Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

As you know, last week I did not publish a post. But don’t think I was taking it easy! I was attending the week-long Aimee Sadler workshop at WHS. Aimee has given her Playing For Life seminars in shelters across the United States. Her workshops discuss and demonstrate how play groups benefit shelter dogs socially and behaviorally. Each day our dogs enjoyed romping with each other as Aimee taught us how to expand our ability to help shelter dogs in so many ways. It was an exciting and learning-filled week. Aimee’s challenge to us was to extend our play group schedule to every day. We’re already making plans and the dogs now and in the future will greatly benefit from Aimee’s visit to our shelter. Today was our very first Wednesday morning play group!

There were many happy dog adoptions during the past two weeks—twenty-five in all and, of those, sixteen were Blog Dogs. Here they are.

 

While all of the adoptions were celebrated, there was one that was very special. Rockie, a S.T.A.R.T. dog, arrived at WHS last May 8th. He came with food and resource-guarding issues and so it was decided not to put him up for adoption until he had some training. Staff and volunteers worked with this eager, active boy and despite his issues, he soon became a favorite of many. The training worked, and in early July Rockie was made available for adoption. And there he stayed. He loved his walks, and especially play groups where he would romp with other dogs and splash in the pools. But no one showed interest in adopting him…until Sunday. I was thrilled when staff sent me this adoption picture. We all wish Rockie a wonderful new life!

Another happy adoption was little Riley, who arrived at WHS in mid-July. As cute as he was and with a constant smile, the little guy was not adopted. As sometimes happens, however, Riley used his cuteness to work his way into the heart of volunteer dog-walker, Joan. And this was the result.

I guess Joan need not have worried at all about Riley’s adjustment to his new home.

 

 

 

Chatter

My first play group post-Aimee was very busy and fun, but I did find time to snap a few pictures.

Hannah is a newbie, although she has been in our play groups often.

She couldn’t figure out what on earth Angel was doing. Neither could we.

Sadie has been at WHS for awhile and was excited about Aimee Sadler’s visit.

While Sadie enjoys playing with other dogs, once in awhile she decides to have some quiet time.

 

 

 

Project Fence Update

Great news from Barb Cash! Here’s the latest: “WE DID IT! On Friday, August 29, with the help of people who also help with Fences for Fido, the crew finished the enclosure by the staff parking lot! The fence is now up, secure and ready for the dogs from Holding, Receiving, Infirmary, and the Spay/Neuter Clinic. Now we need to raise more funds and start the fence around the big yard.”

If you’d like to contribute to Project Fence, click here: http://www.youcaring.com/projectfence.

 

 

 

 

I’m new here, but I know this place!

Hannah has been a play group regular for four years, so when her owner couldn’t keep her anymore, she fit right into our shelter pack while she waits for a new family. Hannah is a six-year-old, 96 pound Rottweiler/Shar-Pei mix. She is smart and likes to please. She has a good history with kids, too. Hannah’s one issue is that she is very strong and when she sees a squirrel…well, she can’t help herself, she just has to give chase. But what a sweetheart this big girl is! She has been loved and cared for and can’t wait to meet a new family who will continue her training. Here she was on Sunday (after a great play group) with Caroline.

 

 

 

I’m looking for a quiet retirement home. Need someone calm to love? That’s me.

Mikey is an Australian Cattle Dog mix who is thirteen years old. His family couldn’t keep him any longer, so we agreed to find him a great new forever home. Mikey would like to be the only dog in the family, as that’s what he’s used to. Play group was overwhelming to this older boy and he was much happier just hanging out with Gracie and Jessica afterward. Senior dogs are instant favorites at WHS. If you are looking for a calm, house-trained, easy-going dog who isn’t looking for adventures, only a soft bed near you, Mikey may be your perfect fit.

Here Mikey was with Marianne later in the afternoon.

 

 

 

I’m going to my new home tomorrow!

Hank, our loveable and very vocal three-year-old Hound, will be going home with his new family on Thursday. He can’t wait! He enjoyed play group this morning, though decided he wanted to go in a little early after romping with the big boys. Here he was with Ian on Sunday. Have a great new life, sweet boy!

He wanted everybody to know his happy news!

 

 

 

I’m a little older than some dogs here, but I’ll still make a great best friend!

Sasha is a seven-year-old German Shepherd/Collie mix. She came to WHS on a S.T.A.R.T. transport from California, so we don’t know her history. She is a friendly, calm dog who enjoys hanging out on the mellow-dog side of play group. She walks well on leash and knows some commands. Because she is older, she has some minor arthritis issues which can cause discomfort, so she should not be placed with small children who could accidentally hurt her. Sasha is an easy-going girl who is waiting for a family who will take her for walks, then settle in for an evening of relaxation. Here she is with Andrew on Sunday.

