Xena

Xena is tough to photograph because she is constantly waging her tail, with her entire 40lbs+ body! Imagine trying to vaccinate this girl upon arrival from rural Virginia, while she is trying to lick and hug you. What a happy and loving pup! Only 8 months old, she absolutely adores people, never met a dog she didn't like, and can't wait to have a family of her own. Her records indicate that she was adopted in rural Appalachia when she was just 2 months old, but was returned because her owner lost his job. So, through no fault of her own, she found herself on the brink of losing her life because rural shelters are so overcrowded. And boy, does Xena know she is lucky. Crate-trained, housebroken, she wants nothing more than to play with you, to sleep near you or to lean on you with all her love, like every good Labrador (mix) would. Some HART folks believe she is a Lab mix with a Belgian Malinois because of her gorgeous smoky coloring that changes depending on how the light hits it. But what we know for sure is that she is smart and already learned two commands, Sit and Down, which she is happy to illustrate any time you ask. Xena would do great as the only pup, but also as companion for another dog, just as long as she is loved.