This Week’s Featured Adoptable Dogs @ Willamette Humane Society by Martha Russell

29 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by adoptanoregondog in This Week's Featured WHS Dogs

Tags

animals, dogs, fellow dog lovers, pit bull terrier, shelter dogs, willamette humane society

Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I thought I’d start out this post with a picture from my recent trip to Scotland. As I was waiting for a bus in Edinburgh, I saw a mother, little girl, baby, and an older dog walking toward me. The dog was off-leash, but watching his little girl very closely. As they got nearer to me, I asked if I could take a picture. The mother smiled and agreed. Ailbert, the dog, is ten years old and a treasured member of the family.

We had some great blog adoptions last week, some which were second timers. Here they are.

I was so happy that I was at the shelter when Thunder’s people found him. I happened to be walking by one of the yards when they were first falling in love with this terrific boy. So naturally I had to put my two cents in about what a great dog he is. Here are the photos I snapped just before he went home.

It wasn’t until this moment that Thunder realized he was going home.

Chatter

Play group was a little soggy, but fun nevertheless. However, it seemed that getting adopted into forever homes was on a lot of minds.

Heidi and Dakota, our two elder ladies, are still waiting for their new homes. The way they prance around the yard and play, it’s hard to believe they are 14 and 12, respectively. They are Toy Poodle mixes and are a delight to watch. I have found many volunteers being Kennel Buddies with these two sweet dogs.

Romeo, our elder statesman at nine years old, is also still waiting. He continues to be a happy boy and a favorite of many staff and volunteers.

Nikko is a four-year-old Miniature Poodle mix. He loves play group and gets along well with other dogs. He would do best in a quiet home without small children, as he gets anxious when he feels cornered. He loves to cuddle and go for rides.

Mickey is a newbie at the shelter. He went to play group for the first time on Sunday and had a great time. He especially enjoyed hanging out on the “mellow” side with smaller, less rambunctious dogs. He’s affectionate and happy. He’s a ten-year-old German Shepherd/Collie mix.

What a girl!

I heard about Delilah before I met her. I heard she was a S.T.A.R.T. dog whom you instantly fell in love with. I heard she was very overweight. I heard she had a great smile. And then Sarah and I met her.

Delilah is a six-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. These pictures tell about her better than I can.

Somewhat self-conscious about her size, she explained it to Sarah this way.

One more…

I couldn’t resist one more picture of ever-smiling Romeo out with volunteer Kaliska as I got into my car.

Mickey has a respite!

I received a happy email from fellow volunteer Julie last night saying that Mickey was spending a few days at her house with her dog, Riley. Here’s what she wrote about this great boy. “He is a sweet, calm, well-mannered fellow. He and Riley get along great. She would prefer he play, but he is not interested in playing. He walks well on a leash, and is house trained. He loves walks and to lie by your feet. He also does great on car rides.”

And here are some pictures she sent. Someone is going to be very lucky to adopt this beautiful dog!

Axel, a dog in need of a special person

When I arrived at the shelter today, the first and last dog I wanted to spend time with was Axel, a two-year-old Boxer mix. Axel is a high-energy boy who needs an experienced dog owner. During our first outing, we went to the big yard to play ball. He was happy to pose for me sitting on the platform.

Axel needs to live in a place where there are not other dogs close by, as he barks at them. In play group on Sunday, he did well with most other dogs, but would need to meet any other dogs he would live with and would not be a candidate for the dog park. He loves to play fetch and brings the ball back, ready to race after it again and again.

Axel is in the process of learning better manners. He is a quick, bright student, but will need someone willing to put in time to help him become the well-mannered dog for which he has the potential. As I enjoyed spending time with Axel this afternoon, I kept thinking that while he needs training, he is so worth the effort. At the end of my shift, after the other walkers had gone home and there were no more dogs outside, I took Axel out again and played ball with him for a long time. He loved it and enjoyed just hanging out with me. With no other dogs around, he didn’t bark and was so happy romping around the yard. When it was time for me to leave, he let me put his head halti on without complaint and walked quietly by my side to his kennel. Here are some pictures of our second yard time. I hope you can get a feeling for his personality through these shots. Axel has been at WHS since April 25. Finding just the right home for him is a challenge, but what a great friend he will make once we do!

This was the last picture I took of him today. I loved how he liked to go fetch the ball, then run back to me and lie leaning against my legs while he surveyed his world.

I’m a big girl and I’m happy!

Nikita is a five-year-old Shepherd/Husky mix who has a ton of energy and an optimistic outlook on life. Here she is today with volunteer Joe. She has a hold on her, so we’re hoping that she’ll be going to her forever home very soon! She’s a beauty and has one brown and one blue eye.

My name is Nugget and I’m worth my weight in gold!

