Koa #2 Black Labrador Retriever Mix Male ~2 Years Old #3766

Koa #2 is now available; please read his Petfinder  Post

Koa is a handsome approximately 2-3-year-old, 62 lb Labrador mix. Koa is Hawaiian for “warrior.” He survived being dumped in the country in Arkansas and spending a month in the pound. When no one came forward to claim him, he was moved into foster care with Monticello 2nd Chance Fur Dog Rescue. They reached out to Brookline for assistance in rehoming Koa since stray dogs are numerous and adoptive homes are hard to find. Please read Koa’s blog from the bottom up to learn more about him while in foster care. Please read his blog from bottom to top as more updates are posted.

August 8, 2026

❤️ I’m honestly shocked Koa hasn’t had more interest. ❤️

We think he’s an absolutely wonderful dog, and the longer he’s with us, the more we get to see what a fun, sweet, and genuinely special personality he has. He has been past his last call for some time now, and I can’t help but feel like this amazing dog is simply being overlooked.

Koa recently had his first weekend away from us while we took a quick trip. Our wonderful friend and longtime farm sitter stayed with him, and since she has spent quite a bit of time with Koa—including joining us on trial walks—we knew he was in good hands.

Well… Koa apparently decided to impress her. ❤️

Here’s what she had to say about their weekend together:

“I dog-sat Koa along with the house and farm for his foster family. He was home alone about 5 hours at that point. He greeted me gently and mannerly. I took him out for the first time then, and he never once pulled. I got him to the fenced-in area, and he sat and waited for me to unleash him.”

After doing his business, he started showing me all his favorite outside toys. Koa showed off his great retriever skills while we played together.

Day 2, we had company—his foster Grammy came over and just walked into the house. Koa literally sat and waited patiently until he was invited into the interaction. Koa’s manners are golden.

While on leash, he never pulled, even when he spotted wild rabbits and a groundhog. When I let him off leash, he did follow their scents, but not obsessively.

During playtime, Koa retrieved every time. When he knew the toy would fit in my hand, that’s where he put it. With his bigger toys, he knew to drop them at my feet. A few times while I was playing with him, my phone would ring or I’d get a text, and Koa would simply go entertain himself. I didn’t even have to tell him—he’s just that observant.

His extra-sweet disposition really shined when I got out my pillow and sheet for our sleepover. Koa took it all in stride and curled right up with me. Once he thought I was sleeping, I’d watch him quietly slip over to his favorite sleeping spot. But he made sure I was comfortable first.

Koa is definitely a sweet, obedient, and intuitive dog. I’d watch him again in a heartbeat. 💓”

When we returned home, Koa greeted us with that same calm, sweet demeanor. We know he was excited to see us, but he didn’t come barreling through the door or act frantic. He was sweet, happy Koa. ❤️

We also recently took Koa to PetSmart for a new experience and to see how he would respond to cats.

This was a big outing for him. The sounds, sliding doors, shopping carts, and activity initially made him nervous. Rather than rushing him, we took our time and let him process everything at his own pace.

He slowly made his way into the store, checked out the fish, greeted an employee, and eventually noticed the adoptable cats.

He was definitely interested! He whined and pulled toward them but responded to correction and checked back in with us. His reaction seemed much more like “Hey, what are those? I want to see them!” rather than wanting to cause trouble.

He also calmly sniffed the guinea pigs through their enclosure and remained curious without becoming overly excited.

It was a quiet morning at the store, which was perfect for Koa. He was able to experience something completely new without being overwhelmed by a crowd.

And honestly? We were really proud of him. 🥰

One thing we continue to notice with Koa is that many of the things we introduce to him seem to be completely new experiences. Sometimes new sights, sounds, or environments can initially feel like a lot for him. But he is willing. He is eager. And most importantly, he looks to his people for reassurance and guidance.

That’s where his person comes in.

Koa doesn’t need someone who expects him to walk into every new situation like he’s seen it all before. He needs someone who will give him a little time, a little encouragement, and the confidence to discover that new things can be pretty great.

And once he’s comfortable?

You get the fun Koa. 🐾❤️

The ball-loving, toy-retrieving, goofy, affectionate, observant, sweet boy who will happily entertain himself while you’re busy and then come looking for you when he’s ready to hang out again.

