10/30/2026
After his owner's death and time in a crowded South LA shelter, 9-year-old Raider came to Frosted Faces confused and scared Over the months since, our dedicated volunteers and foster families have patiently worked to earn Raider’s trust. In that time, we’ve learned so much about this sweet senior and the kind of special family he needs to help him feel safe, loved, and at home again.
When meeting Raider, the best approach is to give him space, avoid reaching for him, and allow him to come to you when he is ready. He needs to learn that his new environment and the people in it are safe. For these reasons, Raider would do best with a patient, dog-experienced adopter who understands canine body language, respects boundaries, and is willing to let trust develop at Raider’s pace. With him, trust is not immediate. It is earned, and once he begins to offer it, it's incredibly rewarding!
His foster mom of the past two months explains:
"Raider has blossomed into a sweet, thoughtful companion with consistent care, safety, and patience. He really is a gem! He loves car rides, squeaky balls, and now beach adventures! Seeing his happy little face at Grape Street Dog Park and Del Mar Dog Beach has made me so happy and proud. Since having 18 teeth removed in August during a dental cleaning, he’s become even softer in his demeanor.
When we first started fostering him, it took approximately one week of patience, routine, and respecting his space before Raider began regularly approaching me for pets and attention. Once he feels safe, he is incredibly trusting. I can pet, cuddle, and affectionately touch him throughout the day without upsetting him. He also seeks affection from my 10-year-old daughter.
Raider LOVES his Hartz Dura Play squeaky balls/bones/ropes, so much that he’ll toss his own ball when nobody is available to play. He walks beautifully, loves to race and roll in the grass, and isn’t much of a stop-and-sniff guy. His happy place may just be his donut bed in the passenger seat. Raider is one VERY happy copilot who loves a long car ride! That car seat has also shown us how much trust matters to him. During his first couple of weeks, Raider could become protective of his bed and spot in the car, so getting him out required patience and space. A month later, he no longer did that as he became more secure and trusting. Seeing that change was incredibly rewarding.
At home, Raider is wonderfully well-mannered. He learns routines quickly, patiently waits for meals, never begs, leaves the trash alone, and can now stay home for a couple of hours without barking. He and our other foster coexist just fine, although they aren’t best buddies and definitely compete for the prime spot next to me. Raider seems much more interested in having his person than a canine best friend. Give him space. Let him feel safe. Let him choose you. Because once Raider does, he becomes the sweetest, most devoted little shadow you could ask for."
Could you be the special family Raider has been waiting for?
To meet Raider, please email:
[email protected]