Geronimo has a forever home

Geronimo found his forever home early this past week. It took him awhile as he had lots of small dog competition from a very large group of cuties from an overcrowded California shelter. However the right person finally came along and this, one time shy little fellow, connected in a big way.

Duke

As I signed in on a busy Saturday morning, I noticed that Duke, a beautiful Red Bone Coon Hound was still waiting to be adopted. When I got back to the dog area and saw that he had not yet had a walk, I knew who my walking buddy would be. Unfortunately Coon Hounds suffer from type casting. Many potential Central Oregon adopters picture them racing through a South Eastern forest baying with their buddies, on a serious hunt. I have to admit, I'm sometimes guilty of this same type casting. Whenever I walk a working breed I take two long leashes hooked together so that they have as much freedom as possible to do their sniffing/hunting behavior. Duke also had a note on his kennel to use a "no pull" harness. I gathered up equipment, doggie treats and all my prejudices and went off to meet Duke.

He was waiting for me at his back door, standing on his hind legs gazing happily into my eyes, he is big. The first thing I noticed is that he had no plastic collar to grab; however he took one whiff of the doggy treats in one pocket and my jerky snack in the other pocket and he sat so fast on command, he practically sat in his water dish. This was one obedient dog! I got his regular collar attached with his leash and we were off to the front desk for the "no pull" harness. They were busy so he had to wait; once again he quickly sat on command then flopped down onto the floor until the staff had time to get the special harness on him.

Our first outside stop was the exercise yard, he enjoyed some leisurely sniffing, had no interest in fetch, but was completely thrilled to come when I called him and sit for a treat. After a little while of this we started our walk; I was all ready for our mini hunt, I lashed the two leashes together, and started walking into the desert. Duke really did not want to go; he of course walked with me when I told him to, but his heart was not in it. He wanted to amble around the parking lot. He just loves trucks; he not only sniffs every inch of the tires, but puts his paws up on the doors so that he can see in the windows, etc. Being a Saturday, the parking area had lots of activity; at one point, a visitor dog broke away from his owner and came bounding over. I quickly leashed Duke in closely but he was so polite and gentle with the other dog, I had no need for concern. To finish out our walk I led him on to the grass surrounding the building, less chance of running into visitors. Duke was enjoying sniffing around in the shady shrubbery when I heard unmistakable kitty meowing. Two of the cutest tabby kittens were in the enclosure area that fronts onto the Shelter yard, they were less than ten feet away. The kittens were very interested in Duke. Duke, however behaved as though he was afraid of them and kept his distance. I think this is probably a very healthy behavior for a dog of his size who needs to be able to fit into a variety of family situations. Duke is a sweet gentle creature who will be happy in just about any situation, but wildly happy if it includes a truck.

Bindi

I knew I would be walking an adoptable dog in the Bend Pet Parade but it was not until I arrived and started toward the Humane Society tent through the parade staging area crowded with many, many dogs, that the reality started to dawn. I was about to bring a dog who was not surrounded by comfortable family members, and who had recently been transported from her kennel via car to me, a stranger, into this chaos. I got to the Shelter's tent, signed in, and waited for my walking buddy to arrive. As I read Bindi's profile, she certainly looked promising; a three year old Heeler/Pit Bull mix who not only could do all the standard obedience drills, but also liked other dogs and cats. In addition she has the really cute behavior of mimicking you if you get down on the floor with her. I crossed my fingers as I looked up and saw her being led across the street toward the tent by the shelter director - showtime! We took a few minutes to get acquainted, get her suited up into her "Adopt Me" jacket and, with another volunteer/dog team, headed for the pandemonium across the street.

Bindi is a medium size dog at about 40 pounds but we clustered in the Big Dog waiting area so the shelter dogs could be near each other in the parade. We were crammed so tightly with dogs and their owners that you could not turn around without bumping into someone. We waited in this area for at least a half hour. I knew Bindi was excited because when I gave her a command eg sit, she would respond but would not a accept treat; she was too excited to eat. When dogs many times her size approached her sniffing, licking, etc. from all directions, she remained perfectly calm, positive, and friendly but completely in control of each interaction. If any of you have ever watched Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer (TV show), one of his "perfect dogs" will often take this role when he is working to correct someone's problem dog. With each passing minute I was more impressed with Bindi, as were many of the other dog owners we were crushed in with!

Finally the Parade began. I decided that in order to give Bindi maximum exposure we would walk the outside edge so that I could see how she'd interact with the hundreds of well wishers along the route, some of them canine. Bindi loved prancing along welcoming the oohs, ahs, and pets from the spectators. About 3/4 of the way through, she seemed to be getting thirsty so she paid a lot of attention to those with water bottles and coffee cups! I think she enjoyed every minute and so did I. Great day, even greater dog.

Miranda has a forever home

Miranda, the "A list dog" was adopted early last week by some lucky family. I know she will do well, she is such a loving people pleaser.

Miranda

Glancing through the volunteer's log I noticed that Miranda seemed to be on everyone's A list; very sweet, great on the leash, just wonderful,etc. She had not yet had a volunteer walk, and I could not resist her face! As I met her at the back of her kennel she was jumping up and down completely thrilled. She is a beautiful brown Rottweiler mix, about six years old and quite a few pounds overweight, so she packs a lot of momentum. I crossed my fingers that she was as well behaved as her reputation suggested and opened her door. She was wildly excited and squirming all over but sat immediately on command, no treat required! Once outside our first stop was the exercise yard where fetch and general racing around made up for her sedentary morning. She is good at fetch, sit, and come but needs more work on down and shake hands.

She is great on the leash, no pulling at all and so happy, her tail just flops back and forth all the time. She is very affectionate, responding to pets plus nuzzling and pushing you with her head when you are sitting beside her. According to her profile she also gets along with other dogs and cats. She is a total sweetie, it is easy to see why she is such a volunteer favorite. Since she will do well in so many types of families let's hope she finds her's soon.

Geronimo

Geronimo was the other dog who, at just after one, had not yet had a volunteer walk. A cute one year old Chihuahua mix with big hazel eyes and a little tan wiggly body; I was kind of surprised that he had not yet been out with a volunteer. As I opened his back door he was squirming all over with happiness but backed away when I approached him. After a few tries, I put a treat in one hand and petting him with the other, managed to loop my finger under his plastic ID collar eventually getting his walking collar and leash attached. Though shy, he is so sweet he just kept wagging in a crouched position, scared but still cooperating.

We started in the exercise yard and, except for a potty stop, he did not seem to want to there. Ball chasing and toys were just not his thing, getting petted and talked to are what he loves. We had several paws up for pets stops early in our walk. As we continued, he seemed to gain confidence, putting up his ears and prancing along. When we came within sight of other dogs, he showed interest, not fear. After about a half an hour, he seemed to want to find shady spots for little rests. The day was warm, but he is such a young dog, I was a little surprised. On our return I read his profile more carefully and it says that he is quite the couch potato. My best guess is that, though young, he was with someone who was unable to give him exercise and that he is just out of shape. Let's hope he finds his forever person to get him back in shape and let him know he is really home.

Lola has a forever home

Sweet little Lola has found her forever person. As usual, I have no specifics but as I returned her to her kennel there were already three adoption holds listed for her so I'm not surprised that she had just a short wait.