Meet Darcy - a gentle little soul with soft eyes, a tender heart, and a quiet hope that her forever family is finally out there. At just 2 years old and 19 pounds, this Beagle/Sheltie mix is the perfect compact companion size for apartment living, cozy homes, and curling up beside you at the end of the day. Darcy's story began with uncertainty, but also with kindness. She was one of more than a dozen dogs taken in by an elderly couple who simply wanted to help strays in need. The dogs were fed, cared for, and loved as best they could be. Many, including Darcy, spent much of their time outdoors while coming inside in the evenings to sleep safely. Then tragedy struck when the husband passed away, leaving his wife overwhelmed and trying to care for so many dogs alone. As the dogs increasingly escaped the yard, neighbors eventually filed complaints. The situation went to court, and the judge ordered that the dogs be rehomed quickly - or face euthanasia. Thankfully, Darcy's story did not end there. She and several of the others caught their "freedom ride" to Take Paws Rescue, where this shy little girl was finally given a chance to breathe, decompress, and begin learning what life as a cherished indoor companion can be. Darcy was understandably frightened at first, but underneath her timid exterior is an incredibly sweet dog who wants so badly to trust. Her past caretaker said she was known as one of the very best snugglers of the entire group - a quiet little shadow who finds comfort curled beside the people she loves. She appears to be housebroken, has lovely indoor manners, and is happiest in calm environments where she can move at her own pace. Darcy is not the kind of dog who will burst through the door full of confidence on day one. She needs someone patient and gentle - someone willing to let trust grow slowly and naturally. But for the person who gives her that chance, Darcy promises something truly special: deep loyalty, quiet companionship, and the kind of love that comes from a dog who knows she was finally saved. If you believe the best relationships are built gently, with patience and kindness, Darcy may be waiting just for you. PLEASE READ BELOW: If you are interested in meeting and/or adopting, the first step is to complete an application and read all of our FAQs: https://www.takepawsrescue.org/adopt Please note: Information to determine if you might be a match for one of our animals can only be found on our application. *An inquiry, questions or introduction through Petfinder is NOT an application* All known details about our animals are posted on their profile and updated daily. Other info will be discussed in detail with the foster during the application review process. Due to the high volume of introductions/questions received we ask you to submit an application (that application can be used for any dog with Take Paws Rescue). The adoption fee for adult dogs covers age appropriate vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter if not yet performed, heartworm test & appropriate heartworm treatment by the rescue's vet. All dogs in our care are also kept up-to-date on HW/Flea Prevention. For more on this, or for additional information, including the adoption process and our adoption fee scale for all our adoptable pets (including an explanation about Benefactor Dogs), please see our FAQs page: https://www.takepawsrescue.org/faq Any breed labels used by Take Paws Rescue, its employees/volunteers, or on vet records provided cannot be guaranteed. Breed labels are given based on information obtained during intake and/or best guesses based on appearance and/or temperament of the dogs and Take Paws Rescue gives no assurance to the accuracy of these labels. Labels are necessary for postings to many animal networking sites, such as our website, Chewy, Pet Finder, and others. These are in no way a guarantee. Additionally, exact age and potential size cannot be guaranteed. ***Take Paws Rescue saves dogs from high-kill shelters across the South, owner surrenders, and discarded dogs with uncertain futures. All of our animals live in foster homes where they are socialized, and well cared for. An application will be required to make sure it's the perfect match!