Oh shit. Ya'll know I volunteer at the humane society right? This thread is dangerous. BTW: There is a dog named Kimani that is the best and I can't believe she is still there. I haven't hung out with Decian yet as he just got done being screened. Anyway - I shall continue holding back from posting dogs across all networks.
I want to adopt all the dogs in the world They kill me, all these worried good dogs
If you are on the fence about getting a dog and aren't sure if you should, I am happy to be a resource in helping you figure that out, and answering any and all questions you have about how it actually works and how much it costs and what you do and what the dog needs and anything else you're worried about! It's true that not everyone should get a dog, but if you're even slightly considering it and if you think you've got a good situation for a dog let me help convince you!!!!!!!!! Best decision Gary and I ever made, no question. Better than getting married, which was a great decision. BEST PART OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER, aside from our human love.
Abe that's cool that you volunteer there. I used to volunteer as a dog walker back in the day, and eventually adopted one of those 'unadoptable' dogs that ended up being the best dog to ever exist on the planet. I used my URHO blog to try to get people to adopt dogs, so in my opinion you should post many dogs here and give us the lowdown on the particularly sweet ones!
I suggest everyone contact YT (or this writer), and NOT Bill Mc, for dog adoption advice. It is true that Bill Mc has an uncanny ability to select the best dogs on the planet (2 for 2 now!), but he also is in the very lucky position of being partnered with a lovely woman who, despite her best attempts, is easily cajoled into caring (for years at a time) for the awesome dogs he adopts when it is not convenient for Bill Mc to do so.
I know! I think Bill Mc was referring to his past dog, Tess, who was also unbelievably amazing. But our current dummy was in various pounds for 2+ years and was only saved because some lady outside of Salem who runs a DIY husky rescue took him in. That's where Bill Mc found him.
He is the most mild-mannered, least needy dog in the universe who is gentle with all humans and other animals, alike. I just love him.
both Tess and Ukiah were deemed 'problems' by the places who cared for them before I adopted them. Tess had a sketchy past and no teeth thanks to a jerk who kept her in a cage that she tried to chew her way out of, so nobody wanted to adopt her. The OR Humane society did so much outreach trying to find her a home- she was even on TV once! But nobody would take her so she lived at the Humane Society for almost a year, until I took her home. It's actually all well documented here: http://urbanhonking.com/actionitems/2006/12/25/a_dog_named_tess/
Ukiah lived for a year at the Newberg Animal Shelter and was set to be euthanized but then saved by a rescue in Salem, where he continued to live for another year. When I called to ask about him they were literally freaking out that someone was showing interest in him. He is a beautiful dog, but also had had little training and was perhaps a little bit intimidating to people. If only they knew what a sweet wimpy guy he is! In both cases, the Or Humane Society (where Tess was) and Hopes Haven (where Ukiah was) waved the adoption fee because they were so elated someone wanted to adopt these old dogs that had just been stuck in shelters for far too long. All those fools who had the chance to adopt them but didn't are true suckers!!!!
THE GENTLE WHALE!!!
(but Franklin is a fine skinny snoopy himself! what he lacks in laziness he makes up for in snaziness!)
I am about to go volunteer now, I'll get back with the dirty deets. I just took an offer for a full-time gig which will definitely affect my volunteer hours :(
one of my FAVORITE things in the world, especially pertaining to a list like this, is going back and clicking on the link of a dog and seeing it updated with the word ADOPTED on it! At least three of the dogs posted above have found new homes in the past couple days! CONGRATULATIONS AWESOME DOGS AND YOUR AWESOME NEW OWNERS!!!!!
A long haired dachshund is on my very short list of dogs I could possibly be OK with owning. The way they burrow under a blanket on the couch and then stick their nose out is so stupid and hilarious.
My favorite part of volunteering is walking in and taking notes about who isn't there anymore. OHS finds homes for 99% of their animals, usually within a few weeks. There's actually some really cool math stats in the back regarding average adoption time per breed (based on OHS numbers).
totally Abe! I remember it always being bitter sweet when I'd go to walk dogs and find one of my favorites no longer there. I'd be so happy they found a home, but sad to not see that dog anymore. OHS is truly awesome, one of the BEST humane societies in the country.
