Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

Most of our Willamette Humane Society shelter dogs are continuing to spend time in their foster homes and loving every moment. WHS is keeping 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 writing bios of some of the foster dogs for the WHS website, which include observations from the foster families. In this issue I’m going include one such bio as well as information about two other available dogs, one at the shelter and one newly in a foster home, plus three happy adoption updates.

 

Are you looking for a mature, smart, calm dog who loves sticks? Do you have sticks? Do YOU love sticks? If so, you need to meet ME!

“Darcy is loyal, super smart, eager to learn and calm.” That is the way Darcy’s foster family describes this sweet senior. 

 

Darcy is a German Shepherd mix. She came to us as a stray, so we are unsure of her exact age, but believe she is about seven. She arrived at the shelter looking quite thin. We have no idea how long she was out on her own, but she walked right up to a good samaritan as if asking for help. 

Darcy was very uneasy being inside the shelter at first, making us wonder if she’s been an outdoor-only dog. She has gone to playgroup, and seems to be selective in her dog likes. She spent much of the time following the handler around the yard.

Here she is shortly after she arrived at WHS with Ayla.

 

Darcy is doing very well in her foster home. They report that although she seems to have had no training, she learns quickly and is eager to please. She loves to go for walks and has improved greatly in not pulling. When there are no distractions (dogs, cats, etc.) she enjoys gentle strolling.

Darcy loves to ride in the car and is doing better about not barking at people and other dogs. She already has learned several commands like sit, lie down, stay, and come. 

Her foster family feels that Darcy will do best with people who have previous dog experience. They do not have children, but think that she might like and do well with kids. She is rated for ages about ten and older. She will need a cat-free home, as they are just too tempting for her to chase. 

Darcy is house-trained and will alert by barking once or twice when she needs to go out. She is well-behaved and quiet in the house. She loves to play fetch with a stick, but shows no interest in a ball. She enjoys playing in water, being petted and brushed, and is good for bath time. She is not a “needy” dog, though she likes to be in the same room as her fosters. She will alert if someone comes to the house.

Here Darcy is relaxing in her foster home.

 

What is Darcy’s ideal home? She would love a dog-savvy person who has a yard where she can relax and some sticks for her person to throw. She hopes to go for long walks. She’d like a person who will continue her training and be able to spend a lot of time with her. If you think Darcy would make a great new member of your family, submit the Adoption Questionnaire found here: https://whs4pets.org/inquire/?petname=Darcy&id=43980953.

 

 

 

I’m nervous around new people and situations, but give me a little time and watch what happens!

Thor, a one-year-old mixed-breed boy, arrived at the shelter very uneasy and frightened. He had lived with the same family since he was eight weeks old and the shelter was a scary place for him. Jessi, one of our professional trainers, spent time with Thor and gained his trust. He looked so worried during his photoshoot.

 

 

Thor has done well in shelter playgroups and gotten along with most other dogs. He still would need to meet any dog he would be living with, as he is a “rough and rowdy” player, so play styles should be similar. He will need to go to a cat-free home, as he can’t resist chasing them. He is nervous on slippery floors and will sometimes “pancake” when first asked to walk across them.

Thor has not lived with children, and because he can be handling-sensitive and shy, he is rated for kids thirteen and older. He is house- and crate-trained. He is quite nervous about riding in cars.

Thor is a talker and he usually has a lot to say as he tries to communicate what he needs and wants. His voice can be whines, barks, and sometimes growls, though it is never threatening, he’s only expressing his thoughts. His foster family explains, “He doesn’t use his voice in anger but can get intense if ignored.” He is initially fearful of strangers, but with a little time, will warm up.

Happily, Thor did not have to stay in the shelter long, and is now enjoying his foster family. They adore him. They report that he has settled into their home happily and is an active, playful goof. He is learning commands and has mastered sit, while currently working on others. “He tries to anticipate what you want him to do, but he has a short attention span,” says his foster family. Happily, Thor is food-motivated and is becoming ball-motivated, as well.

At 88 pounds, Thor is big and quite strong, so is working on polite leash walking. Then there is his tail. His foster family warns: “His tail, when wagging, can knock down small trees and most likely small kids.”

Wanting a lap dog? Do you mind if it’s 88 pounds of lap dog? Say his fosters, “He likes trying to be a lap dog and invites himself into your chair. We allow Thor to sleep with us. He is a bed hog.”