 

 

 

I will love you forever!

Meet Suave, a seven-year-old Chihuahua mix. This little cuddlebug has not had an easy life and hasn’t been a house dog, so in exchange for licks and love, he would like to be house-trained and live inside with his family. Suave also would like help in losing a few pounds. Brisk walks around the neighborhood would certainly help slim him down while having a blast at the same time. He enjoyed the little-dog play group today with his new friends. Bryan and Suave made an instant connection.

 

 

 

I’m doing better and better here at the shelter. I’m ready to go to a home now!

Jack, a happy three-year-old Shepherd mix, is another S.T.A.R.T. California dog looking for a new family in Oregon. He arrived with some dog-to-dog issues and has been working hard to get along better with other dogs with great success! He now loves to attend WHS play groups where he frolics and romps with his buddies. His adoption package even comes with three free WHS play group sessions so that he will continue his greatly improved interactions. Jack is house-trained, affectionate and would do well in an active family with older kids. He’d love to jog or hike with his people. This boy has become a favorite of many of us and we hope he’ll get his new home soon. Here he is with Andrew.

 

 

 

I’ve been at WHS since May! I’m really ready for a forever home!

This beautiful Red Heeler mix is Ariel, who is a one-year-old youngster. Ariel has been waiting for the perfect home since May. She needs a very active family, as she loves to swim, jump, race, you name it—if it involves action, Ariel is ready. She really would like a home where she could have a job. A farm would be great. She also would love to try agility training, and being the extremely smart girl that she is, she’d be a quick learner. Ariel loves play group and today raced around and around the yard with her friends. She does have a strong herding instinct, so she would not be appropriate for small children. She has become such a favorite among staff and volunteers, including Francis. We all hope the perfect family will find Ariel soon.

 

 

 

I’m a good girl and I’ll be your best dog ever!

Destiny has been a favorite of mine since the first time she was at WHS last December. She was adopted, but when her person couldn’t keep her anymore, she was brought back to us last July. Destiny is a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who came to us as a S.T.A.R.T. dog. She has been adopted twice. The first time it was quickly discovered that she cannot live with cats. She finds them too tempting to chase. Destiny is looking for a family who will become her forever people. She rides well in my car, calmly looking out the window or lying down. She is house-trained, walks well on leash, and loves to work for treats, which she takes politely. Here she is with Ian.

Staff member Erica has taken Destiny on respites at her house and has fallen in love with her, too. Here are some pictures from Destiny’s fun times with Erica.

Erica was getting ready for work and had left the TV on with an animal show playing. When she came back into the room, there was Destiny, mesmerized.

 

 

 

My name is Buddy. I’m still here waiting for someone who needs a buddy. You?

Buddy is a four-year-old American Bull Dog/Boxer mix. Although large, at 73 pounds, Buddy is gentle and walks well on leash. He likes nothing more than just hanging out with his people, as he did on Sunday with Jolene, Marianne, and me. Buddy does not do well with other dogs or cats, although he is working on his dog-to-dog skills with volunteers. At this point, though, he should be the only dog in the family. But he’s all the dog you’ll need! He has many fans at WHS who are all hoping that this big lap dog will be adopted in the right family very soon.

I’ve taken a lot of pictures of Buddy during his time at WHS.

 

 

 

I’ve been here before. This time I hope to find my real forever family.

I first wrote about Lacie in 2009 when she was found as a stray and brought to WHS. I loved the way she did a little dance at the front of her kennel whenever anyone approached. I was very surprised when I saw her back at the shelter a couple of weeks ago, again as a stray. But when I walked up to her kennel, I smiled as she still did her little dance of happiness. Lacie is a seven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Beagle mix. She loves kids and thinks she’s a lap dog. She is house-trained and walks well on leash. She does, however, want to be the only dog in the house and certainly doesn’t like cats! I’m hoping that her real forever family will come and adopt her very soon! Here she was on Sunday with Bryan.

 

 

 

I’m a newbie. Please excuse my cone!

After this morning’s play group, I had a new dog to photograph. Gillian is a one-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix. Still a youngster, she is looking for a family who will continue her training to be a wonderful adult. She is extremely active and is hoping to have many adventures with her people. She should meet any dog she might be living with; she has no experience with cats. Her energy is probably too much for small children. Having just been spayed, she was sporting a cone this morning. Here she is with Marianne.

 

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