Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

I have one of the BEST EVER happily-ever-after adoption stories to tell you!

 

Last week I featured and made a movie about Kia, our huge, gentle lap dog who had been waiting for her new family since June 28.

 

I wrote that she LOVED the GFB (Giant Fluff Ball) that Marianne and I introduced her to, and that I had promised her that one would go home with her when she was adopted. Little did we think that her forever family would fall in love with her through her video and drive down from Washington to adopt her on Saturday! Marianne had taken the GFB home to wash it, and so Kia had to leave for her new home without one.

BUT! A promise is a promise and so I contacted the family and asked if I could send a brand-new GFB to them. This was the wonderful response I got on Monday:

“Hi Martha, thank you so much for reaching out to us. I’m sure she would be thrilled to have a fluff ball! We would greatly appreciate it! She is doing great! And oh my goodness, we just adore her!!!😍🐶😍 We did end up changing her name to Gertie (Gertrude), so we are working in teaching her that lol. She’s already gone for a few rides in the truck/car, and loved it! We took her to the river, and she played around in the water with the kids. I got her a giant tennis ball, which she ever-so-sweetly brings to me, when she wants to play fetch for a bit. We are taking her to the groomer today, to get a bath, nails trimmed, etc. Then next is getting her into the vet. We are hoping to help her lose a little weight, with diet/light exercise, so hopefully it can help her arthritis a bit. But we are so, SO happy we found this sweetheart, and brought her home to be a part of our family. It already feels like we’ve had her forever!😍 Also I wanted to let you know that it was her video that actually helped us make the decision to make the 2.5-hour drive to come get her. We had been looking at dogs for a while, and had actually seen her picture. We of course loved her bio. But after combing through other possible candidates for our forever pooch, we stumbled across her again, and watched the video. After that, we all knew that she belonged with us. Thank you to all of you, especially Sasha, Melinda, and Oz, for all the work they did, to connect her with us. The whole experience (our first time ever adopting) has been AMAZING!💓 Also thank you all, for everything that you do, for these sweet souls. You are all truly angels!❤”

 

Kia, now Gertie, won the jackpot of families! And—Gertie’s GFB has been mailed!

 

We’ve been promised an update when Gertie’s GFB arrives at her home. Can’t wait!

 

 

 

 

I may be eight, but I have energy! Need an Energizer Dog? Pick ME!

Sparky is an eight-year-old Rat Terrier mix. At 24 pounds, he’s a perfect medium-sized dog. Sparky has a good history with kids and is rated for children five and up. Sparky will need to be an only pet in an active home. He walks well on leash and is house-trained. He is somewhat of an escape artist, so will need to be watched around doors so that he doesn’t slip out to go on an adventure of his own. Sparky is not a lap dog, it’s too much fun to play! Sparky LOVES to chase after toys. He’s not picky about his toys—as you’ll see in his movie, he will play with anything and invent his own games. He kept us laughing in Mary’s Place on Sunday. We’re hoping this happy guy will soon be with his new forever family.

 

Watch this boy in ACTION!

 

On Tuesday several shelter dogs got to go on an Amazing Adventure to the Beach with our Behavior and Training staff and some volunteers. Sparky was one of the lucky dogs who went. Here are a few pictures. He had such a grand time and was such a good boy!

 

 

 

 

I’ve been waiting for my forever home a long time. I’m a really good girl, just ask my foster mom, Karla!

Sophie is a beautiful six-year-old Vizsla and Labrador mix. She arrived at WHS last August. She was adopted, but then returned in February. Since March she has been happily staying at volunteer/trainer Karla’s house, where she has been a star pupil, being taught manners and skills. She has learned a lot and has become such an easy dog to have around, Karla reports. On Sunday Karla and Sophie visited the shelter so that I could get some new pictures and video to make Sophie a movie. Here is how Karla explains what Sophie needs in her forever home.

“If you like taking care of a dog and helping them with their troubles, Sophie might be a great fit for you. 

In many ways Sophie is easy. She’s house-trained, settles nicely, doesn’t destroy or even touch household items, trusts seemingly all people and she is mostly quiet. She makes me laugh with her lively, happy moments were she snorts, huffs and sneezes while prancing.

