freya

Freya is proof that age is truly just a number. This beautiful brindle senior may be around 12 years old, but don’t tell her that — she still has plenty of pep in her step, a playful spark, and a zest for life that charms everyone she meets. Found running through traffic as a stray, Freya has quickly stolen hearts at the shelter with her sweet nature, joyful personality, and adorable “smize” that volunteers can’t stop talking about.

Freya is the perfect mix of calm companion and playful best friend. She loves leisurely walks where she can sniff to her heart’s content, greet people along the way, and soak up all the attention she can get. Volunteers describe her as incredibly sweet, intelligent, affectionate, and surprisingly energetic for a senior girl. She’s known to break out into happy little zoomies in the yard, bounce around playfully, and happily lean into leg and butt scratches for more love. She’s also wonderfully treat motivated and takes snacks very gently from your hand like the polite lady she is.

Freya appears to be very housetrained and is easy to leash, walk, and spend time with. While she may have a little age-related stiffness in her back legs and hips, she absolutely does not let it slow her down. In fact, one volunteer shared that everyone they met during a day trip thought she was closer to 7 years old because of how active and happy she was! She loved exploring the Wissahickon, people-watching at Starbucks, riding in the car, and soaking up quality time with her humans.

Freya has also shown friendly interest in other dogs and enjoys saying hello, though she can get a little excited and pushy during play at times. More than anything, she just wants to be out with people, enjoying the world around her instead of sitting in a kennel.

This lovely older lady deserves a soft landing and a family who will cherish her golden years the way she deserves. If you’re looking for a dog with the wisdom of a senior, the heart of a puppy, and endless love to give, Freya is waiting to meet you.

Freya is currently in foster care. Contact foster@acctphilly.org for more information or to schedule a meet with her!

📽️Videos📽️
Freya snoozing: https://youtube.com/shorts/6vVfLnUkJ0s?feature=share

Freya playing with her toy on her sleepover : https://youtube.com/shorts/jKooeQh8qw4?feature=share

Silly Freya! : https://youtube.com/shorts/oYWU8CiPUak?feature=share

Playful senior girl Freya: https://youtu.be/UOtS7ryWsWM

Playgroup 5/5: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIYrHnIwPNdP9IXaWddldXAK

Playgroup 5/5: Chloe, Freya: https://youtu.be/mudKgqdLs1A?si=cPLe2UFfbHUCjzIr

Freya and chip
https://youtu.be/zE31LJTnXvU?si=G6rbG8jvZJ9_Srha
https://youtu.be/KPkM-s5oo3c?si=7qcyMU-k9zXd3--N

Lil Man and Freya: https://youtube.com/shorts/Z9ECQGIL-7U?si=4477mbu2mDs7hmPj

Petulia and Freya walk along: https://youtu.be/DCC1aP_L4zg?si=i9uN00Hei4ZVH2En

Petulia Freya 1: https://youtu.be/0CBo_3XhB8o?si=yyF_C48ItrO37Vdn

Petulia and Freya drop leash 2: https://youtu.be/qz96--uLJ8U?si=BVwfF_R8bjqhL6MS

Freya ACCT-A-249371 🐾♥️🐾 https://youtube.com/shorts/1SOrc5LJeWU?si=3hUUU5IzPyfEJ27W



⭐Behavior Notes⭐

Walksheet notes:

5/5 - medium energy, peed and pooped right away when outside, calm on leash, takes treats nicely, sweet, happy personality, a little reluctant to get back into her kennel, but took correction easily

5/5 - medium energy, seems housetrained, sweet girl, surprisingly energetic for a senior, needed a boost and half a step to return to kennel

5/6 - medium energy, house trained, loves treats and treat motivated, friendly, good dog

5/6 - medium energy, friendly, loves pets, treat motivated

5/8 - medium energy, sweet girl, good walk, zig zags a lot

5/9 - medium energy, love to bounce and play

5/12 - medium energy, seriously the sweetest girl, very hoppy, loves to walk

5/13 - medium energy, needed treat to return to kennel, good meet with another dog

