Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

We have all heard the phrase, “Dogs are resilient.” Motegro’s story proves it is true.

If you are a regular reader of my posts, you will remember Montegro very well. He was a transfer from our sister shelter in Maui, Hawaii last March. He was not a handsome dog. The Maui shelter thought he had probably been attacked by a wild boar at some point and he was missing part of his mouth. He immediately became a volunteer favorite because of his gentle, affectionate nature. We were worried about him finding a home.

 

 

We didn’t need to worry. On March 17th, a couple came to meet him, knew immediately that he belonged with them, and took him home, shortening his name to Monty. They have been wonderful about keeping in touch with me and have sent several updates.

Meanwhile, the Maui Humane Society was planning their annual fundraiser for September and wanted to make a movie of a happily-ever-after story. They chose Monty and asked if they could use my pictures and some video from his family. Last week Maui sent me a link to the movie and wrote: “Here is the video from our Fur Ball Gala. Please tell Monty’s owners that when the video finished, a room of 450 people did a standing ovation for him. This is what we work so hard for, right?”

Here is the movie.

 

I sent the video link to Monty’s family immediately and got this response:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I cried the whole way through. We just had no idea he went through so much tragedy before we adopted him. He is so sweet, so innocent and pure, you wouldn’t think anything bad ever happened to him before. Thanks to the Maui Humane Society for finding him and the others, and giving them a new chance at life!”

Monty’s resilience was nothing short of amazing.

 

 

 

Shelter Storytime comes to WHS

When I arrived at the shelter on Sunday morning, there was already a buzz in the air as I heard children’s voices reading aloud from the kennel area. This is what I saw when I opened the door.

 

 

WHS has started a program called Shelter Storytime. Each weekend kids between the ages of five and eleven can sign up to read to shelter dogs (and cats). Did you know that shelter dogs are great reading coaches? Why? Since they can’t read themselves, they are non-judgmental. They simply love the attention and the soothing voices as the kids read to them, and it helps lower shelter stress. It was such a delight to see the interaction between our dogs and the kids.

For more information on this new program, here is the link: https://whs4pets.org/youth-programs/

 

 

 

I’m back. Still trying to find my right family. Hey, maybe it’s yours?

Dani is a three-year-old mixed breed girl who is absolutely adorable.

 

Dani has a few needs in her new home. She came to us from another shelter having been found as a stray, so we don’t know anything about her past. But we do know a few things about her since she arrived. Dani seems to be nervous around other dogs and some strangers, although she warms up quickly to people. She will need to be the only pet in the home. She was adopted once, but because she can be nippy at times, when she wants attention, she will need to be in a home with kids fifteen and older. Her family loved her, said she is a “very sweet affectionate dog. Walks on the leash just fine. Perfectly potty trained. Great dog.” But because of her nipping and having younger kids in the home, they felt they had to return her. To help her new family work with Dani, her adoption includes a free Dog Smart Class, a free 30-minute private lesson with one of our trainers, and 50% off a behavior consultation.

Dani may have a few things to work on, but what a joy she will be to the right family. She LOVES to play fetch. Here she is in the big yard with Marianne and Ayla. She had so much fun!

 

Dani is a great candidate for an active sports fan. We bet she would love agility classes.

 

 

Dani also enjoys hanging out with people in Mary’s Place.

 

 

She loved playing with fluff toys with Megan.

 

 

Linda stopped in to say hi.

 

 

Dani is waiting for her just-right family and we’re all hoping they will come soon!

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Toby. I’m looking for just the right people who will love me.

Toby is a two-year-old mixed breed boy. He was surrendered to WHS in July, when his family decided they didn’t have time for him anymore. He was an outdoor dog and was not house-trained at that time. He was adopted later in July, but recently came back to us. Toby is a sensitive dog and he’s hoping for some understanding and patient people to adopt him. He now is mostly house-trained, and just needs continued consistency.

 

 

Toby does very well in our playgroups with other dogs, romping happily and respecting other players, but in the home he showed signs of resource-guarding toys and food, so he’ll need to be an only pet. It takes Toby a little time to feel comfortable with new people. He is shy at first, but once he feels comfortable, he is a big goof who is affectionate and clownish. He enjoys relaxing in Mary’s Place and tried to convince Megan that he was just the right size to be a lap dog. Oh, and he’s a “leaner,” enjoying leaning all 63 pounds against you.

