Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

November is a time to be thankful. As I sit down to write about some wonderful dogs who are waiting for their new families at WHS, I am thankful for adopters of shelter dogs. This quote says it very well:

“Shelter dogs aren’t broken, they’ve simply experienced more life than other dogs. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write, the ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage. Don’t pity a shelter dog. Adopt one. And be proud to have their greatness by your side.” -dogsrule.com

On that note…here are some adoptables!

 

I’m a little shy, but give me time and love and I’ll be your best dog EVER!

Charlie Boy is a four-year-old Chihuahua/Dachshund mix who arrived at the shelter in early September. Charlie had a difficult early life and is quite shy when first meeting a new person and is nervous in new situations. But what a joy he is when someone takes the time and effort to make him feel safe. Because of his timidity, our Behavior and Training Team has been working with Charlie to try to build his confidence. Charlie can be picky about his dog friends, but has improved greatly in our playgroups and is learning to listen to other dogs’ feedback. Because of Charlie’s fearfulness, he would do best in a quiet home with just adults or with older teenagers. Charlie has won the heart of volunteer Linda who has given him the time and positive attention he needs to trust. I found them hanging out together on Sunday afternoon. We’re hoping that the perfect person will fall in love with this boy soon and give him the time, space, and loving home that he deserves.

 

 

At first Charlie was afraid of the clicking sound of my camera as I took pictures. Cheese bits helped.

 

Linda often uses a long line (leash) so that Charlie has more freedom to explore. Linda and I were talking when we suddenly noticed this!

 

 

 

 

 

My friends here say I’m a goofy boy. Not sure what that even means!

Squeaky‘s personality is the epitome of the phrase “the glass (i.e., treat bucket) is half full.” Ever the optimist, Squeaky is a two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He is a transfer from an overcrowded shelter in California, so we don’t know about his past, but Squeaky is a joyful 65 pounds of love and energy and he can’t wait to meet his forever Oregon family.

Squeaky has been adopted twice and returned. In both cases, the families loved him, but he had too much energy for their lifestyle. Squeaky did not have any accidents in the homes and he was extremely social. His adopters reported that he is a “really good dog” who did “zoomies in the house but didn’t bump into things. He loves to be outside. Not aggressive to anyone, very curious.” Squeaky has done very well in our dog playgroups, is a rough and rowdy, social player who did so well in  the Sunday shelter playgroup, that he was allowed to participate in the later one with dogs brought in by the pubic. Because his former adopters said that Squeaky pulled on leash, Marianne and I bought an Easy Walk harness that will go home with him and which makes him very manageable to go for walks. As active as Squeaky is, don’t think he won’t settle nicely inside. On Sunday we took him into Mary’s Place where he enjoyed hanging out with us and playing with toys. He knows some commands, is affectionate, takes treats politely, and is rated PG 10. For a family who is looking for an active, fun, social clown, Squeaky is their perfect fit. We’re hoping his next adoption will be his forever home!

 

Haylee stopped in to say hi.

 

Squeaky had no hesitation to show Ari his “cuddle” side.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been here a while and my friends don’t understand why.

Kaia is a two-year-old Shepherd mix who is a total people-kind-of gal. She is house-trained, walks well on leash, and is affectionate. Kaia was surrendered at the end of September. At 77 pounds, Kaia is a big girl, but extremely gentle and has a good history with children. She can go home with kids about eight and older.

 

Kaia loves spending time in Mary’s Place with her friends, so that’s what we did on Sunday afternoon.

 

Kaia is selective about her dog friends and has a prey-drive. Although it is much improved, still no cats or small animals—including small dogs—for this girl, and no dog parks. She warms up quickly to new people and, while she will play with toys, her real love is just being with her peeps.

 

Kaia would do best in a family with someone home much of the time. She can be anxious when left alone. If you are looking for a big, snuggle-bug best friend, Kaia may be your perfect match. She is much loved at the shelter.

 

 

When it was time for Kaia to go back to her kennel, she was not eager to leave Mary’s Place. She will be a wonderful hanging-out buddy.

 

 

 

 

I’m Reggie and I’m ready for a new family! Are you ready for a new dog?

Reggie is a two-year-old Golden Retriever mix. This handsome boy was surrendered in September and has been waiting for a new family to love since then. Reggie is house-trained, walks very nicely on leash, and takes treats nicely. He has not had experience around children, so is rated for kids around 13 and older. Reggie is a rock star in our playgroups. On Sunday he even got to participate in the playgroup for dogs from the public and did great.

Looking for a good watch dog?! Reggie’s your guy. He’ll learn what his turf is in no time and let you know if he spots any intruders! Expect him to want to be inside with his family, though, as this fellow is a real sweet, playful dog.

Marianne and I spent some quality time with Reggie in Mary’s Place on Sunday and he thoroughly enjoyed his time with us and so did we.

 

 

 

 

Hoagie’s Meet ‘N Greet!

Hoagie asked me to include the following announcement in this week’s post. According to the definition of “meet n’ greet,” it is a reception with a public figure such as a rock star. Well, no one will dispute the fact that Hoagie is a WHS Rock Star!

 

 

 

Grace is a five-year-old mixed breed gal who is about as sweet as they come! Here she is with new volunteer, Emma.

 

Marianne sent this picture of Grace and Linda taken on Tuesday. Marianne says, “Perfect family dog! Just wants to cuddle.”

 

 

 

This is Sable, a two-year-old German Shepherd mix, and rated PG5! What a gem! She is enjoying her Sunday afternoon walk with Frank and Kaylee.

 

 

 

 

Riley is a two-year-old Shepherd mix, here with Christine.

 

 

 

 

Yep, Carly is still waiting…here with Haylee. Carly is a four-year-old Retriever mix.

 

 

 

 

We have a wonderful update about little Pugsly. Here was Pugsley in 2015 shortly after he had arrived at WHS. This was his second time at the shelter. He had been found as a stray in 2014, adopted, but then surrendered in 2015 because his family was moving.

 

Volunteer Linda fell for Pugsly immediately.

 

But Pugsly didn’t have to worry. His next adoption was his forever home. Here is the update.

“We adopted Pugsly in November of 2015. He was the first shelter dog I had ever had. Prior, we lived in the country and had Springer Spaniels. When Sophie, our Springer, died at 18, I mourned for over a year. I was familiar with WHS because we had a beach house we donated for the Boo Bash.

One day I just decided to drive out to WHS. We had sold our house and moved to a smaller one. I went to the shelter to try and adopt an older cocker, but there were several holds on him. As we looked, we walked past the small dog kennels, and there was Pugsly.

We took him home that night. He had a couple hard days. He didn’t eat too much and wanted to be held all the time. He still loves to be held and snuggled. Actually he is our little lap dog. He has brought us so much love, so much fun, and so much laughter. I can’t imagine our lives without him. He is so sweet. He loves to go bye-bye. When we go, we will say, ‘Puggy do you want to go bye-bye?’ He runs out to the door that goes to the cars and he gets so excited that he runs in circles. He loves to go to the park and play. He’s not a big swimmer, but he does love the beach. We take him everywhere we can. Now after the wonderful experience we’ve had with him, I will always have a rescue dog because it does make you feel good to know that you’re giving them a good loving home. I think WHS is such a wonderful place. It was hard for me at first to visit, because I wanted to rescue all the dogs. Now I know they will find good homes and be happy. Pugsly was a huge hit with the trick or treaters; they cared more about him than the candy! They all wanted to hold him. He was so good with all of them.”

 

With 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