Mom's getting a puppy next week and I'm telling her everything I can think to tell her, all the while remembering puppyhood and feeling SO RELIEVED that our dog is now closer to adult dog status. When we go to the park she only wants to run for five minutes, then she lays down and stretches and sniffs the grass and squints into the sun. I am changing her name to Ferdinand.
I can only imagine getting a puppy if I didn't have a job. I DO NOT understand why it is such a "thing" to have like a 2 year old child and then be like "now is definitely the time to get a puppy," what on earth are people thinking
Even old long-legs himself, who was 4 months when we got him, so really on the cusp of teenagerdom, was still a true handful for awhile at first. Remember when he ate James Franco's book of short stories
Dog. I walked her to work today over the broadway bridge and between the cars and the bikes it was a total mess. Poor dear. Now devising a more relaxing route home.
She used to be totally fine with traffic and bikes, but now when a car zooms close by she lunges. Ugh, terrifying.
She is the best fucking dog. Super deep soul styles. This dog will be loyal as hell and she is super soft! If you know anyone looking that doesn't already have a dog or cat, let them know about this dog. She knows sit, down, and shake and is an awesome walker, but can totes be mellow too. I can't believe she is still at OHS because she is so damn gorgeous! Doesn't even shed that much, compared to non-siberian Huskies.
Unsolicited advice (the best kind!): don't shy from those areas or you'll never be able to go on a stress-free urban walk with him. Obviously be safe so maybe don't attack the busiest streets for a while but you need to use the situation that creates the undesirable behavior to change it, so head down a busy street at least once per walk. Dogs are association machines.
Pay attention to the direction of his muzzle and as soon as he shifts his attention onto the street for any reason give him a little shoosh and tug. You will find yourself doing this a ridiculous amount of times. If it turns into a battle enforce a sit/wait until things calm, if a total tantrum then head down a side street and do a lie/stay as close to the main street as you dare and work your way closer.
Before walking your "street gauntlet" part of the walk make sure he is fairly tired, and if you don't do this already make sure you lead him out of the house and keep him at your hip or behind when walking. (easier said than done with a large dog I know)
Best way I've found to train a dog to walk nicely on leash is to start out where you can change direction at will (parking lot, field, non busy neighborhood streets) and as soon as he starts to lead abruptly switch direction resulting in a yank as you head off w/o him. The millisecond the leash snaps bark out your code word. (Mine is: "With me!") For a big dog you can let it snap pretty hard, smaller dogs maybe just give a little leading tug. The idea is that it should be a little bit of a shock for them. Again, at first you will be doing this almost constantly but eventually they will figure out they don't know where you are going and start to follow. After a while you can just say your code word and they will slow-up reflexively.
Buddy Jordan was put down yesterday, a few days after it was discovered that his degenerative illness was going to get worse. He got a nice car ride around sauvies island a bunch of hamburgers to eat, and lots of love before he went down. They are so good to dogs there! Buddy Jordan had bad skin allergies and had been adopted and returned at least four times, but he was such a lovely, nice dog!
Comments
Anyway - I shall continue holding back from posting dogs across all networks.
They kill me, all these worried good dogs
If you are on the fence about getting a dog and aren't sure if you should, I am happy to be a resource in helping you figure that out, and answering any and all questions you have about how it actually works and how much it costs and what you do and what the dog needs and anything else you're worried about! It's true that not everyone should get a dog, but if you're even slightly considering it and if you think you've got a good situation for a dog let me help convince you!!!!!!!!! Best decision Gary and I ever made, no question. Better than getting married, which was a great decision. BEST PART OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER, aside from our human love.
Also, please scratch Declan's head for me!
JUST SAYIN.
How could that dog have been "unadoptable?" That is some BULLSHIT
He is the most mild-mannered, least needy dog in the universe who is gentle with all humans and other animals, alike. I just love him.
