Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

It was great to get back to Sunday’s play group after the week off. The only problem was the rain, wind, and hail all morning! This was the crowded result.

There were moments when there was actually a little blue sky above and we had a chance to visit. Here is Baby, a three-year-old Dachshund mix who crawled onto my lap without hesitation to talk. She is a wonderful little dog who has lived with children and is house-trained.

Tanner (formerly Rockstar) and Karen came to play group and had a great time until I pulled out my camera as they were getting ready to leave.

We had several adoptions last week. Here are the Blog Dogs who found their forever homes.

Chloe was adopted by another volunteer who had fallen in love while taking her for walks. He even built a fence for her in his yard. She’s a lucky girl!

And Coleman had a good feeling Sunday morning when he confided his thoughts to volunteer Andrew.

I was at the shelter when Coleman’s sister, Charade, was adopted. Both siblings were from a litter of pups surrendered to us who were extremely under-socialized. They spent some time in foster homes to build up their confidence. It was wonderful to see Charade romp around the yard with her soon-to-be canine sister, Tonka. Here is the happy family just before they went home. I got a note on my WHS Facebook page that Charade’s new name is Kali. I’ve been promised an update in a few weeks.

I’m ready to be adopted now! Are you my new family?

Speaking of foster homes, I have a very special report to give you about Domino, a one-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix. He is currently in a foster home but ready to be adopted into his forever home now. Domino is one of the Brooks rescued dogs. He was a small pup when he arrived at WHS after living in deplorable conditions. I remember when I first saw him, my heart melted. Here is the first picture I took of him when he was recovered from his ordeal and was available for adoption. He was such a bundle of puppy energy and had had no training, so it was decided he needed to be in a home environment to blossom.

And blossom, he has! Here is his foster mom Joanie’s report that she sent to me last night.

“Domino is a REALLY happy puppy. He is 11 months old. He is potty trained. He gets along well with our dog. He also does not bother our horses. He has learned his Basic training commands.
Domino is one of the most loving and enthusiastic pups I have ever met! Always has lots of kisses to give. He can play fetch and return and give the toy. Because of how much wiggling and bouncing around he does, and his size, we recommend a home with children over 10. Domino would be a great agility dog. He is very active and smart and fast. When he is happy he will come to you crawling on his belly to visit. He learns quickly. He’s not recommended for apartment living since he loves being outside as well as inside. He is crate-trained to stay in when he cannot be watched and sleeps in it. He seems to feel safe and comfortable in it. Domino has respect for furniture. He has been taught to stay off it and is good remembering it. He loves going for rides in the car and behaves well. I recommend he continue in beginning training so his new owner knows how to control him. He is very healthy, and has the nicest shiny coat. He always comes when you call him. He really wants to please people, and he does like children. He seems to always be excited for life. He is an upside down dog. Loves lying on his back. He can be a real clown at times since he always comes up with so many ways to play! He is a real sweetheart. He is so willing to learn new things and always happy!“

Here are some pictures Joanie sent along. Domino will be the perfect young dog for an active family who is up for this wonderful boy!

Domino is currently in foster care.  If you are interested in meeting Domino, please contact Alix, the Foster Coordinator at foster@whs4pets.org or (503) 585-59000 ext. 303 to set up a time to meet him.

WHS had a busy week accepting new dogs from other shelters and rescues around Oregon, so I had quite a few pictures to take on Sunday afternoon. It was such fun for Sarah and me to meet all of the new personalities. I am anxious to introduce some of them to you on this post.

American Bulldog Sisters

Although Molly and Teesha arrived together, they do not have to be adopted together. Molly is one year old and has the sweetest expression. She loves to play and would enjoy taking one of the training classes at WHS. She took my treats gently and is eager to please. She knows some basic commands. Here she was on Sunday with volunteer Gabby.

I love her face!

Teesha is two years old and also knows basic commands. She loves to roll in the grass and looks at you with such sincerity as though she is trying her best to understand what you are saying to her. She’s an active girl and will need exercise.

Here she was on Wednesday with volunteer Steve.

Both of these girls deserve loving forever homes and I hope they’ll be adopted quickly!

Agility? Why, yes, I think I’d like that!

While I was taking pictures of another dog, Sarah and Wilson were waiting for his turn. Wilson is a three-year-old Chihuahua mix with quite a sense of humor and an engaging personality. He had us laughing at all of his antics.

High Five anyone?

I’m a very cheerful kind of guy!

Sometimes you meet a dog who seems to be constantly smiling. This is the case with Jeb, a two-year-old Lab mix. The food bowl half full? Yep, that’s how Jeb thinks of everything. Here he was on Sunday with Sarah. He knows basic commands and is gentle. He needs work on his leash manners, as he tends to pull. He has lots of energy and will need an active family to have adventures with.