What is Thor’s ideal home? He’d like a fenced yard to play ball in and a family who will continue the rewards-based training that his foster family has started. Thor is a very social boy who will enjoy walks, fetch games, and then an evening of hanging out with his peeps while they relax. If Thor sounds like a great fit for your family, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire here: https://whs4pets.org/inquire/?petname=Thor&id=43868055

 

 

 

 

 

I’m looking for a special home, is it yours? You are going to LOVE me!

Roxie is a six-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier/Rottweiler mix. She is a happy, bouncy, and excitable youngster who can’t wait to find her perfect fit of a home. She was surrendered after WHS was closed to volunteers, so her pictures were taken by Jessi, one of our professional trainers.

 

 

Roxie was surrendered because she does not do well with small children who are often unpredictable in their sudden movements. Roxie had not had much training when she arrived at the shelter, but the staff has been working with her and report that she is smart and eager for praise. Although she has the typical short attention span of a puppy, she is highly treat-motivated and learns quickly with reward-based training. As one staff member put it, “Short attention span, adolescent brain, but very sweet.” She now knows the commands sit, down, and will “stay” for ten seconds! She was crate-trained in her former home and happily goes into crates at the shelter.

Roxie is a bit nervous when there is sudden noise or in new situations. If she goes home with another dog, they will need to meet. Roxie can play the “victim” with some dogs, which can lead to problems if the other dog has a prey drive.

Roxie loves stuffed squeaky toys and human touch. She is affectionate and as she is still a puppy, she’ll need lots of action.

What is Roxie’s ideal home? She will need a family with adults or teens fifteen and older who will have the time, energy, and patience to guide her to become the wonderful best friend she can be. With play, positive training and love, Roxie will blossom. She can’t wait to meet her forever people.

If Roxie sounds like a great fit for your family, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire here:https://whs4pets.org/inquire/?petname=Roxie&id=44138745.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have two updates this week!

Mini/Milli

I wrote about Mini in my March 25th post:

“Mini is a ten-month-old German Shepherd mix who was surrendered to WHS in January. She had had very little socialization in her young life except with her two brothers in the home. All three were outdoor dogs only and had learned very little about the world. She was terrified when she came to the shelter.”

Here she was with Ayla.

 

Mini was adopted in February, but returned because she was so frightened of everything, including coming into the adopter’s house. But then on April 3rd, a patient and understanding person took Mini home, knowing she was going to be a big challenge. We have gotten two updates from her. We are so grateful to this amazing woman and the power of her love.

“April 5 — Minni is now Milli. She is doing OK. She loves the back yard and talking to the dog next door when she is out. We are working on coming in the house. We got her into the back bathroom and a little bit into the mud room. But as soon as I go towards her she runs back outside. Yes, she is going to be work but I think she is happy here. I also put her on a leash and walked around the backyard. She did good at staying by my side.

April 14 — I think Milli is happy with us! She now comes in the house, but will not sleep inside yet. She loves to pick up things (shoes & socks) and take them outside. I have covered her bed with one of my shirts and she cuddles with that at night. She got to meet the grandkids and their yellow lab and she absolutely loved playing with them. All around I think she is adapting well. Just taking time.”

I’m hoping we’ll get some pictures of Milli in her new home soon.

 

 

Maxwell

I wrote about Maxwell in my March 4th post:

“Maxwell first came to WHS in September of 2019, having been an outdoor dog only. He was surrendered because he has chronic skin allergies. Medication at the shelter helped, and Maxwell was adopted in November. However, his new person lived in an apartment and Max was surrendered again in February because his person decided it was not fair for Max to be in an apartment all day while the owner worked.”

Maxwell quickly became a favorite of both staff and volunteers. Here he was with Marianne and Megan.

 

On April 2nd, Maxwell was found by his perfect family. Here is their update:

“Just wanted to send out a quick note to let you know how Maxwell is doing. He has adjusted to our home quite well. He has his dog bed in the room and obeys our commands to go lie down when he gets too excited. And he immediately, on his own, will lie down when we are eating. He’s never tried to sniff our food and he doesn’t beg. He really is a very good dog. We have taken him for walks in the park and the first time he wanted to chase every squirrel in the park and meet every dog. But we kept him on short leash to prevent him from running away from us or knocking us over. We would simply tell him “no,” and he would stop. Now when we walk he makes no effort to chase squirrels. He is very willing to please and rarely has to be told more than twice. He is a good boy and we love him. Thank you so much!!!”

We’re hoping to get some pictures of Maxwell in his home, too.

 

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