Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

Having been out of town for a week, I had a lot of new dogs to meet and photograph, as well as some favorites to see on Sunday. But first, here are the lucky Blog Dogs who found their new homes while I was gone.

 

I was so excited about shy Patches finally finding her people after being in a foster home for two months. I’ll have an update on her at the end of this post.

The staff sent me this picture of Donna about to go home. I love the way she is looking up at her new person. There will be an update on her, too!

Staff also sent me this picture of sweet Coral about to go home.

 

Chatter

Remember Dallas, the “glass is half full and filling up fast” dog who loved to play rough-and-tumble with anyone who would match his style? The lucky boy was fostered, then adopted by volunteer Karla. His name is now Wilbur (look at his nose and you’ll understand) and Karla brought him to play group on Sunday. We decided he’d do best with another rough-and-tumble player rather than in a big group, so enter Thelma. Thelma is a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who has been waiting for a family since March 5. To say the two were a perfect match would be an understatement. They raced, rolled, and jumped all over the yard. Here is just a sampling of their time together.

Did you see the article I wrote for the newspaper?

Yep, Emma is quite the celebrity. After helping me write last week’s blog post when I was late getting home, she then submitted her story to the Statesman Journal “Adopt A Pet” feature which appeared in Friday’s paper. (She wants me to tell you that you can read it here: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/search/Sweet%20Emma/.) She is looking so much better with her twice-a-week medicated baths. We are still hoping to find a foster for her as her skin/ear issues continue to improve, until her forever family is found. In the meantime, she is happy to get so much attention both in her kennel and out. She has become such a favorite of volunteers. Here she was on Sunday with Taya and Alexis. Emma is a three-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix.

Looking for a dog with a sense of humor? The name’s Milo!

One of the new dogs I met on Sunday was Milo, a very energetic nine-month-old Lab mix. He is such a ham! Life to Milo is one joyful moment after another. If you are up for training a young, enthusiastic bundle of happy dog, then you need to meet this clown. He would love to come to WHS training classes where he could learn and socialize all at the same time. Here he is with Susan.

 I’m a gentle girl and I LOVE to play ball!

Another newbie at the shelter is Coco, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. I first heard about Coco from volunteer Krystal, who had Coco at her house for a few days. She reported that Coco got along great with the family’s dogs and was a very polite house guest. I first saw Coco out with volunteers Jeff and Alexis in the big yard. Jeff was so taken with Coco that he sent me the following pictures of their play time.

Here she is with Jeff and Alexis. Notice the cute floppy ears.

Now look what happens to them when the wind blows!

Later in the afternoon, I took Coco out again to get to know her a little. She walks perfectly on leash, takes treats politely, brings the ball back to you, and sits when asked. Yep, I felt myself falling for yet another Pit Bull Terrier! Here are my pictures of this gentle sweetheart. I am hoping that a family will recognize what a gem this girl is very soon and take her home!

You say you can’t decide whether to adopt a Beagle or a Pug? Well guess what!?

Yep, little Lindi is a Beagle/Pug mix. You would never guess she is eight years old by her energy level. Lindi LOVES to romp. She also thinks of herself as a lap dog and will be happy to demonstrate. She is embarrassed to ask, but she is hoping that a new family will put her on an exercise plan to lose those pesky pounds that have crept up on her (she needs to lose about ten!) Lindi is a delightful little bundle of fun. Here she was with Bruce.

 

I am very shy and looking for a patient person. Is it you?

I felt so sorry for little Dini, a newbie who is very timid and felt the most secure when Taya was holding him. Dini is a one-year-old Chihuahua mix. He was too nervous to eat my hot dog bits and was unsure about my camera. He has gotten along with other dogs and cats in the past. Dini would do best in a home with adults or with older children. He’s a cutie and hopes for an understanding family soon!

Here Dini is today after having been neutered, thus wearing the dreaded cone, with Trish.

I’m brand new here, straight from California! I’m an Oregon dog now, though!

When you work or volunteer in the animal rescue field, you get to know some wonderful, dedicated people through the dogs you share, as you work together to find them good homes. One such person whom I have gotten to know from afar is Wendy from the S.T.A.R.T. rescue organization. Emma brought us together. Last week I received an email from Wendy, saying that another one of her favorites was on her way to WHS and asking me to spend some extra time with her. Her name is Sheila. Here is the picture Wendy sent to me. Although Wendy is very attached to Sheila, she had been at a California shelter for five months and Wendy decided she would have a better chance at being adopted if she came to us, and Jen Kaser, our shelter director agreed. Sheila is a four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix.

