This is to give you my impressions of volunteering for the Central Oregon Humane Society by walking dogs. When I update the site, I'll just let you know with an email. If you need to be added to my list, let me know: sbraemer4@gmail.com. So far I'm finding that the Humane Society is a very cheerful place full of people who really care about the animals.
Right or wrong your tivia answer feeds a shelter dog
Exciting times at the shelter, 26 new dogs from California, lots of visitors and a barking competition in full swing. Despite lots of volunteers on hand, Wellington had not yet made it out for a walk. Since he is one of the California dogs from an over crowded shelter nearly nothing is known of his past, just that he is about a year old and mostly Otterhound. As you can see he is also extremely cute.
Wellington was very easy to harness, the promise of a treat goes a long way with him. He loved his walk and is reasonably good on the leash. On our return we made use of the vacant exercise yard to check on some obedience drills. Wellington was very good when close to me and in visual contact (video) but did not connect when I called him from a distant corner. At the time I assumed that he did not know his "very new" name; but hindsight, I'm going to ask the staff if they think he may have a hearing problem. He is very responsive, affectionate and treat motivated, I'm puzzled why he is not better at "come". He is such a cute little guy let's hope he finds a better life here in Oregon.
It's nice that when you check the volunteer board all the dogs have had so many activities, you are just enhancing an already pretty good day for them. We are lucky to live near such a shelter. Newman, a nine month old mostly Short Haired Border Collie, was on his tummy at the back of his kennel. Day three at the shelter and his cautious intelligent eyes were taking it all in. Timid, according to his profile but after just a quick sniff and treat, he was cuddling close as I got him harnessed for our walk.
His profile indicated that he is very people oriented, this became clear early in our walk as he turned every leash untangling into a petting opportunity. There were lots of these since a leash is a new experience for Newman. Actually, almost everything is a new experience for Newman. He and his sister were brought in as strays so their background is anyone's guess. Newman enjoyed his walk, especially turning his leash into a toy.
On our return we stopped in the exercise yard for a much appreciated romp. A Border Collie puppy is never low on energy. Newman does not yet have the ball or fetch concept; However he's good at "come" since he loves being close to you. When I told him to sit, he did it, then quickly went down and rolled over for belly rubs. He is also the first dog I've seen, curious enough about the agility tunnel to enter it and go halfway through - three times! Unfortunately the combination of his newness, intelligence and caution about new things (except the agility tunnel) did not bode well for photos. He was uncomfortable around the camera and it shows.
As we were returning to the shelter a family stopped to talk about him; apparently, just yesterday he would not even leave his kennel for them. He has certainly made big gains since then, as he quickly went to his back for belly rubs from them today! He is such a sweetheart, even does well with other dogs and cats; let's hope he finds his new family soon.
Ranger was adopted last week. His new family includes a wonderful human mom and dad plus a doggy friend. The volunteers and shelter staff loved him and will miss him but are so happy he is home at last.
Every time I've been to the shelter in weeks and weeks (since August 23!), I've said hi to Ranger. He is always sitting there like a stoic little Buddha, his kennel festooned with colored blankets, cheerful remarks taped everywhere, plus a portrait by a local artist. He is hard to miss. According to his profile he was surrendered because his owners had no time to train him. He is four, but looks older since, as a cattle dog mix gray is one of his typical colors. Also, he is up a few pounds since he is quite happy with the shelter buffet plus his many adoring volunteer fans keep him well supplied with treats. Add in his coup de grace; did you ever see such a nose? He has some appearance challenges.
Though he had already been out, I had some extra time, my doggy number two would be Ranger. He cuddled close as I harnessed him and we were off. We met visitors just outside the shelter door and his nose gave them pause. I patiently explained that "No, it was not two noses, just one with a crease in the middle. Have to admit, it does look like two half noses.
On our walk, it was evident that Ranger has the routine down. He is perfect on the leash. After about 20 minutes we stopped at the exercise yard for obedience drills. He is wonderfully obedient. Ranger has it all, totally lovable and cuddly, gets along well with other dogs and cats and is already trained. Whoever is fortunate enough to see what's inside this odd little package will never regret it.
