Pumpkin

My story

Meet Pumpkin. This sweet pup was rescued from a tragic hoarding situation in South Carolina. Thirty dogs were found on the property, eight had already passed away, and the remaining 22 were removed by animal control. All of the dogs were in need of veterinary care and rehabilitation. Thankfully, multiple rescues came together to give these dogs a chance at a healthy, happy life. Pumpkin came into our care terrified and under-socialized. She had spent her life shut off from the outside world, so new experiences can be overwhelming. She was anxious, vocal, and unable to settle in her foster home. After a few weeks of trying to help her adjust, we knew she needed professional support to truly begin her recovery. We sent Pumpkin to board-and-train with our trusted partner, Daniel, at Lakeside Dog Trainer in South Carolina. Remarkably, a short time after meeting him, Pumpkin calmed down and curled up beside him on the couch, something she hadn’t done with anyone else. She needed confident leadership, and we knew we’d made the right call. Now, after three weeks of training, Pumpkin has made tremendous progress. She’s house-trained and crate-trained; the crate is her safe space where she can come and go freely. She walks well on leash and knows to stay on Daniel’s left side. She’s learned recall, how to wait at doors, sit for meals, and go to her designated “place.” Pumpkin has begun to come out of her shell. She’s becoming more affectionate and even playful, showing a sweet, cuddly side we hadn’t seen before. She’s still cautious and needs time to adapt to new environments and bond with her person. She’ll thrive with a calm, confident owner who can provide structure and gentle leadership. While affection is important, dogs like Pumpkin also need clear boundaries to feel safe and secure. We believe Pumpkin would do best in a quiet home with one or two adults. She’d be fine as an only dog or with a calm, social pup who can help model appropriate behavior. She’s good with cats, too.  Pumpkin has come a long way, and she’s ready to find the person who will help her continue to bloom.  Apply today! BREED ESTIMATE: Manchester Terrier Mix  GENDER: Female APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:  11 lbs  APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 3 to 4 years old COAT TYPE: Short coat ADOPTION FEE: $425.00 OTHER INFO: utd on shots/spayed/microchipped LOCATION:  Charlotte - Coming to DC Metro in late July/early August     FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. July 15, 2025, 5:34 pm

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Pumpkin, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.