Every so often, there is an adoption story that is different and especially touching. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may remember when I announced the adoption of Julia in my May 5th post. I happened to be at the shelter when her family met her and were completely smitten.

Sadly, the young woman turned out to be terribly allergic to Julia’s coat and, brokenhearted, they felt they had no choice but to return her. I featured her again in my next post on May 12th, hoping that another wonderful family would find her. THEN—on May 22nd…

The young couple returned to the shelter and adopted Julia AGAIN! Here’s what Adoption Specialist Sasha wrote to me: “Julia went back to her previous adopters. The adopter is getting treatment for allergies from her doctor. They just loved her so much and wanted her back! It was so cool to see Julia’s reaction when she realized it was them. She was hesitant walking up to them. She smelled them, then her wiggly went out of control. She was hugging and jumping like she hadn’t seen them in years!”

I’m using the same photo I took the first day they took her home. Julia couldn’t have looked any happier the second time!

Daisy

When Daisy arrived at WHS, we knew she wouldn’t be there very long. This delightful youngster was scooped up quickly last week. Lucky family!

Please Note: 

The dogs I feature in this section are available for adoption as of today, May 26, 2021. But things change fast and our goal is always to find wonderful homes for our dogs as quickly as possible. To see if today’s dogs are still available and to see other available dogs, visit https://whs4pets.org/dogs/ .

I may not be the right dog for the faint of heart, but if you are wanting a BIG devoted new best friend, I’m available!

To say Theo is a big boy doesn’t cut it. Theo is 96 pounds of love and enthusiasm for life. He is a three-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier. Here he is posing with flowers and with Megan, with his dignified look.

Theo lived with his family from the time he was two weeks old, after his mother was hit by a car. While he was much loved, he is just too big and too strong for his owner’s widow.

Theo loves people and is very wiggly when seeing an old friend or someone new. He is house-trained and will alert by standing at the door and giving a bark. His hobbies are sunbathing in the yard and playing fetch. He also enjoys going for walks and his favorite toy is a ball on a rope. He knows the cues for “sit,” “down,” “stay,” and “that’s enough.” He enjoys riding in the car if there are no groceries in it, too. (Yes, there was a scary rolling-groceries incident.) Theo enjoyed hanging inside with the family and would follow his person around the house. When left alone, he was loose in the home and relaxed or slept, never causing any damage. When asked to list four things about him, his owner wrote: “fun, happy, curious, at times loving.” Theo has never been around young children and will need to go to a home with older kids or adults due to his size. He is not a fan of cats and, though he lived with another dog, he sometimes would become dog-reactive so should be the only pet in the home.

When Theo arrived at WHS, staff reported, “Theo was loose and wiggly during intake. He sat on the scale when told and took treats. When we administered his oral dewormer he backed away and tried to avoid the syringe. We muzzled him for safety to give his vaccines. He sat still for the muzzle to be put on and continued to wag his tail. He did not flinch when the vaccine was administered. After the muzzle was taken off he was once again loose and wiggly with his tail wagging.”

Volunteers have discovered that playing fetch is Theo’s favorite activity at the shelter. One wrote, “Theo absolutely loves fetch but doesn’t like to drop the ball. Use two balls and trade him. He was thrilled!”

WHS Trainer Jessi and volunteers Marianne, Megan, and I took Theo out to a yard a couple of weeks ago and had a great time playing with him.

After a rousing game of fetch, we took Theo into Mary’s place where he happily posed.

Theo is getting stressed at the shelter and is hoping that an active family who are big-dog savvy and want a playful, happy new best friend will find him soon. If that sounds like you, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on Theo’s picture and then on the link Apply to Adopt found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/

I’m a happy, no-drama kind of gal looking for a loving home with an active family who will love me as much as I love them!

Mia was found as a stray, so we don’t know her history, but we’ve never met a happier dog. She is about five years old and is an American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Look at that smile!

Mia became an instant favorite at the shelter because of her gentle nature and bubbly personality. Intake staff wrote, “Very easy to handle and process, easy to walk. She walked past a small dog in the kennels and had no reaction.” Volunteers have found her a delight, too. Here are several of their comments: “Likes to be read to. Very friendly. Likes her head scratched.” “Mia loves to run and fetch. Followed commands like sit and stay. I could walk all the way around her.” “Great with sit and lie down.” “Mia is super sweet; can be jumpy but knows sit very well; likes milk bones; loves balls/stuffed toys.” “Mia LOVES to chase a ball and is great on leash.”

Mia has been in several play groups and seems to like some dogs and can be tense with others. She will need to meet any dog she will be living with to make sure their play styles are compatible.

Two of Mia’s fans are Megan and Jessi.

We took her into a play yard for a game of fetch and she was thrilled.

Then it was time for some relaxation in Mary’s Place with Marianne and Megan.

The girl is constantly smiling! Some dogs take time to warm up to new people. Not Mia. She loves every person she meets. She is treat-motivated and a quick learner. She will need a family who will give her plenty of exercise—do you like to hike? Mia would love to be your walking/jogging partner. If Mia sounds like a match for your lifestyle, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on Mia’s picture and then on the link Apply to Adopt found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/. We’re hoping her new family will find her soon. She’s waiting for you!

I was hoping my forever family would show up and take me home last week. Nope. But I’m not discouraged. Maybe you’ll come THIS week?

I first wrote about Gunner in my May 12th post. I was sure he’d be adopted quickly, but our sweet, goofy boy is still with us. Marianne and Megan are two of his many fans at the shelter.

When I got to WHS on Sunday, I was met by a happy Gunner and Adoption Specialist Sasha in the hallway on their way to her office. She told me that she often takes him in with her to give him a break from the kennels. Gunner loves it. He is Sasha’s current favorite shelter dog. She writes, “Gunner is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve met. He loves pets and lots of hugs. He plays tug like a champ. He is very lazy and a bit stubborn when he wants to be. He is an absolute love and is the perfect couch-potato partner. He is going to be an amazing companion for someone or a family. I love this big lug.”

To read all about Gunner and the home he is waiting for, click on this link to take you to his feature post: https://adopt-an-oregon-dog.com/2021/05/12/todays-featured-available-dogs-at-willamette-humane-society-may-12-2021/

If you’re looking for a dog who will think you are the most amazing person in the universe and will joyfully greet you whether you’ve been gone five minutes or five hours, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on Gunner’s picture and then on the link Apply to Adopt found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/.

Thanks to Staff members Jessi and Sasha and volunteers Megan and Marianne for their help with this post.

Remember, if you see a dog on my blog whom you are interested in meeting, fill out the Adoption form at whs4pets.org, and wait to be contacted by the staff. And please remember that sometimes dogs are adopted quickly, so might have already found a great home by the time you ask about them.

You can reach me at adoptanoregondog14@yahoo.com