Another busy, noisy Saturday at the shelter; visitors everywhere, dogs seeing who could bark the loudest and longest and Stanley still stood out. He is one of those totally happy dogs, whose face lights up and whose entire body wags to greet you. He did this for everyone we met on our walk. Stanley is a one year old bull terrier mix and so very sweet. He backed away politely as I entered his kennel, stood still while I harnessed him, and waited for me to exit the kennel door first. I'm already impressed!
Stanley was recently neutered so an off leash romp in the exercise was not on the agenda. He will need a few more recovery days before before full out play can resume. We had a good walk in the desert but Stanley definitely would have liked some fetch and run around time. He is just full of puppy energy but fortunately very obedient. He does sit, down, and shake hands (videos), since he could not be off leash, there is no video for fetch and come, but according to his profile, he is quite a ball player.
He is a dog who just loves everyone and that includes other dogs and cats. Let's hope he finds his new family soon.
At just before 3:00 PM all of the dogs had been out with volunteers at least once. Molly, with a rap sheet as long as your arm, seemed the obvious choice. A seven month Old English Sheepdog (OES) puppy with training issues - mouthy (translation, she considers you the best chew toy EVER), needs LOTS of work with the leash, and jumping up on you, well what would you expect. It's not that I go looking for trouble, but quite a few years ago I had a wonderful OES, Mandy; she stayed very much a puppy till age two; and she never had to endure the stressful conditions that Molly is now living in. I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
First surprise, though up on her hind legs to greet me she backed up and stayed away from the door when I said "back"and she held very still while getting harnessed. Once outside our first stop was the exercise yard. Bad idea. She was so excited that as soon as I attempted to undo her harness, the mouthiness began. I thought the distractions of a walk would be a better idea, so off we went.
Molly darts here and there, getting herself tangled in the leash predictably and as I reach down to untangle her, the mouthiness begins. Just a loud "No", scared her into stopping but did not really solve the problem. On the next untangling, I put my hands down on her harness, as soon as she attempted the chew toy game, I tucked my hands away, became a statue, shortened her leash so that she had no choice but to become a statue also, and, after just two times, she got it. She had to stop the chew toy game or no more walk. Just love the intelligence of this breed.
Our second stop in the exercise yard was more productive. Molly is very good at fetch, including dropping the ball in front of you with no need for a treat. She is also good at sit but has not mastered down. She would not go far enough away from me to try the come command. She is pretty amazing for a seven month old pup in her circumstances. As I was putting her through obedience drills I looked up to see a couple watching us, who were interested in adopting her. As I walked Molly back toward the shelter I was not surprised when a staff person told me that someone was completing adoption papers on Molly. However I was surprised that it was not the couple I'd met outside. Let's hope Molly's new owner takes the time to develop her into the wonderful friend she can become.
It took Danica no time at all to find her forever home. She was adopted in just a few days, her hearing issues not a drawback. She is likely fully settled in by now cuddling on her new owner's lap.
Just thought I'd let you know about this new program the Humane Society is implementing to help feral cats.
Greetings Volunteers-
We are excited to announce the launch our new TNR Feral Cat Program.
TNR = TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN
Many communities and published papers have found that successful
control of feral and outdoor un-owned cats is best achieved by
trap-neuter-return. This concept is not new, but is being more fully
embraced nationwide as a way to keep cat numbers low without the need
for euthanasia.
Feral cats that are brought to the Humane Society of Central Oregon by
the public are now being enrolled in our TNR program. If the cats are
determined to be healthy by our veterinarian and fit for an outdoor life
they receive the following medical care:
Spay or neuter surgery
Vaccinations (for upper respiratory infection, Panleukopenia and rabies)
Deworming
The tip of their ear is removed.
The
ear tip is removed to permanently and easily identify them as being
spayed or neutered so that trapping is not attempted or, if trapped,
they can be quickly released.
Cats are returned within blocks of the location they were originally
trapped, as they will know the resources for food, water and shelter in
that area. There are no laws in Oregon regarding cats and this is not abandonment. These cats are going back to their home but in an improved state – unable to reproduce, vaccinated and dewormed.
We strive to do the best for all of the animals in our care and this is
just one more step that the Humane Society of Central Oregon has taken,
utilizing the latest published research for the betterment of animals
and of our community.
