Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I went to WHS early on Sunday so that I could get video of the public playgroup that staff member Jessi runs for family dogs. It is a wonderful opportunity for friendly dogs to participate in an hour-long romp. It’s great socialization for the dogs and a chance for their people to observe and learn some of the body language dogs use to communicate. Since it is supervised by staff and trained volunteers, it’s both fun for the dogs and educational for the owners. To help get the news out to potential participants, I made this video to explain how the program works.

 

There were twelve dog adoptions in the past week. Some were newbies who got adopted before I ever got a chance to write about them on a post. We love it when they find new homes so quickly. Two of them were a bonded pair who arrived on Sunday and I snapped these photos of them with Marianne and Caroline. Their names are Monkey and Mya. I fully intended to write about them in this post.

Because they were a bonded brother and sister, we worried about how quickly they would find a home together. We needn’t have worried. They were adopted on Monday by their new person.

Also on Sunday, Marianne brought her sweet older dog, Patience, a former WHS shelter dog (twice), to hang out for a while. It was so good to see one of my all-time favorite dogs again!

Here are the blog dogs who were adopted this week.

 

 

I’m young, little, and shy, but I’m very excited about getting adopted soon!

At nine pounds, Julia is definitely a lap dog. She is a still a puppy at six months old and is a Miniature Dachshund mix. Since she came to us via our ASPCA partner in California, we don’t know her history with kids, dogs, or cats. She will need a person who will be patient and gentle, as Julia is fearful of sudden movements and would rather be in your arms than on the ground. In fact, she would prefer to be carried everywhere. With time and understanding, this little girl will become a wonderful companion. Here she is in Caitlin’s arms on Sunday.

 

 

 

I know I need a little work on my leash walking, but I promise I’ll try really hard to do it right!

What an adorable girl Bella is! This seven-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is thirty-two pounds of “let’s play!” She may be a little older, but she still has the energy of a young dog. She knows she will need some reward-based training on walking politely on leash as well as not jumping up to take the ball out of your hand during a game of fetch. But this gal loves people, attention, and treats, so her instruction shouldn’t take long. I haven’t been able to get her to smile yet, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t happy. Daniel enjoyed hanging out with her soon after she arrived.

Bella arrived from California with a lump on the top of her head. So after having it removed, she was wearing a cone last Sunday when Tim and Natalie took her out. Still no smile.

 

 

 

I’m new here and still a puppy. I have a lot to learn. Do you want to teach me?

Meet six-month-old Cherie Baby, a Chihuahua mix who is looking for a family who wants a low-maintenance youngster. Cherie is only five pounds, so fits very easily into your lap. She is affectionate, calm, and treat-motivated, making her a perfect student to teach. Another transfer from California, we don’t know about her past, but we do know that she is going to make some lucky family the perfect little best friend. Jolene enjoyed spending time with her.

 

 

 

I know I’m big, but I’m still a puppy!

This boy may look like an adult, but believe it or not, Theodore is only six months old! An Australian Cattle Dog/Akita mix, he is going to be a BIG dog! Theo is house-trained and knows some commands, although “stay” is not one of them yet! He is a happy-go-lucky youngster who will make a terrific hiking or jogging partner. He’ll need lots of exercise and a WHS training class would be wonderful for him. Here he was on Sunday with Caroline.

 

 

 

What a difference a few days make! I’m feeling much braver now!

This extremely sweet girl is Honey Bear. She is an Australian Kelpie mix and is one year old. When I first met her on Sunday after she arrived from another shelter, she was very nervous and shy and had to be coaxed out of her kennel. Once out, her tail was tucked and she most hesitantly took my treats. Today she seemed like a different dog! She met me at the front of her kennel and was eager to go outside. She happily greeted everyone she met on her way out the door. Honey is a wonderful mid-size at 42 pounds. She still jumps at sudden sounds or movements, so a calm home with patient people will be needed to build her self-confidence. Marianne and I both fell head-over-heels for this beautiful sweetheart. And yes, she has one blue and one brown eye. We hope she is adopted very soon.

 

 

 

Daniel’s Pick of the Week!

If you are like Daniel and me who fall for big-headed goofy Pit Bull Terriers, then Bodhi might be the one you’ve been waiting for. This high-energy yet gentle boy is one year old. He loves romping with other dogs in play group, going for walks with his peeps, and hanging out. He scored very well on his behavior assessment and his only stipulation is no cats (they are too much fun to chase). This happy-go-lucky big boy is looking for a home with a family who will give him the exercise he needs and then wants to cuddle in the evening. We love his smile!

