Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll remember the adoption story of shy little Vanilla (now Damien) in last week’s post. A few days ago I got the following picture from his person. It made me laugh out loud. It’s titled:

“When word gets out that you are eating popcorn!”

That’s Damien on the left, Sinead in the middle, and Esperanza on the right. The adopter writes, “Esperanza is a WHS alumna, too, by the way. I brought her home as a so-called “hissy-spitty” foster when she was nine weeks old. She missed key socialization (like Damien) and needed a lot of gentle encouragement. She’s a wonderful helper for shy pets!”

I love it when adopters contact me with happy stories about the new lives of our shelter animals. Now, on to the adoptions during the last week.

Asher

It took some time for Asher to find just the right family. But the third time seems to be the perfect fit. Here was his going-home picture sent to me by staff.

And we already got a happy update!

Hi All,

“Asher is getting to know us, and we’re getting to know him. He is a cute little guy! Sending a photo. He sits right by my side when the rest of the family is out. Great little buddy! We love him! Thank you for all you do!”

Look closely at the photo. He has a stuffed mini-me dog!

Crunch Wrap

Our happy-go-lucky Crunch Wrap was adopted on Saturday. He’s going to be such a joy to have around and will keep his family active!

Cookie

Cookie is simply a delightful girl. The first time she was adopted, it didn’t work out, but we have high hopes that this family will be just right. I was glad I was there to take their picture together.

Please Note: The dogs I feature in this section are available for adoption as of today, November 24, 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 featured dogs are still available and to see other available dogs, click on the link to the currently available dogs here.

I may only be a puppy, but I’m learning stuff fast and I’m going to be a terrific dog! You should meet me!

Sky is a nine-month-old Chihuahua mix who arrived at WHS because her person had too many dogs. Since she had not been fully vaccinated, she could not go outside or be with other dogs when she was first at the shelter. But she got lots of love and attention from staff and volunteers who came to her kennel and cuddled with her.

Staff wrote, “Sky is shy but friendly, likes new people. She always comes to the front of her kennel to greet us. She is a tidy, clean puppy who always uses puppy pads and keeps her blankets clean.” Her former family wrote that she is house-trained and would stand by the door when she needed to go out. They described her as “happy, playful, and shy.”

Sky was adopted once, but her person couldn’t keep her so she came back to us. But the adopter had only good things to say about this youngster, including that she is a “great dog, very loyal, and didn’t have any accidents.”

On Sunday we took Sky out to a yard to let her run, and run she did. Volunteer Linda, who has a special love for shy dogs, took her under her wing and Sky adores her.

Although Sky was a little uneasy around my camera, she slowly approached me for some cheese bits and pets.

It took a little time and patience, but before long…

Sky has developed such a special bond with Linda.

Since it was quite cold on Sunday, we spent some time with Sky in Mary’s Place. She enjoyed cuddling on the couch.

If you are looking for a sweet puppy, who, given a little time, will adore 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/.

This is my second time here at WHS. I’m a little older, now, but I still have plenty of zip and am looking for an active family to love.

I first met Rambo in 2019 when he was surrendered because his family didn’t have enough time for him. He was adopted quickly before I could feature him, but here are a few pictures from that time. He was a happy dog. Marianne and Megan had fun with him in Mary’s Place.

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Rambo, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, was surrendered again last week due to the family not having enough time for him. He is a little grayer in the face now, at seven years old, but still has a ton of energy and loves to run and play.

It was almost as if Rambo remembered Marianne from his last stay at the shelter. Maybe he does.

We took him out to a yard. He still can race like the wind!

He liked running with Megan.

Rambo’s former family has lots of good things to say about him. He has happily lived with another dog, a Pug (with whom he was best friends), and a cat. He is afraid of large dogs. He has lived with children and was very patient with them. He is house- and crate-trained, though he can become anxious when left alone. He slept in his crate at night with the door open. He whines at the door when he needs to go out. While he can be shy with new people, he warms up quickly. He knows several cues including “sit,” “out,” “go to bed,” and “leave it.” He is nervous when going to the vet and does not enjoy baths or nail trims. He is good about car rides. Peanut butter is his favorite treat, and a stuffed hedgehog and bear are his favorite toys. He does need to work more on walking politely on leash, as he will pull sometimes. A little peanut butter and positive training will be key in helping him. When asked how they would describe Rambo in a few words, his former person said, “playful, jumpy, loving, active, snuggly.”