We think Koa would thrive with a young, active family who loves the outdoors, enjoys spending time with their dog, and is willing to continue training and helping him build confidence.

Bonus points if you LOVE playing ball… because Koa is ready to make you his favorite person. 🎾😂

He has so much to offer the right family.

Please don’t let the fact that Koa is still waiting make you think there’s something wrong with him. Sometimes the right dog just gets overlooked.

We really believe Koa’s person is out there. We just need to help them find them. ❤️🐾

Koa is still waiting for his forever family.

July 29, 2026

This summer has been a busy one for our family, and through all the chaos, Koa has been quietly proving just how easy and dependable he really is.

With full days of running around, errands, and activities, Koa has settled into a routine of being left home alone—and he’s handled it beautifully. He would do wonderfully in a home where the family works full-time outside of the house. While we’re gone, he’s perfectly content relaxing on the couch, usually catching up on his naps like it’s his full-time job.

Inside the house, Koa is truly a gentleman. He’s never had an accident, never chewed anything that wasn’t his, and never added to the chaos of a busy home. He’s calm, respectful, and just enjoys being part of the environment.

That said, we’ve been lucky to see more of his happy, playful side lately. Every now and then, Koa will break into a burst of zoomies—those quick, joyful sprints that remind you how comfortable he’s feeling.

Dallas has been teaching Koa how to give his paw. He picked it up quickly (he’s a smart one!) and seems to genuinely enjoy learning new things. Between the training and all the extra activity, we’re pretty sure that’s helped spark some of those happy zoomie moments too.

We’ve been working on introducing Koa to more everyday experiences, and he continues to take everything in stride. We’ve ridden bikes around him in the yard with no problem. He’ll even run alongside me. He’s comfortable with the sights and sounds of our tractor and mower. The girls have been playing with their baby dolls and strollers, and Koa is right there—gentle, curious, and full of tail wags and soft kisses. He really lights up when seeing the baby dolls.

One of my favorite moments this week was when the girls built a blanket fort for a movie day. Without hesitation, Koa joined them inside, settling in as if he’d been part of the plan all along. He just wants to be included—and that’s when he’s happiest.

Koa has truly been such an easy foster, even during one of our busiest seasons. He’s affectionate without being overbearing, happy to relax when you need quiet, and always nearby like your quiet little shadow.

He loves his people deeply. Once he bonds with you, he’s all in—the kind of loyal companion who just wants to be by your side. Koa is also an independent thinker with a bit of personality, which makes him fun and engaging.

He is working on his leash skills daily, and he’s already made encouraging progress. He does seem to be nervous around busy areas and needs encouragement. He’ll need a confident or experienced owner who is willing to continue guiding him and helping him succeed.

We are enjoying having him as part of our family this summer, and while we’re soaking up every extra moment, we know his forever home is out there.

And whoever ends up with Koa is going to have a really special dog.

July 17, 2026

We’ve recently started working with a professional trainer to help Koa build better leash skills, and the progress has been encouraging. We’ve already seen noticeable improvement after his first session—and our trainer agreed! This will continue to be a helpful boost as we continue this journey with him.

Koa is steadily making progress on our walks. Some days he’s on high alert, while other days, he’s noticeably more relaxed, but overall, he’s improving. He’s checking in with us more often and learning how to self-regulate when he sees other dogs. He’s been doing a great job resisting the urge to chase small animals at home while on leash; however, squirrels out on walks are still very tempting. This is another area we are focusing on and have seen some progress already. He’s such a smart boy!

The holiday weekend with fireworks and heavy thunderstorms was a tough couple of days for Koa. He was clearly nervous at times but looked to us for reassurance. We added calming supplements to his meals and reassured him with cuddles.

We recently had a really encouraging experience at a quiet playground and dog park. Since the dog area was empty, we brought Koa in to explore. He enjoyed sniffing around and taking everything in. While we were there, someone walked by on the outside walking track with a small dog. Koa approached the fence calmly, and after explaining that he is working on his behavior, both dogs ended up engaging in a brief, calm play interaction along the fence line. After a few minutes, they both moved on, and Koa returned to sniffing around. It was a very positive moment, and we were so happy to see him handle it so well.

