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

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by adoptanoregondog in This Week's Featured WHS Dogs

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Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

This will be my last post for a couple of weeks. I hope to be able to tell you about many new adoptions in my October 15 issue. But speaking of adoptions, there were 15 of them during the past week and these were the Blog Dogs who went to new homes.

I was especially happy about Mikey and Amy’s adoptions. I am always so grateful to people who are willing to take older dogs into their families, knowing that although the time will be shorter than they wish, the gift they are giving to these wonderful dogs is priceless.

Mikey was pretty excited when he found out he was going home after his walk with Jeff.

Here was Amy’s reaction when she found out.

WHS staff sent me this going-home picture of Cha Cha.

Chatter

Sunday play group was great fun. Buddy had his usual happy time romping with his friends.

Jolene was kept busy with the little guys. Frodo was quite insistent that he have her attention.

Oreo daydreamed as he looked over into the Rough and Rowdy yard.

Rocky is a newbie to the shelter and it was such a joy to watch him adjust. When I first met him, he was extremely shy and nervous, not taking my hot dog bits and not being anxious to go to play group. We put him on the Shy/Little Dog side, stood back, and watched his confidence bloom.

When dogs can’t settle their own disagreements, they often turn to one of us humans for help. Such was the case with Frodo and Oscar.

I was pretty nervous when I got here, but I’ve made some great friends already!

I want to start this week’s adoptables with a newbie, Rocky, a six-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback/Boxer mix. This boy has it all. He is smart, well-mannered, knows some commands, loves a pool, and is house-trained. He also is very handsome. It was such fun to watch him begin to relax and enjoy himself in Sunday’s play group with the little dogs. When we tried moving him to the Rough and Rowdy side, however, he was overwhelmed and quickly showed us he was much more comfortable with the less boisterous group. Here he was with Ian and Jolene. I love this boy!

I don’t’ get it. Why am I still here?

I don’t get it, either. Little Ginger was surrendered on September 7th. I thought she’d be adopted very quickly, but each day I come to the shelter, she is still waiting. Ginger is a five-year-old, nine-pound Chihuahua mix. She is a little nervous around new situations, so a more quiet home with older children or just adults would be perfect for her. She needs consistency to keep up with her house-training. She has lived with other dogs, but doesn’t care for cats at all. Diane enjoyed spending time with Ginger on Sunday.

When I was about to leave for the day, I happened to glance into the Small Dog room and saw her looking longingly at me. I wished I could take her home.

Ready! Set! Action!

Every Sunday afternoon, volunteers Tom and Nancy film the “Adoptable Pets” segment for TV and the WHS website. This week, along with several other dogs, they were featuring Fiona, a ten-year-old Chihuahua mix. Fiona is eager, active and as you can see, a lapdog. She is house-trained, affectionate, and now a TV star!

Here she was with volunteer Tim later in the afternoon.

I’m ready to be an indoor dog with a new family!

Sarah is a six-year-old Lab/German Shepherd mix. She has been an outdoor dog most of her life and is hoping for a family who wants her to be more of an indoor dog! She is very friendly, likes to please and took my treats politely. She would love a home where she could go for walks around the neighborhood with her person, then settle in for the evening at their feet (or on the couch next to them?). Diane fell in love with this sweet girl and we both hope she’ll be lounging with her new family very soon!

Sarah told Jolene what she really wants.

Buddy and his Fan Club!

If you are a regular reader of my blog posts, you know Buddy well. This 73-pound Bulldog/Boxer lapdog has been a favorite of mine and many other volunteers for months. Buddy has come such a long way and is now considered one of our “helper dogs” in play group. He walks beautifully on leash, takes treats gently, knows several commands and is house-trained. WHY isn’t this boy in a home? It’s a mystery! But don’t worry that he is pining away with lack of attention while he waits for a forever family. Here are just a few pictures of him with members of his ever-expanding fan club. Can’t wait until the time I can tell you this wonderful dog has found a loving home.

I’m ready for adventures with YOU!

What do you get when you mix a Rottweiler and a Siberian Husky? Well, you get one brown eye and one blue! Meet Blueberry, a one-year-old, fifty-five pound bundle of energy and love! Since she is still a youngster, she’ll need a family who will take the time to continue to teach her manners. Blueberry loves people and is very food-motivated, so learning new things will be a blast for her. Because of her size and youth, older kids would be best for her family. Here she is showing that she already knows the command “sit” with Jolene.

I’m ready! I’m ready! Let’s go home!

You can’t help but smile when you meet Peaches, an eight-year-old, nine-pound Chihuahua mix who is a very happy girl. If you’re looking for a new family member who will always be brimming with joyful love, this is the dog for you! Here she was with Caroline on Sunday.

I’m new here. I’m hoping to get a forever home really quickly!