After playing outside, we all went into Mary’s Place to get warm and relax. It took Rambo a little time to settle, but when he did, he became very affectionate.

If Rambo sounds like the right fit for your family, 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/.

I’m very shy and it takes me time to get to know you. But if you are patient with me and give me space to adjust, adopting me will be the best decision you ever made!

Ginger is a two-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix. When she was found as a stray, she was in very poor physical condition. She was extremely thin, had overgrown nails and a skin infection. But being brought to the shelter may have been the best thing to ever happen to this sweet girl. Since her arrival, she has gained weight, had her nails trimmed, been spayed, and her skin looks healthy again.

Whatever Ginger’s life was before coming to the shelter, it caused her to be extremely timid and wary of people. It takes her quite a while to feel comfortable with new friends, and she shies away from the touches of people whom she does not know. Because of this, Ginger will need a quiet home with either adults only, or with older, calm children. When you have won her trust, she is a happy, affectionate girl.

Once again, Linda’s gentle and patient skills have worked wonders and Ginger adores her. Here they were on Sunday.

They even worked some on “leave it” with some cheese bits and Ginger did great!

After outdoor pictures, we went into Mary’s Place. Ginger is quite a snuggler.

Linda has been enlarging Ginger’s world with some car rides, first around the parking lot, then on a drive away from the shelter. Here’s what Linda writes about her time with Ginger:

“With Ginger being a stray, we don’t have any background information on her, but I can share with you the good times we have had in spending time together these last couple of weeks. Ginger is a quick learner and enjoys the positive training, running, car rides and cuddling. It does take her time to warm up to strangers. She will venture over for a treat, but she’s not quite ready for the friendly petting of someone she doesn’t know. She will need an adopter that has the patience to be her advocate in making her feel safe.” 

All of us who love Ginger are hoping a caring, understanding person will see Ginger’s possibilities and take her home. They will not be sorry. If that person is 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/.

Moggy

We had so much fun on Sunday with Moggy in Mary’s Place! This little ten-year-old Terrier mix is absolutely a hoot. He loves to cuddle and had a wonderful time with Megan. He would like to be the only dog in the home, but he has lived happily with both cats and children. And he still has spunk!

If Megan stopped petting him, he would push his nose under her hand to make her start again.

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To learn more about Moggy and see if he would be a good fit for your family, click on this link: https://whs4pets.org/dogs/ and then on his picture.

One of the best parts of writing this blog is when, out of the blue, I receive an update on a dog I’ve written about. That happened last week.

Coca Cola/Fern

Coca Cola was surrendered because she had become very anxious and seemed depressed in her home. Her former family, who had rescued her from an abusive situation, felt she needed a different environment. Here she was at the shelter last May. She loved playing in the big yard.

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We were thrilled when on a Sunday in June these two young women met, fell in love with, and adopted her.

Here is the update:

“Hello! June of last summer my roommate and I adopted a dog from the Willamette Humane Society and we just wanted to send some pictures and give a little update on how she is now. 🙂

You called her Coca Cola and she’s been renamed Fern since then. She loves to go on lots of hikes, play fetch at the park, and play with other dogs at the local dog park. When we brought her home she wasn’t eating much and didn’t seem excited about food at all, but now she eats twice a day and gets all excited when we ask if she would like to eat her dinner or breakfast hahah! Fern loves her massive collection of toys and bones, and loves to wear her cozy sweater on cold days after coming home from the park. She has really developed and blossomed into a healthy and happy dog and we want to thank you so much for bringing her into our lives!” 

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What a wonderful life Fern has now!

On that happy note, that’s it for this week.

As always, many thanks to Adoption Specialist Sasha, staff member Jean, and volunteers Marianne, Megan, and Linda for their help with this post. I couldn’t do it without them!

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/dogs/.

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