We spent some additional time sitting at a picnic table watching people and dogs pass by. Koa did show some reactivity toward another dog walking past, but with a correction and a check-in, he was able to settle as they continued on. Moments like this show that he is learning and capable of redirecting.

At home, we’ve continued to carefully manage his exposure to Kevin, our ferret. Initially, Kevin was kept in a separate room as a precaution due to Koa’s prey drive, but we’ve gradually introduced visual access. Kevin’s cage is now back in the family room. Koa was excited at first but quickly settled after both had dinner. He has not shown reactivity to Kevin moving around in the cage, and the following morning we even caught a sweet moment of Koa gently going nose-to-nose with Kevin through the cage and giving him a little good morning lick.

Koa is a dog who loves having a job—and he’s decided his official role is my full-time shadow. Wherever I go, Koa isn’t far behind, keeping a watchful (and very loyal) eye on me and the family. If I get up, he’s right there—whether I’m moving around the house or making a quick trip to the bathroom, where he’ll happily wait right outside the door.

This morning, Koa and I took a walk along a trail to a pond. About halfway through, he had a great time playing in the water.

We wrapped up our outing with a pup cup, and Koa finished his day with a well-earned afternoon nap.

Koa is incredibly affectionate and loyal, and it’s been so fun watching his confidence grow each day. As he’s settled in, his playful, loving, and devoted personality has really started to shine.

He’s looking for a home that will keep guiding him and give him a job to do—but in return, you’ll get a built-in best friend who will follow you everywhere (yes, even to the bathroom!) and always keep you smiling.

If you’re looking for a sweet, loyal sidekick to share your days with, Koa might just be your perfect match.

June 28, 2026

Now that summer is in full swing and the kids are home, our days have been a little busier, and Koa has been taking it all in stride. He’s been doing great in the house while we come and go, even on longer workdays. We’ve recently stretched his alone time to up to 9 hours, and he continues to remain calm, relaxed, and trustworthy.

Koa has also been getting out for more adventures, especially nature hikes, and it’s safe to say he absolutely loves them. Watching him explore and take in the world around him has been such a joy. We’ve been gradually introducing him to environments with a bit more activity to continue working on his socialization, taking things one step at a time.

We’ve had a couple more dog introductions this week, and Koa showed similar initial reactivity. The encouraging part is that he settles down after about 15 minutes, which shows he’s learning to regulate and decompress with time and exposure.

At home, we’ve learned a funny little Koa quirk: he likes to play before he’ll go potty. If we skip the pre-potty game of fetch, he’ll just sit patiently and stare until we give in and throw the ball a few times. Only then will he take care of business!

One of the biggest wins this week: Koa went into his crate on his own and relaxed for the first time. Not just once, but multiple times throughout the afternoon, choosing to nap in there on his own. This is huge progress for a pup who previously wasn’t a fan of the crate, and it’s amazing to see him start to view it as a safe, comfortable space.

We’ve also put together a video of Koa’s recent adventures and some of the tricks we’ve been working on. It’s been so rewarding to watch his growth, and we hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as we have. 💙

June 14, 2026

Koa did great at home during the two days I went into work this week. He spent about 7 hours alone each day, and when I checked in on him, he was happily lounging on the couch the entire time. Honestly, I was surprised when I got home—no wild greetings or rushing the door. Instead, Koa simply lifted his head, gave a gentle tail wag, and said hello in his calm, sweet way. Once outside, he stayed just as relaxed, I was surprised he didn’t have more energy after that long nap. We played a little ball and then got the girls off the bus together.

We took Koa on a short walk through the neighborhood next to the farm one evening. He was very excited at first, especially picking up on the scent of a dog that had recently passed through. He bounced around for the first few minutes and pulled quite a bit—very different from how nicely he walks at home. We’re planning to keep up with short evening walks to help him build better habits in new environments.

The next morning, I took Koa on a hike near our house, and it was such a great experience. We spent about an hour and a half walking through farm fields, wooded trails, and eventually made our way to a small pond. Koa walked beautifully and stayed much more focused. Along the way, we saw and heard all kinds of wildlife—including a momma turkey and her babies flying right in front of us. Koa got excited but responded quickly to my “leave it” command and moved on. He even enjoyed a quick dip in the pond to cool off. It was one of those peaceful, quiet moments that makes you appreciate having such a great companion.