This beautiful girl is a nine-month-old Anatolian Shepherd/Border Collie mix named Grell. She is eager and active. She loves people and did wonderfully in her first play group with other dogs. She does get too excited when she sees other dogs while on leash, so will need some training in this area. But Grell is very treat-motivated and took my hot dog bits eagerly but very gently. She is crate-trained already and knows some basic commands. I have a feeling this beauty won’t be at the shelter for long. Jolene enjoyed spending time with Grell today.

Now let me get this right…

You want a dog who walks nicely on leash and checks in with you as you walk her. She should be house-trained. She should take treats politely and know several commands. You want a dog who loves people, including kids, is gentle and likes to cuddle at the end of the day. You want a dog who stops at doors, sits, and waits for you to invite her to go through them. This is what you want? Well, then this is the dog for you! Meet Lacie, a seven-year-old Pit Bull/Beagle mix who loves to prance and does the cutest little dance with her front feet when she’s excited to see someone…which is every time she sees someone. Lacie hasn’t had the best life so far. Twice she has been at WHS after being found as a stray. She is really hoping that she can finally get a loving forever home. Lacie would like to be an only dog and doesn’t care for cats. But she will bring joy, laughter, and love into any family who adopts her.

Here she is checking in with me during our walk today.

This is her pathetic look while getting a bath from Marianne after our walk. She wasn’t thrilled with it, but accepted it stoically. We’re so hoping this sweet girl will be found by a terrific family.

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

This little guy’s name is Oscar and he is a ten-year-old Miniature Dachshund. Oscar loves all people, including kids. He has enjoyed play group with other dogs and is quite the lapdog. He won Emelynn ‘s heart with his perky, bouncy personality. He is very treat-motivated, which brings up his only issue. Weighing in at 18.6 pounds, Oscar really needs to shed a few pounds through exercise and diet. Oscar will be a wonderful addition to a family looking for a small, happy little dog.

I’ve been waiting for awhile. I hope my new family will find me soon.

Daisy is an eight-year-old Beagle/Chihuahua mix who came to us as a S.T.A.R.T. dog from California, so we don’t know her history. What we do know is that she is a shy, sweet girl who seems to have been overlooked by potential adopters. Daisy is very quiet and would do best in a calm home with adults or with older kids. She is nervous around hectic activity. She likes to go for walks, but isn’t a big fan of play groups. She feels overwhelmed when put in a yard with lots of other dogs and would prefer just hanging out with her people. I called Marla at the last minute today when I needed a sub walker and she enjoyed spending time with Daisy. We’re hoping Daisy will be found by a new family this week.

Update!

Remember Gryffindor, the gentle giant?

His family sent me this picture last week. No words needed. Any doubt this boy is loved?

That’s it for this week! I’ll post again October 15th!

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

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by adoptanoregondog in This Week's Featured WHS Dogs

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pit bull terrier, play group, shelter dogs, WHS, willamette humane society

Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

There was a wonderful reunion at WHS on Monday evening. I took lots of pictures. But before I show some to you, you need to hear the story from the beginning…

A Pit Bull Love Story

It began on a Spring day in 2012. Long-time volunteer and foster provider, Krystal, got an urgent call from the shelter asking if she would be able to foster a mother Pit Bull Terrier and her THIRTEEN two-week-old puppies coming from California. After taking a deep breath, Krystal agreed and the love story began.

Along with the thirteen wiggly, squirming, hungry balls of fur came one exhausted but dedicated mother named Coco.

The puppies had to eat in shifts, there was the constant hum of the washer and dryer in Krystal’s house, and Coco was reassured that her babies really would grow up. The days flew by and before long the pups were old enough to be spayed, neutered and adopted. Coco had had her last litter of pups (she was thrilled!) and she, too, was adoptable. Friends of Krystal fell in love with Coco and she was soon living in a wonderful, happy, quiet world filled with love and attention. The puppies were quickly adopted to thirteen different families.

Fast forward to September 15, 2014. Invitations had been sent out to fourteen homes to attend a Coco & Puppies Reunion at WHS. When I arrived at the shelter Monday evening, excitement was in the air. Who would be able to come?

Coco was the first one to arrive, and what a transformation from her mother days!

Five of the “puppies” were able to bring their families to the reunion. To everyone’s delight, everybody got along beautifully. Did they remember each other? Who knows? But they had a romping good time and the families thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each other and comparing notes. Here are a few of the pictures I snapped during the evening.

Coco thanking Krystal for helping her raise her huge litter.

Let the fun begin! All grown up!

Then it was time for pictures of the pups and their peeps.

Here are just some fun shots I couldn’t resist putting in.

And here’s everybody!

Yep, it was quite an evening. You’ll get to meet Coco and hear more of her story if you attend the WHS Bowser’s Boo Bash on October 25th! You can get info about this annual evening of fun and excitement here: https://whs4pets.org/bowsers-boo-bash-2014/

There were 14 dog adoptions during the last week and here are the ones who were Blog Dogs.

