Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I’m back from a trip, and am happy to report many wonderful dog adoptions as well as new arrivals awaiting their forever homes. First the Blog Dogs who were adopted while I was gone.

We celebrate every dog adoption, but we are always especially thrilled when a dog who has been at the shelter a long time finally finds just the right fit of a forever family. Sometimes the wait is because the dog is older, sometimes it’s because the dog has  problems that need a special kind of person who understands. Whatever the reason, when these long-termers who have become deeply loved by staff and volunteers finally go “home,” there are tears of happiness. Such was the case for Sweet Pea, Oso, Shroeder, and Rosco. There is a special update about Rosco at the end of this post.

And one note about Rocky Road. This little guy was chosen to take part in swimming classes donated by Bailey’s Journey. Volunteer Jolene takes a WHS dog twice a week as long as they are at the shelter. Usually, as with Rocky, it’s because they need to lose some pesky extra pounds. I had planned to feature Rocky in this week’s post, but soon after he and Jolene returned from a swimming class, he was adopted! I decided to put Jolene’s pictures in anyway! He had a great time.

 

 

 

Calling a lover of Rotties!

One of the newbies I met on Sunday was this handsome fellow, Brick, a five-year-old purebred Rottweiler. This big boy (almost 100 pounds) is looking for a person experienced with Rottweilers who understands and knows their needs and personalities. Brick came to us as a stray, so we don’t know his history, but we do know that he is wonderful with adults. He is house-trained and knows several commands. He took my hot dog treats very politely and he has become a favorite of volunteers. Brick needs to be an only pet in the family (no other dogs or cats) and should not be in a home with small children, since he needs to work on sharing his toys and food. For the right Rottie-experienced person, Brick will be a terrific companion.

 

 

 

I’m still waiting for my new family. I don’t understand why they haven’t found me yet.

Sailor and volunteer Francis had some real quality time on Sunday afternoon. First they had a romping game in one of the yards, then they sat quietly under a tree so Sailor could get some tummy rubs and simply enjoy hanging out with Francis. Sailor is a two-year-old Black Mouth Cur/Pit Bull Terrier mix. He has quite the outgoing personality and absolutely loves to play hard whether it’s a rousing game of fetch (he brings the ball back to you and drops it!), or romping with other dogs about his size. He listens well to instruction and is highly treat-motivated, so has the best qualities to be a star in our WHS training classes. He’s been waiting for a new family since June 8th. Sailor is a quick learner and such a fun character with a great sense of humor. I can’t wait until I can tell you he’s found his forever person!

 

 

 

Looking for the perfect family dog? You’ve found her!

On Sunday I met a newbie named Roxanne. She is is an eight-year-old Lab mix. She knows lots of commands like roll over, sit, lie down, shake, high five, go get your blankey, and more! She is house-trained, spayed and ready to go home with you. She will need a cat-free home, but she has lived with kids and will do fine with respectful children. Living with a dog might be fine for her, but she would need to meet any potential siblings at WHS first. We’re hoping this sweetheart will find her forever family very soon! She is a treasure as Caroline and I found out when we spent some time getting to know her. And I just found out that she is the new “swim dog” that volunteer Jolene will take to Bailey’s Journey starting today! BREAKING NEWS! I just got an email from Jolene: “She loves the water, and swims around biting at all the bubbles—not interested in toys or balls, just bubbles. Every once in a while she’ll bark at them. She is a sweet dog.” Jolene will take some pictures for next week’s post.

 

 

 

They say I’m very handsome!

And they are right! Percy Shelley is a four-year-old purebred German Shepherd. He came to us recently from a shelter in California, and we don’t know much about him, but he needs to put on some pounds. He also needs a family with older kids or just adults who are eager for the joys and challenges of training an intelligent and active dog. Percy is strong and needs to work on not jumping on people in his eagerness to greet them. He knows a few commands and seems anxious to learn. He’d be great in WHS training classes. He cannot go home with cats or small children. Percy would love to have a job. This boy has a lot of potential and for someone willing to put in training and play time, he will make a terrific and loyal companion. Jolene really likes this beautiful boy.

 

 

 

I am looking for just the right fit of a home and I’ll be your best ever friend!

Another new arrival I met on Sunday was this fun character, Wiley. He is a five-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Boxer mix. Wiley is house-trained as well as crate-trained. He is an active boy and LOVES to play fetch. He’ll race after a tennis ball, then drop it at your feet and back up, waiting for you to throw it again. He also loves the wading pools. He knows several commands and took my hot dog bits very gently. Wiley does need a home without children, as he has some resource-guarding tendencies and at times doesn’t like to be over-handled and can be frightened by loud noises. Wiley is a very happy dog, eager to please. He cannot go home with cats and can be picky about his dog friends. He might prefer to be an only pet. But even with Wiley’s quirks, he has won many friends at the shelter. He’ll be a great friend for the right person. Caroline and I both fell for this good boy.

 

 

 

Martha thought for sure I’d be adopted before she got back. But I’m not, yet.