The following day, a friend and I took Koa to a nearby blue hole. We did a short hike around the lake and then headed to the boat ramp where we tossed a stick for him a few times. Koa happily jumped right in after it every time. Afterward, we set up chairs and relaxed for a few hours, and Koa calmly sat with us the entire time—just content to be nearby.

At home, Koa continues to make progress. He’s doing great with the Roomba but is still a little unsure about the upright vacuum and will retreat to the couch when it’s out. One funny moment this week—the Roomba accidentally rolled right over Koa’s breakfast. He let out the most dramatic “help me” cry so I could come rescue him. I’m honestly surprised he doesn’t hold a grudge after that attempted food theft!

Fireworks have been going off every few days lately, but Koa doesn’t seem too bothered by them anymore.

We also had a successful dog introduction this week. A friend brought over her dog, who is very neutral, to meet Koa. He was extremely excited at first, but after about 10 minutes, he settled down. We spent time walking them side by side and sitting together while we talked for a couple of hours. Both dogs remained calm and relaxed, and we’re hoping to get them together again soon.

Koa truly is an incredible companion. He has wonderful house manners and is incredibly affectionate—he loves curling up in my lap and gazing up at me with those soulful eyes. Outside, he’s just as happy playing fetch as he is relaxing quietly by my side. I’ve even caught him laying near the chicken coop, calmly watching the birds like it’s his own version of TV.

He’s also been fantastic with the girls—gentle, patient, and always happy to join in when they’re playing or have friends over. Koa brings such a peaceful, loving presence to our home, and it’s been so rewarding watching him continue to grow and settle

June 3, 2026

Koa has been doing incredibly well with us and truly seems to feel at home. He is fearful of the crate, so we’ve chosen not to use it—and honestly, he doesn’t need it. He has proven to be very trustworthy when left alone in the family room. We’ve been doing short trips, leaving him for up to 4.5 hours, and he spends that time relaxing on the couch and napping. We do keep his toys in an open crate to help desensitize him to it, but overall, he’s very comfortable without being confined.

Koa’s appetite has improved, especially since adding a spoonful of wet food to his kibble—he gets very excited for mealtime now. While he has a lot of energy, he’s also great at self-regulating. We play ball throughout the day in the yard, which he absolutely loves.

He’ll run and play hard, then lay down and take breaks when he’s had enough.

He’s making steady progress on the leash and is becoming more comfortable. For now, we’ve been sticking to walks around our property, as he does show some what I believe may be excitement-based reactivity toward other dogs on leash. We’re working on this by keeping distance and reinforcing calm behavior, and he’s improving each time. He’s also been doing great ignoring the bunnies and groundhogs we see regularly outside when on the leash.

Koa is incredibly affectionate and thinks he’s a lap dog—he’ll happily climb into your lap any chance he gets. He loves being talked to and cuddled, often gazing into your eyes as if he understands every word. It’s hard to imagine his life before this, because he thrives on attention and love.

He’s also been exposed to many new experiences and handles them with curiosity and calmness—even watching a barn being picked up and moved didn’t faze him! Koa is wonderful with children. He’s gentle, enjoys playing, and doesn’t chase or get anxious around them, even during active play like swinging at the playground. When he does get excited and does his little “Tigger bounce,” he still does not jump on people.

Koa would do best in an active home that can match his energy level. We recently had to take it easy for a couple of days after he seemed to pull a muscle from jumping off the couch, and he definitely had some extra energy built up. Regular exercise and play are important for him, and the great part is it’s easy to incorporate—he loves playing fetch and will reliably bring the ball right back and drop it at your feet, ready for the next throw.

Koa is the perfect mix of playful and independent. He loves being around his people but is also content to relax and entertain himself. He’s truly a special dog who will thrive in a home that continues to give him the love, activity, and guidance he deserves.

May 26, 2026

Today, we tested leaving him gated in the family room for an hour, and he handled it like a pro. After a quick check of the doors and gate, he hopped on the couch and settled in for a nap—no whining, barking, or signs of anxiety.

I gave Koa a bath on his second day with us. He definitely had a feeling walking into the bathroom might be a setup, but with a little coaxing, he joined me in the shower. Once in, he stood still and was very easy to bathe.

