Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

News Flash! Macy, our always-smiling girl from last week’s post, wanted you to know what happened last Saturday…

 

 

And that leads me to a fun story. If you read my post last week, you saw this cartoon of Macy in Mary’s Place.

 

 

The night my blog was published, I got this message: “Martha: Is that a picture of Mitzi? That is the harness she had on when I adopted her in 2017? She is such a sweet girl and thriving at 14+ years.” Yep, it was from Kathy, Mitzi’s person, who still reads my posts. Fast forward to Sunday and Kathy and Mitzi came to visit us. Mitzi was one of Marianne’s all-time favorites and we were thrilled to see that she is  still a happy, much-loved girl.

 

 

Kathy then sent this update:

“I adopted Mitzi in March 2017. She came home to a younger brother who I had adopted from Marion County in 2012. The two of them keep me young. She is now 14 and he is 10. They love their daily walks and leisurely life. Anyone looking for great companions should always look for the seniors and dogs who have been well taken care of by the Willamette Humane Society. Thanks to Martha’s picture of Macy looking at a framed picture of Mitzi, we were able to reconnect with her and Marianne.”

And here are Mitzi and Spike at home.

 

 

Such a fun surprise to be able to see Mitzi again!

 

When I arrived at WHS on Sunday, we had three dogs in mind to feature in today’s post: Johnny, Ricky, and Riley.  We spent quality time with all three and I took lots of pictures. Then on Monday, Ricky and Riley were adopted! But fear not. I took pictures of many other dogs, as well, and am excited to introduce them to you.

 

 

My name is Johnny and I like apple slices. Do you?

Johnny, a Shepherd mix, arrived from Maui on June 6, a transfer from our sister shelter in Hawaii. From the moment he set paw in Oregon, he was a happy boy. Here he was the first time we met him. Caroline and I were instant fans.

 

Johnny is a senior at ten years old, but you’d never know it, as he is an active, eager boy. Johnny was a rock star at the Maui shelter, where “Beach Buddies” wrote glowing reports of outings with him, such as this one: “Johnny was a great boy today! He loves to run along the beach in the waves—not scared of them at all. He did great with other dogs around. He didn’t bark at anyone. While walking the beach, he was great and let people meet him as well.” And this one: “Johnny was PERFECT! He loves to swim and go for walks. He knows sit and shake. Didn’t bark once. Loved his treats. He loves to ride in the car. He was a perfect gentleman today! We will miss him. He loves to give kisses, too!”

 

 

One of the Maui volunteers fostered Johnny for five days and gave him a stellar report including: “Johnny was a delight to have at our house. Two things are clear about Johnny: he is a wonderful dog that makes a great companion, and his favorite thing is going for walks, which he absolutely needs and adores. I walked him 4.5 miles in the morning and 2 miles before dinner. In addition to being affectionate and friendly, he was very relaxed and easy going. In the car, he is happy to stay in the back, but at times might come forward for an ear lick. Not only is he thrilled when he learns that he is going for a walk, but he is happy throughout the walk. While he was fine sleeping on his dog bed, if you are looking for a sleeping buddy you will not have to ask him twice.”

 

 

And that brings us to Sunday and blanket time with Johnny. He loved posing for pictures with his Oregon peeps, Caroline, Ayla, Megan, and Marianne.

 

 

Megan had brought her usual McDonald’s apple slices as a snack and Johnny decided he’d like to try some. He LOVED them!

 

 

A little later, this happened.

 

 

Johnny is rated for kids about 13 and older. He walks perfectly on leash, is house-trained and knows several commands. He loves attention, is affectionate, and is going to make a wonderful dog for an active family. Johnny’s one fault is that because he is stressed at the shelter, he barks in his kennel. Potential adopters assume that he will be a barker at home, but, as the Maui foster found out, he settles quickly with a family and once relaxed, the barking stops. He didn’t bark once during our blanket time with him.

