Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

It’s the week before Christmas and all through the shelter, the dogs and their walkers don Santa apparel! (Yep, and they were all good sports!)

But first, here are the wonderful Blog Dog adoptions from the past week. We are all so happy that these wonderful dogs, as well as the dogs who went home before I had a chance to write about them, will be spending their first Christmas with their new families!

Chatter

We had quite the crew out for the play group romp. There was a lot of running, racing, and some quiet times as well. Here’s what I overheard.

Little Buck has some definite ideas about what is fair.

Ever dramatic Ziggy did not impress Clyde.

It’s so funny to watch the dogs race around the yard, then stop on a dime at the bucket.

But the funniest moments of all were between Ziggy and Sherrie’s dog, Kya. No words of explanation are needed.

Kya was such a good sport until she’d finally had enough of being bossed around and told Ziggy so.

Emma and her little boy

Usually I would wait until the end of my post to put this update picture. But I just couldn’t wait for you to see it. Emma’s family brought her to WHS for professional pictures. Priceless.

I’m not the only one in a Santa hat!

Doc, a three-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix, thought wearing Santa hats was pretty funny, especially when I asked Danielle and Luke to join in. Doc is a very smart, very active dog who will make a great family dog, but will need to be kept busy. He loves to play fetch and is highly treat-motivated, making training pretty easy. He already knows some commands and is anxious to learn more. Doc is a happy boy and is hoping to go home for Christmas.

I think this is ridiculous.

Some dogs get into dress-up more than others. Buck, not so much. Even when Diane and Jacob joined in, he was not impressed. Buck is a four-year-old purebred Dachshund. He enjoyed running around in the small-dog play group and loves to go for walks as well as cuddle in your lap. He has lived with other dogs and even cats! However, he needs to go to an adult-only home. Diane and Jacob got a kick out of this little guy, as did I.

Thank you!

I want to begin my report about this afternoon’s dogs with a note about my terrific fellow dog walkers. When I showed up Sunday and today with an overflowing bag of Santa props, did they even bat an eye? Nope. They all cheerfully pulled on a cap and posed. I feel so lucky to know such wonderfully dedicated people who all share a love of shelter dogs.

I’m a baby hoping for a home for Christmas!

Carol’s first dog today was Tanner, a three-month old Miniature Poodle/Chihuahua mix. As you can see, he’s adorable and Carol fell in love with the little guy. He scampered around the puppy play area and happily took my hot dog bits. I don’t think he’ll be at the shelter long!

I’m back, hoping for a new family.

Clyde is a wonderful three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who was adopted from WHS at one time, but is back after being transferred to us from another shelter. He is a gentle boy, although quite strong (he needs some work on polite leash-walking. WHS classes would be just the thing!) He already knows some commands, is treat-motivated, and eager to please. He is a little shy, but loves people and gets along with other dogs. Joan agreed with me that he’s a special boy in need of a great new home!

I love his sincere, soulful eyes.

Yes, you’re right. I’m extremely cute!

This is Tiki, a one-year-old Chihuahua mix who thoroughly enjoyed Debbie’s attention today. In fact, he’d rather be in someone’s arms than on his own. He’s from California and not used to the chilly temperatures of Oregon yet. Tiki is quite shy, but loved my hot dog bits and decided wearing a Santa hat was okay in exchange for treats. He’ll need a patient, understanding family who will work on building his confidence as well as his house-training. Deb and I are sure he’ll be worth the effort!

Ziggy…a diamond in the rough

Ziggy is a one-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix who is one active guy. He will need a dog-savvy owner who is willing to put in the time Ziggy needs to continue the training the staff and volunteers have begun with this young boy. He is a rough and tumble player with other dogs (as you saw in the play group pictures, he loves to take charge) and his boisterousness can carry over to people. To Ziggy, everything is a toy. But he has his quiet moments, too, and has learned several commands. A WHS class, “Check in & Chill Out,” is included in his adoption. With patient training, Ziggy could be a wonderful jogging or hiking partner. Today Jolene and I took on the challenge of talking Ziggy into wearing Santa apparel. Although not thrilled with the idea, he agreed as long as the hot dog bits kept coming!

I’ve been here a long time. I’m hoping for a home soon.