 

 

I did say lap dog, right?

 

 

Toby also loves to be petted and scratched. Here he is with Caroline, closing his eyes with contentment.

 

 

Toby is uneasy around small children, so an adult home or one with teens, fifteen and older, would be perfect for him. In his ideal home, he’d love to have someone there most of the time, as he can be anxious when left alone. Toby is an active dog who would love to go on hikes or jogs with his person. He’s the kind of boy who can be energetic and eager for action, but then settle down and just enjoy lounging on a blanket with friends like Marianne and Megan.

 

 

Working on new skills will be a breeze for this treat-motivated boy. Got cheese? Hot dog? Here he is practicing the art of “leave it.” Not easy, but he’s getting better and better.

 

 

He also had a question for us.

 

 

And then he did this.

 

 

Toby is not a dog for everyone, but he will be a great pal to someone who will help him gain more confidence and who will enjoy a rather large, affectionate lap dog.

 

We’re hoping so, Toby!

 

 

 

I’m fairly new here and very shy. Just learning the rules, but everyone seems to love me.

Meet sweet Raleigh, a nine-month-old mixed breed girl who is just about as delightful a youngster as you’ll ever meet, though it will take a little time to get to know her. Raleigh arrived at the shelter in early September. I met her shortly after she came, and was touched by how timid she was. But what a difference a little time makes. Raleigh is getting braver each day and has become a shelter favorite.

 

 

Raleigh was surrendered because her family lives in an apartment and just didn’t have enough time to give her. They wanted her to have a yard to play in and a family who would give her the attention she deserves. So what kind of home is right for Raleigh? Because she is still quite shy and unsure of herself, she’ll need a patient family who will help her to gain courage and realize that the world is not such a scary place after all. Because she is fearful, older kids about 13 and up would be great. Raleigh has lived with other dogs, and has done well in our playgroups, however she can be intimidated by big dogs if they are pushy. She has done fine with smaller dogs. She has also lived with cats, though she’s a bit afraid of them, too.

 

 

Raleigh loves to go for walks and play with fluffy toys. Her family reports that she is house-trained, as long as she’s on a schedule, and is crate-trained. She rides well in the car. While it takes a few days for her to feel comfortable in a new home, once settled she is very affectionate and eager for attention. This youngster, given the support, understanding, and time she needs, is going to become a treasured family member. Here she was with Marianne shortly after she arrived at WHS.

 

 

We think this sweetheart won’t be at the shelter for long. She is a keeper!

 

 

 

A Very Happy Pre-Adoption

Remember last week when I wrote about Thor and how he had been pre-adopted by a couple and their dog, Gunner (a WHS alumnus)? Because Thor has some upcoming surgery, he couldn’t go home right away, but that didn’t stop his new family from spending time with him. The three of them have come to visit Thor several times in the past week. They came again on Sunday and I was so happy to get some pictures. We think Gunner and Thor are going to be best buds. The pictures tell the story.

 

 

Everyone is looking forward to Thor’s going home soon.

 

 

 

 

Artemis/Artie

Artemis arrived at the shelter in May. What a photogenic boy!

 

 

As sometimes happens, a WHS staff member fell head over heals in love with him and as soon as his stray time was over, she and her husband took him home.

 

 

Last week I got this terrific update.

“We adopted “Artemis” (now Artie) in May. When I saw him at WHS, I sent my husband a text: ‘You need to come meet this dog.’

I had already decided he belonged with us. My husband was skeptical because I am prone to falling in love with every dog I see, but this one was different and luckily he fell in love with him, too. It’s not hard to do!

Artie was found as a stray. He was with WHS for 20 days and the entire time I was sure someone was looking for him, he’s such a good dog! He loves other dogs, our cats, kids and every single person he meets. He enjoys car rides, the beach, and going to the dog park the most. After he is worn out, he is only happy snuggled up on our bed or on the couch, which we are happy to share!  He’s the best boy and we are so happy to have him in our family!”

 

 

 

 

 

Personal note

This will be my last blog post for a while. I’m taking my annual trip to visit family in Michigan. My next post will be on October 30th.

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