Tags
adoption dogs, deserving dogs, dogs, fellow dog lovers, humane society, shelter dogs, WHS, willamette humane society
Once again last week the Adoption Specialists were kept busy with adoptions. I don’t report WHS cat adoptions, but just to give you an idea, since last Wednesday there were 29 cat adoptions and 6 dogs! Here are the dogs who found their forever homes.
Jaggar
Puppy Jaggar already knows several cues and I was amazed at how he sat for his photoshoot. He’ll be a wonderful addition to the family!
Dumpling
Dumpling improved so much during her stay at WHS. She has no idea she is a little dog. She will keep her peeps laughing.
Dak and Lilly
We are always thrilled when a family adopts a bonded pair. Dak and Lilly have been together all their lives.
Kirby
Kirby was a hilarious volunteer favorite from the time he arrived at the shelter. It was no surprise that he was adopted by one of our own. And because I know his new person, I can report that he is settling into his forever home beautifully. His new sibling, Duffy, has decided Kirby will make a good buddy and they have been romping through the house.
Nico
Nico is such a typical, wonderful Lab mix, and from the moment he arrived at WHS, he was much loved. He is a senior and came with a large benign tumor that was quickly removed by our vet. I was so happy that I was at the shelter when his forever family came to meet him. His new mom is a former WHS volunteer. He is going to have the best life EVER, which he so deserves. He is always a little shy when first meeting new people, but it wasn’t long before he started to warm up to his new peeps. We all teared up when we told him goodbye, but we are overjoyed at his new start in life! P.S. I already got word that he’s settling in well.
Please Note: The dogs I feature in this section are available for adoption as of today, August 25, 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’ve been working really hard on improving my skills. My friends here at WHS say I’ve come a long way! I’m ready for a new family now. Is it yours?
Some dogs arrive at the shelter needing some help in their behavior to improve their success in a new home. Happily, WHS has both staff trainers and willing volunteers who work with these dogs, and sometimes there are dramatic results. Jackson is one of our bigger success stories.
Jackson arrived at WHS in May. He has been waiting a long time for his perfect fit of a home where he can be the only pet. I have featured him in my posts several times, but still he waits.
When Jackson came to WHS, he was very afraid and reactive toward other dogs, barking whenever he saw one. But using rewards-based training with staff and volunteers, Jackson has shown remarkable improvement. He now takes his shelter walks with volunteers without reacting to other dogs he might see. He has also improved dramatically in handling. He used to be sensitive about being petted, but he now enjoys being touched and scratched and his circle of trusted people has greatly expanded. House training, which was also an issue when Jackson arrived, has been resolved.
He loved having some Blanket Time outside with us a couple of weeks ago. Here are Linda and Marianne seeing if he’d like cheese bits. He did.
Here he is checking to see if I have some cheese, too.
Jackson loves his people. He craves attention, enjoys lap time, and his favorite toys are tennis balls and Kongs. He is crate-trained and in his former home was used to sleeping in his crate at night and went in it sometimes during the day to nap. Jackson is an active dog who loves to play with his people and race around a yard. He enjoys romping in the shelter’s big yard.
Here he took some time out for reflection, though he’s not a great poet.
When left alone, Jackson did fine in his home. He was not destructive and mostly slept. He loves car rides and listening to someone read to him. Jackson is highly treat-motivated (Beggin’ Strips and cheese are his favorites) and is thrilled to earn treats while learning new skills. He is affectionate, attentive, and can’t wait to finally find the right home situation where he will thrive. His former families describe him as “loving, playful, happy, and sometimes hyper.”
Jackson is looking for a home where he can be active and loved and where his peeps will continue his positive training. He enjoys time in Mary’s Place just hanging out with us.
Jackson has worked very hard to overcome his fears while living at the shelter. He has made great strides and hopes that he will be in his forever home soon. If you are looking for a smart, affectionate, and playful little dog, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on his picture and then on the link Adopt Me found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/. Jackson is hoping you will come soon.
I’m new here. Folks at the shelter have been so nice to me! I feel much better and I’m ready to go to my forever home. Will you be coming soon?
The first thing you notice about Rufus is his huge grin, which is almost always on display when he’s receiving attention. Rufus is a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix.
Rufus arrived at WHS on August 17th, a stray brought in by the Animal Control Officer for Polk County after she received a call about a dog who had been by the side of a gravel road for two days. When he was picked up, the officer found that Rufus was limping and appeared to have sore paw pads. The deputy wrote, “This boy is very gentle and kind. He is good on a leash, loves car rides and is house-trained. He is very sore, I haven’t checked his pads, but he has been licking them and they are tender when he walks.” It was later discovered at the shelter that besides having injured pads, there was a thorn in one of them.
What a difference vet care and a little time makes. Rufus was very fearful the first couple of days at WHS, but since then, his delightful disposition has blossomed.
Even though we don’t know anything about his past, we have learned quite a bit about his personality. As one staff member wrote, “Rufus is gaining confidence and has become a volunteer and staff favorite. He walks well on a leash, has not shown any dog reactivity, and takes treats gently.” Another staff member added, “Gave Rufus a bath today, it went very well. He stood still, let us shampoo and rinse with no issues. Is still a little timid but warms up when offered hot dog bits.”
Rufus knows several cues such as “sit” and “down.” He loves to play fetch, will trade a toy for a treat, and he’s not picky about what kind of treat it is, though cheese is a favorite. Rufus is a “leaner” and will cuddle up to the person he’s sitting next to. He loves to be petted and scratched. He enjoys playing with just about any toy.
On Sunday, Marianne, Megan, and I took him out for a long playtime. He loved it and so did we. Rufus is one of the most easy-to-read-what-he’s-thinking dogs I’ve ever met!
After a rousing game of rope, we settled down to relax. See what I mean that he’s a leaner?
We then took him into Mary’s Place to see if he’d like the GFB (Giant Fluff Ball). He did.
And he hoped for more treats.
Since he is a stray, we don’t know how Rufus would be with cats. If his new family has cats, we recommend gradual introductions behind barriers. He should meet any dog he would be going home with.
Rufus is an active, eager, affectionate dog who will be a wonderful companion for the lucky family who adopts him. If you are interested in taking Rufus home, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on his picture and then on the link Adopt Me found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/. He’ll be watching for you.
I’m not a youngster, but I’ll love you just as much!
Bella is a twelve-year-old Pug/Beagle mix who was surrendered because her family felt they didn’t have enough time for her and wanted her to have the attention she deserves. Bella has never had dog roommates, but has lived happily with a cat. She did fine with the children in the family. We spent time with her on Sunday and loved her. She is a sweet girl.
If you think Bella would be a perfect fit for you, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on her picture and then on the link Adopt Me found on this page: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/.
That’s it for this week!
Thanks to WHS Adoption Specialist Sasha and volunteers Megan, Linda, 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