Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

As I start this post, it’s a perfect spring day here in the Northwest which boosts our spirits as we continue to navigate through these uneasy weeks. One of the silver linings during this time is that so many of our shelter dogs are in foster homes and loving every moment. And for those of us who love these dogs, a bonus is the information sent to us by the foster families. This information is a huge help in making great matches with new families. We learn about each dog’s personality in a home setting along with their quirks and what they need for success in their future homes.

Willamette Humane Society is doing its part to keep people safe while continuing to match dogs and cats with their perfect fits of families. WHS is open for adoption appointments 10:00 – 3:00 every day.

Click on this link for the info you will need if you are interested in meeting a dog appearing on the website: www.whs4pets.org. The website will also give you a link to find out everything about how the shelter is dealing with COVID-19 and making sure everyone is safe for adopting.

I’ve been asked to write some bios of some of the foster dogs for the WHS website, which include observations from the foster families. So in this issue, I’m going to feature three of these dogs who are currently available for adoption. I’m hoping all three will be in their forever homes by my next post.

 

Do you like to play fetch? Do you like youthful exuberance? Do you like a dog with a great sense of humor? Come and meet ME!

Are you an active person looking for an equally active partner who is young, smart, and who will love to go on hikes, jogs, and adventures with you? Blue just might be your perfect new best friend. Here he was at the shelter with Marianne, one of his many fans.

 

Oh, and did I mention that Blue thinks he has a great sense of humor?

 

Blue is an eight-month-old, eighty-three-pound Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. When Blue was surrendered to WHS in early February, he was fearful, overwhelmed, and untrained. But our professional and volunteer trainers took him under their wings and discovered he is a quick learner who responds eagerly to positive rewards training. He was making progress at the shelter, but it was a stressful place for him.

Then came COVID-19 closures and Blue, like most of our shelter dogs, was placed in a foster home. And that’s where this youngster has absolutely blossomed with the love and positive instruction of his foster family. Blue is thoroughly enjoying living with two dog buddies and his foster parents.

 

 

Here’s what his foster mom says about him, “Blue has been such a fun dog to have in our house, and he is so smart! Blue knows sit and down (with pointing down to the ground) and is getting even better with stay, wait (with eye contact), his name, and crate training. When his ball is around, these things are a lot more difficult though, because he just wants to play! He gets along with our dogs, is house-trained, and is motivated by treats and food but even more by his ball.” Ah, his beloved ball. His foster family says, “He definitely loves his ball and is nonstop with it! He will return it immediately and drop it at our feet and seems eager to go again and again if allowed.” Because of his size and energy, Blue is recommended for kids about thirteen and older.

 

 

Blue has learned so much while in his foster home. The family has learned so much about him which will be such a help to his forever family. “Blue settled into our house and routine quickly. He is full of energy, but stays focused on toys, balls, and bones and playing with us and our dogs. When he first came to us a few weeks ago, he didn’t know just how big he is. He’s gotten more aware of this and isn’t running into us like he had been. He seems to like getting petted and will put his head in our laps and lie next to us. He’ll also go off on his own and lie on a pillow or blanket.”

What is Blue’s ideal home? He will need a family who understands how active he is and be able to give him the time and exercise he needs, as well as continue his positive training that he loves. As his foster mom writes, “Blue is going to make a great addition to a home that’s willing to keep him active and that is willing to play lots of fetch!”

 

If Blue sounds like a great match for your family, please submit the Adoption Questionnaire found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-process/adoption-questionnaire/

 

 

 

I’m not a youngster anymore, but I will love you just as much as a puppy would!

Are you the type of person who has a tender heart for senior dogs and wants to give one the love and stable retirement years he so deserves? Well, do we have a dog for you! Nestle is a nine-year-old Lab mix who has not had the easiest of lives, yet remains an optimistic, happy, active senior. He sees his food bowl half full.

Nestle has been at WHS twice in his life and has had several different owners. As can happen as we age, he has developed arthritis along with some lumps. The sensitivity in his back end made him less patient with children in his last home, so now he needs a family where there are no young kids; older teens, fifteen and up would be fine.

Nestle is dog-selective, meaning he likes some dogs and doesn’t care for others, so would need to meet any dog he will be living with. He can be wary of strangers, but warms up quickly. He likes to be left alone when he is eating.

Here are some pictures of our time while Nestle was still at the shelter. He became a favorite of many staff and volunteers, including Marianne and Ayla.

 

Nestle is now in a foster home and loving every minute. And his foster family is smitten with him. His foster mom writes, “Nestle is the first dog we’ve ever had in our home, and he has made it such an easy and enjoyable experience. He is so gentle and calm, but still playful and active and loves to go on long walks and jogs with us.”

Nestle never really learned how to walk on leash, but is trying to improve his manners. He does still pull hard when he sees another dog. 

Nestle is doing wonderfully with the fosters’ two cats! “When the cats are in the house, he is curious and sniffs them, and then leaves them alone. He doesn’t chase them or act aggressively toward them,” reports his foster mom. He also has a good history with cats in his former home. 

Nestle adores the 15-year-old daughter in his foster home and follows her everywhere, sleeping in her room at night. 