And here are your opportunities to help her: Sophie fears other canines and needs a life without dogs. Even if you don’t have a dog, some forethought and management will be required. To name two: you will need to ask for a backdoor entry when you go to the vet, and think about where she will stay if you travel. Sophie’s other significant fear is of loud noises—specifically thunder, fireworks and gun shots. Want the joy of helping Sophie learn to cope during noise events? It will require time, a bit of positive-based training knowledge, preparedness and some self-sacrifice. Ah, but to help give a dog a closer version of heaven on earth—priceless.”

We had such a great time in Mary’s Place with this gentle, affectionate dog. She loves everyone she meets. She is going to be such a wonderful member for the right family.

 

 

Sophie in action!

We are sure Sophie’s perfect fit of a family will find her. We just hope they will find her soon.

 

 

 

A Girl and Her Sandwich Part 2

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you already know Summer very well. Last week’s post included a series I called, “A Dog and Her Sandwich.” However, after the photo shoot, Summer chewed a little too much on the sandwich and it broke. We didn’t have the heart to tell her we had to throw it away. This week when Summer arrived at Mary’s Place for some fun, she came not with her sandwich, but with a hamburger!

 

In case you are a first-time blog reader and don’t know Summer, here are the facts. Summer is a four-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. She came to us with a chronic ear infection which is now under control with medication, but it will need to be monitored and possibly treated for the rest of her life. She can be picky about her dog friends, so will need to meet any dog she goes home with. She also is nervous around children, so older teenagers, fifteen and up, would be perfect for her. Oh yes, and no cats! They are just too easy to chase. But, oh, what a sweet dog Summer is!

And now…Part 2 of the Summer series—”Summer and Her Hamburger”

 

Summer also go to go on the Amazing Adventure to the Beach. She also got an excellent behavior report and had a blast. Don’t you wish you knew what she was thinking?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily is a one-year-old Hound mix, here with Jolene.

 

 

 

This is Bernie, a four-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix enjoying time with Marianne.

 

 

 

Sheldon enjoyed some outside time with Francis on Sunday. Sheldon is a five-year-old Shepherd mix.

 

 

 

Baloo is a two-year-old Black-Mouth Cur mix, here with Jenna.

 

 

 

This is Rosita, a three-year-old mixed breed dog, with Christine.

 

 

 

Miss Poppy, a one-year-old mixed breed girl, spent time with Marianne and later with Caroline in Mary’s Place.

 

 

 

 

Kiwi/Sadie and Rudy

Joan and Steve were long-time volunteer WHS dog walkers who have adopted three dogs from our shelter over the years. Amber (Lemon) was the first and now they have Sadie and Rudy. All three have been very lucky dogs to have found a home with these loving owners.

Last Sunday I arrived at WHS just as public play group was ending. I was thrilled to see Joan and Steve with Sadie and Rudy who had had a wonderful time romping with the other dogs. I snapped this picture as they were about to head home.

Of course I asked for an update and pictures. Here is their update.

“We adopted Sadie (formerly known as Kiwi) and Rudy in February after our beloved adoptee, Amber, died of kidney failure. The two have become inseparable buddies! They play and run together and make sure the other is always accounted for. Rudy is the boss and Sadie is happy to let him believe in his fantasy position!

Sadie, a Border Collie mix, wants to keep everyone in her line of vision. When one of us is upstairs and one down, she rests on the landing to keep track of us. She runs like the wind and always strives to be in front of the pack. If Rudy has to be on leash, she runs back and forth just to taunt him! 

She is, however, persnickety about her food. The other day, I put a spoon full of minestrone on her dry food instead of the usual spoonful of canned food. She rushed over to eat, put her nose in the bowl, sat on her haunches and gave me the Border Collie stare! She would have none of it until it was properly prepared!

Rudy, a Hound mix, is very personable and wants to be the center of any attention given. He is a true ‘nose to the ground’ hound! Our forested property can keep him busy for hours. Sometimes he stops, puts his nose straight up in the air and sniffs and sniffs. Squirrels beware! 

Rudy also barks and bays like a hound! He barks at forest creatures, he barks to play and he barks to let everyone know he has arrived! Usually, at WHS playgroup he barks when we park. This week, he spied the play area from Turner Road. Let me just say, they knew he was there!”