We decided to see what he thought of a GFB (Giant Fluff Ball). It was quite a hit.

 

 

Johnny would have liked to hang out with us all afternoon.

 

But when it was time to go back to his kennel, we took one last happy picture at the bench. Some family is going to be very lucky to adopt this eager, active, delightful boy. We hope it is soon.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my second time here at WHS. I’m hoping my next home will be my forever one.

Ozo is a seven-year-old Bassett Hound mix with a delightful sense of humor. I first met Ozo in September of 2017 when he came to WHS as a stray. He was quickly adopted, but was recently transferred to us from another shelter, having once again been found as a stray. We’re hoping that Ozo will finally find his forever home.

 

 

Ozo loves everybody and has done well in our playgroups, though he is mostly a mingler rather than player. He is rated for kids 13 and older because he can be sensitive about having his mouth touched. Megan brought him out for new pictures on Sunday and he soon had us both laughing.

 

 

I did notice.

 

 

He seemed to enjoy posing for my camera.

 

 

And then he did this.

 

 

Ozo would like to lose a few pounds. Going for walks and fewer treats (he LOVES cheese a little too much) should do the trick. We don’t know this boy well, but he sure seems like he will make a terrific companion for someone who wants a happy, comic new family member.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m new here and I’m a little confused by all the activity.

Bentley is a newbie who came to us when his family moved and couldn’t take him. He is a four-year-old Chihuahua mix. Bentley is having a difficult time at the shelter. The noise, movement, and so many new people are overwhelming for this little guy. He will need a patient, understanding person who will make him feel safe until he gains some confidence. Once he feels comfortable, his former owner reports Bentley is active, friendly, and a total lap dog.

 

 

 

Marianne and I spent some time with Bentley on Sunday for his photo shoot, and both of us were touched by his hesitant but hopeful demeanor.

 

 

 

 

He really wanted some lap time, but Marianne was a new person, so it took some time and lots of courage.

 

 

 

He did it!

 

 

Sometimes it is so rewarding to just sit quietly and let a dog chill until they feel safe enough to solicit affection. Bentley was such a case.

Bentley has lived with both cats and other dogs. He actually slept with the cats! He likes chase games and running after a ball. He is crate-trained and used potty pads in the house. Because of his timidity, he is recommended for kids about 13 and older.

Bentley’s adoption package includes a free Dog Smart class as well as a free thirty-minute private lesson to help the new family and Bentley to get off on the right paw. I can’t wait for this little guy to be happily curled up on the lap of his forever person.

 

 

 

I’m new here, too! I’m looking for some patient peeps to adopt me.

Meet Buddy, a two-year-old Chihuahua mix. Buddy is looking for a person who will help him with a few issues. But look at that smile!

 

 

Buddy has been an outdoor dog his whole life and is really eager to start being an indoor dog, once his new family explains the art of house-training to him. He is an active, happy little dog who loves to go for walks. He solicits attention, petting and scratching, as Megan found out during his photoshoot.

 

 

Buddy is nervous in new situations and with new people. Because of this, he will do best with older children. He does well in a kennel when left alone. Because of his shyness, Buddy, like Bentley, comes with a free Dog Smart class and a free thirty-minute private lesson with one of our trainers. We’re hoping just the right person will find Buddy the perfect fit for them and adopt him soon.

 

 

 

Axel

Remember our sweet, athletic Axel? I wrote about him in my June 12th post.

 

 

We had such fun with him in a yard.

 

 

We were thrilled when Axel got adopted. Recently the staff got the following update.

“Axel turned out to be a real cuddle bug and is learning to give kisses!! He also turned out to be a bed-thief, blankets and all! He eats 4 cups of high-protein dog food a day plus home-made chicken breast and potatoes and is gaining some weight. We love him to pieces already!! He is soooo… gentle and a ‘little wiggle butt.’ Thank you for all you have done for him.”

 

 

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