Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to Switzerland with my husband and we saw spectacular scenery. I also found it to be a very dog-friendly country. I saw many families walking their pups (and picking up after them) and didn’t see a single stray. (I had to smile when one my fellow tour members told me she noticed I took a lot of pictures of dogs.) These three pictures of Swiss dogs I’d like to share. First, this little guy was running in a park with a stick that was twice his size. He was having a blast.

Dogs go everywhere with their people in Switzerland. As we were sitting on a train, this sweetheart came aboard with his person and when I asked if I could take his picture, he wanted to crawl into my lap.

And this happy guy was thoroughly enjoying an outing with his peeps.

It was great to get back to WHS and meet all of the new arrivals who had come during my absence. It was also exciting to learn that there had been 32 dog adoptions! One of them was especially thrilling to many of us, and he wanted to thank everyone at WHS before he left. Here’s Buddy.

Buddy was at WHS for 4 1/2 months. He is now home on 16 acres where he will be able to romp and be loved by his own family.

Here are all of the Blog Dogs who were adopted while I was gone.

I am especially happy about Suave’s adoption which just happened on Monday. This little guy had a rough life before arriving at WHS and had been waiting since August 29th for a new family.

Staff sent me these pictures of Molly and Cheyanne with their new families.

 

 

Chatter

After missing two play groups, it was fun to be back to watch the romping and listen to the chatter. Little did Suave know that he would be adopted the very next day!

Volunteer Marianne takes notes for us during play groups. While her efforts are very much appreciated by us humans, the dogs don’t see the point of it.

  Cutter, at eight years old, was enjoying a quiet time in the pool when suddenly puppy Molly dove in and began excitedly splashing. Cutter was not amused.

Speaking of puppies, nine-month-old Jack charmed almost everyone (except Fiona) with his outgoing, cheerful personality.

 

 

 

 

Don’t think because I’m a little older that I don’t have spunk!

Abby is a new arrival to the shelter. She is an eight-year-old Lab mix. She hates to admit it, but at 94 pounds, she needs to shed some weight. Walking around the neighborhood and getting together with some doggy friends for some romps would be perfect. Abby loved play group and actually raced around the yard with her new pals. She is house-trained and not only does she get along well with other dogs, but with CATS, too! Little children make her nervous, so she would do best to go to a home with kids eight or older. She can also be vocal if left outside for long periods, so a family who is home more would be good for her. Abby is a gem as volunteers Gracie and Jessica found out on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

I just got here. I’m ready for FUN with a new family!

This happy boy is Oden, a one-and-a-half year old Lab/Boxer mix. Oden is a very active dog who is hoping for a family who will continue with his training as he grows up into a great adult. He had a blast in play group on Sunday racing around the big yard. He is house-trained and knows some commands. He is food-motivated, eager and smart, so training should be a breeze. I love his zest for life, as does Diane.

Notice how Oden’s tail is wagging so much you can hardly see it!

 

 

 

 

I’m back. Are you looking for a Hound?

Are you a lover of all things Hound? Do you enjoy their chipper personality, their eager curiosity, their melodic howl? Well, Copper might be the one for you. He is a twelve-year-old, 87-pound Coonhound who is house-trained and likes to hang out with other dogs (no cats, however). Copper has been at WHS twice. He’s really hoping that a forever family will realize what a good boy he is and won’t mind his love of singing. (If you live in an apartment, Copper isn’t your best choice.) Here he was Sunday with volunteer Jeff.

 

 

 

 

What do you get when you cross a Lab and a Dachshund?

The answer is, you get Jack, a nine-month-old cutie who has stolen the heart of everyone at the shelter. I met Jack on Sunday when he came to play group. This youngster has never met a dog or person he doesn’t like. He joyfully ran up to each new dog entering the yard and invited them to race. If the other dog was grumpy, it didn’t phase Jack at all. He’d just trot off to find another playmate. As you can see, he has a Lab head on a Dachshund body. He already has a hold on him for after he’s neutered, so I’m sure he’ll be going home soon to some lucky family. Jolene is one of his many fans.

