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adoptable dogs, adoption dogs, dogs, fellow dog lovers, humane society, shelter dogs, WHS, willamette humane society
Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,
September is here but I’m happy to report that the last week of August was a great one for WHS with four terrific dog adoptions.
Being at the shelter was stressful for shy, little Chunk. We are so glad that he is now happily getting settled into his new home and family. And he even has a sibling!
We were over the moon when Riley went home with his new brother, Max. Both dogs are seniors and ready to take life easy.
Little Rose was also adopted. She had come from a very loving home and was a bit overwhelmed at the shelter, so went to a caring foster family. And there she decided she would stay!
When Marilyn, the WHS Behavior and Training Manager, took Truffles, a stray, home as a foster in March, she had no intention of keeping her. “I really wasn’t going to adopt her. She was a training project.” Well, Truffles is no longer a “training project.” She has found her forever home with Marilyn and her husband. Truffles is one lucky dog!
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:
Are you looking for a smart, eager dog and do you also have a calm home? That’s what I’m looking for! We need to talk!
Are you someone who has experience with a “herding breed” dog? If so, Tucker is anxious to meet you!
Tucker is a five-year-old Border Collie mix. And if you know anything about Border Collies, you know they love to “herd.” According to the American Kennel Club, “Borders are among the canine kingdom’s most agile, balanced, and durable citizens. The intelligence, athleticism, and trainability of Borders have a perfect outlet in agility training. Having a job to perform, like agility—or herding or obedience work—is key to Border happiness. Amiable among friends, they may be reserved with strangers.”
This is Tucker’s second time at WHS. He first came in 2017, having been found as a stray. He was quickly adopted, but was surrendered earlier this month because he had become too nervous around the family’s children.
Tucker is looking for a forever home with some special qualities. Since he is uneasy around commotion, he needs a calm home with adults only, or teens fifteen and older. Tucker can be possessive about his food and toys with other dogs, so would do best as an only dog. But that doesn’t mean he can’t have some dog friends. He has done well in some of our playgroups. WHS Trainer Jessi writes, “He mingles well in groups and even will play some, but mostly it is pretty mellow play. He can be reactive if another dog is reactive towards him, but he is easy to redirect. He is very interested in people and when we bend down to pet him, he starts rolling in the grass.”
Tucker does have some prey drive, so he will need a cat-free home.
Tucker’s former family reports that he loves being with his people. He is crate- and house-trained, and enjoys being both indoors and outside. He has quickly become a favorite of staff. WHS Trainer Marilyn has been spending time with Tucker and writes, “He is social-seeking with handlers. Took treats gently from my hand. Gave eye contact. Tolerated all handling of body, feet, mouth, and ears without stress signals.” He also walks well on leash.
Tucker becomes anxious in new situations and around new people. He needs a family who will be patient and understand that slow introductions are necessary in order for Tucker to feel secure. Rewards-based training is very important, especially for sensitive dogs like Tucker. Because he is treat-motivated and very smart, training will be fun and rewarding for both him and his person.
In order for Tucker and his new family to start out on the right paw, WHS offers a free 30-minute private lesson. This will help both Tucker and his new peeps to get to know each other.
If you have had experience with “herding breed” dogs in the past and are looking for a bright, active and eager dog who will love hiking, agility, and hanging out with you, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on the link “Ask About Tucker” under his picture on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/
I promise to try my best to learn how to be your new best friend. I already love you!
Theo first arrived at WHS in March of 2019. He had just flown in from our sister shelter in Hawaii and didn’t even have time to unpack before he was adopted. He was a seven-month-old energetic pup and we had a blast with him in Mary’s Place. Here are a few pictures from that time.
Here he was with volunteer Caroline.
Theo was recently surrendered by his family because they reported that he was barking too much at sounds in the neighborhood. But they also had good things to say about this young dog, including that he “loves attention, is very friendly” and he is house- and kennel-trained.
Here he is today.
Since Theo has been back at WHS, he has become a staff favorite. He LOVES rewards-based training sessions and toys are just as much of a reward as treats. A staff member reported, “Theo warmed up quickly and was very personable. He loves playing tug with rope toys. We worked on impulse control with a tug toy. Theo was very loose in body language once in the yard and responded well to training sessions.”
WHS Training Manager Marilyn writes, “Theo is an excellent leash walker for our staff and enjoys running and playing fetch in the yard or just hanging out while getting pets and plenty of treats. Theo would most enjoy spending the day snuggling with his owner on the couch while eating bacon treats, after going for a nice walk, of course!”
Oh, and he has a great sense of humor.
Did I mention that he LOVES the pool? Here he was this morning.
Theo will do best in a home with older kids about 13 and up. He will also need a feline-free home, as he is not a fan of cats. WHS Trainer Marilyn says, “Theo has participated in playgroups during his time at the the shelter but being young and powerful, he would do best as the only animal in a quiet home with adults and teens.”
Because Theo can be nervous around noise and new situations, his new family will need to be understanding and patient in teaching him their house rules.
Theo is going to make a wonderful family dog once he feels secure and settled. If you think it might be your family, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on the link “Ask About Theo” under his picture on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/
We have some dogs who have been featured earlier in my posts, but who are still waiting for their perfect fits of families. Here they are with some new pictures from today and some from previous playgroups. The links to the original posts about them are under their pictures. Maybe a new reader will find their new best friend this week!
We promise to be the best pair of dogs you’ll ever have!
Brothers can be best friends. Jack and Snoop, seven-year-old sibling Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mixes, have been together all their lives. They are extremely bonded and will need to be adopted together. That’s Jack on the left and Snoop on the right.
Jack
You can read all about these wonderful seniors by clicking on the link below.
I’m back. The last home was not the right fit for me. Maybe after reading about me, YOUR family might be just right?
Sherlock is a one-year-old Hound mix who was found as a stray. Since we do not know his history, Nichole has spent time getting to know him since his arrival. “For a youngster, Sherlock is pretty laid back, but he can be shy at first,” she says. “He enjoys getting to know people at his own pace so gradual introductions to new people and environments would be best. Once he gets to know you, he will lean into you for body scratches and look to you for comfort when he feels uncomfortable. He will also show his exuberance to see you by jumping up on you. He will benefit from rewards-based training which we have started at the shelter.”
Here he was today in playgroup. Sherlock LOVES tennis balls!
To read all about this special young boy, click on this link and then scroll down to his story.
I was featured last week, but so far my new family hasn’t found me.
Romeo is quite the character. He can be energetic and excited playing tug or just enjoy hanging out with his peeps while he chews on his tire toy. He loves to frolic in water but also craves cuddling on the couch with his family.
To read all about this clown of a dog, click on the link below and scroll down to his story.
Hulk/Winston
Remember this clown of a dog named Hulk?
We were thrilled when he was adopted and I just got an update about how he is settling into his new home.
“Hello, I am glad to mention that Winston is settling in very well. He’s a goofball and very cuddly. He likes to sleep on the bed with me or the couches and not on the bed I got him. He is definitely spoiled!”
From these pictures, I think one could say he has settled in quite well…
As always, I would not be able to write this blog during the pandemic if it weren’t for WHS staff who are so willing to send me pictures. A huge thank you to Jessi, Sasha, Nichole and Karmen!
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
Adopt An Oregon Dog! 
Michael — You need to fill out an application here:
https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/pet-details/?id=45010305