Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” ― Kahlil Gibran

“Above all things physical, it is more important to be beautiful on the inside—to have a big heart…” ― Ellen DeGeneres

This week I am going to tell you about a shelter dog who has been hoping to find a very caring person for a long time. Chester is a six-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix who at one time had a beautiful black and white coat. We know that he originally came to Oregon from a shelter in California, but he was later found and taken to another shelter as a stray here in Salem, completely hairless. He came to WHS in March. Since then, our staff has searched for answers for what is causing his hair loss. We still aren’t completely sure. He is on medication and has frequent medicated baths. A few tufts of hair have started to grow, but we have no idea if all of his hair will come back. At first I found it very difficult to look at him. But gradually, as I got to know him, I stopped seeing his outside, and began to see the joyful dog living inside.

 

Chester may not be a handsome dog, but don’t think for a moment that he feels sorry for himself or that his skin hurts. This boy loves to romp, play with toys, and snuggle with his peeps. He has no idea that he doesn’t look like his fellow canines. And he’s developed quite a shelter fan club, including Jolene, who all know that Chester is just a regular dog.

 

 

Chester may always need special care. He must wear either sunscreen or “clothes” when  he’s outside. He is on an allergy medication, and he’ll continue to need special baths. But oh, what a happy love-bug you will get if you adopt him.

 

 

Chester will need to be the only pet in the home and is rated for children about 13 and older, as he’s a big, exuberant dog. But he can also be calm and loving.

 

 

We know there is someone out there for Chester—someone who doesn’t care about how beautiful their dog is, but rather how happy is his heart. Chester is waiting.

We decided that Chester needed a movie to show people what a happy dog he really is.

 

 

 

 

I may be small, and I’m no youngster, but I will make you the very best buddy!

JD is a fourteen-year-old mixed breed boy, weighing only fifteen pounds. He arrived at WHS on June 9th. JD is shy when he first meets you. He has lived with the same person his whole life, so it takes him a little time to warm up to someone new. When JD arrived at the shelter, he had some medical issues, mostly related to his age. He had to have thirteen teeth extracted. He has the usual old-age lumps and some hair loss, we think because of allergies. But JD has responded to our vet care beautifully and is ready to find his forever retirement home.

On Sunday we decided to give him some blanket time and, though he was a bit hesitant at first, he was soon crawling into our laps and munching on cheese bits.

 

Dogs’ eyes say so much. He just wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do.

 

He was curious about the GFB (Giant Fluff Ball), but not enough to play with it.

 

JD will need to go to a home without cats; he’s too interested in chasing them. He also would do best with older children because of his age. He is house-trained and is mostly an indoor dog. His former owner said that he is afraid of other dogs, so will need to meet any that he would be living with and would probably need a slow introduction.

 

 

Over time, JD began to warm up to each of us and enjoyed some lap time.

 

It is easy for potential adopters to overlook JD in his kennel. He is small, quiet, and shy.

But based on the time we spent with him on Sunday, for someone looking for a calm, gentle lap buddy who will be easy to have around and a wonderful companion, JD may be your perfect fit. We hope he won’t have to wait much longer.

 

 

 

Looking for an active dog with a great sense of humor? That would be ME!

Bear is a very handsome six-year-old Shepherd mix. He arrived at the shelter on June 1st because his family was moving. This is actually Bear’s second time at WHS. He came to us in 2016, but was adopted so quickly I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I haven’t worried  about Bear, as I was sure he would be quickly adopted once again. But since he is still waiting for his new family, we decided to spend some time with him on Sunday so I could feature him this week.

 

We had an absolutely wonderful time getting to know this delightful boy. Bear is rated for children about ten and older, and he must go to a feline-free home. He can be a bit picky about his dog friends, so will need to meet any he will be living with. He loves to play with other dogs he likes. He is house- and crate-trained and knows basic commands. He walks beautifully on leash and loves to ride in the car. Oh, and did I mention his sense of humor? He enjoys joking around and is constantly grinning.

We started out relaxing on a blanket and Bear loved it. Megan, Ayla, Caroline, Marianne and I became instant Bear fans.

 

We were practicing “sits” and “downs” when I happened to move my hand in a way he recognized and, to our surprise, he instantly threw himself down and rolled over.

 

When we asked him to do it again, he wanted us to appreciate his ability.

 

Then it was time to go out to the big yard. Bear wasn’t really interested in playing fetch, but the agility equipment caught his eye and Ayla happily assisted. It turned out to be a little more challenging than he first realized.

 

After agility, there was some posing for pictures.

Then some exploring.

 

We wrapped up our Bear time by going to Mary’s Place to relax a little while.

 

Well…sort of relaxing.

 

Bear will be a fantastic family dog. He is really hoping his new peeps will find him this week!

 

 

 

 

 

That time when neither subject is ready for the shot, but you take it anyway.

 

When you are waiting to catch just the right group shot, but only one subject is cooperating…

 

Finally!

 

 

 

 

 

There are two wonderful updates this week!

Peppi and Max

Two weeks ago, I posted a terrific update on Peppi, adopted last January, and Max, adopted on June 1st. Their family wanted to let us know that the two of them are getting along just fine.

