Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I have lots of fun stories and a video this week, so kick back, sip some lemonade and get to know some shelter dogs!

Among the ten dog adoptions this week were four terrific Blog Dogs.

Adopted!

I was so excited that Chubby’s adopters saw him on last week’s post and fell in love with him. The next day they went to the shelter and adopted our boy. I always hope that these posts help get our dogs adopted, but when I know that one actually did, I am thrilled. I’ve already gotten an update that he’s doing great, is very happy and his little girl adores him.

 

It’s all part of my weight-loss program, I’m told.

With Chubby’s happy adoption, it was an open question who would be this week’s Swim Dog at Bailey’s Journey. And the winner was…Ledi!

Ledi is a six-year-old, 87-pound American Staffordshire Terrier mix. To say Ledi is a bit overweight is an understatement. So going swimming is a great way for her to exercise some of those pesky pounds away. Ledi is house-trained, loves carrots (good thing!) and playing tug. She needs to be an only dog in her home. She also does not show well in her kennel. She can act quite shy and move to the back of her kennel when strangers approach. We have been concerned that potential adopters might walk away from her and not see what a happy, fun-loving dog she really is. I’m hoping her swimming video will help her find a new home.

 

 

 

I had more energy for this photo shoot!

If you read last week’s post, you saw our lovebug Bellatrix playing a very slow fetch game on a hot afternoon. I’m happy that THIS week it’s been much cooler and she was more in the mood for action. Here she was with Marianne on Sunday.

Bellatrix is a two-year-old American Bulldog/Boxer mix. She has been an outdoor dog her whole life. When she first arrived at WHS, she was not used to handling and wasn’t sure what to think of the petting she received. But it didn’t take her long to realize how much she liked hanging out with people. Bellatrix now solicits interaction and affection, eagerly returning the love with kisses and tail wags. She will need a little help in house-training, though as smart as she is, she’ll no doubt be a quick study. Bellatrix is a playful, big girl at eighty-five pounds and so kids 13+ would be best for her. She also needs to be an only pet; no dog parks or off-leash for this girl.

After her energetic fetch game, Bellatrix wanted to relax for a while in the shade with three of her fans, Marianne, Caitlin and me. She has certainly gotten used to posing for pictures!

It turns out Bellatrix is also an attentive listener—at least for a little while.

Bellatrix will make a perfect best friend for the right family. We’re hoping they will find her soon.

 

 

 

I’m looking for a calm family to spend my retirement years with. Could it be yours?

Tessa is a nine-year-old Chihuahua mix who is a shy, unassuming little gal looking for a new family after arriving here from California through our partnership with ASPCA. She has been with other dogs in playgroup and mingled with them but has not actively played. Tessa is ready to be a couch potato with her new person. A little walk around the neighborhood, a few treats, then just hanging out would suit her just fine. Here she was on Sunday with Kim and Kylie.

She’s a lap dog. Here she was with Jolene a week ago.

 

 

 

I’ve been here before. I found a great home. I hope I will again!

Rubecca is a ten-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix. She first came to the shelter in December of 2007. She had been an outdoor dog and was hoping for a person who would love her as an indoor dog. She found him! She has had eight years of a great life. But her person’s health no longer allows him to continue to care for Rubecca and so she has returned to us, this time looking for a retirement home. What a delightful little girl she is! She is house-trained, knows some commands and is a playful, happy dog. Both Marianne and I immediately loved her. She has never lived with children or cats. She was nervous in the beginning of her first shelter playgroup, but did well. Surely someone will fall in love with this sweetheart and adopt her quickly!

P.S. A note from Rubecca: “I have been living in my home with my pal, Tinker, who is also adoptable. Any chance you could adopt us both? We promise we’ll be so good!”

(See Tinker later on in this post.)

 

 

 

I did it! I finally DID IT!

Yep, he did. Knuckles would smile if he could, but YOU try smiling with three tennis balls in your mouth and see how that works out for you! As you already know, Knuckles loves to carry two tennis balls in his mouth wherever he goes. For quite a while, he has tried for three. I just happened to be out in the yard on Sunday when he succeeded in his dream.

Knuckles is a five-year-old American Staffordshire mix. He weighs sixty-eight pounds and is an exuberant boy, so should not go to a family with young children. He can be picky about his dog friends, so would need to meet any he would be living with. He has been waiting for an active person looking for an energetic, happy dog since May 27th. On Sunday I wondered just how much Knuckles loved his tennis balls so here’s what I did…

First I tried a dog cookie.

Then I tried a doggy beef stick.

Then it was back to searching for more tennis balls.

For more adventures of Knuckles, see last week’s post. There’s got to be someone out there looking for just such a goofy, fun dog. We hope they comes soon.

 

 

 

Daniel’s Pick of the Week!

This week Daniel picked a newbie, a beautiful boy named Archie. Archie is a four-year-old Australian Shepherd mix and is simply a great dog. He has had a very happy life, but his owner died and Archie is looking for a new home. He is house-trained and crate-trained. He has been an only dog living with adults, so does not have experience with children or cats. He is highly food-motivated, which is great for teaching him new skills, like taking treats gently, which he needs to work on. Daniel fell for this good boy immediately and I was amazed at how cooperative he was when we asked him to dress up on Sunday for Monday’s 4th of July.

 

 

 

 

I’m still here waiting. I know I need a special person, but I’m worth it!

There aren’t too many dogs who love people as much as Osa does! This dog smiles the minute you look her way and keeps smiling as long as you’re with her. She came to us as a stray and with some “lumps” which we removed with excellent results. She is a three-year-old American Staffordshire mix and is ready to go to her forever home. She would do best as an only dog, as she can be a bit picky about her friends. But you’ll never find a more loving companion for a family. Here she was on Sunday with Christine, and notice she’s smiling.

 

 

 

I’m new here and quite shy. Any chance you’d adopt me AND Rubecca?

Another newbie that Marianne and I met on Sunday was little Tinker, a ten-year-old Chihuahua mix. This little girl was so nervous at our first meeting, but slowly warmed up once we were outside. She lived with Rubecca until she was surrendered, like Rubecca, because of their person’s health. She would love to go to a home with her old friend, but it’s not necessary as long as she’ll get plenty of love in a new home. But if you’re up for adopting two house-trained, well-behaved small dogs so that they can live out their retirement years together and loved, that would be just the best thing ever.

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