5/14 - medium energy, runs fast for an older lady, sweet girl

5/15 - medium energy, played with a dog through the fence

5/15 - medium energy, good meet with Lil Man, pushy, playful, jumpy with people, so sweet

5/16 - medium energy

5/18 - low energy, good, very tired at end of walk, good walk

5/19 - medium energy, playful, good on walk

5/20 - low energy, short walk

5/21 - low energy, lied about her age, very house trained, still so much fun in the yard, still has plenty of energy, easy in/out

5/23 - low/medium energy, sweetest, loves to play, puppy vibe, very intelligent, obedient, love her

On 5/28 staff noted: "Witnessed a volunteer bringing Freya back inside after time in the yard. Freya was pulling hard away from the door, ears back, wide eyes, tail low. I offered some hot dogs and she started to move with hot dogs in a trail. Once inside the building she walked the rest of the way. Volunteer mentioned this happened yesterday as well and they had to go through a different door. Leveling up to Blue"

Per short term foster 5/27: "Freya is the sweetest old lady. With the stiffness in her hind legs, I'd say she's a medium-energy dog. She likes to walk and was playful at times but also loves a good nap and has the cutest snores that cause her lips to flap like a cartoon. She was open and willing to come up and meet us with lose body language. Though old, Freya still has a zest for life and deserves a loving home.

Notes from her overnight stay with us:

She was understandably anxious during the drive from ACCT, ears back, some whining, and she threw up a little (which may have been encouraged by the multiple speed bumps we went over).

When walking Freya often drags her back legs a bit, mainly her rear left, which causes the nail to file down to the quick and bleed. Even so, this doesn't slow her down and is something she clearly loves to do. She showed no interest in the garbage on the street. Walked well on the leash with minimal zig-zagging and no pulling. Pees almost immediately when taken out. When she was with us, she had diarrhea, but only outside.

The stiffness in her hips/hind quarters can give her trouble when trying to hop onto furniture, causing her to flop on her back, but her remains unphased and would either try again or look at us for help. Occasionally she can struggle with the steps or just has to make sure to do them slowly.

It took a little bit for her to relax and open up. She allowed pets, slightly flinching if you went to pet her on the top of her head, before allowing you to continue. Very tolerant of handling (i.e. lifting up for help onto beds, petting her ears etc.)

Showed no interest in the ball provided but did play a bit with the rubber bone and got some little zoomies. She didn’t try to eat our food, simply sat politely and looked longingly but didn’t vocally beg. Freya knows “sit” and takes treats gently, though at first wasn’t interested when offered.

Freya followed us around and liked to have eyes on us at all times. When one of us left she loudly whined/barked, until my roommate came upstairs to soothe her. While she thought that she was alone and feeling anxious, she peed on the hardwood floor. This only happened one other time, but I believe that once she has a permanent home, this can be worked on.

In her old age, we believe that she may be a bit hard of hearing, as she wouldn't show any indication that she heard us at times when we called her name, or talked to her. We also think that she might have some vision problems as well. Nevertheless, this doesn't seem to hinder her quality of life or spunk in any manner."

Per volunteer 5/23: Freya is a lovely older gal who loves snacks! She is a beautiful brindle and white, and her age-related bling only brings out her lovely amber eyes even more. She is a wonderful blend of chill and adorable playfulness, having plenty of energy. She had some mild age-related stiffness in her massage but it worked out easily and she moves quite well, even reported to get zoomies in the yard!

She is about 12 and was found as a stray but seems like she was well-cared for to get to the fine age that she is.

She's a perfect lady and still has that joyful spark.

