Alfina has a tell. You can actually watch the moment she decides someone is safe. Her body softens, her eyes relax, and those adorable ears that usually sit at attention slowly flop forward onto her forehead. It’s a small thing, but her foster family knows exactly what it means. The walls are coming down. The cautious little puppy who spent part of her early life figuring out how to survive is finally ready to let someone in. Go watch Alfina using the link below, then come right back to read more! You’ll see both sides of Alfina in the video. At first, she’s thoughtful and observant, taking in the world around her before deciding how she’d like to participate. Then you’ll catch glimpses of the puppy her foster family knows so well. The one who chases her dog friends around the yard, and lights up when it’s time for treats. Pay close attention to her ears. If they’re flopped forward, you’ve officially earned a place in her circle. Estimated to be around 6 months old and weighing approximately 25 lbs, Alfina appears to be a Doberman Pincher and German Shepherd mix, though as with all rescue dogs, her breed and age are simply our best educated guess. Alfina has been with her foster family for a little over a month, and she’s come a long way since the day they found her. She was completely alone and so unsure of people that they had to carefully trap her in order to bring her to safety. Experiences like that don’t disappear overnight, and Alfina still approaches new people with a healthy dose of caution. She’s not the puppy who’s going to launch herself into a stranger’s lap five minutes after meeting them. Instead, she prefers to watch, think, and decide for herself when she’s ready. The wonderful thing about Alfina is that once she’s comfortable, she’s incredibly affectionate. She genuinely loves being loved. The trust she gives isn’t automatic, which somehow makes it feel even more special when she chooses to share it. Dogs, however, are a different story. Alfina absolutely adores other dogs. If there is a canine friend nearby, chances are she’s already figuring out how to join whatever game they’re playing. She currently lives with four other dogs and gets along beautifully with all of them. Her favorite playmate happens to be one of the smaller dogs in the home because chasing, running, and zooming around together are among her favorite activities. Watching Alfina with other dogs is a little like watching someone finally speak their native language. It’s where she seems most comfortable and most confident. She’s equally charmed by the home’s orange cat, who apparently never got the memo that he’s supposed to act like a cat. This laid-back feline enjoys playing like one of the dogs, and Alfina has enthusiastically embraced the friendship. Their games have become one of her favorite parts of the day. Life with Alfina is becoming easier by the week because she’s a remarkably smart puppy. She’s already well on her way to being potty trained, regularly holding it through the night and heading outside to do her business first thing in the morning. Food is also a powerful language in Alfina’s world. She loves meals, loves treats, and is always happy to participate in activities that involve snacks. Training her has been made considerably easier thanks to her enthusiasm for both. She currently lives with a two-year-old child and has proven herself to be a wonderful companion. The little boy is active, playful, and constantly on the move, which suits Alfina just fine. One of their favorite games involves him running around the couch while encouraging her to follow along with a rope toy. Tug-of-war is another household favorite. Their friendship feels genuine, and the affection clearly goes both ways. At home, Alfina is quiet. She rarely feels the need to announce herself and doesn’t typically bark unless the other dogs have decided there’s something worth discussing. Even then, she’s more likely to join the conversation than start it. She has shown no signs of aggression and navigates life with a gentle, respectful nature. Alfina also settles nicely when it’s time to relax. Whether she’s spending time in a kennel or a more confined space, she handles it well and understands that downtime is simply part of the routine. Because other dogs have played such a big role in helping Alfina feel safe and confident, we would love to see her join a home with at least one friendly canine companion. Another dog won’t just be a playmate for her. It will be a guide, a comfort, and someone to show her that new experiences aren’t nearly as scary as they first seem. Living with Alfina means celebrating the little moments. The first time she chooses to sit beside you. The first tail wag when you walk into the room. The day those ears flop forward without hesitation because she already knows she belongs. She’s the kind of dog who reminds you that trust is something built, not given, and she’s worth every bit of the patience it takes to earn it. If Alfina sounds like she’d be a good fit for your home, we’d love for you to meet her. She’s looking for a family who understands that confidence can grow with kindness, companionship, and time! Apply here: Questions? Email katiak@threelittlepittiesrescue.org We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue run USDA certified transport system, ensuring every pet travel safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop off locations, in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page! Before the adoption is finalized, you will meet your pet through a video call, creating a fun and personalized experience! The adoption fee is $1,000 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, a 12 month heartworm preventative injectable, heartworm test and treatment if needed, a microchip with free lifetime registration, a high quality nylon Martingale collar, a health certificate deeming the pup healthy for travel, cost of transport, and priceless years of love and loyal companionship! We proudly have over 17,000 successful adoptions and excellent Google Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/UQ5Pyai We care deeply about creating lasting matches between dog and family for long term success, and take the time to ensure each adoption is a fit through our matchmaking process. At our 2 acre Texas based property, we assess every animal with trainers on staff, we modify behavior as needed, and create individualized behavior plans to help prepare dogs for their future families including crate training, potty training, leash walking, etc. Our fosters are able to attend group training and socialization play groups helping them stay confident, well rounded, and adoption-ready. Our on-site trainers are dedicated to each dog’s growth and we enjoy seeing their progress! We go above and beyond to ensure every animal receives exceptional care. Veterinarians consistently praise our medical standards. From routine care to advanced treatments, each dog receives personalized attention. Hard costs for a healthy dog range from $804-$920; heartworm-positive dogs or those needing specialized care can exceed $2,000+. Adoption fees help cover a portion of these expenses, but without government funding, we rely on fundraising to bridge the gap—ranging from $100–$1,000+ per dog. Our adoption fees reflect the extensive care and resources that go into each animal we save. The adoption fee is a donation to the mission and goes far beyond getting a fully vetted pet. It doesn’t stop there! Our adopters also receive these SPECIAL PERKS: -Extensive behavioral testing and information fr...