 

 

 

 

I’m looking for an experienced person who wants a great dog!

This is Parker, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, with volunteer Rayne. Parker has been waiting for his perfect fit of a family since July 26th. Parker loves people and is very treat-motivated, so learning new things is easy for this smart guy. He can be picky about his dog friends, so would need to meet any dog he might be living with. Parker would do best with someone who will continue the training he has been working on at WHS. He has lots of fans at the shelter who are hoping this boy will find his forever home very soon.

Here he is hanging out with me in the big yard.

 

 

 

 

Yep, people often comment on my ears.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen ears quite like the ones Joeli has, but they sure make her look cute. This one-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix is one happy, active girl. She is house-trained and loved my hot dog bits. Since she is a new arrival, I haven’t gotten to know her very well yet, but look forward to spending some time with her. She had a blast in play group this morning romping with her new dog friends. With her distinct markings and laughing eyes, I have a feeling she won’t be at the shelter for long.

 

 

 

 

I’m all over the annoying puppy stage and into the calm adult one.

Meet Cutter, an 8-year-old mellow Lab mix who is a another newbie at WHS. He is such a gentle boy and happily posed with Ian. He has been an outdoor dog his whole life and would like to get to come inside in his new home. He did fine in play group on Sunday with other dogs. At 106 pounds, he’d love to have a family who would take him for walks so he could shed some weight, then curl up with them in the evening. Some family will be very lucky to adopt this gentle soul.

Cutter wasn’t quite sure what to think of puppy Molly, but he was a very tolerant adult and put up with her puppy antics.

 

 

 

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

Dixon is one of the happiest dogs I’ve met. This one-year-old Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix is still a youngster and so will need an active family willing to give him the attention, training, and time he needs to grow up with good dog skills. Since he loved my hot dog bits, he should be a quick study. He has a great history with kids and other dogs. He just needs to polish his manners and he really will become the best dog ever! Here he is with Francis on Sunday.

And not surprisingly, Dixon was Emelynn’s pick this week. She loved his goofy personality and his zest for life. She took him out to the big yard for some ball time. He’s great at racing after the ball, not so good at returning it. He’d rather swoop around us in big circles, ball in mouth, trying to get us to play chase. He’s going to grow up into a great dog.

 

 

 

I don’t like my cone. I know you’re going to put it right back on after this picture. I’m not going to smile.

Volunteer Marianne couldn’t wait for me to meet one of her current favorites, Rascal, a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She was sure I’d fall head-over-heels in love with him and she was right. This handsome boy had just been neutered and so was wearing a cone on Sunday. I did take it off for his photos, but he seemed to know it was only a matter of time until it went on again, and he refused to smile. Rascal is a very smart, usually happy boy who will make a great hiking or jogging partner. He is looking for a family who will continue his training and let him be their new best buddy.

Ahh…the pre-cone days! This shot was taken by Marianne before!

 

 

 

I’ve been here quite a while. I just know I’ll meet my new family soon!

Jolene has a new favorite, Pulla, a six-year-old Australian Shepherd/Pit Bull Terrier mix. Pulla has been at WHS since September 5th and is hoping she will be in a real home soon. She has been working on her dog-to-dog skills and has shown excellent progress. She is house-trained and very affectionate. She would make a great friend to older kids who are looking for an active dog. I love this picture of this eager girl.

 

 

 

Still here. Waiting.

I have written about Destiny many time in my blog posts. I can’t figure out why she has not been adopted. She is cute, a nice size, affectionate, and well-mannered. Destiny is a three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She has been spending some time in a staff member’s home and has been an excellent house guest. She gets along with other dogs, loves kids, but is not a fan of cats. She is house-trained, crate-trained and loves car rides. One of her best traits is that she easily adapts to new and different environments and people. I’m so hoping that this deserving girl will find her forever home soon. Here she is with one of her many fans, Ian.

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