Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,

My photo team and I met at the shelter on Sunday, post COVID. We had twelve new dogs to photograph and spent some quality time with the ones we are featuring this week.

But first, I’m going to start this post with an incredible story. Remember Rocky, our very shy, sweet boy who was so afraid of my camera that I had to sneak pictures of him? I featured him in my June 8th post. He was adopted once and returned then adopted again in July. Marianne and Megan were two of his many fans. We got a wonderful update about Rocky a few weeks ago and were thrilled that he was doing so well with his new family.

We knew Rocky was a special boy, but we had no idea that he would be a Super Hero. His family sent the following story to the OHS staff.

“I know you guys get a ZILLION updates but I thought I’d share another Rocky story. We were at the beach and I let Rocky off his leash to run and hop like a bunny. All of a sudden, he looked at the ocean and started sprinting TOWARD it. (Rocky haaaates water!) I chased after him and also saw two women running toward him, screaming. I looked up and Rocky had dragged a two-year-old little girl out of a wave that got her and started pulling her out to sea before her parents could catch her. He grabbed the toddler by the shirt and dragged her ashore. Once she was safe and with her family, he rolled over and let them give him belly rubs to thank him. I’m so proud of him!”

What a moving story and what an amazing former shelter dog—who hates water!

The shelter had another busy week with dog adoptions. There were four I didn’t get to meet who went home—Phineas, Avocado, Donnie, and Sunny.

Bungee

Drum roll and happy dance—our long-termer Bungee was adopted! Her new person is a runner which will be perfect for this high-energy girl! So happy for Bungee!

Nilla Wafer

Nilla Wafer was one of our ten transferred dogs from the Portland campus and she was very shy in the kennels. We’re so glad she’s in her forever home now. She’s such a beauty!

Mizmo

We knew this little guy wouldn’t be at the shelter for long, and he wasn’t. He was quite timid, we’re so happy he is curled up with his new family.

Celeste

This beauty was another transfer from the OHS Portland campus. She is a nine-year-old Alaskan Malamute mix who went home with two very excited kids. They were so sweet with her and thrilled to take her home. I was happy that I got to take her going-home pictures.

Diesel

Two more of our transfers from the OHS Portland campus were adopted on Tuesday. First, Diesel may have only three legs, but that doesn’t slow him down for a second!

Bandit

Bandit is the second OHS transfer who was adopted on Tuesday. What a stunning dog!

Please Note: The dogs I feature in this section are available for adoption as of today, September 28, 2022. 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 not be young anymore, but I still have lots of energy and I love to play! I hope my new family comes soon.

Every so often a dog is surrendered who is just about perfect. Dakota is such a dog. She is a twelve-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, but you’d never guess she is twelve when you see her in action.

Dakota was adopted from another shelter when she was two. She was with her former family for ten years and was much loved. However, they had to move out of state and were unable to take her with them. They were heartbroken to have to give her up.

It is always so helpful when the surrendering family tells us a lot about their dog. Dakota’s family had many wonderful things to say about her. “Dakota is a fun and playful dog. She is family-friendly and good with kids. She likes to hangout outside but has always been a house dog. She’s always slept inside. She is affectionate and thinks she is a lap dog and friendly with visitors. She is very active. She likes to be petted and likes to play and chasing her toys. She knows the cues for sit, stay, down, come, leave it, and wait. She likes going for walks and running after balls.” Dakota was free to roam the house when the family was gone, and never had accidents. She was an only pet, but got along with other dogs, preferring gentle ones. She has a great history with children. She does not like cats, so will need a feline-free home.

Dakota went to the WillaMutt Strut, a fundraiser for OHS, with a volunteer on September 18th. The volunteer reported, “Dakota is super sweet, and she does super well in the car. She didn’t bark once either! When I got into the car, however, she tried to get on the console and lick my face. As soon as I let her out of the car at the park, she was so excited that she kept pulling me, but she was really good at listening and following the direction we needed to go. She was very friendly with the dogs that she got to interact with.”

On Sunday, we decided to take Dakota out to a yard and play fetch. She had never seen a Jolly Ball before and was amazed.

And here she is in action!

Some pictures don’t need any words.

We also spent time with Dakota in Mary’s Place on Sunday and she loved it.

Dakota’s new family will need to make sure she gets Cosequin, a joint supplement, daily to help keep her joints limber. And though she doesn’t like to talk about it, she should lose a few pounds which would help her joints, too.

Dakota is a gem of a dog for some lucky family. If you think you might be that family, 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/. 

