Meet Norma

We try not to call dogs perfect. It's a pretty impossible standard.

Norma makes that rule very difficult to follow.

She is soft, calm, incredibly loving, and has a way of connecting with people that is hard to explain until you've met her. Talk to her and her tail starts gently wagging. Reach down to pet her and she'll stop whatever she's doing to soak up every second of it.

Look at her long enough and she'll look right back at you with those old-soul eyes that seem to understand far more than they should.

The heartbreaking part is knowing how little that sweetness was valued before she came to us. Norma was found dumped at Swope Park, still full of milk. We don't know where her babies were or what happened to them. We only know that at some point, someone no longer had a use for their mama and left her behind.

At approximately six years old, Norma has likely been that gentle, soulful girl her entire life. Now she finally gets to have a life where that's cherished.

The Promise We Made to Norma

We promised Norma that she would never be discarded again.

She will always be loved. She will always be cherished. And while she's with us, we'll make sure she hears just how loved she is as many times as she needs to hear it.

At a Glance

Energy: Low

Training: Knows basic commands and is house trained.

Dog Friendly: Has done well during dog introductions.

People Friendly: Absolutely

Kid Friendly: Yes

Cat Friendly: Unknown

Medical: No known medical concerns at this time.

Personality

Norma is one of those dogs who makes people understand what we mean when we talk about a soul dog.

She's sweet, doting, cuddly, calm, and deeply connected to the people around her. She seems incredibly aware of her humans and genuinely concerned with what they're doing and how they're feeling. She doesn't just enjoy affection. She seems to savor it.

Then there's her big-baby side. Norma will surrender herself to just about any cuddling position you put her in, going completely limp like an oversized rag doll as long as someone is loving on her. She isn't asking for anything complicated. Being close, being touched, and knowing she's someone's girl seem to mean everything to her.

In the Home

Norma currently lives in a foster home with other dogs. Because of the other dogs in the home, they are managed on a rotation schedule. Prior to coming into our program, Norma did well during dog introductions and engaged in appropriate play.

She's house trained and knows basic commands. She looks forward to mealtime, but even eating somehow fits Norma's personality. She's excited for her food and then eats it in the same gentle way she seems to approach most things in life.

Overall, Norma is a low-energy girl who is happy to settle into life alongside her people.

With Other Dogs

Norma has done well in dog introductions prior to entering our program and has demonstrated appropriate play with other dogs.

Because her current foster home uses a rotation system, we haven't had the opportunity to observe her freely living alongside the other dogs there. Any future canine sibling would still need an appropriate introduction to make sure everyone is a good match.

With People

This is where Norma really shines.

She absolutely loves people and will stop whatever she's doing for affection. Pet her and that sweet tail starts wagging. Talk to her and she watches you. Give her the opportunity to cuddle and she'll happily melt into whatever position allows her to stay close.

There's something particularly endearing about the way Norma looks at her people. She doesn't seem to take affection for granted. She wants to bond, she wants to connect, and when she's getting loved on, she seems completely content to stay right there for as long as you'll let her.

With Kids

Norma loves kids and has the same gentle, affectionate personality with them that she shows with adults.

With Cats and Small Animals

We haven't had the opportunity to evaluate Norma with cats or other small animals, so her compatibility with them is currently unknown.

Training & Care

Norma is house trained and already knows basic commands. At approximately six years old with a low energy level, she isn't looking for someone to keep her entertained every second of the day.

What Norma seems to value most is connection. She wants to be near her people, receive affection, and feel like she's part of their life.

She currently has no known medical concerns.

Ideal Home

Norma could likely fit comfortably into many different types of homes. What matters most to us isn't necessarily what that home looks like. It's how much she's going to be loved once she's there.

After being discarded when someone no longer needed her, we'd love to see Norma land somewhere that she gets all the attention she craves. A family that talks to her, cuddles her, lets her follow them around, and never gets tired of reminding her that she's loved.

She deserves to finally be someone's priority.

A Note from the Foster

Norma is an angel girl.

She's a big baby who will let you arrange her into just about any position and then go completely limp like an oversized rag doll. She'll stop everything for pets, gently wag her tail while you talk to her, and look directly at you in a way that makes you feel like she's paying attention to every word.

This girl wants to bond with her person. She takes absolutely none of the love she's given for granted.

Promise Pup Highlight

We hate calling dogs perfect.

But then Norma looks at you with those old-soul eyes, gives you that gentle little tail wag, melts into your arms like an oversized rag doll, and makes a very convincing argument for reconsidering our policy.

She's one of those dogs you don't just meet. You connect with her.

The Promise Moving Forward

Our final promise to Norma is to find her soulmate.

Maybe that's one person. Maybe it's an entire family. Whoever they are, we want them to recognize what they have when they meet her.

Norma has already experienced what it feels like to be discarded. The next time someone calls her theirs, we promise it will be someone who considers loving and cherishing her a privilege.

We'll keep that promise until Norma finds the person who looks into those old-soul eyes and realizes they've just found their soul dog too.