 

And on that happy note, 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,

The shelter has been bustling this past week with the arrival of sixteen dogs from an overcrowded Texas shelter. Almost as soon as they got settled into their new kennels, potential adopters arrived. Several newbies are already in their forever homes. I spent last Sunday afternoon taking their pictures and will introduce some of the remaining dogs to you later in this post. But first, I want to tell you about an adoption of one of our longer-term seniors.

 

 

Casey first came to WHS in 2014 and was surrendered again last May. He was adopted once, but it wasn’t the right fit, and he was returned. We took him in Mary’s Place on Sunday to get new pictures so I could feature him again this week. However, he was sure that his new family was coming and they did! They put a hold on Casey and then had a dog-to-dog meet with his new brother, also a senior and also named Casey on Monday. So OUR Casey is now Cadey.

 

 

 

 

Whenever a new transfer of dogs arrives at WHS, it’s exciting and many are adopted very quickly which is wonderful. However, as we volunteers know, there are some long-termers who watch from their kennels as new arrivals are scooped up and taken to their new homes. So this week I made two movies to showcase Kia and Roxie, terrific dogs who are still waiting for their perfect family to scoop them up and take home.

 

I’m a big girl, but that just means there is more to love!

Kia is a five-year-old Mastiff/Retriever mix and, at 118 pounds, she IS a big girl. She actually needs to lose some of those pounds, as she has arthritis and less weight would be easier on her joints. Kia is house-trained, walks well on leash, and has done well with kids. She is friendly to everyone and knows several commands. She loves to play fetch for short periods and when she’s tired she lies down to let you know she’s done for now. While playing, she will bring the ball back and put it in your hand. She is dog-selective, so would need to meet any dog she was going to live with.

On Sunday we first spent some time outside with her. She had romped with newbie Kylie in playgroup that morning and it was getting hot, so we didn’t stay out long.

 

Then we took her into Mary’s Place and introduced her to a Giant Fluff Ball. She immediately decided it was a great pillow to relax on after a tiring playgroup.

After these shots, we told her that she can take the GFB home when she gets adopted.

Staff member Ari stopped in to say hi and Kia told her all about the GFB and that she is going to take it home when she gets adopted.

 

Then it was time to make her movie!

Kia will be a wonderful, easy-going companion who will be happy with strolls around the neighborhood and short ball games. A family will be very lucky to adopt her.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Hogg, our vet here, fixed me up and now I’m ready to be adopted!

I first wrote about Roxie in June. She is an eleven-year-old Rottweiler mix who is a gentle, quiet senior. Her owner who had her since puppyhood died and Roxie needs a new person to love.

Before Roxie could go home, she needed to have some surgery to fix a few things. She had a fatty mass that was removed, a dental cleaning, and her eyelids were fixed (she had entropion, her eyelids rolled inward). Her eyes are still red from the surgery, but are healing well. Our wonderful WHS vet, Dr. Hogg, performed the surgery and now a “new” Roxie is waiting for a family to take her home. Here she was Sunday with Marianne and Caroline.

To say Roxie is a “couch potato” is a perfect description. She will be so easy to have around. She will be totally content to hang out with her peeps—literally on the couch. She won’t need long walks; in fact, if you have a fenced yard, she’ll be content just to wander around in it a couple of times a day. Roxie can be picky about her dog friends and, at her age, would enjoy being an only dog. She has not had experience with children, and so would do best with older kids. She has gotten along with cats that she knows, but will bark at ones she doesn’t. Roxie is house-trained and walks well on leash. To show you just how much Roxie enjoys lounging, here’s her movie.

We’re hoping that someone with a heart for old dogs will give our sweet girl a soft bed and lots of love for the rest of her life.

 

 

 

 

Yep, I’m still here. My sandwich and I hope to go home soon!

I’ve written about Summer several times, hoping the right person would see the post, but so far they haven’t. As always, Marianne and I spent time with her on Sunday in Mary’s Place and she was so cute posing with what was her favorite toy of the day, a sandwich, that I had to write about her again.

