Considering a pet? These Green Bay shelter dogs have waited for a home for months — or years

GREEN BAY - With the holidays coming up, you might be tempted to bring a pet home as a gift for a loved one.

We'll get to the best way to do that in a minute. But, if adopting a pet is something you're seriously thinking about, you might have already considered adopting from an animal shelter. In the hopes of bringing shelter pets some holiday magic, we asked area shelters to tell us a little bit about their longest residents and what makes them special.

Submissions from area animal shelters have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Bahlou, Wisconsin Humane Society of Green Bay

Bahlou is a 7-year-old dog who arrived at the Wisconsin Humane Society on Sept. 21 and has stolen the hearts of the staff. Weighing 48 pounds, this boy still has a lot of pep in his step and steals your attention with his puppy-dog eyes and goofy personality.

He came to us as a stray and his skin was in rough shape. He has received medical treatments along with lots of loving care and is now on a quest to find a loving home of his own. No doubt he would love nothing more than to have a new family to celebrate the holiday season. He greets everyone with a big smile, shares lots of kisses, and seeks lots of extra attention on his daily walks.

Bahlou is looking for patience in his new home to allow him to gradually build bonds and feel secure so he can be his best self and everyone’s companion. His adoption fee is $75, and he is eagerly awaiting your arrival at the WHS Green Bay Campus. Visit him during adoption hours and take him home the same day!

— Staff Pick, Wisconsin Humane Society of Green Bay

Freya, Misfit Mutts

We can hardly believe Miss Freya has been hanging out in Wisconsin for over 2 years now waiting for the right family to find her!

From the first moment we met this sweet girl in Texas through our friends at Corridor Rescue, we all knew she was extra special and instantly melted our hearts. Not only has she survived being hit by a car, but she continues to thrive despite some limited mobility in her back legs, and does it with a big smile on her face.

She has been continuing her visits with Emily at Peak PEMF Performance and has been responding well to chiropractic care and water therapy. Most recently, her foster mom has noticed her tail wags more, and she has been trying new things like going up a short flight of stairs all on her own! It will be important for her adoptive home to keep bringing her to therapy to help her continue to strengthen her back legs and to keep her at her best.

Since being up here in Wisconsin, her walking has improved so much and she is getting better each day with going potty on her own outside! She is still working on being able to stand up to go number two, but her strength and balance are not quite there yet. When Freya is around her foster home and while sleeping, she does wear diapers to help with her incontinence.

Freya has not met any human she doesn’t love, and she sure makes it difficult not to love her back.  The more time she spends in her foster home, the more her personality blossoms. She is a bit wobbly when walking, but once she starts to run around, she is off to the races! Falling down is part of her routine, but with her amazing resilience, she gets right back up to try again. Freya is a big fan of playing with her doggie foster siblings and would love to go to a home with another dog.

Freya is approximately 4 years old and just under 60 pounds. As with most rescue dogs, her breed is a best guess and she is listed as a mix, but we think there is some Great Pyrenees in her based on her talkative personality and coloring. Her ideal home will be prepared to give her the extra special care that she needs to be the best dog she can be.

If you think Freya could be the dog for you, head over to our website and submit an application for adoption! If you are pre-approved or would like some more information about Freya, please e-mail us at misfitmuttsdogrescue@gmail.com.

— Megan Gibeault, Misfit Mutts Dog Rescue

Tripp, Lucky 7 Dog Rescue

Tripp is a 2-year-old, 44-pound neutered male, and he has been waiting to find his forever home for 1 year and 3 months.

Tripp is a happy guy that enjoys the company of other dogs that like to play and are okay with him hogging the toys. Tripp loves toys, especially balls that can hold up to his chewing: Nylabone-type chews, tug toys — you name it, he likes it! He also enjoys a good romp in his doggy pool. He is also definitely up to doing whatever his human wants to do. Walk? Yes! Play in the backyard? Yes! Nap on the sofa? Yes! He is just excited to be doing whatever you are.

He also does okay being left alone. Tripp is fully house-trained and crate-trained and will take a snooze while he waits for you to get back home.

Tripp’s biggest struggle is meeting new people, especially men. It can take him a minute to warm up to new people, but he’s been working hard on his people skills.

Tripp’s ideal home would have a fenced yard. He also would do well with another dog friend or two. Tripp does not like cats and should not live with them. Tripp would also do best with older kids that are able to listen to Tripp or his adults about proper play. Tripp is okay with his family working away from or at home. He would also do best having his own room or space to hang in when guests are over until more formal introductions are able to be made. If you take the time to meet Tripp, you will find yourself a funny, smiley, loving dog.

— Submitted by Lucky 7 Dog Rescue

ASPCA: If you're adopting a pet for the holidays, consider if the recipient can care for it

Even during the holidays, however, adopting a pet shouldn't be an impulse decision. The American Society for Prevention to Cruelty to Animals said that animals should only be given "to people who have expressed a sustained interest in owning one and the ability to care for it responsibly."

The ASPCA also said the recipient should have plenty of free time during the holidays to help the pet transition into its new surroundings.

Misfit Mutts adoption coordinator Megan Gibeault said that people should consider the fact that a dog is a 10-15 year commitment.

"Life as you know it looks a little different" when you're responsible for another living being, she added.

She advised all prospective adopters to consider the expenses of adopting a pet: food, vet bills, toys, leash, and collar, to name a few. And the pet's size and energy level will play a large role in deciding whether it's right for you and your lifestyle, she said.

Gibeault said, "If you are an avid hiker, maybe a higher energy pup is what you’re looking for. But, if you are more laid-back and appreciate your time at home, consider adopting a senior dog."

Ready to adopt a dog? Here's how you can get your fee sponsored the Sunday after Thanksgiving

Dog food brand Pedigree announced earlier this month that they plan to sponsor dog adoptions made on Nov. 26, which they've nicknamed "Shelter Sunday."

If you adopt your newest family member from an animal shelter, you can submit your adoption receipt to pedigree.com/ShelterSunday between Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 and get reimbursed up to $200.

The brand also encouraged those who can't adopt to celebrate Shelter Sunday on Nov. 26 by volunteering or donating to local animal shelters.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for northeastern Wisconsin. Contact her with story tips and feedback at rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Green Bay shelter dogs are waiting for a home. Here's how to adopt