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adoptable dogs, adoption dogs, deserving dogs, dogs, fellow dog lovers, humane society, shelter dogs, WHS, willamette humane society
Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,
This has been an especially fun post to write. Not only did we have two fantastic adoptions in the last week at Willamette Humane Society, but you will read three terrific updates, as well. You will also read about Baxter—a little dog hoping for a future brighter than his past.
If you are a regular reader of my posts, you know these two former shelter dogs very well.
Milo
Our wonderful youngster, Milo, found his new family. WHS Trainer Nichole wrote, “What a way to end our work week—Milo was adopted today! He’s going to love his new huge backyard with a koi pond. He can be his goofy self, romping around whenever he wants now! I will admit, his new dog roommate might need some ‘alone time’ away from him. His new person told me that Milo will get lots of trips to the creek when the weather is good. The adopter’s mother was a dog trainer in the Army so she’ll have Milo in tip top shape in no time. Happy tails, you big goofy boy.”
Danika
Danika had been waiting since December 30th for her new home. Everyone at the shelter loved this sweet girl. Here’s what WHS Trainer Nichole wrote, “Danika went home today with a couple of young women ready to take her on hiking adventures as well as strolls in the park. Such a lucky girl! Yes, she has a tennis ball in her mouth!”
These two special dogs will be missed by staff and volunteers at the shelter, but they are overjoyed that they finally have a real home.
I’m in search of a quiet, calm home with my very own person who will love me even with my quirks.
Baxter is a seven-year old Dachshund mix who has not had a very stable life. We’re not sure how many homes he has had, but we do know of at least three since he was adopted from another shelter in 2018. When a dog is passed from home to home, it is difficult for them to feel secure and safe which can affect their behavior. Baxter needs a permanent home where he can finally realize he isn’t going anywhere and can settle into a lasting new life filled with love.
Even though Baxter has not had the consistency of one home, he still loves people, especially women. He is affectionate and thrives on attention. He will hop into your lap to snuggle and roll over for belly rubs.
Baxter has some challenges due to his insecurities. He should not go to a home with children. He is selective in his dog friends, so would need to meet any dog he would be living with. Loud noises such as vacuums startle him. Baxter is frightened of doors closing behind him and new environments. He becomes anxious when left alone. He is not fully house-trained and he has escaped from former homes.
What kind of person would want to adopt a dog with Baxter’s issues? The answer is simple—someone who is looking for a loyal, devoted little dog, and has the patience, time, and compassion it will take to finally give Baxter the security he craves and deserves. Baxter would thrive in a home with a retired couple who are there most of the time. One former owner described Baxter as faithful and snuggly who loved to sleep in bed with him. He walks well on leash and loves to go for walks. But more than anything, he loves to be with his person.
There are so many smells, so little time!
Volunteer Marianne, one of Baxter’s biggest fans, writes, “Baxter is such a sweet little dog. He loves nothing more than to be with a person. I haven’t met any volunteer that doesn’t love him. Every time I go into his kennel to take him out, he wags his tail until his whole body wiggles. He puts his paws up and just begs to be petted. He walks well on leash, knows ‘sit,’ and takes treats very gently. Mostly, though, he loves to cuddle. When we take him into Mary’s Place, the first thing he does is jump up on the couch. If there is not a human on the couch but one standing in the room, he runs over and leaps up to try and jump into their arms. He is an extremely affectionate dog and will make someone a wonderful companion.”
Here are some pictures of Baxter on Tuesday in Mary’s Place with volunteers Marianne and Nancy.
Here Baxter is having a serious conversation with volunteer Linda during a playgroup outing.
Baxter is a sweet soul who has not had a fair shake in life. We are hoping that he will be found by someone who, through positive, rewards-based training, will resolve his anxieties and give Baxter the happy, secure life this little dog should have.
If you could give Baxter his forever home, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on Baxter’s picture and then on the link Apply to Adopt found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/
I’m still here…still waiting for my perfect family fit. Could it be yours?