This sweet girl with Kathy is Nugget, a two-year-old American Staffordshire mix. She came to the shelter as a stray, so not much is known about her, but she is extremely friendly, walks well on leash and has a beautiful smile. She had a fun time in play group on Sunday and got along well with everyone. She took my treats politely and knows some basic commands. What a great family dog!

Yep, still here, but hoping not for long!

I was thrilled today to see that Romeo has a hold on him, so all of his many fans are hoping that he’ll soon be going home. Here he is with Debbie, a happy boy as always.

Here is one more Romeo picture sent to me by volunteer Harley who took Romeo out yesterday. While not a water dog, he tried to figure out how to get the hot dog bit at the bottom of the pool.

I’m quite popular here at the shelter!

Yes, I know I already put on quite a few pictures of Delilah from Sunday, but I can’t resist a couple more from today. Joan took her out this afternoon and at first wondered if Delilah would pull and be difficult to walk. I assured her that would not be the case. As you can see, Delilah has yet another fan.

Got a secure back yard? I’m embarrassed to say, I need one!

Gemini is back again. He is a two-year-old Chihuahua mix who came to us through the Wings of Rescue last December. He’s a great little dog who gets along with everyone including children, other dogs, and cats. He should not, however, be around chickens. His only problem is that he is an escape artist and loves to go on adventures by himself. (He doesn’t intend to get into trouble.) So, he will make a great new family member if they can outsmart him with fencing! He’s affectionate and very cute. Somewhere out there is a person with a Fort Knox fence!

Yep, still here…

I can’t end my post without including Kyra, our nine-year-old Australian Shepherd mix. I am always amazed when I see her happy, ever-hopeful expression week after week. Besides her age, I’m sure the “old lady bumps” on her body don’t help, either, when potential adopters look at her. But if they only could see beyond her bumpy exterior to the big heart and happy soul inside. Kyra is a gem. She gets along with all people including children and ignores cats. She can be a bit grumpy with other dogs, but when you’re an old lady, that happens. There must be a family out there which is looking for a calm, friendly, happy older girl who loves to take leisurely walks and then sleep by your side. Here she is today with Kathy.

Updates

Since Tayanita is a Wednesday dog walker, I get frequent reports on Moby and Hope. However, I was happy to get to take this family picture on Monday. You may remember that both Hope and Moby are deaf and Tayantia is teaching them sign language.

Mary’s first beach adventure!

Here ya go, Mary fans! Mary’s family went to the beach. She had a great time, according to Heather. “Mary had her first beach trip today she was so excited and loved running in the sand and playing in the water :)”

This one is my favorite. After an action-packed day, Kayia and her nanny-dog, Mary, were all tuckered out.

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

This Week’s Featured Adoptable Dogs @ Willamette Humane Society by Martha Russell

22 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by adoptanoregondog in This Week's Featured WHS Dogs

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

animals, dogs, fellow dog lovers, pit bulls, shelter dogs, willamette humane society

Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I’m back! My husband and I had a wonderful trip, spending the most time in Edinburgh, Scotland where I saw lots of dogs with caring owners. It is great to be home again and to catch up with the Willamette Humane Society news.

Talk about adoptions! There were many happy new beginnings for lots of shelter dogs during my absence. Here are the Blog Dogs and a few others whose pictures I had taken, but had not yet featured on my posts. They are now settling into their new homes.

I wanted to highlight one very special adoption that happened just before I left. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you have seen many pictures of Sarah, my wonderful friend who assists me while I take pictures of the new dogs for the WHS website. Banjo is a nine-year-old Beagle mix. Sarah fell in love with him during his long stay at WHS. Finally he was adopted. Soon afterward, Sarah moved into an apartment where she could have a dog. Then Banjo was returned to the shelter. Need I continue? Sarah and her fiancé, Bruce, took Banjo home. I’m thrilled for all three of them! Banjo’s new name is Gimli and he has settled into his forever home perfectly. I still get to see him each week, as Sarah brings him to play group. I love happy endings! Here are Gimli and Sarah during play group a few weeks ago.

Chatter

Play group on Sunday was an active one! There were many racing games as well as some quiet moments.

Sometimes no words are exchanged, the dogs just enjoy the thrill of racing.

I love the expression on these faces! Could dogs look any happier?

Gunner is still waiting for his forever home, but he is not depressed about it. He continues to be optimistic and in the meantime enjoys the attention of his many WHS fans.

This cute pup named Paige loved hanging out with Taya.

Still waiting for our forever homes

I had hoped by the time I returned from my trip that every dog I knew at the shelter would have been adopted. Most were. However, I’m going to start this week’s post with three who were not. All three are wonderful dogs who continue to wait patiently for their perfect fit of a family. I’m hoping that this week their wait will be over.

Gunner is a six-year-old Lab mix who lives to play fetch with his tennis ball. Here he is on Sunday with volunteer Jayson just returning from a rousing game in the big yard. Gunner gets along with other dogs (he LOVES play group) and has lived with children. He is house-trained and a shelter favorite. He’s such a good boy! He’ll make a perfect best friend.