“Nestle is a sweetheart!” says his foster mom. “He sleeps from 10:00 – 7:00 without waking up or needing to go out. He wakes up in the morning excited to see you and with a lot of energy. He loves to go on a long morning walk and then come home and relax and nap. He’s very calm and mellow. He rarely barks (only on walks when he sees another dog, which we are working on), he doesn’t jump up on people, and he pays no attention to the noises outside such as loud cars or other dogs barking. When I’m cooking meals, he just comes in the kitchen and lies down by my feet. He doesn’t beg for food or try to take it off the countertop or table. He’s extremely well-behaved in the home and has been a wonderful companion to our family.” 

So what would be Nestle’s ideal home? The foster family writes: “Nestle would do well with a family that has the ability to take him on long walks in the morning and evening. After a long walk in the morning, he is always tuckered out and is content to lounge around the house and doesn’t seem restless or feel the need to be too active. Because of this, he would most likely be just fine at home during the day while his owners were away at work. Nestle seems very at ease and content, so as long as he’s treated as a member of the family inside a home, he would be a great companion to any one person or family.”

If you are wanting an uncomplicated dog whose idea of fun is to stay home with his people and watch Netflix together, Nestle may be your perfect fit. He has been patiently waiting for his retirement family since January 28th. We’re hoping his wait will be over soon.

If Nestle sounds like a great match for your family, please submit the Adoption Questionnaire found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-process/adoption-questionnaire/

 

 

 

 

Do you need a nudge to get off the couch? I can do that.

Are you wishing you had an exercise partner, someone who will nudge you to get off the couch and go outside for a brisk walk or run? Well, Zora would like to be your motivator.

Zora is a five-year-old German Shepherd mix who is waiting for the right person to become her buddy in action. Zora lived in the same home since she was a puppy, but her family could no longer take care of her. They report she is affectionate, active, and very playful. She loves to play fetch, enjoys being groomed and hanging out with her people once she is tired out. When left alone in the house she was fine. Video showed her wandering around, checking the kitchen to see if anyone left something for her to munch on, and watching out the window. She is crate- and house-trained.

Zora does not like to have high-value treats/food taken away from her. She can be fearful of men, especially if they are wearing a hat. She would do best as an only pet, as she seems to have a prey drive for small animals. She will need a cat-free home. Because of her resource-guarding behavior, she is rated for children about 13 and older.

While Zora was at the shelter, we really enjoyed getting to know her. Megan was one of her fans.

Zora has been spending some time in a foster home and they have many good things to say about her. She knows several commands such as sit, shake, and “high five.” She enjoys going for walks and only pulls some if she sees a small animal. While she loves to play fetch, she hasn’t mastered the idea of returning the ball. Her favorite toys are tennis balls.

Zora is an extremely active dog and will need a family who will take her for long walks and runs. Her fosters have also noticed, like her first family did, that she is fearful of some men, especially if they are on bikes or motorcycles, and might try to chase them if not on leash.

So if you are an active person who is looking for an active partner, Zora is up to the task. She will even give you a nudge if she thinks it’s time for a walk or play session. Her ideal home would be one with a high and secure fence around a large yard with lots of tennis balls and a family who enjoys a happy, eager, and energetic best friend.

If you would like to meet Zora, please submit the Adoption Questionnaire found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-process/adoption-questionnaire/

 

 

 

 

 

We have two happy updates this week.

Russell/Remi

Russell came to WHS in mid-January, a ten-month-old German Shepherd mix. He’d been surrendered to another shelter and transferred to us.

 

Here he was with Ayla shortly after he arrived.

 

Russell had been a mostly outdoor dog and never was taught basic manners. He needed a dog-savvy person who would continue the work that WHS trainers started with positive, rewards-based lessons. We hoped that someone with time at home now would want to help Russell become the wonderful dog he wants to be.

Finally on April 1st, Russell was found by that person and went home. Here is the update.

“We’re doing great. My adult daughter and I gave him a bath yesterday. He did great. Crate training is going really well! No accidents in the crate. He is going to be a great dog with training and consistency. Thank you to everyone who was a part in Remi’s WHS journey!”  

 

 

 

Wilbur/Winston

Pam and Tom have two WHS alumni, Pugsly and Winston (formerly Wilbur).

They adopted Pugsly in 2015. Last February 10th, they came back to the shelter and adopted Wilbur, who became Winston. They sent a happy update shortly after Winston went home, and last week sent this one.

“Can you believe it’s been two months since we’ve had Winston? All is going fantastically well. He’s a wonderful little dog and he has definitely wormed his way right into our hearts. He’s a smart little guy, too. We just feel so blessed that we have him. Since the virus, my grandson has been with us so he has somebody that plays with him all day long. I’ve enclosed a couple of pictures, one is with me on Easter Sunday with all our little dogs. The little white dog is my daughter and grandson’s dog and then there’s Winston, Pugsley, and Susie (also one of ours) on the floor. Every once in awhile our dog sitter brings her three dogs over so we have quite a rowdy little house when we’ve got seven dogs here! I just wanted to check in and let you know everything was wonderful. We love our little dog so much and even Pugsley loves him. He tries to love on Susie but she is just old now and really doesn’t want to be bothered by anyone except me when it’s time to feed her!”

 

On those happy 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