Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

There were several more wonderful dog adoptions during the past week at Willamette Humane Society, and staff sent me pictures of some of the happy newly-formed families.

 

 

Baby

Here is senior Baby (13 years old) about to head to her new home. Adoption Specialist Sasha sent me this picture with her new dad, her uncle, and new dog-brother, Rafa!

 

Sasha said that Rafa really wanted to pose for his own picture.

 

 

Patches

 

 

 

Captain

Sasha said Captain is in love with his new little girls.

 

 

Banner

WHS Trainer Nichole wrote: “He was super smitten with his new pet-parents. He’ll get to play fetch on acreage with a swimming pond (no fish). Lucky boy.” And if you read my June 17th blog post about him, you know that Banner LOVES water! So happy for this sweet boy!

 

 

 

 

 

The shelter continues adoptions by appointment only, as explained below.

The Adoption Process 

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.

To find out exactly how the adoption process works, click on the link below:

Adoptions Continue! But Your Patience Is Crucial

 

 

Like action? Like to laugh? Live an active lifestyle? Need a dog? You need to meet ME!

Are you looking for a clown of a dog with a zest for life who will keep you laughing and will fit right into your active lifestyle? If so, you need to meet Chip, a two-year-old, 59-pound mixed-breed boy.

 

 

As WHS Trainer Jessi says, “Chip is social and goofy. He will engage in any play style with other dogs (although he is mostly rough/rowdy) and he LOVES tennis balls!” Here he waits for one to be thrown for him to fetch.

 

 

Chip came to WHS as a stray so we don’t know his history, but he has quickly become a favorite at the shelter. Chip is not for the faint of heart, however. He is a happy, boisterous dog who has had little training. While he does know some basic commands and will sit when asked, he also becomes excited easily. And when excited, he becomes jumpy and mouthy. The WHS staff is working with Chip to improve his impulse control. Happily, Chip is very treat-motivated and smart which means he catches on to new skills quickly using rewards-based training. His new family will need to continue his instruction so that he will become the well-behaved dog he wants to be. 

 

Chip is affectionate and loves to be the center of attention whether playing with a tennis ball, getting pet massages, or working with a trainer. He is eager to please and anxious to earn his bits of cheese for making the right decisions. Right now he is working on dropping a toy when asked. 

While Chip plays well with other dogs, his rowdy style can be overwhelming to some, so he will need to meet any dog he will be living with to make sure their play styles are compatible. And cats? Because of Chip’s overall exuberance, he will need to go to a feline-free home. 

 

Here is Chip in action thanks to WHS Trainer Nichole’s video.

 

So what kind of home does Chip need? He’s looking for a family with older kids, fifteen and older, who are dog-savvy and who will give Chip the continued training, exercise, and attention he craves. In return, Chip will think you are the best human(s) ever born and will keep you active and laughing.

 

If Chip sounds like a perfect fit for your family, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on the link “Ask About Chip” under his picture on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/

 

 

 

 

 

I may be a little older than some dogs here, and I may need a little patience, but I am so worth it!

Do you have a soft heart for a senior dog who needs a quiet retirement home? Meet Marie, an eight-year-old mixed-breed girl. Marie is looking for a special home where she can feel safe and secure. She is quite shy at first meeting but warms up as she feels more comfortable. 

Marie was found as a stray and was adopted in March. But she was returned when she was not the right fit with the family. While Marie bonded closely with the mother in the home and followed her around the house, she was uncomfortable with the children and the father. Because of that, she will need to go to a home with kids fifteen and older who will give her space when she asks for it. Marie slept in her dog bed in her owner’s bedroom. She likes to play fetch. She would bark at strangers, but would stop when asked by her owner. Marie will need to go to a feline-free home, as she chases cats. When left alone in the house, she did fine, relaxed on the couch until the family came home, and did not destroy anything. Marie is crate- and house-trained. She whined at the door when she needed to go out. Marie is not a big fan of riding in cars. While she pulled when walked with just a collar, she has improved greatly when fitted with a harness at the shelter.

Marie has been going to our shelter playgroups and enjoying them more and more. WHS Trainer Jessi writes, “Marie has been warming up to me the last few weeks. She seems to prefer mingling with other dogs over the handlers, but the last few groups she has solicited attention from me multiple times. She gives appropriate corrections to other dogs. She has been able to mingle with small as well as bigger dogs.” 

 

Because Marie is older, she has some of the usual age-related dog issues. She will need to be monitored for dental care. She has some arthritis in her back causing her pain if another dog jumps on her in play. She had an ear infection when she arrived at WHS, subsequently treated. The condition may require ongoing observation.

We don’t know what kind of life Marie had for most of her eight years, but we do know that she is ready for a calm, patient family where she can relax and feel safe. She has much love yet to give and can’t wait to meet her new people.

 

If Marie sounds like a new best friend for you, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on the link “Ask About Marie” under her picture on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/

 

A special thank you to WHS staff members Jessi, Sasha, and Nichole once again, for the terrific pictures for this post!

 

 

 

 

Winston/Wilbur and Pugsly

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

They adopted Pugsly in 2015.

 

Last February 10th, they came back to the shelter and adopted Wilbur, who became Winston. Winston needed some patience, understanding, and rewards-based training, as he could be snappy with new people. Pam and Tom were the perfect owners to help him.

 

 

Pam has been wonderful about sending me updates. This week I got this one!

“I wanted to send this picture of our ‘guard dogs’ Winston (Wilbur) and Pugsly. They are just too cute. Winston is the greatest dog. He does not nip at anyone now. He loves company, but especially loves to go ‘bye-bye.’ We take him (and Pugsly and Susie) to Minto Brown park almost daily. He loves playing with the other dogs. Just wanted to give you a brief update on how well he is doing. We just love him so much.”

 

 

 

Montegro/Monty

If you are a regular reader of my posts, you will remember Montegro (Monty) very well. He was a transfer from our sister shelter in Maui, Hawaii. 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 be. Here he is meeting his forever family for the first time on March 17, 2019.

 

 

Caroline (his human mom) sends me pictures every so often that I then send on to Laura (his contact from Hawaii) who sends them on to the Maui shelter. They are always thrilled to see him so happy.

Today I got this update. It’s a keeper!

“Monty and me seeing eye to eye! I love him so much. We get each other.  I’m so glad we found one another. Thank you.”

 

 

 

On that happy note, 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