Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

It’s been an extremely busy week at Willamette Humane Society. There were NINE dog adoptions!

 

 

Kronos 

This big boy was a favorite of WHS Trainer Jessi. She said, “Kronos was a cool, goofy dog. And he got along with all of our females in playgroup.”

 

 

 

 

Travis

We were thrilled when Travis went to his new home. What a stunning boy!

 

 

 

 

Stevie

Little Stevie’s new person was totally smitten with him.

 

 

 

 

Tiger

Tiger was adopted, such a fun little character who loves to make people laugh.

 

 

 

 

Daisy

Daisy was found as a stray. We’re so glad she now has a home!

 

 

 

Coco

Coco is going to be much loved by his new family.

 

 

 

 

Tundra

Senior Tundra was adopted by one of the WHS volunteers who fell in love with her as soon as she met her.

 

 

 

Sting

We were THRILLED when Sting met his new peeps on Tuesday! WHS Trainer Nichole wrote, “Sting was adopted today! This photogenic boy went home with a young couple who is going to give him so many toys to destroy, uh, play with. Wishing him the best life!” As usual, Sting had a few things to say.

 

 

 

 

 

Joshua

Josh was another staff/volunteer favorite.

 

Nichole wrote, “Joshua just found his new home! This Doxie mix was one of the best playgroup helper dogs we’ve had at WHS. We’ll miss him but his new pet parents are going to give him the best life ever.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have come a long way since I arrived at WHS. I’m learning manners and stuff. I hope my new family finds me soon!

Leo is a one-year-old Siberian Husky mix who is stunning, and he has different colored eyes. He is looking for a Husky-savvy family.

 

 

Here’s what the American Kennel Club says about this breed: “The graceful, medium-sized Siberian Husky’s almond-shaped eyes can be either brown or blue—and sometimes one of each—and convey a keen but amiable and even mischievous expression. Quick and nimble-footed, Siberians are known for their powerful but seemingly effortless gait. As born pack dogs, Siberians enjoy family life and get on well with other dogs; their innate friendliness render them indifferent watchdogs. This breed is also energetic and can’t resist chasing small animals, so secure running room is a must.”(https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/siberian-husky/)

Leo came to us as a stray. However, it was not his first time at WHS. It seems this energetic boy has escaped from his former home at least three times that we know of. If you know anything about Huskies, you know that they are both very intelligent and very curious. They also are extremely athletic and can scale tall fences, all in the name of satisfying their curiosity about what’s going on on the other side. Leo is a perfect example and will need to be monitored when outdoors.

 

 

When Leo arrived at WHS, he was quite shy and fearful, not engaging in a lot of human contact. But the Behavior Team got to work and Leo has made big strides in improving his manners. He is learning to walk politely on leash and having his mind stimulated with new challenges. As one WHS staff member wrote, “We have continued working on loose-leash walking skills this week. Leo has been performing well and becoming more personable as we build on his basic manners.” Staff has used enrichment toys and food puzzles to keep his brain engaged and Leo loves to learn. Writes another staff member, “Leo was excited when we first entered Mary’s place and got the zoomies running around the room. After a couple minutes he was able to recover and we started a training session. Leo catches on quickly to training exercises.” And as the staff and volunteers have worked with Leo, he has become more people-oriented. While he’ll never be a “velcro” dog, he does enjoy hanging out with his human friends. WHS Trainer Jessi writes, “I have noticed the longer he has been at the shelter, the more Leo is showing interest in people—soliciting attention when we squat down, rubbing and leaning into us.”

 

 

Did I mention Leo is curious? Here he was on Sunday, helping volunteer Linda check out the materials in the playgroup trunk.

 

 

 

 

Finding the right training treat was a bit of a challenge with Leo. Jessi tried various usual favorites, to no avail. However, “I did have luck with chicken jerky!” In play group, Leo has been dog selective about his friends. Jessi writes, “He plays mostly by running and chasing, but I have seen him get more rowdy and rough with certain friends. He is a sweet guy and really fun to work with—and man can he catch air!”