Summer arrived at WHS on May 5th. She is a four-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. She came to us with a chronic ear infection which is now under control with medication, but it will need to be monitored and possibly treated for the rest of her life. We are hoping that this condition will not deter an adopter from taking this sweetheart home. While WHS was evaluating her medical issues, she had two “holds” from interested adopters. However, when Summer was finally able to go home, both families were no longer interested in taking her. So Summer is again waiting for her forever family. She can be picky about her dog friends, so will need to meet any dog she goes home with. She also is nervous around children, so older teenagers, fifteen and up, would be perfect for her. Oh yes, and no cats! They are just too easy to chase.

We had so much fun with her Sunday afternoon. She is just a delightful and fun dog. Here are some pictures from our time together. First Summer had to FIND her sandwich.

 

Marianne found the sandwich!

I call this series, “Dog with Sandwich.”

 

And then it was time to relax.

Summer is getting stressed after being at the shelter since early May and is barking more in her kennel and when she first sees strangers. We’re really hoping she’ll be adopted very soon so she can decompress and settle into a new family who will love her as we do.

 

 

 

Here are some of our newly arrived dogs, some from Texas and some surrendered.

Aleela, a five-year-old Border Collie mix, hung out with Marianne on Sunday.

 

 

 

Sparky is an eight-year-old Rat Terrier mix, here with Patty.

 

 

 

Duke is a one-year-old very active mixed breed youngster with a ton of energy. Here he is with Shannon.

 

 

 

Reggie is a two-year-old Golden Retriever mix, here with Marianne.

 

 

 

This is CiCi, a two-year-old mixed breed girl who loved Mary’s Place and raced around, stopping for only a nanosecond on the couch with Caroline.

 

 

 

Marianne had fun meeting Baloo, a two-year-old Black Mouth Cur mix. Love those eye markings!

 

 

 

This is Kylie, playgroup buddy of Kia, with Caroline. Kylie is a four-year-old mixed breed girl.

 

 

 

Besides the newbies, I want to include two more longer-termers in this week’s Quick Looks. First, Boomer—Ayla sent me this picture she took of him in Mary’s Place. Such a fun, goofy boy! Boomer is a five-year-old American Staffordshire mix.

 

 

 

Nola is still waiting for a loving retirement home. Nola is a gentle ten-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. She is just a gem of a girl with a large fan club. You can read about her in detail in last week’s blog post.

 

 

 

 

 

Atom/Buddy

I’m happy to give you another update on our wonderful boy. Background: Atom arrived at WHS as a stray and a medical mess on September 13th. Because of his age, about nine, and multiple health issues, it would have been easy to decide that he was too old for the needed treatments. But Atom had such a sweet, gentle personality despite all of his problems, and WHS put the time and effort into making him healthy again. So you can imagine how thrilled we all were when a delightful young couple fell in love with this giant teddy bear and decided to take him home. They have been wonderful about keeping in touch and love Buddy (his new name) with all their hearts. Marianne and I even made a house visit to see him again. Last week these pictures arrived. Oh, and when they adopted Buddy, he wasn’t going to be allowed on the bed…

After recovering from guffawing over these, I asked for an update. Here’s what they sent:

“Buddy is enjoying his first summer with us in Salem and is having plenty of fun outdoor adventures now that the weather has brightened! He spends as much time as he can in the city park next door to our house, either quietly lounging in the grass enjoying the breeze or sprinting after his favorite tennis balls (he would chase balls 8 hours a day if we let him, but then he wouldn’t be able to walk the next day so we limit him to a few Chuck-It sessions every day!) He also loves to greet customers at the self storage facility (also our home) and tries to coax them into taking him to the park to play ball, ha! Buddy loved roaming the open acreage with us at our friends’ 250-acre ranch in Dufur, OR, and always stayed right by our sides (he’s such a good guy) even off the leash. Buddy loves riding in the car and before it got too hot outside he went with us on a few Hoss Soss deliveries (Hoss Soss is our hot sauce company) and delighted all the warehouse stockers with his happy smile and wagging tail. He has been back to the beach a few times and most recently Buddy enjoyed a day on the water—we rented a pontoon boat at Detroit Lake and he got his sea legs right away! He’s not the biggest fan of water at home (as in taking a bath once a week) but if it’s hot outside he’s happy to wade into a river to cool off. All in all, Buddy (we hope) is having a blast! He makes us laugh and smile every day and never turns down a chance to snuggle or have his belly rubbed. We love this guy SO much!”

 

On that very happy update, 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