’s what you should know about me:

✔️ Super friendly—I love everyone!
✔️ Basic training? Check!
✔️ Healthy and full of energy!
✔️ Obsessed with balls and backyard adventures!
✔️ Excellent car ride buddy, especially if there’s a pup cup at the end.

I’m known for my goofy personality and my habit of chatting it up with everyone I meet. People always leave saying I’m their new best friend! (P.S. I’d love to meet the lawn guy, but his loud machines sound way too much like my arch-nemesis: the vacuum cleaner. Yikes!)

When I’m not protecting my yard from big flying birds (someone’s gotta do it!), you’ll find me ready for our next road trip, play session, or cuddle.

I’m so ready for a family to love me, and a backyard to call my own. Will you be my forever? Come meet me— I’ll bring the ball!

https://us14d.sheltermanager.com/service?method=animal_view&animalid=1223&account=cf3099