Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

When I arrived at WHS on Sunday, it was Shelter Story Time once again, and I had to snap a few pictures of devoted dog-lovers reading to our pups!

Valkyrie (pre-adopted!)

 

Siri

 

You may recognize Siri from several months ago in my posts. Siri first came to WHS last April. We all fell in love with this spunky senior on the spot. But Siri had poor kennel presentation (she barked a lot due to stress) and potential adopters walked by her. Finally in June, a family adopted her and we were thrilled. Unfortunately, the family had to surrender her last week. We worried that she would once again have to wait a long time for her new home. Not so! On Sunday I took a ton of pictures of her, including her being read to, planning to feature her in this week’s blog post. Then a couple came into the shelter and fell in love with our girl and adopted her! Her new family was so excited to take her home. They promised me an update. Siri has a big yard to romp in and a dad who will be at home with her during the day. Soooo happy for our sweet Siri!

 

 

 

 

I’ve been waiting a long time for the right family for me. I hope they find me soon.

I’ve written about Toby many times, but still he waits for just the right family fit. Toby is a two-year-old mixed breed boy. He was surrendered to WHS in July when his family decided they couldn’t take care of him anymore. He spent most of his time outside but really wants to spend more time inside with his family. Toby is a sensitive dog and he’s hoping that understanding and patient people will adopt him. On Sunday we decided to spend some quality time with our boy both outside and in Mary’s Place. Here he was with Marianne, looking quite serious. Toby doesn’t smile readily and so often looks sad when he’s actually quite happy.

 

 

Toby was adopted once, but was returned when he was uneasy around the children and had conflicts with the other resident dog. So he will need to go to a home with teens fifteen and older. While Toby does well in our playgroups, romping happily and respecting other players, 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 at ease, he is a big goof who is affectionate and clownish. He liked relaxing in Mary’s Place and tried to convince Megan that he is just the right size to be a lap dog.

 

 

Did I mention that he is a leaner? He enjoyed leaning all 63 pounds against Megan.

In his ideal home, Toby would 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, but then settle down and lounge on a blanket. We took him out to a yard for some action and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Full disclosure, he’s not great at returning the ball to you, but loves the chase.

 

 

Staff member and Toby’s friend, Oz, drove by and Toby wanted to say hi.

 

Later, we returned to Mary’s Place and Toby enjoyed just chilling with a GFB (Giant Fluff Ball).

Toby is not the dog for everyone, but he will be a great pal to someone with patience and time who will help him gain more confidence and will enjoy a rather large, affectionate lap dog. Toby has been waiting a long time.

 

 

 

You may notice my tongue is a little too big for my mouth, but I’m used to it!

Moose is a four-year-old Lab mix. The first thing you’ll notice about him is that his tongue hangs out most of the time. But since it’s been that way his whole life, it doesn’t seem to bother him one bit, as you can see here, posing with Marianne.

 

And it doesn’t interfere with his affectionate nature.

 

Moose was surrendered because he had resource-guarding issues with the other dog in the house. Because of that, he needs to be the only pet and with older kids. Moose also is too interested in cats, so will need a feline-free home. But if you are wanting an affectionate giant lap dog, look no further. Here he was on Sunday with Megan and Marianne. He had us all in stitches. He doesn’t really understand about personal space.

 

Moose has quite an active sense of humor!

 

Moose needs to work on his leash manors, he can be quite a puller. He can be anxious in new situations and will need some understanding in overcoming some fear of the unknown. Moose also needs a little brush-up on house-training. He would do best with someone who is home most of the time. But what an affectionate hoot he will be!

After our Mary’s Place time, we went outside. We just assumed that Moose would be a toy-playing dog…Nope!

Moose may have a few quirks, but oh, what a fun dog he will be for the right family. We’re hoping he won’t have to wait long for his forever home!

 

 

 

I can’t wait for my new family to find me!

Ginger is a beautiful two-year-old Siberian Husky mix who is a newbie to the shelter. We met her for the first time on Sunday and were instantly taken by her gentle, comedic personality. Megan became an instant fan.

 

 

Ginger has been an outdoor dog and is excited about spending some indoor time with her new family. She will need house-training explained to her, but she is smart and eager to please, so it should be a breeze. Ginger can be an escape artist (figured out how to lift a fence up and crawl under it; I told you she is smart), so will need a secure yard. She loves to go on car rides and has lived with a small dog happily. She will chase cats, however, so will need a cat-free home. She knows several commands including sit, down, get in the truck cab, and talk. She is excited to meet new people and, though she hasn’t lived with children, she has been good with visitors. Therefore, she is rated for children about eight or older. Marianne was anxious to meet this stunning girl, too.

We don’t think Ginger will be in the shelter for long!

 

 

 

 

There are two happy updates this week!

Wizard/JP

Wizard arrived at WHS on November 13, 2013. He came from an overcrowded shelter in California, hoping for a better life in Oregon. This is what I wrote about him in my November 27, 2013 post:

Meet Wizard, a one-year-old Terrier mix and another California dog starting a new life in Oregon. I was thrilled when one of my blog readers wrote to tell me they are adopting this little guy as soon as he is neutered. I hope to hear updates about him! Here he is with Wendy soon after he arrived at WHS. Wizard is a delightful little fellow and he has a wonderful life ahead of him!

 

I was very excited and touched when I got this update last week!

“Tomorrow it will be 6 years since we adopted Wizard, now JP (aka Just Precious) from WHS.  He has completely changed our daughter’s life! She went from having extreme anxiety and not wanting to leave the house (she got him the day before she turned 17) to a now vibrant, happily married young woman because this precious little terrier mix pulled her out of her shell and brought her to life.  

JP, in typical terrier form, loves to tear up newspapers, is very vocal, and loves to play with our huskita, Nikita Jade.  He has more personality than any little dog should and is loved by everyone he comes in contact with.  Here are a few photos from the last 6 years. Thank you again for all that you do!”

What a wonderful life this California shelter dog got!

 

 

Dante

Dante was found as a stray in November, and we guessed he is about a year old. What a handsome boy he is!

He was adopted on December 5th, and I just received this happy update:

“Hi there, I’m the person who adopted Dante, just wanted to give an update on my boy. He’s doing great and has been learning so many things. He has a huge family and lots of people and dogs to play with. Thankfully he has no issues with other dogs and is amazing with kids. He’s a very sweet, gentle dog. His only issue is not being able to control his licker. He licks everything!”

 

On those wonderful notes, 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