Koa is doing great with house training and consistently takes care of his business outside. Koa is still learning leash etiquette and has shown he has a high prey drive- pulling towards bunnies and following scent trails. I am working on curbing that behavior, but expect it may take some time. We are working on building our bond and our foundation so that we can succeed at that task.

He’s incredibly intelligent, independent, and determined. Koa loves playing with his wobble ball and is impressively skilled at problem-solving—he kept himself entertained without getting stuck or tangled, even while playing around patio furniture on a tie line. He’s very comfortable with the tie line and seems to understand his boundaries well, I believe he may have been on one previously in his life.

While he enjoys his independence, Koa is also very affectionate and loves companionship. His favorite place is stretched across your lap. He adores kids and plays wonderfully with them—he’d make an excellent “goalie” for a young soccer player! When he gets excited, he bounces around like Tigger, and we’re working on teaching him polite greetings instead of jumping.

His indoor manners are excellent, and we’re continuing to reinforce expectations outside as he learns that rules apply everywhere.

Koa showed some nervousness and uncertainty around things like fireworks, the vacuum, and the Dremel—possibly because he hasn’t had much exposure to them before. With gentle reassurance, patience, and plenty of cuddles, he began to relax and feel more at ease.

Koa is a smart, loving, and fun dog with so much potential. He would make an amazing companion for an active family willing to continue his training and enjoy all the love and personality he brings!

May 21, 2026

Started training. Last night we worked on leash manners, sitting on the first command, and introduced the down command as well. I think all of those things went really well. He has already mastered open staircases and walking on slippery floors.

May 20, 2026

Koa arrived at my house yesterday late afternoon 5/19/26. He struggled a bit to get into the kennel in my car. The ride home was quiet. Koa doesn’t like being kenneled in the car or house.  I’m thinking he’s afraid he won’t be let back out.  He is quiet in the crate though.  We did manage to have a little fun.  I introduced him to drinking out of a hose as I watered my garden.  He seemed to enjoy that.  I did try to make an introduction to my lab.  He wasn’t very receptive to that.  He showed some body posturing and lots of barking.  I ended that, kept them separated for the rest of the night and will see if tonight is a better night.  If not, we will wait.  One a good note, he did eat some breakfast.

This is a picture from early this morning. He was trying to figure out if he wanted to come back in the house . I did wait him out and he came in on his own.  I do have  to say he loves people and is definitely starved for love and affection.

May 14, 2026

Koa came up from AR and went to Joe Nick’s to start training to become a police dog based on how focused he is with a ball, but unfortunately he is not going to be a police dog .

He is definitely ball focused and loves to play, but he is too timid and shy in new situations – he lacks the confidence they are looking for in dogs doing police work.

However, Joe said he is absolutely the sweetest, most affectionate dog ever!  He just loves to be loved and wants to be with you, please you and will be your loyal friend in no time.  He does well with other dogs, though he can be intimidated by them if they come on too strong.  He needs time to feel confident in new situations, but once he does, his tail never stops wagging.  He said he’ll be a great family dog in so many situations.

May 7, 2026

Koa has landed with Joe in NJ, who trains police and search and rescue dogs.  This boy had an incredibly long ride north, but despite that, was so happy to meet all the humans along the way.  He takes a minute to check you out, then quickly bonds and becomes your best friend.  He has already stolen hearts at his new place, and it is apparent that his first priority is being loved.  He actually spent a couple of hours sitting in a female trainer’s lap just enjoying getting loved on.Koa is definitely ball oriented and loves to retrieve and bring it back to keep the game going.  He is good at dropping it but also will easily allow you to take it out of his mouth.  He loves all kinds of balls, including squeaky ones and unlike many Labs, does not chew them to get the squeaker out.  He much prefers just to play with them! A toss of the ball for Koa is a good training reward.  He’ll work hard just for a chance to retrieve the ball.

He is great on leash with only a flat collar and knows a lot of basic commands – sit, stay, wait, come – and has a good recall.  He just wants to please.

He likes other dogs but is very respectful of their lead, and will back off if anyone grumbles at him.  He seems to prefer women over men, and was found cuddling within minutes when the female trainer stopped by to say hi.  Ironically, he is afraid of cats.  Evidently he hasn’t spent much time with any feline critters.