I met Sheila on Sunday shortly after she had arrived from her long drive. Since she had just gotten there, she could not be taken outside until she was medically cleared, so I gave her some treats, which she took very gently, and snapped my first picture of her as I explained to her that she was now in Oregon and that Wendy sent her love. Sheila took it all in quietly.

Then on Monday when I went to help with a Humane-a-Teens club meeting, who should I see going out for her evening walk, but Sheila! I was so happy to see her with volunteer Christine. She still looked a little unsure of her new surroundings, but she took my hot dog bits eagerly. Shelia gets along with all kinds of other dogs according to Wendy, both big and little. I promised to let Wendy know the moment this sweet girl gets adopted in Oregon!

Today Sheila had settled in nicely and was a much happier girl as she headed out for a noon walk with Emelynn.

An evening with puppies!

As I mentioned, on Monday evening I helped volunteer Linda with a Humane-a-Teens club meeting. This group is open to kids from 12 to 18 who “come together to enhance adoptability and promote adoptable pets.” This evening Linda taught a sample puppy class. Three little Pit Bull Terrier pups were our focus. The kids worked on teaching them to look at the trainer, to sit, and to realize that things like skateboards and balls are not scary. Here are some pictures from our fun session.

I’ve come from California and I can’t wait to belong to an Oregon family!

Rocco is a nine-year-old Bulldog/Pit Bull Terrier mix who is a gentle soul looking for a family to love. I met him today when Kathy spent time with him. She and I both fell for this affectionate big boy. Since he came from a California shelter, we don’t know his history, but he has gotten along with dogs here at WHS and seems to be a wonderful guy.

I’m very shy, but Caroline took me out twice and I really like her!

This sweet girl is Ruby, a four-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog/Shepherd mix. She is a new arrival who is very nervous at first meeting, but warms up quickly. She immediately became a favorite of volunteer Caroline who took Ruby out for two long walks today. Ruby was hesitant at first to take my hot dog treats, but soon was munching them happily. She was very timid about my camera and tried to hide behind Caroline when I first started taking pictures of her. Ruby’s only issue is that she does not like small dogs. She gets along fine with like-sized dogs, however. Ruby is gentle, affectionate and will make a great friend for some lucky person.

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

Emelynn walked Beauty, a six-year-old Shepherd mix, first and last today. Beauty has become Emelynn’s new favorite. After all of the dogs had been out for their afternoon walks, I found Emelynn sitting under a tree reading, with Beauty at her side. Beauty arrived as a S.T.A.R.T. dog in early April and was adopted. However, her new family had a cat and Beauty just couldn’t resist chasing it, so she was returned to the shelter. As long as a new family has no cats (or other small, furry animals), Beauty will make a wonderful new addition. We’re hoping she’ll be adopted again soon.

After figuring out that I had hot dog bits in my pocket, Beauty decided to come over and try to crawl into my lap. What a beauty she is!

We’re back from being in foster homes and we’re ready for new families of our own!

Today Caroline and Trish spent some fun time with Rambo, a three-year-old Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Casper, a two-year-old Chihuahua mix. Both dogs have spent some time in foster homes and are now hoping to be adopted. They have become good buddies (but do not have to be adopted together) and enjoy romping with each other. Casper also does well with cats and even chickens! We’re not sure about Rambo with cats, but he does like other dogs. We’re hoping both of these boys will soon have families of their own.

 I’ve been here before in my younger days. Now I’m back and I need a new home.

I wish Rodeo could tell us his story. He is a seven-year-old Shepherd mix who was adopted from WHS in 2006. He was picked up as a stray in March and his family cannot be located. We’re hoping that a new family will adopt him soon. He is a good boy, loves to go for walks and hang out with a person. Here he is today with Jolene. He’d make a great jogging or running partner, and a good friend.

Just as I was about to head home this afternoon, I saw Shelter Manager Jessi out with Thelma and had to snap this picture of the two of them. They are good friends.

Updates!

DOC (standing for Dept. Of Corrections, aka Doc)

Remember Doc, the Border Collie that was adopted by the Oregon Department of Corrections to help manage the Canadian geese population that routinely rests on the recreation yard. (He chases them away!) Here is a picture they sent us and a report.

“FATE…all I can say…his name was Doc when I first saw him at the humane society and knew he was the one for us. He has been a blessing in too many ways to count—not only is he happy, happy, happy with all the love and attention he could possibly want, he has lifted the spirit of everyone—and brings a smile to each and every person who meets him—critical in a restricted environment such as ours. I couldn’t have chosen a better personality if I had hand picked each trait. We are truly grateful for him.”

Patches

Patches’ new people report that she is doing very well. Here are some pictures from her new home.

Donna

Donna’s new owner says that she is settling in quickly…I guess so!

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