Adopt: Minerva
Minerva: A Gentle Soul Learning to Trust
📍 Fairmont, WV | 🎂 4.5 years old | ⚖️ 95 lbs
Minerva is a beautiful, quiet Bernese Mountain Dog with the softest eyes and a heart that’s slowly beginning to heal. She came to us overwhelmed by the world, unsure of everything — doors, leashes, noises, even affection — but with patience, love, and consistency, she’s making progress every single day.
Minerva is fully house-trained, though she doesn’t yet go to the door or ask to go out. She relies on her people to guide her, and she needs gentle encouragement to venture outside. Once out, she’ll sniff around and explore a bit, especially if she’s following another calm dog.
She gets along with other dogs and would benefit from having a confident canine companion to help her continue learning how to be a dog. There are no cats in her current foster home, so her behavior with them is unknown. She’s also done well with children, especially older kids, calmly accepting pets and attention.
While still reserved and unsure, Minerva allows visitors to pet her and doesn’t show signs of fear around new people — she quietly observes and accepts affection. She doesn’t jump, bark, or whine. In fact, she finds comfort in calm environments and soothing routines, like being brushed or having her ears gently stroked.
Some challenges remain: she’s fearful of dangling leashes, sudden movements, and loud sounds. She’s not food-motivated yet, but has started taking treats from trusted hands — a small but significant victory. She travels okay in the car but finds the process scary and may need help getting in and out.
Minerva’s ideal home will include:
💖 A quiet, patient household with gentle guidance
🐾 A fully fenced yard where she can safely explore at her own pace
🐶 A calm dog companion to model confidence
🛋️ A safe space indoors where she can retreat when needed
👩🦳 Humans who understand that love takes time and trust is earned
With time, Minerva will show you just how brave and special she truly is. She may not be the dog who greets you at the door right away — but if you give her the chance, she’ll slowly, sweetly become the companion of your heart.
Apply to Adopt Minerva