Marianne took him out today and he loved her attention.

 

 

 

Yes, I need a special food, but other than that, I’m perfect!

Daisy is a six-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. She is pretty low-key and affectionate and will do very well in a home with older children or just adults. She has a history of bladder stones, so will need to be on her special food for the rest of her life. At only five pounds, she’s a lap dog for sure. She scored well on her behavior assessment and will make a wonderful new best friend. She spent some fun time with Colby on Sunday.

 

 

 

Caroline’s Pick of the Week!

A new dog arrived at the shelter today and is he ever a delightful character! Taz is a BIG boy at 72 pounds, and being only a year old, he has a ton of energy but a gentle side, too. Caroline fell in love the moment she met him and we took him out to the big yard to get to know him a little. Being a Lab mix, he believes life is one big party. Did I mention he is BIG?

Taz was very excited about the tennis ball and would race after it when Caroline threw it. However, it was another story when we called him to bring it back.

  Such a happy boy!

To my delighted surprise, he not only knows how to sit when asked, but “down,” too. And he was remarkably gentle asking for and taking treats.

He is just such a happy dog!

Taz is house-trained and looking for an active family who will continue his training and give him the exercise that he needs. He loves playing with other rowdy dogs, but because of his youthful enthusiasm and lack of dog manners, he needs playmates who are tolerant and won’t take offense at his lack of finesse. 🙂

 

 

 

Please don’t make me look at the camera. Is this pose okay?

This is Squirt, a two-year-old Silky Terrier mix. Squirt is somewhat shy, but warms up once he gets to know you. He didn’t, however, like my camera on Sunday. He is a calm, laid-back little guy who has lived happily with older children and another dog. He would prefer a home without cats. With some patience and understanding, Squirt will be a great lap buddy. Here he was with Tim.

I’m going to be gone visiting family next week, so my next post will appear in two weeks.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

Willamette Humane Society had some BIG adoption news on Monday. Not one, but TWO very special dogs got adopted on the same day! First, Joker, our sweet Shepherd boy who has experienced three different long-term stays at the shelter and foster homes, FINALLY got his forever home. His new person understands his needs to keep his skin condition under control and knows what to do. All of us who love Joker are over the moon that he finally is really home. I was thrilled to be at the shelter during his adoption. He’s going to be having wonderful hiking adventures with his new family and will have the life he’s always wished for! When I asked his new mom how she’d heard about Joker, she said she’d read about him on this blog! 🙂

And that’s not all! On Sunday afternoon Caroline, Marianne and I spent some quality time with Dodger. This boy had been waiting to be adopted for six and a half years in another shelter when he arrived at ours several weeks ago. We all fell hard for this big, goofy dog with the huge smile. While we sat outside on a bench and visited, he seemed to know something we didn’t.

And Monday afternoon he went home! If you are wondering if a dog who has lived in a shelter for almost seven years will be able to adjust to a home, check out the picture his family sent to me on Monday evening. And if you look closely, you’ll see his beloved Jolly Ball on the table. Could he be any more relaxed?

Can you tell he’s happy?

Besides these two thrilling adoptions, there were eleven more. Here are all the ones who were Blog Dogs.

 

 

 

I’m ready for a real home now!

If you read my posts regularly, you know our Opie very well. After his successful leg surgery to repair a muscle tear, he has been recovering in volunteer Sherrie’s foster home. He is now ready to start a new life with a family of his own. This week BJ Andersen, our Executive Director, sent this letter to WHS supporters:

Here is Sherrie’s latest picture of Opie on her couch.

And here is the movie I made about him before his surgery.

Let’s all work together to get this very special boy a great home!

 

 

 

I’m looking for a lap where I can retire.

I only met Stitch once before he left for a foster home, but oh my, did I fall in love. Stitch is an eight-year-old Miniature Dachshund who weighs in at seven pounds. He’d like any potential adopter to know that he has some arthritis in his back, but he’s not in pain. His favorite place to be is in your arms or in your lap where he’ll sit for as long as you’ll let him. So if you are in need of a cuddle buddy, Stitch is your guy! Here he is with Marianne the day he arrived at the shelter.

 

 

 

I’m also a senior, but I will love you just as much as a youngster!

