Meet Freddy! At just 9-10 months old & ~26 lbs (with some more growing left to do), Freddy is the perfect blend of playful puppy energy and sweet, affectionate companionship. This handsome black poodle mix came to us after being found as a stray in a rural shelter. When nobody came looking for him, we knew we had to give him the second chance he deserved. And wow, are we glad we did! Freddy is one of those dogs who makes you smile every day. He's incredibly loving, eager to please, & always ready for his next adventure. Whether he's playing with another dog, exploring the backyard, or soaking up affection from his people, Freddy approaches life with enthusiasm & a wagging tail. He's dog-friendly, kid-friendly, treat-motivated, & already knows how to sit. He willingly goes into his crate when he wants a safe place to relax & has shown all the signs of being a very smart boy who is ready to learn even more. With positive reinforcement, some consistency, and a pocket full of treats, there's no telling what this pup could accomplish. When Freddy first arrived, he seemed unsure of gentle touch & would occasionally flinch or pull away, making us wonder if life hadn't always been kind to him. But whatever happened before is behind him now. Every day, he grows more confident, more trusting, & more excited about the wonderful life ahead of him. His resilience is truly inspiring! Because he's still a young, energetic pup, Freddy would thrive in a home with another playful dog to help him burn off some energy & show him the ropes. A securely fenced yard would be a huge bonus, along with an active family excited to continue his training & help him become the amazing adult dog he's destined to be. Freddy is scheduled to be neutered & heartworm tested soon and will be ready to start the next chapter of his life with a family of his very own. If you're looking for a loyal best friend, a hiking buddy, a playmate, and a pup whose potential is as big as his heart, Freddy may be exactly who you've been waiting for. After a rough start, Freddy is ready for a lifetime of love. Could that be with 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, based in New Orleans, 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!