 

 

Are you in need of a walking/running partner? Leo would love to have the job as your training coach. (Huskies are working dogs who need a job, as we know!) He’d absolutely thrive going on adventures with you.

Leo is house-trained. He would need to meet any other dogs he would be living with, and should not go home with cats. Older dog-savvy children would be perfect for this active boy.

Leo is hoping that his new family will find him soon. In the meantime, he’ll continue to work on improving his manners with his friends at the shelter.

Today he got to participate in a shelter photo shoot! He loved it!

 

 

 

If you are up to the challenges and many rewards of adopting Leo, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on his picture, then on the link “Interested in this animal?” on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/

 

 

 

What?! You are looking for a small dog to keep you company? Well, I’d like to introduce myself!

Meet Catarina, a one-year-old Chihuahua mix, who at 12 pounds is a big dog in a little body.

 

 

Catarina was much loved by her former person, but had to be surrendered due to life changes. Catarina’s favorite thing to do in the whole world is to cuddle with you on your lap. During her intake process, staff wrote, “Catarina was super friendly and active. Loves attention, did not mind being held—actually preferred it over walking or being on the ground. Would constantly climb up into our laps and try and snuggle. Did not mind the vaccines, just sat there.”

Catarina’s former person says, “Catarina is very sweet. She likes to be with you all the time, you can pick her up and hold her, you can pet her all over, she especially likes her belly rubbed.” She has been an indoor dog mostly except for walks and potty breaks. She is crate- and house-trained and when left alone did fine in her crate. She is curious when in a new environment.

 

 

Catarina will need to be an only pet. She does not enjoy sharing her space or people with other dogs. She bonds quickly and will “guard” her person from another dog, letting them know they are not welcome. She will do best in a home with older children.

Catarina is very treat-motivated and, with her love of human attention, she will be fun to work with to teach her new skills.

Catarina got to take part in today’s photo shoot, too! Here she is with Marianne.

 

 

If you are looking for a cuddly new best friend who will think anything you want to do is the most exciting thing EVER, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on her picture, then on the link “Interested in this animal?” on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/

 

 

 

Are you looking for someone who, no matter what mood you are in, will cheer you up with a big grin? Come and meet me!

Jasmine is a one-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a huge smile. This is one happy-go-lucky girl.

 

 

Jasmine came to us as a stray. She is not the kind of dog who just wants to sit on the couch. She wants action and will thrive with an active family. Marilyn, our WHS Behavior & Training Manager, wrote this about meeting Jasmine: “She was loose and wiggly at kennel front and took treats gently from my hand through the bars. She came immediately through the divider door when I came to take her out of her kennel for a walk. Social seeking, she leaned into my legs for petting. After her walk, Jasmine went easily back into her kennel. Throughout the day, several volunteers and staff members mentioned her sweet nature.”

During her incoming vet check, staff wrote, “Loose, wiggly in kennel, easy to get out and clip on leash. Easy to walk over to clinic. In exam room, greeted vet with wiggly body and wagging tail. She was easy to examine and allowed exam of everything needed including mouth.”

Jasmine has enjoyed our playgroups, but she is selective about her dog friends. She will need to meet any dog she will be living with. She is house-trained. Jasmine was adopted once, but the family had a cat and they quickly learned that Jasmine cannot live with a cat. Because of her size and energy level, she will do best with older children. Jasmine loves toys, loves to race around a yard, and then is happy to settle with her peep. Volunteer Marianne, one of her biggest fans, says, “She’s very affectionate, loves people and I adore her.”

Last week Jasmine agreed to pose in a winter photo shoot. She was a little unsure of what was expected of her, so here is her serious side with Marianne.

 

 

Today was another photo shoot opportunity and still Jasmine was a little unsure…

 

 

…but then there was this moment.

 

If Jasmine seems like the perfect fit for your active family life, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on her picture, then on the link “Interested in this animal?” on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/

 

 

 

Everyone at the shelter loves me. I’m hoping to find a forever home before my surgery.