Ruby was found as a stray, so we don’t know much about her, but we do know that she is as sweet as a dog can be. She is about eleven years old and as you can tell, she’s a Beagle. This girl won’t be much trouble. She walks well on leash, is gentle and scored very well on her behavior assessment. She will be a wonderful companion for someone looking for a new best friend. As you can see, Esme really likes her, too!

 

 

 

Marianne’s Pick of the Week!

Caroline was gone today, so Marianne got to choose a Pick of the Week and it was beautiful newbie, Betty. This calm, sweet girl is a seven-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. She is one of our ASPCA transfers, so we don’t know her history, but she must have been loved, as she is affectionate and trusting. She walks well on leash and sits when asked. She loved my treats. Since it was raining outside, we decided to take some indoor pics and she couldn’t have been more cooperative. As you no doubt can guess, Marianne and I both really enjoyed spending time with Betty.

Here she was last Sunday with Linda, another one of Betty’s new fans.

 

 

 

I may be little, I may be young, but I’m ready to be your new best friend!

Meet Eliana, an eight-month, eight-pound Chihuahua mix who can’t wait to have a family to call her own. This youngster is quite shy and thinks that being in a person’s arms or in their lap is just perfect. Another California transfer whose history we don’t know, Eliana will need a calm home with an understanding family wiling to give her the time she needs to gain confidence. Daniel got a kick out of this little bundle of puppy.

 

 

 

No, I don’t know why my ears are this way, but don’t you think it’s cute?

The first thing I noticed about JJ when I met him was his ears. One is always up, the other down. He doesn’t know why, either, but says it’s always been that way. JJ is a two-year-old Dachshund mix who weighs eighteen pounds. In his previous home, he lived with another dog, cats, and kids, but he’d really rather have his peeps to himself, as he’s quite the cuddler. He does have a good history with children over ten. Here he was on Sunday with Diane. Something told me that I’d met JJ before.

I HAD met JJ before! Here he was when he was at WHS as a puppy two years ago. Yep, same ears. 🙂

 

 

 

I’m very cute, at least that’s what Caitlin says!

Squirt is a two-year-old Silky Terrier mix. He is feeling stressed being in the shelter and so we’re hoping he’ll find a new home very quickly. At a mere seven pounds, this little guy will fit neatly in your lap. He is house-trained. He has lived with young kids and has a good history with them. He likes other dogs, but not cats, thank you very much. He probably should not be an apartment dog, as he barks at first when left alone, but then settles down and sleeps. He loves having a fenced back yard to play fetch in. Caitlin and I hope that Squirt will soon be in a new home that will be his forever one.

 

 

 

I won’t be much trouble. I just need a quiet home.

This little guy is named Taz and, at only four pounds, he’s one of the tiniest dogs I’ve seen in quite a while. Taz is a four-year-old Chihuahua mix. He is very nervous and shy, so will need a calm, quiet home. He’d really like to be the only pet in either an adult home or one with older children, who will be patient with him and give him the space and socialization that he needs to gain in self-confidence. Taz likes being held and is quite the little cuddler. Here he was with Jolene on Sunday.

 

 

 

I’m ready for action! I’m ready for a new home with peeps who will help me grow up into the best Beagle ever!

Diane brought Silver out to meet me on Sunday. Silver was found as a stray, and is about nine months old. He is a Beagle through and through, loving to follow his nose. In play group, it took him some time to become comfortable, but once he was, he enjoyed romping, often checking in with the humans. Silver is a bit shy and anxious at first meeting, so a family with older children would be best. He will need people who will give him the exercise he needs. He will love walking around the neighborhood with his peeps. He’s a very handsome boy!

 

 

 

I may not look like it, but I’m still a puppy!

Oh my. Trying to take indoor pictures of puppy Theodore today was quite the challenge! Just ask Marianne! This six-month-old puppy is an Australian Cattle Dog/Akita mix who is going to grow into a BIG boy! Theo is happy, healthy, and excited to explore the world…or the room he’s in at the moment. Treats? Loves them! Toys? Loves them. Sitting for a nanosecond for a picture? Not so much! Theo is house-trained and has a great history with other dogs and kids (though with his size and exuberant personality, it better be older children!) Marianne and I both fell in love with this goofy youngster, but I was exhausted after trying to capture pictures of him as he bounced up and down. Theo will need an active family (and a cat-free one) willing to give him the attention and training he needs. WHS classes would be perfect for him and his new person. Theo is going to grow up into a wonderful adult!

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