Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

In last week’s Statesman Journal, there was an article titled “Surprising Ways Owning a Dog is Good for Your Health” by Len Canter. Many of the ways I’ve heard before, like getting you to exercise and relieving stress. But there was one study at Central Michigan University that surprised and delighted me. It suggested that the presence of a dog “can boost cooperation, bonding and trust among employees.” In the study, participants were divided into two groups, one with a dog and one without. The groups were given creative tasks to do. “People in the groups with a dog showed more enthusiasm and energy, and felt more closeness and trust than those without a dog. It seems that having a dog in the room encourages kind and helpful behavior, which in turn can help boost how well you do. If your workplace morale needs a jolt, consider a canine addition to the staff.”

And what better “canine addition” than a shelter dog?

My friends here say I have the best smile of ANYBODY! Do you agree?

Macy is a two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix who never stops grinning. Look at that face!

Macy has been waiting for her perfect family fit since May 31st. She will need to be the only pet in the home. She lived with several dogs previously, and it was too stressful for her. Macy’s former family reports that she is normally very mellow at home, is very friendly to strangers, and when riding in a car, wants to be able to touch someone to feel safe. Macy is rated for kids thirteen and older, as she can be a resource guarder of toys. However, offer her a treat to trade for the toy and she happily chooses the treat. She is house-trained and bonds strongly with her peeps.

Macy is the absolute happiest when she is with people. She is affectionate, eager to learn and ecstatic when she can play outside with her humans. On Sunday we took her out to a yard to play fetch. I don’t think we’ve ever seen a dog more joyful as she leaped, sprang, and practically danced in excitement as she chased a tennis ball.

This girl is so much fun to watch in action. She is just as delightful in Mary’s Place. She loves to sit with her friends or explore around the room. Volunteer Jenna stopped by for a visit from college and Macy wanted her in the picture with Caroline.

Sometimes she can’t contain her affection, as Megan found out!

She happily poses wherever you ask her to. Chair? No problem!

And who would have guessed that Macy practices yoga? Here she is demonstrating her favorite yoga positions. Thanks to Megan for these pictures she captured after I left on Sunday.

Macy also really enjoys pool time. Thanks to Glenna Unfred for this shot.

When it was time to return to her kennel on Sunday afternoon, Macy didn’t complain. She wanted to pose for one last picture, however, on the way.

We’re really hoping that this wonderful, happy girl will soon have her own people to entertain.

Are you wishing for an energetic youngster to spend your summer fun with? Pick ME!

*News Alert* Swayze has a minor medical issue and is temporarily not available until he has a vet exam. To see when he is adoptable again, watch for his appearance back on the website by clicking here.

Swayze is a seven-month old adorable American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He came to us on June 3rd, a transfer from an over-crowded California shelter. Swayze is a delightful pup, though he has not had much training. But! The good news is this boy’s adoption comes with a free Dog Smart Class PLUS a free 30-minute private training lesson PLUS a 50%-off private behavior consultation with our trainers to help both Swayze and his new peeps get off on the right paw. Swayze was adopted once and his person reported that he is house-trained and did well with all people. However, due to breed restrictions, they couldn’t keep him. Because of his youthful enthusiasm and lack of training, Swayze can be jumpy, so is recommended for kids thirteen and older. He also will need to be an only pet.

So for a family with older kids who are interested in learning about positive, rewards-based training and wishing they had an exuberant, friendly pup to teach, here he is. And since he LOVES treats (especially cheese bits), this guy will be an eager and fast learner. With some time and effort, Swayze will grow up to be a wonderful family companion. Here he is with Marianne, one of his many fans at the shelter. We’re all helping him learn his manners. Some times go better than others.

Remember, if you are interested in meeting Swayze, watch the website to see when he’s available again!

Well, I’m still very shy and nervous around new situations, but with the help of my friends here, I’m getting braver and braver.

I’ve written about Hawk several times, the first time in my May 8th post. But he is still waiting for just the right person to find him.

Maybe that person will read about him this week. Hawk came to us from Alabama. Because of the terrible storms in early spring, shelters there were in desperate need of space for displaced pets, so dogs already in the shelter were sent to other places. WHS took in nine of these dogs, and Hawk was one. He is a four-year-old mixed-breed boy. We know that Hawk did not have a very happy or social life in Alabama, as he arrived extremely apprehensive about almost everything. But gradually, over the past couple of months, Hawk has begun to trust and bond tightly with those who have spent time with him. He is slowly beginning to show his true sweet personality. Jolene, Caroline, Linda, and Francis are some of his peeps.

Jolene and Linda are trying slowly and gently to expand Hawk’s world. They often take him to a coffee stand where he’s given a dog treat. Jolene writes: “While Hawk is very nervous about riding in a car, he takes his treats at the coffee stand very seriously. He likes to bury his treat in a blanket and save it for later.”

This week they took Hawk to Geer Park. Jolene writes: “The biggest challenge was getting Hawk into the car; once we got to the park and out of the car, he was great. He watched a kids’ soccer game with interest, and didn’t even react to people walking by with umbrellas. It was a little scary walking by the stadium benches, but all in all it was a successful outing.

Hawk is fearful and startles easily, but he is making progress as we continue to carefully expose him to new places and people.”

Hawk is being shown by our training department. Please submit your adoption questionnaire and allow them to contact you for an appointment to meet him. You can fill out an application by clicking here.

When you buy a beautiful new coat for Chester and want the photographer to take pictures and all Chester wants to do is roll in the grass and play.

Finally!

And then there is this—no one, including Chester and Jolene, has any idea what was going on.

That moment when you are perfectly posed with the dog, and suddenly…

When NO ONE is listening to the photographer’s directions on posing.

And 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