Bruce, you may recall from last week, couldn’t believe there was a person who was named Bruce. Here was his reaction when he was about to go home.

Chatter

Buddy missed his best friend, Prudence, after she was adopted.

But he soon made new friends, including little Oreo.

I’m a little older, but I will love you forever!

Amy, an eight-year-old Terrier mix, isn’t particularly fond of play group, but loves spending time with people. I snapped these two selfies during Sunday’s play group. She is such an affectionate little girl, as Ali found out.

Here was Amy later in the afternoon with Diane.

I’m looking for a fun retirement home! I have a lot of love yet to give!

One of my all-time favorite shelter dogs is Mikey. Don’t be put off by the fact that this sweetheart is thirteen years young, he still has a spring in his step and an eager personality. He is an Australian Cattle Dog mix. His favorite thing to do in the whole world is hang out with people. Because of his laid-back and cheerful demeanor, he has won the heart of everyone who has met him at the shelter. On Sunday I asked Jolene to bring out one of her favorites to be photographed with and this is the picture I took.

Today he was the first dog I walked. He loves going for a brisk ambulation and walks perfectly on leash, happily checking in with me as we walked.

Later, after all the other dogs were walked, I went back to take him out again, but he was gone…already out for a second time with Joan, another one of his fans. They were relaxing in the big yard.

After Joan left, Mikey and I sat under the trees for awhile with Emelynn, who snapped this picture of us.

So that was Mikey’s afternoon. He and those of us who love him are hoping for the perfect match of a family very soon!

Yes, I’m Buddy’s friend and no, I’m not a small dog!

Oreo is a five-year-old Chihuahua/Fox Terrier mix. She weighs seven whole pounds and is house-trained. Here she is with Marianne and staff-member Cassidy on Sunday. Oreo would love to be adopted by a family who wants to play and then cuddle. She had a fun time in play group with the other little dogs and Buddy. If you’re looking for a playful, happy little girl, Oreo might be a perfect fit!

I’ll prance right into your heart!

If you come to the shelter and approach the front of Lacie‘s kennel, you will be greeted with her cute little dance in which she shows her excitement by alternating lifting each front foot in rapid succession while giving you a huge grin. I guarantee it will make you smile. Lacie is a seven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Beagle mix. She loves people and especially kids (best if they are 8 or older). She is house-trained, loves to go for walks, enjoys active play but also wants to be a lap dog when it’s time to relax. Lacie would prefer to be an only dog and she really doesn’t like cats. This girl has been at WHS twice. I first met her in 2009 when she was found as a stray. She was again found lost last July. She is really hoping for a forever family this time! Let’s get this happy girl a wonderful home!

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

Emelynn loves all dogs. Over the many years I have known her, this I have learned. However, she has a special place in her heart for little ones who remind her of her own dog, Tad. And that’s why this week she chose Twinkie as her pick. Twinkie is a nine-year-old, twelve-pound Chihuahua. She is another one of those lap dogs who prefer sitting ON you rather than beside you.

Later in the afternoon after everyone had been walked, I found Emelynn and Twinkie under a tree sharing a book. They both seemed to be engrossed in The Odyssey.

Posing for the camera!

Who is that smiling dog next to Ian, you ask? Meet Suave, a seven-year-old Chihuahua mix who has had a rough start in life, but holds no ill feelings and can’t wait for a forever home where he can live inside and be taught all the skills he missed growing up. He also would like to get the exercise and “light” food he needs to shed a few of those pesky pounds he’s found himself carrying around. Suave has a delightful personality, loves play group with his friends, and will make a fantastic family dog with older kids with whom he can play, then cuddle.

How many volunteers does it take to hold a GIANT puppy?

Well, in the case of Brad Pitt (yep, that’s his name!) it took two! I usually don’t feature puppies, they get homes so quickly and don’t need my help. But I couldn’t help myself with Brad. He’s such a “little” adorable youngster at three months and twenty-eight pounds! (This pup is going to be big boy!) He wasn’t thrilled with his cone after being neutered, but took it in stride. Both Emelynn and Caroline fell in love with this cutie.

Here he was on Sunday prior to being “coned” with Andrew. With three holds, this boy will be going home very soon!

I’m very shy. I’m not sure about this place. I want a forever home.

Little Devy is a six-year-old Dachshund/Min Pin mix who is new to the shelter. Kathy walked her this afternoon and we both tried to assure her that everything will be okay. Devy is a S.T.A.R.T. dog from California and Oregon is a bit overwhelming to her right now. She really is “the whole package.” She is very well mannered, already knows some commands, gets along with other dogs and will warm up to you if you spend a little time with her. She would be a good first-time dog for a family. We’re hoping she won’t have to stay at the shelter long before a family realizes what a gem this little girl is!