Is yours an active family? If so, can we talk? I can’t wait to meet you! We could be BFFs!

Puddin is an absolutely delightful youngster. She is an eleven-month-old German Shepherd mix who is full of youthful energy and joy.

Puddin was surrendered because though her people loved her—they had her for eight months—they are older and didn’t realize she would have so much energy. They decided she needed a younger, more active family. But happily, they told us a lot about her. Puddin loves everyone she gets to know, but can be timid and unsure at first meetings. She has had a pretty sheltered life so far, and new experiences can be scary for her. She has not been around children, so older kids who will be slow and patient with her would be best. She has not been around cats or many dogs. She will need to meet any dog she’ll be going home with. Her former people said, “Puddin is affectionate, playful, and is a lap dog. She is very active, talkative, and will jump up in play. We are an older couple and she is too much for us. Would like to find a great home that she would fit into.”

On Sunday we took Puddin into the big yard, sure she would love playing with the Jolly Ball as much as Dakota did. We were wrong.

We discovered that Puddin liked chasing after the green turtle, but wasn’t great about returning it.

After a few romps around the yard, Puddin decided she liked hanging out with us.

Before we went to Mary’s Place, Puddin wanted some posed bench shots. And pose, she did!

She loved being in Mary’s Place with us.

For a young, active family, Puddin will be a devoted friend and will also keep them laughing. If you would like to meet Puddin, 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/. 

I’ve been featured before, but I’m still waiting for my new family. Maybe you missed seeing me the first time?

Bruno is a big boy at almost 70 pounds. He is a German Shepherd mix. He still needs some training, but he is a quick learner, treat-motivated, and loves people.

Bruno is learning to walk politely on leash but will need continued practice. He knows several cues and will quickly sit when asked. He is such a happy dog when out playing. One volunteer wrote, “He found a toy out in the yard and played with it the whole time. He fetched and played by himself.”

Because of Bruno’s size, and the fact that he can be jumpy when excited, a family experienced with large breeds would be ideal. Bruno’s absolute favorite thing to do is play fetch and he does it with grace. We took him out to the big yard along with the Jolly Ball a few weeks ago. He loved the Jolly Ball, however, unlike Dakota, he never did catch on that he could carry it more easily by the handle.

Last Sunday, we took him to a yard to play fetch with a tennis ball.

He was a little hesitant to get up on the platform for pictures, but finally did.

Bruno can be dog-reactive and is selective in his dog friends. He was adopted once by a young couple, but they lived in a very dog-social neighborhood, and Bruno had a difficult time. He would be very happy to be the only dog in the home.

Did I mention that he LOVES people?

Before we left the yard, Bruno wanted a group shot with some of his fans.

Bruno is a lot of active, playful dog. At only a year old, he still has things to learn. For a family wanting a hiking or camping companion and one who can give him the exercise he needs, he will make a great new family member. If you are interested in meeting Bruno, 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/. 

Gryphon

Gryphon is a five-year-old Boxer mix who was very sad at the shelter. That’s when volunteer Kate stepped up and took him home as a foster dog.

What a wonderful surprise it turned out to be that Kate’s dog, Hank, (an OHS alumnus) and Gryphon became instant BFFs and Gryphon’s personality sprang to life. Here is an update and some pictures.

“Gryphon has been doing great recently! He’s started gaining confidence around strangers and has been enjoying his weekly trips to Starbucks for a Pup-cup. It took a bit, but he’s now friends with both of our cats and they have started to tolerate him. And he’s still best friends with our resident dog, Hank. Gryphon continues to be the biggest cuddle bug in the house. Whenever he has to be in his crate, he does wonderfully and sleeps the whole time with no accidents. Even though Gryphon enjoys spending his day cuddled on the couch, he has spurts of energy and loves his stuffed toys and bones. Gryphon is an amazing dog and anyone would be lucky to have him!”

To read all about Gryphon and see if he might be the perfect addition to your family, click on my post here and scroll down to his feature.

If you would like to meet Gryphon, 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/. 

Hoping for lots of adoptions in the coming days. That’s it for this week!

As always, my thanks to my photo team volunteers Marianne, Megan, Linda, Kate, and photographer Lori.

All of the dogs I have featured today, along with other terrific dogs waiting to be adopted, can be found at Oregon Humane Society Salem Campus. 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 shelter soon. Some dogs are adopted more quickly than you might think.

You can reach me at  adoptanoregondog14@yahoo.com