Per day trip foster 5/17/26: Freya was a sweetie pie for our day date today! We went to the Wissahickon for a nice long walk which she LOVED. She had a blast sniffing everything and saying hi to people. I truly cant believe she is 12 somehow?! She would have run with me if she could have. Everyone thought she was 7 years old max! You can tell her back legs are a little weak but she does not let it slow her down one bit. She also loved people watching/greeting sitting outside at Starbucks. In the car she preferred the backseat but would come up front to visit for copilot duties 🤣She gets VERY excited to get out of the car (she has such a zest for life!) so I just had to be careful to slow her down a little getting out. She was a polite lady passing other dogs, I could tell she wanted to play with them but she had no aggression or issues at least that I saw. She took treats gently as well. She was a little slow to warm up to me affection wise but towards the end of the day she thanked me with some kisses 😭She loooooves bum/leg scratches and would push herself into me for more. When I dropped her off she didnt want to leave me and my heart melted into a million pieces! I hope she finds a beautiful loving home ASAP to live out her golden years! Ps - she has perfected the “smise” smiling with her eyes haha

Per staff 5/14/26 (Regarding meet with Chip): Loose/wiggly, good greetings, pushy/play

Per staff 5/7/26: 12-year-old Freya ACCT-A-249371 is a sweet and gentle soul looking for a soft place to land. This lovely lady was found as a stray, but she hasn't let that dampen her spirit. She is incredibly friendly with people and has a heart full of love to give.

Freya is the perfect mix of a sophisticated senior and a playful pup. While she might have some stiff hips and potentially limited vision, she doesn’t let that slow her down! She is "surprisingly playful" and has been known to get a delightful case of the zoomies in the yard, running around and soliciting plenty of attention and pets. She is a true lady when it comes to treats, taking them very gently from your hand.

On the leash, Freya is a dream. she walks well with minimal to no pulling, making her an excellent companion for leisurely strolls. She can be a little hesitant when it’s time to head back inside, showing she’d much rather stay out by your side, but with a patient hand and some moderate encouragement, she follows along nicely. Freya has shown friendly interest in other dogs with a loose, waggy body, but was a bit pushy during one meet and didn't seem to understand when the other dog was asking for space.

If you’re looking for a companion who offers the calm companionship of a senior with the joyful spark of a younger dog, Freya may be the one for you. Come meet this charming girl today!

Per volunteer 5/6/26: Kennel Presentation: Laying down on her cot when I approached. Stood up with a neutral body and wide eyes with ears back. Took treats very gently through the door

Leash Skills: Stood still and allowed for easy leashing. Once secured, hopped out of her kennel easily and looked at me with slightly wide eyes/crouched body while I closed the kennel door. Minimal to no pulling on leash. Peed almost immediately once outside of kennel (some in the hallway, some outside)

Sociability: Surprisingly playful for a senior! She solicited lots of attention and got zoomies in the yard, running over to me for treats and pets. She took treats nicely (I didn't ask her to sit for them because her hips seemed very stiff). Seemed confident and playful in the yard

Play: No interest in toys

Dog Interaction: Saw a small dog through the fence/in the other yard. Very interested in him with a loose body and high wagging tail, then returned to sniffing around the yard when he did not return interest.

Return to Kennel: Put on the brakes when we approached her kennel. I had to hoist her in, then she hopped out again while I was untangling my leash from her foot. The second time, I gave a half step in and used moderate leash pressure and she went into the kennel on her own

Color Level: Exp gold

Recommendations and considerations: Exp gold due to difficulty returning, otherwise behavior is more consistent with gold

Playgroup 5/5/26:
Steer test: not steerable with either water or can. Good greeting at the fence with loose body, soft eyes and some whining. Came into the yard and quickly became pushy with the other dog in the yard. Did not take corrections from dog, removed from the yard.

Per finder 5/3/26: Freya’s finder had her for two hours after finding her running in and out of traffic. She walked well on leash and was friendly with strangers. They described her as being overall friendly, shy and scared


ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.

If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/

Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.

All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313