Max is a five-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix. He has become a favorite of both staff and volunteers at the shelter.

 

Max has been an outdoor dog most of his life. In fact, he lived on a farm with his goat friends. Now he’s looking forward to living mostly indoors. He gets along with all animals and people. He lived with another dog and two cats with whom he liked to cuddle, chickens, and, of course, his goat friends.

Max had to be surrendered because of the cost of a few medical issues. He has some seasonal allergies which need to be monitored, needs some dental work, and has a torn ACL in his left back leg. The good news is that WHS will pay for the surgery to repair Max’s ACL. He is scheduled for surgery in January, however due to a COVID outbreak at the vet’s office, it may have to be postponed. We are so hoping that Max’s forever home can be found before his surgery so that he will have a comfortable place to recover from the operation. He may also need some physical therapy afterward.

Max is a total gentleman. The Intake staff wrote, “Max was very loose and wiggly and very patient and mellow when given vaccines. We walked him outside and he walked great, though was a bit timid walking into his kennel. But eventually went in when one of us walked inside with him.”

Since that time, he has enjoyed playgroups with other dogs and hanging out with staff and volunteers with whom he likes to lean into for pets and kisses.

 

 

Max was adopted by a wonderful young couple, but they live in an upstairs apartment and Max was unable to go up the stairs due to his leg injury. They were heartbroken to have to bring him back to the shelter. So Max is now waiting again for just the right family. He will do fine with older kids.

Today Max participated in the shelter photo shoot and had a blast. Volunteer Marianne writes, “OMG! Max is the nicest dog! He’s affectionate and playful. We couldn’t let him do much due to his leg, but in the training room for pictures, he was play bowing with everyone. He’s just really sweet and is excellent on leash.”

 

 

If you have a one-level home and a quiet, safe place for Max to be while he recovers after his surgery, you may be Max’s perfect fit. Once his leg is healed, he will be an energetic, happy dog who will be a delightful new family member.

If Max is the perfect dog for you, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on his picture, then on the link “Interested in this animal?” on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/

 

 

 

 

 

We have two wonderful updates this week.

Talker/Stormi

Remember Talker, one of the Huskies rescued from the Oregon wildfires in September? Very shy, she slowly gained confidence as the staff worked with her. And when she was ready, she was adopted. It took time and patience when she first met her new family. But Talker (now Stormi) went home with Husky-savvy peeps and her new brother, Thor. She had never lived indoors.

And now, look! (Stormi is on the right.)

 

 

The update:

“Just wanted to update you on Stormi (formerly known as Talker). She has adjusted amazingly well to being an indoor family dog. She and our other Husky, Thor, are two peas in a pod. She typically wants to be very close to Thor and will often lie or sit so she is touching him. But she has started to become a little more independent and seems to have claimed our guest bed as her own. She is still a little leery of our three-year-old (can’t blame her), but she’s gotten used to his energy and loudness and at least isn’t startled by him anymore. She is very sweet and loving to the whole family. I am still so thankful for all everyone did to save these pups. Our family was looking for an addition and it seems we all needed each other.”

 

 

 

 

 

Magnum/Argos

Trainers/Fosters Jessi and Cash were thrilled when they got this update last week.

“I just thought I’d let you know that Argos (Magnum) is doing great. He and Kiska are getting along famously, lots of playing and chasing in the yard. He LOVES to run! He went on a walk today and was excited, tail up and wagging, sniffing, even met another dog he was all about playing with on his long leash. He’s doing really well. I think a lot of it has to do with him having been with you and your family, so thank you so much for taking care of him.”

 

 

I stopped over at Cash’s house a couple of days ago to take him the third picture of him with his foster dogs. When he unwrapped the gift, he said, “MOM! It’s me and Mags!” Then he ran to his bedroom to get the other two pictures. When Jessi asked him why he likes fostering dogs, he replied, “I like fostering dogs to get them homes.”

 

 

On that very happy note, that’s it for this week!

Thanks to all my support team: Jessi, Nichole, Sasha, and Marianne!

 

 

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