Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

It’s been quite an unusual week in weather for Salem, Oregon! A series of three winter storms resulted in a lot of snow (for Salem…not for Michigan, not for Wyoming, I know!). The terrible driving conditions meant that WHS had to be closed to the public on Saturday and Sunday, so no play group chatter this week. However, even with the snow and closures, there were still dogs who went to their new homes. Here are the blog dogs who got adopted.

I received staff pictures of some departures from the shelter. Here is Shadow going home. He dressed up for the occasion; notice his nifty bow tie!

Here is Scarlet about to head out with her new family. I’m glad she’ll have her own little boy to play with!

Capone had a dog meet with his new brother and the two hit it off beautifully! Here he is about to go home.

The rain of the last two days plus the 53 degrees this afternoon melted the snow and when I arrived at the shelter today everything was back to normal. The first dog I saw out was wonderful Clyde.

I don’t understand why my forever family hasn’t found me yet.

Clyde was hanging out with Joan and I caught them just before they headed for the big yard for a rousing game of fetch. He had a lot on his mind.

Clyde is a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who loves to be with people, gets along great with other dogs, is house trained, and walks well on leash. His only issue is that he cannot go home with cats. I can’t understand why he has not gotten adopted by a catless home. He’s such a good boy! I’m hoping his forever family will discover him very soon! Yep, he thinks he’s a lap dog!

I’m not a youngster, but I’ll still be your very best friend for the rest of my life!

One of Kathy’s current favorites is Tommie, an eight-year-old purebred American Cocker Spaniel. He has been an outdoor dog and, now in his later years, should be mostly an indoor dog. He will need some help in learning house training, since he’s new to the indoors. Tommie is a gentle soul who is hoping for a quiet home with older children or adults. He won’t need to go for long runs or hikes, but will be very content with a stroll around the neighborhood. His perfect home must be out there!

We’re new here. We’re adorable and would like to go home together!

We met two very sweet newbies this afternoon. Emelynn is holding six-year-old Rico, and Debbie has seven-year-old Quilo; both are Chihuahua mixes. Rico and Quilo came together and are a bonded pair. Quilo is shy and looks to Rico for assurance and confidence. Rico is the brave one. He prances along happily with Quilo following. They have a special adoption price if they are adopted together. Oh, and they do not want to go home with cats. They agree that they don’t like cats one bit. We’re hoping they will soon be snuggled together in their new home.

I’m new here, too. Do you like my ears? I’m told they are really cute.

This little guy is Fischer, a one-year-old Chihuahua mix weighing in at 12 pounds. Jolene said he is a delight, walks well on leash, is a bit shy at first, but warms up. He took my treats well and seems to love being with people. His gentle ways will make him a good dog for the kids in the family.

Surely you are looking for a Ball Dog? Pick me! Pick me!

Sunny is still waiting for her forever family, but in the meantime is keeping up her fetching skills; she’s sure her new family will need them. Sunny is looking for an ACTIVE family who will enjoy her high-energy level for maybe jogging or running with them. Sunny is a two-year-old Lab/Pit mix. Her adoption package includes a WHS class called Check In and Chill Out to help with her training. She already knows several commands and is very good at sitting and waiting for you to throw the ball for her. She had a blast with Joan this afternoon as you can see!

I’m back. I tried, I really did, but I just don’t like cats!

Mixy was returned because she did not get along with the cats in the family and her high-energy puppy play style was a bit much for little kids. She’ll be great with older kids and she loves them. She also gets along well with other dogs. Mixy is a one-year-old Bull Dog/Pit mix. She will make a great addition for the right family. Jolene enjoyed spending time with her today.

I’m looking for a great retirement home with adults. Got one?

This beautiful older girl is Mystik, a ten-year-old Lab/Border Collie mix. She is ready to retire with her people, although she still enjoys a game of fetch, Joan reported this afternoon. Mystik has decided that she would rather not deal with children anymore, so will need an adult home. She is house trained. She would like to lose a few pounds and playing fetch with her new people will be just the ticket that will help! We’re hoping Mystik won’t be a shelter dog for long.

My name is Ramona. You know, from the book Ramona the Brave!

