Meet Alfalfa. This 7 ½-year old boy from a high kill South Carolina shelter has been in my foster home since January 2026, learning the finer points of living in a home. He is a joy to greet in the morning when his entire body wags with his excitement to see me. I reward him with his kibble as we run through his training regimen each morning including Sit, Down, Wait, Come, Touch, Gotcha, Paw, Utter Paw, Turn, and Leave It.

His bubbly personality and curiosity are on full display when I pull out his harness and leash for a walk. He sits patiently at doors on our way outside and waits for me to release him from his “sit”. Alfie has a contagious smile and captures the attention of everyone he meets on our walks. We have worked very hard on keeping Alfie’s attention on me when we’re outside instead of looking at squirrels and UPS trucks and birds. We’ve also been working on polite behavior when we pass other dogs on our walks. Alfie is energetic and likes hanging out in my fenced backyard. Don’t let his age fool you. He zooms around like he’s a puppy and miraculously misses hitting any of the trees and obstacles in the yard.

Alfie is patient when he’s inside the house and is able to entertain himself with his chew toys and brain buster puzzles. He prefers hanging around with humans, getting and giving lots of hugs and kisses, and getting pets and body rubs. He’s also content to quietly sit or lay down while I’m working in the house. When I’m away from home, he entertains himself in the kitchen area by sleeping or listening to music or playing with his food toys.

Alfie loves to ride in cars, goes up and down stairs easily, stays off my furniture, and knows that he has to work for any food or treats or attention he receives. He’s afraid of thunderstorms so I prepare by putting Alfie’s thundershirt on him and distracting him with training sessions or squeaky toys. He is housebroken and up to date on his vaccines and preventive medications.

Alfie would make a great addition to a single-pet family with confident, loving humans who have prior dog experience. Are you ready to welcome this fun-loving, affectionate boy into your home?