Maggie, a five-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix, has been at WHS since November 4th. She has become a staff and volunteer (like Carol) favorite  as she waits patiently for a new family to adopt her. Maggie loves people, walks, and snuggles. She needs a fenced yard and to be an only dog (and no pesky cats, either, please). Maggie really is a sweetheart and we’re hoping the right family will find her very soon.

My name is Berney. I’m new here. What’s with the Santa hat?

Berney is another California transplant looking for an Oregon family to love. He is a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Basset Hound mix who is very handsome. He will need some training in polite leash walking, but he does know some commands and is eager to please. To help in his training, the WHS class “Check in & Chill Out” is included in his adoption. Both Jolene and I fell in love with this big boy and hope he’s adopted soon!

What a great face!

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

Emelynn had no problem picking her favorite today. It was little Charlie, another newbie to the shelter. Charlie is a six-month-old Chihuahua mix puppy. So if you’re up for the joys and challenges of a pup, Charlie might be the one for you! His adoption package comes with the class “Surviving Puppyhood.”

Meet Baxter the Beagle!

Carol and I both decided that Baxter is a beagle to love! He is a five-year-old purebred and has lived with children happily. He took my treats gently, walked well on leash and knows some commands. For a Beagle person, this guy has it all! He is a gentle soul looking for a new family. We’re hoping he doesn’t have to wait long!

I’m still here…waiting for a new family! Is it yours?

Oso has been at the shelter since November 13th. He’s waiting for just the right fit of a family. Oso is a two-year-old Chow Chow/Newfoundland mix. He will need a family who will work with him on his demand barking (yes, he wants your attention right now!) and it must be a cat-free home. Oso is a loveable, happy boy who is up for any adventure. Joan and I, along with many others at the shelter, love this goofy guy and hope he’ll go home soon!

My Pick of the Week!

I usually don’t have a favorite pick, but this week I do. It’s Gorgeous, a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. If you think she looks familiar, you’re right. I featured her last September. The family who adopted her had to give her up, so she’s back with us, hoping for a new family. She’s a S.T.A.R.T. dog from California and has decided Oregon is a good place to be. I’m so hoping that she won’t have to wait long for a new family to love.

Updates!

I have three marvelous updates.

Bear!

Here was Bear a couple of weeks ago when he was at WHS. Such a handsome boy! Many volunteers and staff fell in love with this big guy!

And here is what Bear’s new family says about him now!

“Bear has been a wonderful addition to the family. He loves his car rides and getting lots of attention. I am so glad we got him. My daughter Katelynn is in love with him. He also follows me everywhere I go. These are just a few of the pictures we have of him.”

Francy!

Some dogs are lucky enough to only be in the shelter a short time before they hit the jackpot of finding a new forever home. Francy is one of those dogs. She arrived at WHS having come from another shelter. She is about nine years old. I took pictures of her shortly after she arrived and was instantly taken with her happy, friendly personality.

I had planned to feature Francy on my next blog post, but in only a few days, she had been adopted. While I was happy for her, I wondered where she had gone.

I was thrilled when I received an update from Francy’s new family. It seems they are all very happy…except for the “evil overlord.”  The captions for the pictures are from Francy’s new mom.

“I am Francy’s new mom.  She moved to 54 acres with a lake.”

“Ask her. She will assure quite earnestly that we have not fed her since last February.”
 

“Send more toyz pls!! Deez wuz defektive.”

“PRIZE:  First one to spot her gets to donate to the Humane Society. Whoo hooooo!!!!!” [The arrow is mine! :)]

And the “evil overlord”?

“This is the evil overlord she must now worship.  It’s only fair, he was here first!”

Mary!

And for all of Mary’s fans…

“Mary is great with the girls. She took to Kaiya from day one. 🙂 Those two run around together and lie together; she even lets Kaiya sit on her like she is a horse. When I got pregnant with Arya, I know that she knew something was up, especially when time came close to her arrival. In the last week, Mary didn’t leave my side. She followed me everywhere and sat at my feet constantly. Once we brought Arya home from the hospital, Mary became her protector as she is with Kaiya, and has to check out everyone who comes around them 🙂 She loves sniffing and giving them kisses and Arya just loves looking at her. Mary is one of the sweetest, most gentle dogs ever and we totally love her for our family and our girls!”

Merry Christmas everyone!

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