Koa is definitely hesitant in new situations – he shies away if something is unfamiliar or scares him.  He needs time to check things out, then is fine.  But the thing that characterizes this sweet boy the most is that he just wants to be loved.

Stay tuned for updates as he starts his training program.

April 9, 2026

Koa had a good week and was especially happy when I threw him the ball, no lie, about 50 times!!  LOL.  I need to invest in a ball launcher for this boy.  He did finally have enough tosses and relaxed on his bed.

Yesterday, we worked on catching treats.  You would think that if this big boy is a pro at catching balls, he’d have no problem catching a treat.

It took him a couple tries but he finally did get it.

This handsome guy is still waiting for his ride North!  If you’ve ever thought of fostering, please reach out to give Koa a shot at a finding his very own loving adopter!

April 2, 2026

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t even know we had. Ball games are just the start.” – Thom JonesCalling all ball enthusiasts! Love dogs and balls? Well then, Koa is the boy for you!Koa is always running, jumping, and chasing after that perfect catch.

He’s also chasing his dreams of a forever home, one ball at a time and hoping to fetch his way into someone’s heart. Whether you or your kids have MLB dreams, Koa is very willing to help you train.  Did you know a well-thrown ball is the fastest way to a dog’s heart?This face says it all: I live for chasing balls.“Stop takin’ picturs and frow da BOLL” love Koa!

March 25, 2026

Despite all this he is a happy boy who loves balls.

He loves to fetch balls. He was made to chase balls. He dreams about catching and chasing balls. His love for the ball has been helpful in teaching him some good doggie manners.  He knows he needs to sit for a toss and is learning to do it for a treat too.

He is also learning that he needs to bring the ball back and drop it for another throw.

He is quick, smart, and energetic. After some play, he slows down he takes breaks and chills.

Koa also likes to play tug with friends, and doesn’t mind the occasional wrestling match.

He is a big guy with an even bigger heart!

March 20, 2026

This boy is an athlete.  Just look at how high he can jump for the ball.

Koa would love to find his special someone whose idea of fun is to spend time playing ball with their favorite furry best friend.  This guy just can’t get enough of it.

He’s even learned that sitting is what needs to happen before he gets a toss.

This guy could probably learn anything as long as there is a ball toss involved as his reward.

March 16, 2026

Koa got a new toy!

He really likes the squeaker!

I’m surprised that he hasn’t chewed through it to get at the ball.Koa was born ready to chase after the ball.  He just can’t get enough of it.

March 10, 2026

Koa is healing well after his neuter surgery.  He’s been spending more time in the house so we can work on his house training.  He really wants to be a lap dog and loves his snuggle time. It was hard for Koa when he didn’t have his ball time right after surgery since he loves that ball!

He was happy that I gave him a little ball time so we could practice “sit”.

I’m hoping that his new family loves to play ball too and has a strong arm!!  This boy is alway ready for a game of fetch.

March 6, 2026

Koa had a trip to the vet yesterday to get neutered.  He made the ride with his friend Howie who also had to get neutered. Koa had to bring his ball along for the ride.

He’s doing well after surgery but has to be on restricted activity for 7-10 days.  He’s not allowed to have his ball during this time so he is not a happy boy about that!  He LOVES his ball.

March 3, 2026

Koa is currently in foster care with a rescue in Arkansas. As they are in a rural area with limited opportunities to find an adopter, the AR rescue reached out to Brookline in hopes of helping to re-home him.Koa is athletic, food motivated and ball obsessed. He is good with other dogs and his current foster has many dogs of all shapes and sizes. He has never lived inside a home in close quarters with other dogs and is ball obsessed, so we are looking for a foster with no other dogs in the home. He has not been exposed to cats in his current foster home.

Koa is currently kenneled outside and keeps his run clean. The foster has been taking him inside occasionally to get him acclimated to living in a home but he will need further house training and basic manners and leash training.Koa is a sweet boy and loves attention and pets. He thinks he’s an extra large lap dog.

It’s rare to see his tail stop wagging especially when he is playing fetch and tug with his people.

Koa is heartworm negative and is on preventatives, he is neutered and UTD on vaccinations prior to transport.

Take a chance and foster, and you just might find the next love of your life!