Meet Nena
Learning That the World Can Be Safe Again—Nena Is Ready for a Patient, Loving Forever Home ❤️
Breed: Black Labrador Retriever / Terrier Mix
Gender: Female | DOB: 08/17/2023 | Size/Weight: 40 pounds
Good With: Dogs ✔️ | People ✔️ | Kids: Older, Dog-Savvy Children Recommended | Cats: Unknown
Personality: ❤️ Affectionate | Friendly | ⚡ High Energy | Loves Attention
Medical: ✔️ Spayed | ✔️ DHPP Vaccinated | ✔️ Dewormed | ❌ Not Microchipped
Special Consideration: Nena can be reactive to sudden movements and loud noises due to her history of neglect and mistreatment.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Transportation: Ozzie and Friends Rescue coordinates safe transportation for approved adopters throughout the United States.
❤️ Personality, Breed Information & Nena's Story
Nena's past hasn't always given her a reason to trust.
Before coming into rescue, Nena experienced neglect and mistreatment, leaving her understandably sensitive to sudden movements and loud sounds. Experiences like these can stay with a dog long after she's physically safe, and Nena is still learning that she no longer needs to be on alert.
What makes Nena especially touching is that despite everything she's experienced, she still loves people.
Nena is friendly, affectionate, and absolutely loves attention. Once she feels comfortable, she wants to be close to her people and soak up the affection she missed earlier in life. She also gets along well with other dogs and enjoys opportunities to play and socialize.
At three years old, Nena is an active, high-energy girl who needs more than a quick trip outside each day. She'll do best with someone who enjoys walks, playtime, outdoor activities, and keeping an energetic dog engaged. Once she's had an opportunity to burn off some energy, Nena is more than happy to settle in and enjoy affection from her favorite people.
As a Black Labrador Retriever / Terrier Mix, Nena combines two intelligent and energetic breed types. Labradors are known for their friendly, affectionate, people-oriented personalities, while Terriers often bring confidence, curiosity, determination, and playful energy. Nena will benefit from a home that gives her appropriate outlets for both physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Nena's sensitivity is important for potential adopters to understand. Unexpected loud noises or sudden movements can startle her and cause her to react, particularly when she's unsure of what's happening. She needs people who will respect those boundaries and help her build confidence rather than forcing her into situations that make her uncomfortable.
A predictable environment, calm handling, positive reinforcement, and patience will be important for her. Because of her sensitivity to sudden movements and noise, a home with older, dog-savvy children would likely be more appropriate than one with very young children.
Nena would thrive with a family that can provide:
Plenty of affection and companionship
Daily exercise appropriate for a high-energy dog
Regular walks and interactive play
Positive reinforcement training
A calm and predictable household routine
Patience around her known triggers
Gradual, positive exposure to new experiences
Mental enrichment and interactive toys
Continued socialization with friendly dogs
A secure indoor home where she feels protected
A lifelong commitment from people who understand that trust takes time
Nena doesn't need someone to erase her past. She needs someone who will help her discover that her future can be completely different.
Training, Adjustment & What to Expect
Nena's new family should expect an adjustment period and allow her to develop trust at her own pace.
Please remember the 3-3-3 Rule:
3 Days to decompress and begin feeling safe
3 Weeks to understand her new household and routine
3 Months to settle in, build trust, and truly begin feeling at home
Because Nena is sensitive to sudden movements and loud noises, her training should focus heavily on positive reinforcement and confidence building. Harsh corrections or punishment-based methods would not be appropriate for her.
Her family can help by providing predictable routines, giving her a quiet place to retreat when overwhelmed, rewarding calm behavior, and introducing new experiences gradually.
Her high energy also needs an appropriate outlet. Daily exercise, sniffing walks, training games, puzzle toys, and interactive play can help Nena stay physically and mentally fulfilled.
With consistency and patience, Nena can continue learning that unexpected sounds and movements don't always mean something bad is going to happen.
Owner Responsibilities & Veterinary Care
Nena is already spayed, has received her DHPP vaccine, and has been dewormed. She is not currently microchipped.
Her future family should be prepared to provide:
Routine veterinary wellness examinations
Any additional vaccines or boosters recommended by a veterinarian
Rabies vaccination if not already completed
Microchipping and registration
Flea, tick, heartworm, and parasite prevention
Routine dental care
A nutritious, balanced diet
Daily physical exercise
Mental stimulation and enrichment
Continued positive reinforcement training
Veterinary care whenever illness or injury occurs
A safe, comfortable indoor home
Because of Nena's history and sensitivity to certain triggers, her adopter may also benefit from working with a qualified positive-reinforcement trainer or behavior professional who can help her continue developing confidence without overwhelming her.
Adoption Information
If you are interested in adopting Nena, please complete an adoption application at:
Thank you for considering adoption through Ozzie and Friends Rescue, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to giving deserving dogs another chance at safe, loving, permanent homes.
Although we are based in Los Angeles, California, we proudly coordinate safe and reliable transportation for approved adopters throughout the United States.
Nena's past taught her to be cautious, but it never took away her desire to love and be loved. Beneath that sensitivity is a friendly, energetic, affectionate girl who wants attention, companionship, and a person she can trust. With patience and kindness, Nena is ready to learn what it feels like to finally be safe—and truly home. ❤️
