Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

Great news! With the number of homeless dogs in our area happily declining, WHS has been able to accept transfers from other parts of the country where the overpopulation of dogs needing forever homes is dire. Last week we were able to accept an air transport of dogs from Oklahoma. Meeting these newbies on Sunday was an absolute delight. They are eager to begin their new lives as Oregon dogs and some have already found their forever families here. I’ll be featuring some of these new dogs in this post, but first, here are the Blog Dogs who were among the sixteen adopted dogs during the past week.

 

I went swimming last week!

Jack was last week’s swim dog who got to go to Bailey’s Journey with volunteer Joan.

Joan reports: “Today’s swim dog, Jack, is a two-year-old Lab/Retriever mix. He was very good in the car, affectionate with me, but needed some time to get used to the water. Once he did, he calmed down and did better! More practice, for sure!”

The first swim was with a life jacket and Jack was quite uneasy.

Then they decided to let him try swimming without the life jacket. Joan said he acted like a different dog! “Huge difference without the life jacket!!! :)” He liked it! Jack is a very social, happy boy in playgroups. He walks well on leash and loves treats. He was adopted once, but was too exuberant with the other family dogs. He is now on hold again, so we’re hoping it will be his perfect fit of a home.

 

 

 

I’m hoping that I will finally find my ball-tossing, toy-playing retirement family!

Nick is a ten-year-old Siberian Husky mix who is looking for a quiet retirement home where he can hang out with his people, play a little fetch, and roll over for belly rubs. Nick has a few age-related issues like some arthritis in his back legs and we aren’t sure how well he hears anymore, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a happy boy. Nick’s favorite thing to do is play fetch with toys—any toys. He loves to trot after a tennis ball and return it to you, dropping it or sometimes even tossing it to you. When he’s tired, he’ll flop over on his back for a tummy rub. Nick is house-trained and walks well on leash. He is a quiet senior and so is easy to overlook as he waits in his kennel. He also takes a little time to warm up and relax, so it may take a little longer for him to feel at home. But what a wonderful old soul he is! Nick was surrendered to WHS last December and then adopted. But he was recently found as a stray and his person couldn’t be located. We’re hoping that he’ll soon be in what will be his permanent loving home with older kids or just adults.

Here he was on Sunday with Marianne and Caitlin.

We decided to take him into the Real Room. He loved it and we all had so much fun. We were joined by a mother and daughter who also fell in love with our sweet boy.

 

 

 

 

I’m looking for just the right fit of a family to adopt me!

Arrow is a stunning six-year-old Alaskan Malamute. He came to us from another shelter, so we don’t know his history. When he first arrived, he was very nervous and unsure of his surroundings. But during his stay at WHS, he has settled and is ready to find his forever home. Arrow isn’t a big player in playgroup. He did go on some runs with the group, though he mostly mingled with them. Arrow loves hot dog bits and enjoys being with people. He is curious and independent, as is true of his breed. He enjoys long walks or hikes with his person and then curling up beside them in the evening. Here he is on Sunday with one of his fans, Francis.

 

 

 

My eye is fixed and I’m ready to go to my new home!

Eartha is a one-year-old, fifty-pound Bulldog mix. She came to us as a transfer from California so we don’t know her history. However, she is extremely affectionate, smart, and loves to work for treats. She is a rough and rowdy player with her friends and can be a bit picky about who they are, so would need to meet any potential new dog siblings. Eartha is high-energy, so would be a fantastic hiking or jogging partner. She arrived at the shelter with a “cherry eye” which is easily fixed with minor surgery, and is more a cosmetic than a physical problem for the dog. Eartha has been working on her leash-walking skills and has greatly improved. Here she was with Caroline before her eye operation.

She wanted to make sure I took a picture of her “good side.”

Here Eartha is with Diane on Sunday after her eye surgery, looking so much better! She wants everyone to know that she’s ready to go home. She’s looking for a family with older kids (13+) who are hoping for a lively new best friend.

 

 

 

I’ve won the hearts of everyone at WHS since I arrived from Oklahoma. Now I’ll win YOURS!

Trinity is a two-year-old Great Dane who came to us through the Wings of Rescue. It didn’t take her long to wrap everyone she met around her paw. Trinity is a gentle giant whose favorite place to be is with people. She walks wonderfully on leash, is very affectionate and loves to play with her gentle, puppy-like enthusiasm. She has an abnormal gait in her rear legs which may indicate a congenital deformity. This could cause her problems as she ages, but doesn’t bother her now. She does need to put on some weight which should not be a problem, as she loves to eat. Here she is on Sunday with two of her biggest fans, Marianne and Caitlin.

  This afternoon after our walking shift, Marianne and I took Trinity into the Real Room for some quality time. We three had a blast. Trinity is a very special girl.

 

 

 

 

I came all the way from Oklahoma. I want to be an Oregon dog!

Edgar is a one-year-old Retriever mix. As you can imagine, it was a bit challenging to Edgar and the other dogs who had just arrived via Wings of Rescue to understand exactly where they were now. Here he is with Jolene on his first day in Oregon. Though we don’t know much about this boy yet, we do know he likes cheese bits, walks pretty well on leash and knows some basic commands. His unusual eye colors make him striking.

Edgar was confused about exactly where he was. After all, the day before he’d been in an Oklahoma shelter. We assured him that he’s now an Oregon dog.

 

 

 

I’m from Oklahoma, too! Do you think my ears make my head look small?

Brady is an adorable three-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix. He is a mere eleven pounds and such a little gentleman! He loved my cheese bits, sat when I asked him to, happily posed for pictures, and loved being held by Caroline. This little guy is a keeper! I have a feeling he’ll be adopted before we get to know him well!

 

 

 

I’m Willy and I LOVE to romp! But I’m a little wary of new things.

Willy is a two-year-old Retriever mix who is looking for a specific kind of home. He will need a patient person who will show him that new situations and new people are not scary. Since Willy is extremely treat-motivated, he learns quickly and with slow introductions, he will thrive. He needs a home with older children (13+) since small children’s quick movements make him nervous. A family with a somewhat quiet, calm lifestyle would be best for Willy. He can be picky about his dog friends and would actually enjoy being an only dog, however he did ignore a cat in his previous home. Willy is house-trained and knows basic commands. He’s hoping he’ll soon find his perfect fit of a family. Here he is with Diane on Sunday.

I got to spend some quality time with Willy today when I took him for his afternoon walk and we had such a great time. For the first time I saw him smile!

I could tell he really wanted to romp; we went into a yard so he could run. Volunteer Karla stopped to visit and Willy couldn’t have been happier. We’re hoping that Willy’s wait will soon be over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Sadie, a six-year-old Bloodhound mix, here with Caitlin, one of her biggest fans.

 

 

This is Keo, a seven-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix, here with Jolene. Keo is currently in a foster home. To meet her, contact foster@whs4pets.org.

 

 

This is Wishbone, a one-year-old American Staffordshire mix, here with Laslo.

 

 

This is Girlie, a seven-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix, here with Daniel.

 

 

Adeline/Rye

Remember Adeline, a transfer from Texas who was extremely shy and who had to be coaxed to even come outside?

I was worried that with her being so shy she would be overlooked by potential adopters, but that was not the case. She was adopted and I was thrilled when I got the following update from her new family. “We’ve had Rye (Adeline) almost two weeks now. She’s doing awesome and we couldn’t be happier with her. She’s settling into her new routine, but it hasn’t been without challenges.” I was not surprised to hear there had been some challenges, but so happy that through love and work, Rye has become part of the 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