Do you love Golden Retrievers but your partner has a deep need for a German Shepherd? Are you two locked in an endless battle of dog debates, with one of you craving a dog that never stops moving and the other yearning for one that’ll just snuggle on the couch? One dreams of a luscious golden coat, while the other is obsessed with those pointy ears that make them look like they're permanently listening to your every complaint? Well, guess what? Your endless dog drama ends here. Meet Koa — the perfect hybrid of all your dog dreams. She’s got it all — active, cuddly, golden-ish, and those ears… oh, those ears. Finally, peace... or at least a dog that’s slightly more agreeable than your partner.
Koa is a stunning 2-year-old, 61lb Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix, and honestly, she looks like she should be on the cover of "Canine Vogue" (huge thanks to Sara's Photo Creations, llc, for turning Koa into a supermodel). But before you think she's just another pretty face, let’s just say her life hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. This poor girl went from being an unwanted stray to almost getting a one-way ticket to the euthanasia list at a shelter. Oh, and did we mention she tested heartworm positive? Because why not pile on even more challenges, right? But Koa? She took it all like a total champ. She conquered her heartworm treatment, and now, she’s just waiting for someone to look at her and go, "Yep, she's the one." So if you’re ready for a gem that’s survived it all and still looks this good doing it, Koa is your girl.
Koa is the full package—if your idea of a package includes a love for adventure, random naps, and the occasional impromptu outburst of enthusiasm. When it comes to getting into that weird 4-wheeled contraption humans call a "car," she’s all in. She'll climb in, try to claim shotgun, and then promptly curl up in the backseat for a nap. Koa lives for walks—honestly, if walks were a religion, she'd be the high priestess. But, oh, let’s talk about her hidden strength. She might look like a dainty 60lb lady, but when she spots another dog behind a fence? The Hulk comes out. She'll try to drag you over to say hi while gifting you a round of her finest vocal performances. So, if you're not in peak physical shape and ready for some intense leash training, well, prepare yourself for a workout. But once she gets the whole leash thing down? She’ll be the world’s most enthusiastic travel buddy—she’d probably think she’d died and gone to doggie heaven if her new family took her on a hike. But don’t worry, if you prefer the calm, peaceful life at home, Koa’s cool with that too. As long as there’s another playful dog around, some kids to frolic with, or a human willing to throw a ball for her until your arm falls off, she’s more than happy to just be a homebody. And when she’s not out living her best life, Koa is the perfect derp, ready to be silly and spend time with her favorite people. She’s a huge fan of her toys, and you finally have a dog that will actually play fetch without looking at you like you’ve lost your mind. Oh, and did I mention the cuteness overload? When she wants attention, she’ll stand on her hind legs like a little bear, gently place her paws on you, then rest her head on you and just melt into pure bliss while you pet her. Now, I know what you're thinking—"Isn’t that just a dog jumping on me?" Nope. This is the kind of moment that could easily turn into a slow dance because she just adores her people and loves being held by them. Basically, if you adopt Koa, be prepared for some serious bonding and a whole lot of puppy love.
Koa isn’t exactly what we’d call "well-socialized." We think she was once the center of a single lady’s universe — her world revolved around her and only her. Koa’s basically been the queen of her own little kingdom, and now she’s out here, trying to figure out how to navigate this big, strange world. She's super attentive to females and, honestly, seems like she’s had her own personal training sessions in "how to be the perfect dog" (at least for one person). Her and her lady were probably inseparable from puppyhood, but something happened, and next thing you know, Koa’s out here learning the hard way how to deal with other dogs. Spoiler alert: Koa isn’t the type to befriend someone on the spot. She takes her sweet time, letting her initial hesitations and insecurities fade away before she decides that, yes, she can be best friends with other dogs. Once she’s comfortable, it’s all playtime, all day long, with no issues whatsoever. She genuinely enjoys their company and becomes a social butterfly when she feels safe. When meeting new people, Koa’s a little shy at first, but slide a few treats her way, and suddenly, she’s your best friend for life. As for men, she’s a bit more skeptical, probably because she wasn’t exactly raised on a steady diet of male attention. But hey, at least she won’t pull the classic "Oh my god, it’s DAD!" routine and abandon you the second he walks through the door, leaving you feeling like a forgotten piece of furniture. (We’ve all seen it — dogs turning into full-on Dad’s new best friend, like you were just chopped liver the whole time.) However, Koa has a sixth sense for sincerity. If you're the real deal and willing to win her trust with patience and of course treat bribes, she’ll warm right up to you. Just ask her foster dad and one of the teenage sons — they’ve already got her heart. The truth is, Koa just needs someone who believes in her and gives her the chance to shine — and she absolutely will. She didn’t ask for her world to be flipped upside down, so she’s still adjusting to all this new stuff as an adult. Which, by the way, is a gentle reminder to everyone: socialize, socialize, socialize your puppy. It's the key to avoiding the Koa situations of the world. It’s not just for their benefit, it’s for yours too.
So, you’re living in an apartment and wondering if Koa could be your new roommate... Well, the answer is yes, but let’s call it yes with a big asterisk. Koa is not exactly for the faint of heart—she’s strong, very strong, especially when she’s excited. So, walking her around the complex, with all those new people and dogs she just has to meet, is going to be an adventure—get ready for a serious workout. And don’t even think about leaving her to be a couch potato. This girl’s got energy for days, so while she’s all about cuddles and adoration, she’s also going to need a good plan to burn off that excess enthusiasm. On the bright side, Koa is potty and kennel-trained, so those big boxes are checked. She’s a non-destructive, classy lady who has absolutely zero interest in turning your home into a chew toy graveyard. Respect her need for cuddles, and she’ll respect your belongings—promise. She can be trusted to roam the house while you’re away without destroying anything. As for barking, Koa isn’t into random noise. She saves her vocals for important things—like announcing to the world that there’s another dog on the other side of the fence, or that someone has had the nerve to ring your doorbell. It's all about priorities.
Ready to make Koa the queen of your castle? Well, don’t just sit there—fill out an adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app, and we’ll send it straight to her foster family so they can prepare for the grand handover. Just make sure you’re ready to pick her up in Norman, Oklahoma, the land of boomer Sooner pride, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain... and probably straight into your face as she drags you around on walks. So, hop on over to pick her up, and prepare to meet your new best friend, who’s ready to make your life 100% more entertaining. Don't wait, because Koa’s not going to stay available forever!
