Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

Our adoption numbers continued to be high last week with many deserving dogs getting a second chance with a new family to love. Here were the Blog Dogs who were adopted.

A staff member snapped this shot of Norman with his new family. What a happy life he is going to have!

Play group was abuzz with activity with the more rambunctious dogs in one yard and the mellow ones in another. One dog, however, did not want any part of either side. Jackson, a ten-month-old Basset Hound mix staged his own one-dog sit-in and made his feelings quite obvious. He didn’t move from his chair until it was time to go back to his kennel.

Everyone else loved every minute of romping in the yards. Here are some comments I overheard. Girlfriend and Biscuit had just learned that they were being adopted together. Girlfriend couldn’t wait to tell everyone.

Biscuit was a little embarrassed by Girlfriend’s chatter.

Biscuit didn’t let it bother him for long and went to play with Brooke.

I came to WHS with some medical issues, but I’m doing better and would love a new home!

Sophia is one of our START dogs from California. She is a six-year-old Miniature Poodle mix with a gentle personality who will fit in with the whole family. She is quiet, calm and cooperative. She loves to just be with people. She did fine in play group on Sunday, too. She does have some problems in her right eye which will need continued medication. Mayra spent some quality time with her on Sunday and Sophia loved it. She will be a wonderful dog for a caring family.

I’m a shy little guy, but I know I’d like you!

In taking pictures of new dogs on Sunday, Sarah and I met Bruno, a two-year-old Chihuahua mix. While he is quite shy at first meeting, he warms up quickly to people. He has lived with other dogs and done well. He is a delightful little fellow, but will need house training.

I know I always look worried, but I’m really just hoping for a home.

Mayra also spent some time with Mohave on Sunday. While this sweet girl always has a look of concern, she is really a gentle soul waiting for a new family. She came to WHS with puppies and was a good mother. Now that the pups no longer need her, she has been spayed and is ready to start a new life. Mohave does well with both children and other dogs. She was in a foster home and they loved her. She just needs a family of her very own. I tried and tried to get her to smile, but this was the best I could do.

I’m still waiting…and I’m a little sad.

I love this picture of Brooke with Sherrie last Sunday. Brooke has been at WHS since August. She was adopted once, but it turns out she does not like cats, so was returned. Other than her dislike of felines, she is a wonderful girl. She walks well on leash, does fine on the mellow side in play group and has become a favorite of volunteers and staff. She is becoming stressed from being in the shelter so long. I’m hoping someone will fall in love with her and adopt her soon.

When I was leaving on Sunday, Sarah was spending some quiet time with Brooke in her kennel.

And here Brooke was today with Larry.

We’re quite shy, but would love to be part of a family again!

Debbie and Kathy had a great time with two newbies, Chispa and Spotty. Chispa is two and Spotty is a year old. They are both Chihuahua mixes. They have lived with other dogs and children, but are not house trained. They will need understanding families who will be patient and make them feel secure.

I love spending time just relaxing with my person!

Shelter life is very stressful for a dog. The noise, the smell of other dogs, the constant activity, the kennel itself, are all difficult for a dog who is used to a family life. The stress increases as the length of stay grows. Stress comes out in many different forms in dogs. Sometimes it’s physical with intestinal problems, sometimes it’s emotional anxiety. Jolson is a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier START dog who is showing emotional stress. Today he had a wonderful, quiet, relaxing time with Chelsea in one of the visitation rooms. It helped him to relax and he was so much happier and calmer when he returned to his kennel. Jolson is such a good boy and loves people. Chelsea and I are hoping the right family will find him soon.

It’s the eyes that go straight to your heart.

If you read my posts regularly, you know that Gia has become one of my all-time favorites. I took her out to the big yard today and we had a talk. She listened well while I explained that I was trying hard to tell people what a good girl she is. Gia is a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, and is showing signs of stress, too, having been at WHS since early September. When I was taking her back to her kennel, BJ, our Volunteer Manager, suggested we have a short play date with her two dogs, Luke, a Lab, and Zoe, a Border Collie. The three had a grand time racing around the yard. Gia is so funny to watch playing with other dogs. She hops. BJ says Gia’s play style is a mixture of a bunny and a freight train. I laughed in agreement.

Look at this face! Are you smiling?

One of the last dogs I took out today was Geraco (G-Man for short), a four-year-old Belgian Malinois/Great Dane. This guy is just such a great dog! He walks very well on leash, takes treats gently, loves either playing or hanging out with you. He’s another one of our START dogs and he’ll make some family a fantastic companion. He’s become such a favorite of Marla, a Thursday dog walker, that we had to email her this picture to say hi.

We were working on “down” and he did very well!

Here he is with Bethany.

Of course, I can’t finish a post without some pictures of another of my favorites, Tido. Here he is with Sarah on Sunday. He continues to do very well, though he’s been at the shelter since early September. He’s a seven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix.

And here he is today as we played our umpteenth game of ball. I have never seen a happier dog when he is playing fetch.

Looking for an understanding owner…could it be you?

I stopped over at volunteer Beth’s house yesterday to visit her and her foster dog, Cinnamon. As you can see, this is one happy dog! She is a five-year-old Shepherd mix with some issues. She wants to be an only dog in your family and has some separation anxiety. She is hoping for an experienced owner who has the patience to work with her through these issues.

Bowser’s Boo Bash 2012!

The annual Bowser’s Boo Bash was held last Saturday and it was a fantastic evening for all who attended. It is the biggest money-making event for the shelter each year. Here is a slide show of some of the fun.

Update

Finally, here is one of my favorite WHS alumna, Ruby, in this year’s Halloween costume. What a perfect way to end my October 31 post! Ruby, you look amazing!