Xena is a dog who clearly wants connection, even if she takes a little time deciding who she trusts. Once she slows down and realizes she is safe, a softer side starts to peek through. She has shown that she enjoys treats, approaches for sniffs, accepts them gently, and settles enough to show neutral tail wags and curiosity. During her move to the new shelter, she leashed easily, walked well, and allowed handling without any trouble at all. There is a thoughtful, observant dog underneath her tough first impression, and watching her work through those feelings and choose to engage with people is genuinely rewarding. Xena will likely do best with someone patient who understands that not every dog walks into a new environment ready to be instant best friends. She seems to appreciate calm interactions and giving her space to process things at her own pace. The good news is that she has already shown she is capable of making progress, relaxing, and building trust with the people around her. Underneath the barky kennel presentation is a smart girl who notices everything and is learning that people can bring good things like treats, affection, and safety. For the right person, helping Xena continue that journey could be incredibly special. All adoptions include support from our adoption team to ensure a smooth transition from the shelter to your home. Adopted pets are vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered before leaving the shelter's care. To view our current available animals, please visit: [https://indy.gov/activity/adopt-a-pet](https://indy.gov/activity/adopt-a-pet) .