That’s for sure! I was certain that this perfect family dog would be swooped up the first week she was available. Katie is a ten-year-old Shepherd mix. She is an absolute sweetheart who has a great history with children and adores them. She is house-trained, knows several commands, is treat-motivated, and wants to please. “She is so gentle, she wants to do whatever you want to do,” said Emelynn about Katie when she first met her. Katie can be left alone in the house with no problem. Her only request is that there be no cats in the home. Although she’s never lived with another dog, she gets along with them. She scored so well on her behavior assessment that she is rated PG+5. Katie is a very special dog. Here she was today showing how easy-going she is. I did notice on Sunday that she is barking some in her kennel trying to get people’s attention to tell them she’s adoptable. But once out of her shelter kennel, she doesn’t make a peep. Here she was with Laslo on Sunday. Surely she’ll be adopted this week!

 

 

 

I’m Goldie and I am really this cute!

Oh my goodness. When I first saw Goldie, I had to smile, since her smile was so endearing. This ten-year-old Schipperke/Pomeranian is as sweet as she is cute. She knows several commands and loved my hot dog bits. She is house-trained and even has lived with cats successfully! She isn’t a fan of small children, so is suggested for a family with kids who are at least ten. Gracie and Goldie really hit it off!

 

 

 

Emelynn’s Pick of the Week!

Emelynn fell head-over-heels in love with Waffles today. A seven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, Waffles had a difficult time in the shelter environment when she first arrived. She is a shy girl and is not used to all the activity and noise that was happening around her. Although she’s doing better now, she would very much like to be adopted soon by an understanding and quiet adult family. She is house-trained, knows some commands, and liked my treats. She warms up quickly to people who give her calm attention. She will need to go to a cat-free home and one without small dogs. In fact, she would probably enjoy being an only dog. Waffles loves the wading pools and enjoys hanging out with her friends like Emelynn and Daniel. This pretty girl is sad when alone in her shelter kennel. So hoping she’ll go to a loving home very soon. Emelynn spent quite a bit of time with this sweetheart this afternoon.

Here she was on Sunday with another friend, Daniel.

 

 

 

I have really improved my manners since arriving at WHS! I know I am a work in progress, but I really AM getting better!

Opie, an almost two-year-old Plothound mix, arrived at WHS from a California shelter on June 28th and was quite a handful! He knew “sit” but that was about it. He was eager, strong, boisterous and mouthy. Staff and volunteers got to work on him with positive training methods where bad manners got him ignored and good manners earned him rewards. The improvement has been dramatic! Here he was with volunteer Francis on Sunday.

Volunteer Marianne reports: “Opie now sits when you go in his kennel, he waits at his kennel door and doesn’t go flying out like he did at first. He waits at the doors to go outside. He does need work on loose-leash walking manners. He’s a very sweet and smart dog. He would be the perfect dog for a very active family or a jogger. He learns quickly and is quite treat-motivated. He loves to play fetch and will bring the ball back and drop it. Then he will sit and wait for you to throw it again.” This isn’t to say that Opie doesn’t need his training continued. His impulse control training is on-going. However, what a delightful boy he is! This afternoon Marianne and I took him out to a yard to play…and play he did. If you’re looking for a high-energy, fun, and eager partner, Opie may be just who you’ve been waiting for!

 

 

 

 

I’m new here and can’t wait to meet my forever family!

Volunteer Caroline couldn’t wait for me to meet newcomer Nala today. Nala is a beautiful black Lab mix who is four years old. She knows several commands and was very excited but polite when she saw I had hot dog bits for her. She walks well on leash and enjoys hanging out with her peeps. Nala does not have the best kennel presentation, as she is confused and frustrated in the shelter environment. But when brought outside, she relaxed and posed very cooperatively for pictures. Nala is looking for a cat-free home. She has happily lived with another dog. She is possessive of her food bowl, so is not recommended to go to a home with small children. Older children who will respect her space or just adults would fit Nala just fine. Caroline is one of Nala’s biggest fans and Nala knows it!

 

 

It’s Playtime!

Volunteer manager Kimmi decided to have a mini-playgroup session during her lunch break today. Her dog Vinny (who has never met another dog he didn’t like) is best friends with both Sailor and Opie. So all three came out to the yard to romp. I shot a few pictures. The threesome had a blast.

Sailor took a break to hang out with Kimmi for a little while.

 

Updates!

Clyde!

Remember Clyde? Here he was with me during his long stay at WHS.

 

And here’s the happy report and pictures his family sent me recently. What a wonderful life for our boy!

“Clyde is doing great, he has two sisters, living down in Brookings on the coast, goes to the beach and the park several times a day.”

 

Rosco!

Rosco was finally adopted last week. He had been at the shelter since March and had become such a favorite of so many of us. He was adopted once and returned. Here he was celebrating July 4th with Marianne.

And then one of our own volunteers adopted him. Here is her story:

“Rosco has become my guardian angel. I have been through some very difficult times in my life and my dogs have always helped me. I thought volunteering at WHS would help me, too. Then I met Rosco. I immediately felt a bond with him and felt at peace when he was with me. Now that we have adopted him, I take him with me everywhere. He will become my service dog. He is perfect. He lies with me every night. He does great inside stores and parks. For anyone that who has trouble with depression, PTSD, or any emotional difficulties, I strongly recommend a service dog. They bring peace and love. They give you a sense of purpose and belonging. Rosco has been through a lot, too. I think we understand each other. We help each other. He’s more than a dog. He’s family.”

Such a lucky family!

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