On Dec. 29, 2022, a group of six Labrador retriever puppies arrived at the Humane Society of Missouri in the back of a pickup truck. Their owner had too many dogs to care for, so he turned the littermates over to our care.

The bumbling 9-week-old puppies were named after characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Lord of the Rings series and included a sweet-natured chocolate lab mix named Arwen. Though the pups didn’t have to face a battle for Middle Earth, half of them were diagnosed with highly contagious canine parvovirus upon their arrival, which put their young lives at risk.

Arwen was fortunate to have never contracted the virus her brothers and sisters had to overcome. She developed into a playful, clumsy girl who loved stuffed toys and interacting with her surroundings. When she was old enough, she was spayed and has been living with a foster family until her big Puppy Bowl debut! In her foster home, she has enjoyed playing with their resident pup and learning from him how to be a dog. Her foster dad says she is smart, eager to learn and has never met a stranger.

She is so excited to show the world her football skills and can’t wait to find her forever home in the coming days! Is it with you?

We are taking applications for Arwen beginning on Sunday, Feb. 12. We will review the submissions and choose an adopter for her on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Fill out an adoption interest form below, and bring it to our Macklind Ave. shelter during open hours. Thank you!