Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

 

I’m back from a wonderful trip to visit family in Michigan. I got back home in time to attend the annual Bowser’s Boo Bash, Willamette Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It was a joyful evening, full of wonderful costumes, great food, and fantastic auction items. But the BEST news of all is that we broke a record! A total of $145,000 was raised to help WHS continue to care for homeless dogs and cats! I was there taking pictures for WHS, and I thought I’d share a few of them with you. The theme of the evening was going to a Halloween Prom.

One of the silent auction items.

 

There were several dog greeters. Marianne brought her date, King, a giant teddy bear of a dog who was waiting to be adopted. I’m thrilled to report that he went to his new home on Monday! He is twelve years old and a hospice adoption. He was a huge hit.

 

Two other greeters were WHS alumni. You’ll remember Buddy from many updates in my posts. He was dashing in his tux.

 

Duffy enjoyed some lap time as he greeted arrivals.

 

There were some kitten greeters, also.

 

And lots of interesting outfits!

 

Even Caesar the No Drama Llama stopped by to wish WHS well.

 

There was lots of excitement as the live auction unfolded.

 

It was an evening to remember and be grateful for all of the generous supporters of WHS.

 

 

 

On Sunday it was back to the shelter to meet the new dog arrivals. But I decided to write this week’s post about four long-termers who have been waiting way too long for their new families. I’m hoping that maybe THIS week their forever people will find them. I’m going to start with Hoagie.

 

I’ve been here ten months…I really would like a home.

Hoagie is a goofy, almost four-year-old Lab mix. He has been working on his manners with our Behavior and Training Team and has made excellent progress. This boy LIVES to learn with reward-based training. He loves going on adventures like going to the beach, parks, hiking, coffee runs, you name it, Hoagie is eagerly on board. He can also entertain himself with food puzzles if you are busy, and snuggle when it’s time to relax. He now knows basic commands, walks politely with his head halter, and has recently taken up reading.

 

 

Hoagie will need a home with older teenage kids, no cats, and he’d like to be your only dog. But he’ll be all you need. He decided I needed to make him a movie to help get him adopted. Here it is.

 

 

 

 

You’ve heard of the Energizer Bunny? Well…

Are you looking for an active, happy-go-lucky, playful, bouncy dog who will keep you in stitches? Look no further than Hank, a two-year-old mixed breed (care to guess?) boy. Hank has been waiting for his new home since August, and, like Hoagie, is part of the Behavior and Training Team. He, too, has improved a great deal since arriving at WHS. Hank thrives with rewards-based training and is an eager learner. He is house-trained and absolutely loves people. He came to us from an overcrowded shelter in California so we don’t know when he became fearful of other dogs. However he has been working on being braver with the Training Team. Hank will need a home with older children and no cats.

 

One of Hank’s favorite people is Chelsea, our BTT Manager, and he asked me to make a movie with her. Hank may be one of the happiest dogs alive!

 

 

 

 

I’m a bit shy, but if you give me a little time, I’ll be your best friend.

Brinx arrived at WHS last July, a very timid and nervous five-year-old mixed breed boy. He quickly won the hearts of everyone whom he met with his gentle, calm nature. He is another BTT dog and over time he has gradually become less shy, though it takes him a little while to feel safe with a new person. This may be why potential adopters have walked past his kennel. We wonder if Brinx spent most of his time outdoors, as he still seems nervous being in Mary’s Place. He will need a patient, understanding family who will give him the space and time he needs to settle into a new home. But he will be so worth the effort.

Brinx is house-trained and spent some time in a foster home where he was a very polite guest, was good when left alone, sleeping on the floor beside the foster’s bed. He is still nervous in new experiences and has a high prey-drive for squirrels, birds, and cats. (No family cats for this boy!) So he will need an alert family and a high fence. Brinx has a good history with children about ten and older. He is a bit picky about his dog friends, so would need to meet any potential family dog. What does Brinx like to do more than anything else, you ask? Play fetch! He is very athletic and I was amazed when I saw him do this on Sunday while going after a tennis ball.

 

I decided it was time for a movie for Brinx so that potential adopters could see how happy and relaxed he is outside of his kennel. We’re hoping the right family will find Brinx soon. He so deserves a quiet, loving home.

 

 

 

 

Yep, I’m still here waiting. Do you think you’ll be coming soon?

Carly is still waiting for her forever family. She has been waiting since May 3. I have written about her many times. She has been adopted twice, but neither was the right fit for our girl. Carly is wonderful with people and most dogs. She is house-trained and loves treats (especially cheese) and loves to learn new skills. She will need a feline-free home (cats are too much fun to chase) and a fenced yard. She needs a family with older kids, about thirteen and up, as she can be quite exuberant. Since she can become anxious if there is a lot of activity outside the house, a quiet, more rural area would be ideal for this sweet girl. She wants nothing more than to be around her peeps.

 

Happily, Carly has been spending time in a foster home with volunteer Susan. It’s been a wonderful break from the shelter. Just before settling in at Susan’s, Marianne took Carly for an outside adventure. Here is the story of their day together.

“Carly is an absolutely wonderful dog who has been at the shelter far too long. She is quiet in her kennel and not as wiggly as a lot of the other dogs, but she is every bit as deserving of a wonderful home. Carly takes a little bit of time to warm up, but then she loves to be with her people. 

I took her to a local park for an outing to give her a little change of scenery. She was perfectly well-behaved and really enjoyed being outdoors. She rides wonderfully in the car and is perfect on leash. Carly loves to explore and is very much a water dog.  She found geese and disc golf fascinating – I assume she had never seen either before. While Carly is selective about her dog friends, she is not reactive when she sees dogs while walking. She loves people and really enjoys the sights and scents of nature. She would make a wonderful companion!”

 

And there you have it. Four long-term shelter dogs who are still waiting for a family of their own. Those of us who love these dogs continue to hope that just the right people will read about them and realize they have found their new best friend. Stay tuned.

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