I first wrote about Maxamillion in my January 6th post. He was surrendered to WHS in mid-December. Max is a beautiful White German Shepherd mix. At four years old, he is still a youngster at heart and eager for new adventures. Maxamillion is smart, eager, and very treat-motivated, all which make rewards-based training both successful and fun not only for Max, but his handler, too. Max LOVES to play fetch. I had to laugh, however, when I read this from a volunteer about a recent playtime: “Max loves fetch. He’s not good about bringing balls back—so, bring multiple balls.”
To read more about Maxamillion, see additional pictures, and learn how to adopt him, click on the link to his featured post below.
We have THREE very happy updates this week.
Bentley
When 10-month-old Bentley arrived at WHS last February, he was an instant favorite for his goofy and happy personality.
Ayla was one of his many fans.
We were thrilled when a young couple came looking for a dog one Sunday and met Bentley. They were instantly smitten.
Adoption Specialist Sasha received the following happy update last week:
“Hi there! I adopted Bentley back in February and my fiancé and I drove past the Humane Society today and were just talking about how thankful and grateful we are for you and how much you helped us in the process of getting Bentley! Here are some pictures of him living his best life!”
April/Emmie
Remember our sweet, shy senior Husky who was our last Wildfire rescue to get adopted?
Here she was meeting her new family including Oscar, her new brother.
Last week WHS Trainer Nichole got the following wonderful update about this girl.
“Dear Nichole and all the other special caregivers who provided loving care for Ms. April and prepared her for adoption,
First, thank all of you for taking such fine care of Ms. April and preparing her for adoption. We know you miss her so here’s a little update.
We had an uneventful trip home to Portland last Wednesday, the 13th of January. April adjusted quite well to being in the backseat with me. When we got home she was a bit shy but we got her into the house with no problems. She slept in the kennel the first two nights. After that, I took the kennel away and she sleeps every night on her bed in our bedroom. She goes to bed with no problems and is an early riser, around 6am, every morning. Works out great because Larry’s an early riser, too. Oscar and I, not so much.
She is the sweetest and gentlest girl and each day she is more willing for me to pet her and fuss over her. We changed April’s name to Ms. Ember, in honor of her surviving the Clackamas county wildfires. We call her Emmie for short. She loves the backyard and we let her out regularly to investigate the shrubbery, the squirrels, the various other plantings and whatever else catches her eye. She just loves to run. We usually give her two walks a day and she can spend as much time in the back yard as she wants. She loves to take a nice long nap after a good walk/run. She likes to follow Oscar outside and around the house. Oscar hasn’t quite decided how he feels about that. He could be a friendlier guy but right now he’s in his old Norwegian bachelor mode. He’ll come out of that eventually. The very good thing is that both of them are quite gentle-spirited dogs so they are doing fine with each other. Sometimes Oscar barks and then Emmie joins in with a lovely howl. Everything is going very well and we feel privileged to be Ember’s new family. She is a joy.
Thank you again for the work you all do to help the animals in your care find their forever homes.”
Grace
Grace was one of our Hawaii transfers in October, 2018. She was already a senior, at seven years old, and she had some skin issues. She quickly became a volunteer favorite. We worried as the weeks went by and she wasn’t adopted.
Then in early December, this happened. We were so overjoyed, we had to give her a special goodbye.
I have gotten several updates since that time from Grace’s person, Michelle. Last week I got this one. What a wonderful life Grace has.
“Hi. I adopted Grace two years ago. She is such a blessing and I can’t imagine life without her. Thanks for taking such good care of all the shelter animals!”
I think she is smiling in this one. She knows she has the best home!
Thank you! I’d like to give a huge thanks for this week’s pictures to WHS Trainers Jessi and Nichole, Adoption Specialist Sasha, along with volunteers Marianne, Laurie, and Nancy. I couldn’t write these posts without them!
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:
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