Shelter Journal 5/28/13

I waited until this morning to post as I was awaiting some pictures and videos from the adoption event this last weekend. Sugar was a star! Here is what the wonderful volunteer who handled Sugar had to say.

"As the old saying goes "you cannot judge a book by its cover" so applies to this precious girl Sugar. What a joy it was to handle her on Saturday.

Our day started great as she was another “road trip candidate” riding in the car – so well behaved. I knew the minute we arrived at the event it was going to be a good day as she was so good with all the dogs especially that smaller group. No reaction to their usual barking at her, actually greeting them very nicely as she did all the dogs she met. She formed a very special bond with the dog Kitty from Central. You would think they had been kenneled together. Kitty being a bit more dominant in some ways, but that was perfectly ok with Sugar. Sugar knows sit very [well], responds to the command OFF which was great as she enjoys people so much tends to want to jump as many dogs will do.

Once settled in she thoroughly enjoyed her treats taking them ever so gently. Sugar exhibited absolutely zero food aggression when her and Kitty were given treats simultaneously side by side. Their behavior together was remarkable given they are both females , both in the age range of 17-18 months old. Sugar would do best in a home with another canine , with children probably over 8 as she is still very puppy . One last note, Sugar took a bit of time warming up to me but as the day progressed it was evident that she would be a very loving dog in no time at all was given that forever home. Sugar is already another favorite with me!"

Sugar and Kitty

There were several short videos taken of them playing. Sugar was quite stiff. Her head held high, her tail high and stiff, and she unwilling to be pinned down. She has not had interaction and play with another dog in at least 3 months and I know I'd be really socially awkward if I didn't interact with a person for 3 months! Overall there was nothing inappropriate, but they weren't well-matched play buddies due to Sugar trying to [re-]learn how to play and Kitty's exuberance. Kitty was very floppy and loose, giving lots of indications that she had peaceful intentions but you can see she is uncomfortable with Sugar's tension as she shows a lot of "whale eye" where the whites of her eyes show. Sugar could use more play dates! The volunteers handling Sugar and Kitty did a wonderful job keeping them from getting too immersed in their play. For dogs, it can be irritating when they are constantly prevented from playing but given this situation it was appropriate and advisable to prevent intense play.


At the shelter yesterday, I started with No Name Damon, a terrier mix. My volunteer mentor had sent me this image in the morning before I left and asked me to check him out.

Photo from SDDAC

He didn't look as rough as he does in that picture, but the poor guy has definitely suffered neglect, if not abuse. When I went into his kennel he was at the back of it, far away from me. Head low but eyes looking up toward me, tail low. I got the leash on and he walked fine on leash, not confident but not easily startled or skittish. When I went to pet his neck before taking the leash off he *very* slightly curled his lip so I just left the leash on and had him drag it. He explored the interaction yard area. Tail was low and not wagging, head kept pretty low. I spoke softly and calmly to him and I sat on the ground. Eventually he came up to me. I didn't reach toward him, just let him sniff me. He chose to stay by me so I began gently petting his back and shoulders, and as he got more comfortable with me he wanted his head and chin petted too. He did not lip curl at me again after that first one. His eyes are really milky/cloudy and there is yellowish crusty gunk around the edges so I don't think he can see well. I made a note on his card to let him approach and sniff before petting him. He has a big irritated red spot on the top of one hip about 2" diameter. His ears are really nasty too. He had no interest in toys, nor would he take treats but they may have been due to stress. Once I started petting him, he stayed right next to me.

Next to the unnamed terrier mix was Zoey [Petfinder link]. She had not been out in 10 days!! I had her walk nicely to the interaction yard, where she then ran around and played. She had too much energy to even stop to pick up toys that I tossed. Though she would chase, she'd then turn around and keep running. I kept walking around, tossing toys for her for and then took her on a walk. She did pretty well, especially considering she hadn't been out in so long. At the turn around point is a big tree and she flopped and laid down in the shade for a while before we turned around.

Photo from SDDAC

Close to Zoey is Dobie [Petfinder link], who I had out last time. He sits very nicely in the kennel while you put the leash on, but once out he pulls and pulls. I had him run around in the yard for a bit but a staff member needed one of the yards for potential adopters to meet dogs so I gave it up and took him on a walk.

Sugar [Petfinder link] is in the same kennel row and I'd been working my way down toward her anyway. She still jumps quite a bit in the kennel but I waited her out until she sat before I put the leash on. She got right up but I had her sit again before opening the kennel door. Once out she walked very well on leash. She sat before I opened the gate to the yard, and sat again while I got the leash off. She was not interested in toys at all. After sniffing around she cuddled right up to me and rubbed against my legs. I spent a good 10 minutes petting and massaging her while I sat on the ground. Before I took her on a walk. She walked almost perfectly, just pulling slightly in the beginning.

Sitting on the ground!

When I am on the bench she does this

Frog legs!

Final dog today was Lana [Petfinder link]. Last Thursday my volunteer mentor had Lana out and looked exasperated. "Oh, that's the dog I had out on Tuesday I was telling you about, that she was walking perfect on leash!" She looked skeptical, and said Lana was difficult to connect with. Today after getting her to the yard and giving her time to chase toys (I picked up all the balls and used my red Kong ball, she's a chewer!) I invited her to me. Sideways body, patting my leg, happy voice. She came over and loved being petted for a moment. She was then distracted and excited when a dog came into the next yard, so I took her on a walk. Slow going at first, as was getting her to the yard in the first place, lots of stop and go. Once in the parking lot she was better, and a few minutes later she was doing very well. I sent this photo to my volunteer mentor. I don't feel like she was difficult to connect with. She is easily distracted, but she has so much energy!

Final note, Hondo got adopted!! I'm happy for him, he's a really fun dog.