 

 

King, Suave (Pip), and Bonbon

If you are a regular reader of my posts, you will remember all three of these special dogs.

King was a transfer from our Maui sister shelter in October of 2018. At ten years old and 75 pounds, we worried about who would adopt him. Marianne fell in love with King and he was her “date” to Bowser’s Boo Bash that year.

 

Suave (now Pip), a three-year-old Chihuahua mix, also arrived in October of 2018 with some serious medical issues resulting in his losing his right eye. Since he went to a foster home after being treated by our vet, I didn’t get pictures of him.

 

BonBon, a two-year-old Chihuahua mix, came to WHS last April after some kind of accident causing him to lose his right eye, too.

 

What do these three dogs, all with sad back stories have in common? All three got adopted by the same incredible family. And this week I have an update!

“Pip (formerly known as Suave), settled right in. He loves to snuggle, and just be a lap dog. He was just a teeny 4.10 pounds when we adopted him and now he is almost 6 pounds! He loves his family, and is a big mama’s boy. 

King is the most amazing dog ever and just brings joy everywhere he goes. He has even made friends with cats in the neighborhood and we have had some new kitty friends follow us home from his walk. Unfortunately, he has pretty terrible arthritis and hip dysplasia, but we do everything we can to help with medications and supplements, and the rest of him just keeps on ticking. 

Bonbon has settled right in and is doing fantastic! He loves his family and to give kisses, and to snuggle. He is playful and has helped Pip come out of his shell even more. He LOVES the kids, and gets along well with King and Pip. 

All three boys get along well and bond over treats.  They cause quite a stir when they are out and about, since it’s not everyday you get to see two tiny, one-eyed Chihuahuas and a huge Staffordshire. They are all such a wonderful part of our family and we are so blessed to have them.”

 

With both this update and Chester’s story, I’d like to close with the quote from the end of Chester’s movie:

“If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, how very different our ideals of beauty would be.”  ~Anonymous

All of the dogs I have featured today, along with other terrific dogs waiting to be adopted, can be found at Willamette Humane Society. Here is the link to the adoptable-dog page:

https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/

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,

When I arrived at WHS on Sunday, I saw Jolene out in a yard with Rocky, and Linda was in the next one with Pam. I decided to see what they were up to on a lovely June morning. Both dogs were having a blast. Rocky and Jolene were practicing some commands and then chilling.

Rocky is a two-year-old mixed breed boy who arrived at the shelter in April. Rocky is both house- and crate-trained. His former family told us that once comfortable, Rocky is playful and outgoing, getting along with other dogs and all people. He has done well in our playgroups and loves car rides and adventures. Because of his initial shyness around new people and situations, he is recommended for families with older kids, fifteen and up. To learn more about this terrific dog, check out my June 5th blog post here.

 

Pam was in the mood for some romping and “zoomies.”

Pam is a two-year-old mixed breed girl who was transferred to us from our sister shelter in Hawaii. To find out more about this sweetheart, check out my last week’s post here:

A little while later, I happened to see Linda and Susan out in another yard with Pam and Fetty. They were having a glorious romp together while sharing a rather worse-for-wear stuffed toy.

 

To find out more about Fetty, a five-year-old mixed breed boy, read about him in my May 5th post here:

 

 

 

I’ve been waiting for my new family since April 18th. Sure wish they would find me. 

Zabrina is a three-year-old Bull Terrier mix. She was born in Hawaii and spent her first years in Maui. She was a favorite with the shelter folks there, but didn’t get adopted. She then moved to Oregon in 2017, in search of her forever family. She was adopted, but came back to WHS this April. Her former family decided she really wasn’t happy being an apartment dog. Here she is with Ayla and Marianne, two of her fans.

 

 

Zabrina only has three legs. She was found by Maui police officers lying on a road with a severe fracture of her back left leg. She was taken to the shelter and it was determined that the best action was to amputate the leg. But don’t think for a minute that she can’t run. This girl is like a freight train! She is very muscular and can keep up with any four-legged canine without blinking an eye.

Zabrina is rated for children about 13 and older. She is crate-trained, but needs a little help in house-training. She needs to be on a schedule. In her excitement about life, Zabrina can get jumpy and mouthy, so needs a patient family who will use rewards-based training to help her refine her manners. She just doesn’t realize that in her zest for life she can be too exuberant. She is smart, LOVES people and attention, and with a little effort from her person, she’ll learn quickly. She is selective about her canine playmates, but plays well with her friends. While Zabrina may take a little time at first, she will pay you for your efforts with devotion and will make you laugh. We took her into a small yard last Sunday just to chill and she loved it.

 

 

Then we enjoyed some Blanket Time together. Zabrina will need exercise—she LOVES to play fetch. But then she will settle in for some relaxing family time. She will make a wonderful companion for a family with a little patience and lots of love for a three-legged shelter dog who had a difficult start in her young life.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a great family dog? Look no further, it’s ME!

Puff is a two-year-old Weimaraner/Lab mix and is an absolute delight. I mean, look at this face! He was found as a stray, so we don’t know his history, but oh my, he is such a nice boy!