Ukiah lived for a year at the Newberg Animal Shelter and was set to be euthanized but then saved by a rescue in Salem, where he continued to live for another year. When I called to ask about him they were literally freaking out that someone was showing interest in him. He is a beautiful dog, but also had had little training and was perhaps a little bit intimidating to people. If only they knew what a sweet wimpy guy he is! In both cases, the Or Humane Society (where Tess was) and Hopes Haven (where Ukiah was) waved the adoption fee because they were so elated someone wanted to adopt these old dogs that had just been stuck in shelters for far too long. All those fools who had the chance to adopt them but didn't are true suckers!!!!
THE GENTLE WHALE!!!
(but Franklin is a fine skinny snoopy himself! what he lacks in laziness he makes up for in snaziness!)
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157435#.Uxy6U15r3UU
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=156121#.UxzajChs67c
Mia, who looks like our dog Gia bred with Keanu Reeves.
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157063#.Ux39Ul5FrFI
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=150440#.Ux4bEKLn9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157300#.Ux4bs6Ln9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=156625#.Ux4b46Ln9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157261#.Ux4cBKLn9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157603#.Ux4cF6Ln9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157632#.Ux4cPKLn9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157601#.Ux4tD15r3UU
We sometimes consider a dachshund just because they are SO dumb looking
My adult cat is the BEST CAT. I didn't have to wonder what kind of a vibe he would have, because he already had it. And it's a great vibe.
Try someone like Rupert http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157810#.UyNr_1FdWRQ
Or Sparky http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=156978#.UyNsBVFdWRQ
go for it!!!!!
we can't have cats because of Old Beardo's terrible allergies. I always loved having a cat but no more!
Mom's getting a puppy next week and I'm telling her everything I can think to tell her, all the while remembering puppyhood and feeling SO RELIEVED that our dog is now closer to adult dog status. When we go to the park she only wants to run for five minutes, then she lays down and stretches and sniffs the grass and squints into the sun. I am changing her name to Ferdinand.
I DO NOT understand why it is such a "thing" to have like a 2 year old child and then be like "now is definitely the time to get a puppy," what on earth are people thinking
Even old long-legs himself, who was 4 months when we got him, so really on the cusp of teenagerdom, was still a true handful for awhile at first. Remember when he ate James Franco's book of short stories
Our doglet, still VERY excited to see new people every time though.
She used to be totally fine with traffic and bikes, but now when a car zooms close by she lunges. Ugh, terrifying.
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=155988#.Uyyd66Ln9p8
http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/detail.asp?animalID=157063#.UyyxE16pIgM
She is the best fucking dog. Super deep soul styles. This dog will be loyal as hell and she is super soft! If you know anyone looking that doesn't already have a dog or cat, let them know about this dog. She knows sit, down, and shake and is an awesome walker, but can totes be mellow too. I can't believe she is still at OHS because she is so damn gorgeous! Doesn't even shed that much, compared to non-siberian Huskies.
Unsolicited advice (the best kind!): don't shy from those areas or you'll never be able to go on a stress-free urban walk with him. Obviously be safe so maybe don't attack the busiest streets for a while but you need to use the situation that creates the undesirable behavior to change it, so head down a busy street at least once per walk. Dogs are association machines.
Pay attention to the direction of his muzzle and as soon as he shifts his attention onto the street for any reason give him a little shoosh and tug. You will find yourself doing this a ridiculous amount of times. If it turns into a battle enforce a sit/wait until things calm, if a total tantrum then head down a side street and do a lie/stay as close to the main street as you dare and work your way closer.
Before walking your "street gauntlet" part of the walk make sure he is fairly tired, and if you don't do this already make sure you lead him out of the house and keep him at your hip or behind when walking. (easier said than done with a large dog I know)
Best way I've found to train a dog to walk nicely on leash is to start out where you can change direction at will (parking lot, field, non busy neighborhood streets) and as soon as he starts to lead abruptly switch direction resulting in a yank as you head off w/o him. The millisecond the leash snaps bark out your code word. (Mine is: "With me!") For a big dog you can let it snap pretty hard, smaller dogs maybe just give a little leading tug. The idea is that it should be a little bit of a shock for them. Again, at first you will be doing this almost constantly but eventually they will figure out they don't know where you are going and start to follow. After a while you can just say your code word and they will slow-up reflexively.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/04/oregon_humane_society_offers_5.html#incart_m-rpt-1
Does a forward-walking paw-stand to pee.
What's up now!?!?!?!