Adopt a Shepherd / Hound / Mixed (short coat)

Meet MAMA and CAROL, this bonded pair is looking for their forever home together and promise to steal their adopter’s heart. There is no way to tell you about these girls affectionately known as “The Mamas” and keep it short, so thank you for reading the entire post.


Mama Bear and Carol were rescued from the streets of West Nashville where they had been roaming with a local group of strays. It is estimated that between the two of them they had close to

 40 puppies over 18 months. They did the best they could to take care of each other and all the puppies, which were often rescued by locals, but no one could ever catch “The Mamas”, they were shy, smart, cautious survivors.

We were finally able to catch them in November 2015 and since then they have been in foster learning to be dogs. The have come a long way, but still have a ways to go before they are “normal dogs”. They are incredibly smart and have a lot of love to give, but will need an adopter that is willing to build trust with them, be patient, and go slow.

They like routine and dependability. They will need a yard with a privacy fence, no other dogs and absolutely no cats or other small prey animals – after living on the streets the prey drive is strong for small furry critters.

Carol is the cuddly joker of the pair and enjoys a good snuggle on the sofa. She is often the first to greet you and strangers, and will do anything for a treat. She loves to have her belly rubbed and will flip over in the yard or house and just lay there until provided with a good scratch.

Mama Bear is and was the leader of the crew. She commands respect in a calm presence and isn’t afraid to let out a big bark if she gets nervous about someone or something. She keeps her distance from new people, but with the help of Carol usually starts to trust a little sooner. She likes to sit on the sofa too, but isn’t overly cuddly, although she does love to be calmly brushed and petted.

It is estimated that they are roughly 4 to 5 years old. Both Mama Bear and Carol are up to date on shots, have been spayed and are current on flea, tick and heart worm prevention. They sleep well in their crates too and love to lay in the sun. They dislike fireworks or any loud noises.

They must be adopted as a pair. If you have additional questions about this special pair or to setup a meet and great please email their foster Becky at [email protected]. There is an application here on our page or can be downloaded from our website or email us at [email protected]. You can also see more photos and see their evolution on their foster mom's Facebook page Facebook.com/BarneysBackyard.