I’m a gentle soul and will be a great friend

Another new favorite of mine is Thunder, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Shepherd mix. If he doesn’t get adopted right away (and I hope he does) I look forward to getting to know him better. He walked perfectly on leash, took my hot dog bits carefully, and simply is a great boy. Sarah and I agreed some family will be very lucky to adopt Thunder.

Do you like wrinkles? If so, you’ll love my face!

Meet Radar, a two-year-old Chinese Shar-Pei mix. Love this face! He is a little nervous in new situations, so an adult home would probably be best for this boy. He walks well on leash and is affectionate. He is treat-motivated and a quick learner.

I have a little cold, but I’m still adoptable!

One of the last dogs Sarah and I met on Sunday was Stuffie who has caught a cold, so is in the ISO kennels at the moment. But he is still available for adoption. Stuffie is a two-year-old English Bulldog mix. He is affectionate, happy, and energetic. He also likes to have his picture taken as you can see with these shots of Sarah and him.

I’m back at WHS and hoping for an understanding family.

Roscoe was returned after being adopted. He is an almost three-year-old Mastiff/Shepherd mix. He is very shy and nervous around other dogs, but is such a loving, gentle boy. He would do best as an only dog and will need a patient, understanding owner who will give him the attention and time he needs to gain confidence. Here he is on Wednesday with volunteer Marla. He was a favorite of mine when he was at the shelter last time, and is still one today.

I’m new to the shelter and am hoping for a new family!

I met a new arrival on Wednesday named Kyra. She is a nine-year-old Australian Shepherd mix. She has lived with children and is house-trained. She can be selective about other dogs, but ignores cats. She is very friendly and eager for attention. Here she is with Joan on Wednesday.

Yes, I know I have huge ears. Go ahead and make your kangaroo joke.

Walter (formerly Icy Hot) is another return. While he gets along fine with cats, he does not like to be over-handled by small children. He would do best in a quiet home with older children or just adults. Walter is a three-year-old Chihuahua mix. He’s a friendly, happy little guy, though he is slightly self-conscious about his ears. Here he is on Wednesday with Ann.

My name is Buddy and I need a very understanding family.

Buddy is a very special dog. He is a one-year-old Newfoundland/Boxer mix. He came to us extremely under-socialized and the staff has been working with him to build his confidence up enough to have volunteers work with him. He was so shy when he first came to WHS, he didn’t want to leave his kennel. But on Wednesday he was happy to come outside with Marla and me. He enjoyed lying in the grass and watching the world around him. Buddy is getting used to wearing a collar and walking on a leash. He is extremely gentle, though still nervous around new things. He is working on his potty training. He will need a very patient, loving, and understanding person to help him continue to gain the confidence he needs.

I love his big head!

Play time!

The last thing Marla and I did on our Wednesday shift was to have a play date with Zoe, a Border Collie who is Volunteer Manager BJ’s dog, and Simons, a one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, whom I featured last week. No words needed here, the pictures speak for themselves. They had a blast.

Updates

Mary and family visit!

I was thrilled on Sunday afternoon when Mary and her family visited us again! Here Mary is with her canine sibling, Oso. They are best friends! But, of course, Kaiya is still Mary’s little girl!

Chola (Choji)

If you are a regular reader of my posts, you’ll remember little Choji who starred in her own play group movie because she is such a dynamic, fun-loving, one-ear-up dog. Here she is when she was at WHS.

Here is her owner’s report and recent pictures. What a wonderful life she has!

    “Our precious Chola (named appropriately so by Beth Cooley) came to us when I was reading your blog and I saw her gorgeous golden eyes, and one ear up.  She was so cute, but there was something else there.  I did not know of her past at the time.  Walking up to the doors at WHS, we noticed kids walking the dogs.  We actually saw Chola as she was near the entrance to WHS and approached her.  She was OK with me, but immediately started barking ferociously at Steve, who then said.” That’s it, we need to adopt her.”

To make a long story short, she came home with us. She is the most unique dog.  Besides being the most photogenic dog I have ever had, she welcomes every new foster that comes to our house, and always ends up making them play with her.  She LOVES to be chased, and she also loves to cuddle.  She is the “life of the party.”  The first month or two she would be very protective of me in the middle of the night, or when Steve came to bed, she would actually get so ferocious that I was afraid she would bite him.  (She never did.)  Fortunately Steve has a way with animals, and talked her through it every night, and after a month or two, it was a thing of the past.  I’m grateful it was us that adopted her, because I’m not sure many would put up with this behavioral problem.  I know she doesn’t like men because of her past- and I don’t want to think about that.  All that matters is her future, and she is quite happy running the show at our home with the many other pack-members. She has the cutest habit of playing with toys while lying on her back. We love our Chola, and especially love to photograph her.  Thank you WHS for saving her life.”
Becky and Steve Mucha

    

That’s it for this week!

Remember, if you see a dog on my blog whom you are interested in meeting, try to make arrangements to get to the Willamette Humane Society soon. Some dogs are adopted more quickly than you might think.

You can reach me at adoptanoregondog14@yahoo.com