About DAKOTA

DAKOTA - WE KNOW WHAT SHE'S LIKE IN A HOME. SHE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. Upland Animal Shelter, Upland, CA Animal ID: IEPA-A-18245 German Shepherd, Female (Spayed) Almost 9 years old, 69 lbs Intake Date: November 4, 2025 Dakota has been waiting since November 2025. For several precious months, this beautiful senior German Shepherd got to leave shelter life behind and live with a loving foster family. Her foster placement was temporary, so Dakota eventually had to return to the shelter. But her time in foster gave us something invaluable: We know who Dakota is when she has a home. And she is wonderful. Dakota loved following her foster mom around the house. While she worked from home, Dakota would lie beside her desk or at her feet. Otherwise, she could usually be found relaxing in the bedroom or on her dog bed. She greeted her family at the door, checked on the sons, and especially loved belly rubs from the oldest teenage boy. Whenever the family was going somewhere, Dakota wanted to come too. She wasn't demanding. She simply loved being near her people. Dakota is housetrained and settled easily into home life. She slept in her foster mom's bedroom and had no issues with excessive barking when left alone. She loved mornings outside, lying in the grass, walks, sniffing around the yard, treats, squeaky balls and toys. Sometimes she gathered her toys onto her bed and lay beside or on top of them. And Dakota has an adorable dinner ritual: sometimes she carries her ball to her food bowl before she starts eating. Her foster family's boys also discovered a game. Say '1, 2, 3,' and by '3,' Dakota knew it meant GO - time to chase a toy! She knows sit and stay and plays fetch. A shelter volunteer who considers Dakota a favorite describes her as beautiful, regal, confident and very calm. She says Dakota is remarkably observant and responsive to both verbal and nonverbal guidance, always seeming aware of the person handling her. One especially touching moment happened during the Fourth of July. Frightened by the fireworks, Dakota climbed onto the sofa beside her foster mom for the first time, lay down next to her and stayed there. When the world became frightening, Dakota chose to be close to someone she trusted. Dakota enjoys walks and generally walks beside her handler, although an interesting scent can inspire some pulling. She can be reactive toward certain dogs and, at 69 pounds, needs someone comfortable handling and redirecting a strong German Shepherd. Her reactions are dog dependent. When a loose dog approached the family, Dakota stood her ground but did not lash out. At other times her excitement around dogs appeared playful. She even enjoyed whining and running along the fence with a neighbor's Labrador. Dakota was the only pet in her foster home. Her foster family believes she may be able to live with a compatible dog after careful introductions. The shelter also lists her as good with cats. Dakota greeted adult visitors, but when young children visited she preferred retreating to the bedroom. Her foster family believes she would do best with adults or older children. Her ideal life is simple: living indoors near her people, a daily 10-30 minute walk, time to sniff and observe the world, toys, and a confident person who can handle her around other dogs. She may need help lifting her hindquarters into a taller vehicle such as an SUV. At almost nine years old, Dakota doesn't need someone to transform her. We already know who she is in a home. She follows her person. She lies at their feet while they work. She greets her family at the door. She checks on the kids. She asks for belly rubs. She brings her ball to dinner. And when she's afraid, she seeks comfort beside someone she trusts. Dakota knows how to belong. She is back at the shelter not because she failed in a home, but because her foster placement was temporary. She doesn't need another temporary chapter. She needs someone who will finally say: 'You're home, Dakota. You don't have to leave again.' More photos and videos: https://www.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/IEPA-A-18245 Transportation is available for rescue organizations.

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Upland Animal Shelter
San Bernardino County
Upland, California

9099314185

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