Romeo is another staff and volunteer favorite. He has been at the shelter since March 6th. He is a nine-year-old Lab/Boxer mix and is such a gentle soul. He loves to go for walks, enjoys the quieter side of play group, and is always up for spending quality time with his fans. Here he is with Melissa on Sunday.

And here he is with Sarah.

I didn’t think it was possible to make him blush, but I think Sarah did!

Kyra has been at WHS since April 8. She is a nine-year-old Australian Shepherd mix who enjoys a long walk and human company. She’d rather spend her time with people than other dogs, though she gets along with them fine. Here she is on Sunday with Marisela. Kyra seems to always be smiling. She’s a delightful older girl waiting for her new family to find her.

Looking for a jogging/running/anything-active partner? That’s ME!

One of the first new dogs I met on Sunday was Waylon, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who is a bundle of good-natured energy. He’s a happy-go-lucky boy who loves to play. He had a blast in Sunday’s play group. He does need some work on polite leash walking, as he is a very eager boy. He also cannot go to a home with cats or livestock, as he likes to chase them. But for the right family fit, he’ll be a wonderful addition. He’s a great candidate for our WHS training classes where he’ll learn impulse control.

Speaking of tennis balls…

The next newbie I met was Nugget, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who is such a delightful girl! She is another tennis-ball dog who, while loving to play a game of fetch, also is a gentle companion afterward. Here she is with Lauren on her way back to her kennel.

And here is the picture I took of her for the WHS site. I love her face!

I have a little cold, but I’ll soon be just fine again!

Meet Miss Kitty (don’t ask, I have no idea!), a ten-year-old Chihuahua. She is recovering from a cold, and so is in the ISO kennels. She seemed to be feeling a lot better on Sunday and was anxious to spend some time with Sarah. Miss Kitty is an uncomplicated, well-behaved older gal who is waiting for her new family to find her and take her home.

I’m recovering from a cold, too, but I don’t let it stop me!

Also in the ISO kennels because of a cold is this happy five-year-old American Blue Heeler named Earnhardt. Looking for a working dog who lives to play fetch and drops the ball at your feet? Look no further! Earnhardt is a well-mannered girl whose herding instinct could be a problem around cats or small children. So a catless home and older kids will make a better fit. She has lived with other dogs and is house-trained. Sarah and I found her a delightful character who will be a great addition to an active family.

What do you mean, I’m not a lap dog?

Don’t tell Hank he isn’t a lap dog! This three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix decided that Sarah’s lap would do just fine to sit in while he surveyed the area. Hank is a loving, goofy, happy boy who has lived with a small dog (that explains why he thinks he’s a lap dog!). He likes children and everyone else. He had fun in play group. These pictures say everything about his personality.

We may be older, but we’d still make great friends for you!

I was just about to head home on Sunday when I saw Sarah and Lauren out with Heidi and Dakota, both Toy Poodles, who are 14 and 12 years old, respectively. While taking on older dogs may not be for everyone, it seems that there is always someone who is touched by such cases and opens their heart and home. I’m hoping that such a someone will find these two sweet old ladies soon.

I’m new here and I’m looking for a home. Maybe yours?

Today (Wednesday) I hadn’t planned to take any pictures because of the almost constant rain. However, between showers, I was able to take a few photos. Here is Kathy with new arrival Rachel, a two-year-old Australian Shepherd/Cattle Dog mix. She is a sweetheart! She walks well on leash, takes treats gently, and is beautiful. She knows some commands and would like to learn more. She will make some lucky family a great addition!

I’m back.

I was surprised to see Thunder, one of my all-time favorites, back at the shelter. It seems he has the urge to go on adventures on his own and has dashed out the door several times. This makes him a prime candidate for a WHS training class during which his next family will learn how to teach him to “wait” at doors for permission to go out. I enjoyed some quality time with this goofy boy both out in the big yard and in the canine classroom when it started to pour outside. We played a fun game of fetch and we worked on dropping the tennis ball at my feet. He was a quick learner. Then we just hung out together. Here are some shots I took of him this afternoon. Thunder is a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. I’m hoping a new family will adopt him soon!

Update: Tanner’s Big News!

For those of you who love Tanner (used to be Rockstar), guess who has just passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen Test with flying colors! Among other skills, the testing includes the following: accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose lead, walking through a crowd, sitting and lying down on command, and behaving politely around other dogs. Tanner has come such a long way from the bungling, rowdy puppy he was when he arrived at WHS. Those of us who saw the huge heart hidden inside the rambunctious exterior are so proud of this wonderful boy. Here is his graduation picture with Karen and several more taken of him at home. Thanks to WHS for not giving up on him, Linda Crosby for working with him, and Karen for adopting him. Tanner is truly a rockstar now!

And on that happy note, I’ll close for this week.