 

 

I first met Puff when he was out for his afternoon walk with Angie and Kaylee shortly after he arrived at WHS. I was immediately smitten.

 

 

 

Puff is his own best advocate.

 

Puff is an active guy with lots of energy. He has done well in our playgroups, though he is selective about his canine friends. He walks very politely on leash, and talk about being a water dog! Puff is hoping his new family will allow him to have a kiddie pool, as he loves playing in the shelter’s.

On Sunday, Caroline, Marianne, Ayla and I decided to see if Puff liked Blanket Time, hoping he would settle and enjoy some quiet relaxation. We were not disappointed. The moment he saw the blanket spread out on the grass he stretched out.

 

 

Again, Puff doesn’t waste a chance to find his new home, knowing I’d be posting this picture for potential adopters to see.

 

 

Ayla had some new funny cat videos to share with everyone.

 

And then suddenly THIS happened. Could he BE any more relaxed?!

 

Soon three more Puff fans joined us in the shade: Sasha, one of our Adoption Specialists and volunteers Susan and Linda.

 

 

 

The air was warm, the grass was freshly mowed, the GFB (Giant Fluff Ball) was soft, and he was surrounded by people who love him. Of course he dozed off.

 

We’re hoping this big, goofy, affectionate boy will soon be dozing with his forever family.

 

 

 

 

I’ve been here a very long time. I haven’t found my perfect family fit yet. But I just know it is out there!

Hank arrived at WHS in March of 2018. He is a three-year-old mixed breed boy who came from an overcrowded shelter in California. He was adopted quickly, but was surrendered five months later when his family moved and couldn’t take him with them. He was adopted again, but that was not the right fit for this active dog. So Hank continues to wait and hope for just the right person to find him. On Sunday we took him into Mary’s Place to get some new pictures and let him hang out with us for a while. He had a great time. We were pretty sure the GFB (Giant Fluff Ball) would be a hit, and it was!

 

Hank has been working with the Behavior and Training Team and here is what Chelsea, our BTT Manager, writes about him.

“Our Mr. Personality, Hank, needs a home! A couch, a yard, dog toys all his own, a human to spoil him, and more! Can you take him? Hank-a-roo is friendly, playful, active, and just really wants to be with people! Every two-legged person is his friend! He can’t get enough of the great outdoors and could follow his nose all day, every day. We know he’d thrive with that hiking and camping lifestyle! He ADORES plushy toys and will entertain himself with them for hours. It’s quite hilarious to watch him toss and catch them! This people-social kid is a big snuggler and soaks up any scritches you offer him. He is very playful with his two-legged friends, with or without toys. Hank thrives with rewards-based training and is an enthusiastic, engaged, smart learner. His adoption includes a class and three private lessons here! If you have other pups already, a meet here is a must as he’s fairly picky about his playmates, but he’d be equally happy to be the sole recipient of your attention! Cats and small animals are a no-go since they are just too tempting. Teens or older would do just fine and would probably get a kick out of his fun n’ games!”

After some GFB time, Linda reviewed some skills and Ayla snuggled with him.

 

 

Then we went outside for some new pictures for his file.

“Hank needs a family that has the stability, time, and interest to work (and play!) with him. He’ll pay you back in spades, with his joyful, eager demeanor. Let us know if you want to meet this adventurous, silly fellow!”

Anyone interested in meeting Hank can contact the Training Team here: behavior@whs4pets.org

We’re hoping that Hank won’t have to wait too much longer for his forever family. As much as he loves his peeps at the shelter, he can’t wait to have a family and home to call his own.

 

 

 

 

There is no real title for this series. Feel free to make up your own. It’s a good thing I don’t take dogs’ behavior personally.

 

 

 

 

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you have followed Terry’s story as he waited for his perfect fit of a family. We were all over the moon when last Sunday that family came. Here was his going-home picture I posted then.

 

I was thrilled when I got this wonderful update this week!

“For us, Terry is the best dog ever! He is sooo sweet and he loves to stay by our sides. In the morning he doesn’t get up until 10:00! He likes to go jogging with me in our big backyard. He likes to play and run around in it, too. I am alone at home when my husband is working. It was so sad to be alone here because I am from the Philippines, I just came here last April. My husband decided to find a dog to be with me when he is at work so we started searching for a dog online at shelters near here. We visited WHS and the one who captured my heart was Terry, a sweet, big boy. We wanted to get Terry that same day, but we needed to fix the fence in our backyard. I never stopped thinking of Terry every day and hoped that he was still at WHS waiting for us. It was a good thing that there was a blog and website and I could see that Terry was still available. On June 9th we went back to the shelter and I was so excited. We put Terry on hold and the next day was adoption day! We feel so blessed. Thank you to all of the friendly and sweetheart WHS staff. I’m sure Terry misses you guys!”

 

On that happy note, that’s it for this week!

 

 

All of the dogs I have featured today, along with other terrific dogs waiting to be adopted, can be found at Willamette Humane Society. Here is the link to the adoptable-dog page:

https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/

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