When Debbie and I met Ramona, all we could think of was the children’s book, Ramona the Brave. She fits the part. She pranced right up to me and didn’t flinch when I pulled out my camera. Ramona is a one-year-old Chihuahua mix and I’m sure she’ll find her new family very soon! What a cutie she is!

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week

Yes, you have seen this big boy before. Bo Bo is back with a new name, Max. It’s the cat thing again. Max just can’t help chasing them. So he’ll need a catless home. But this gentle giant (unless you’re a cat) will make a great friend. He’s a 109-pound Rottweiler mix. He gets along well with other dogs and did great in the home with the kids. He’s Emelynn’s current favorite and I saw she got him out for a second walk before she went home today.

Why am I still here?

I can’t understand why Casper has not been adopted. This eight-year-old Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix is a wonderful boy! He gets along great with kids, is house trained, loved to run with his foster mom, likes belly rubs and to be with people. He even was the “demo” dog last week when new volunteers were being trained how to harness a dog and he was perfect. He does need a catless and chickenless home, however. Kathy spent time with this great boy today and had a terrific time.

Updates!

There are several great updates to tell you about this week!

Jaxson

Jaxson was a beautiful Mastiff/Rottweiler who was surrendered last June. We all fell in love with this gentle giant while he was at the shelter.

He was adopted in just a couple of weeks. Here is what he loves to do now.

“This is Jaxson. We adopted him in June last year. He now lives in Seattle and is a city dog who gets to go camping in the summer. He’s been fantastic! And now he is over 135 pounds!”

Tanner/Rockstar

I had to put this latest picture of Tanner (Rockstar) that his mom, Karen, posted last week when the snow started. It made me laugh!

Chloe/Topper

Topper, a six-year-old Papillon/Shetland Sheepdog mix, arrived at WHS at the beginning of January.

Here is the email I received last week:

“Hello, I know that you like to hear updates on dogs, so I wanted to share an update about Topper (now Chloe). I volunteer at the humane society as a kennel buddy with my parents. I had been wanting a dog for at least a year or two, and when I started volunteering in October, I just pointed out dogs I liked and asked to get them, however my parents said no. Then I met Chloe… Usually I spend about fifteen to twenty minutes with a dog, but with Chloe, I spent almost the whole hour. She was the one. I made a bet with my dad after volunteering, because he thought a movie was rated R and I thought it was PG-13. If he had won the bet, I wouldn’t be able to talk about getting a dog for two months, but if I won, then I could get Chloe! (I won). In the end, she did great with our dogs and still is. I absolutely love Chloe. My mom said that when I’m at school, she just sits on the back of the couch looking outside. She LOVES playing tug a war! When I get home, she jumps around in circles and is extremely excited. She sticks to me all the time, and I’ve only had her for about two weeks, but we are already best friends!”

JP/Wizard

This next update means a lot to me. I always hope, but often wonder if my blog posts make a real difference for our shelter dogs. In this case one did!

Wizard was a S.T.A.R.T. dog who arrived from California last November. He was a one-year-old Terrier mix. I featured him in my blog post with these pictures with volunteer Diane. In early December, Wizard was adopted.

Last week I got the following email.

“I just wanted to take a minute to thank you again for your blog. I think it makes more of a difference than you realize. Your blog led us to WHS, which led us to our wonderful JP who has helped changed our daughter’s life! She suffers from two immune disorders and is home schooled so she doesn’t get out much with kids her age. Since being sick, she has become quiet and introverted. JP has been with us for almost 3 months now and has given her so much energy and a new zest for life!  Thank you again!!!!”

Joseph

And for Joseph’s many fans, here is his best update yet! For those who don’t know his story, Joseph spent his first five years on a chain 24/7 in California. The chain was so embedded in his neck when he was rescued that it had to be cut off.

He was an instant favorite of everyone who met him when he arrived at WHS in December.

 A few weeks ago he was adopted by a terrific family with four boys! A few days ago they posted this video of Joseph experiencing his first snow in his new back yard. What a wonderful second chance at life Joseph has! You can see it here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=615085523059

What a lucky boy and family!

With those amazing updates, that’s all 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