1.26.2016

Videos, Videos, Videos! | Chandra

This Sunday I tried something new. Instead of taking one dog out of the shelter, I roamed around and did videos of lots of different dogs, hoping to make a compilation of adoptable dogs. After trying to film in playgroups (way too muddy and I'm not good enough with the camera to catch the zoomies), I found the PBSOC dog walkers and got some footage that way. And, of course, I ended up back in the photo room with Shannon, where I always love to hang out.

Two of the dogs I filmed were lucky enough to get picked up by their owners the same day, which left me with seven to edit. Too many hours later, given that I'm still pretty slow with iMovie, here's what I ended up with. (I still need to edit the compilation!) I'm hopeful that these "mini" videos will help the dogs and might even be better in our short-attention-span world.

Let me know what you think, and, of course, enjoy!


First up, Mr. Chill, Jeremy. He was the absolute best dog at his photoshoot, letting us dress him up and sitting very patiently for the camera. I was lucky enough to work with him again later in the day when Erin from Tug Dogs spent time with the PBSOC volunteers teaching us how to better work with the shelter dogs. He was a champ. Although he clearly hadn't spent much time on a leash, by the end of the session, Jeremy had figured out that when I changed directions, he should follow, not dig in his heels and stop. He also spent some happy time sitting on my lap getting a massage. Smart boy! And I learned, thanks to Erin, some good tricks to motivate a dog who isn't interested in treats. Win, win. (Update, Adopted!)


Next is Dorito. You can see by her one sticking-up-like-a-corn chip-ear where she gets her name! This girl looks a little stout, but she surprised me by being a wonderful jogging partner.


Monie is a love. And how cute is she in her "Adopt Me" bandana?


Buggy wins the award for cutest dog getting a belly rub ever. (Update, adopted!)


Josey will capture your heart with her sunshiney spirit. Costume changes are no problem for this roll-with-the-punches girl.


Shannon named Gracie after Grace Kelly, because she's such an elegant and graceful girl.


And lastly, with a super quick appearance and a mega watt smile, Marla. This girl is absolutely gorgeous with her grey brindle coat.


Lots of videos for a days' work. Fingers crossed that they help.

And, if for some reason you cannot see the videos, here are the YouTube links: Jeremy, Dorito, Monie, Buggy, Josey, Gracie, Marla.

xx

Chandra

1.17.2016

Lately, and Justin | Chandra

It's been pretty tough at Bradshaw lately. So very many dogs, management/policy issues that are causing more pit bull type dogs to be euthanized, and saying some very difficult goodbyes to dogs that don't deserve to go. Everyone is feeling pretty battered and there's lots of talk of what we all would do if only we'd won that big Powerball jackpot.

Since none of us did win, we just have to keep on keeping on, doing the best we can each day. We have to remember that what we do helps the dogs, even the ones who don't make it out. At the very least they are loved before they go.

On the upside, there have been nice full groups of new volunteers being trained and new energy and enthusiasm and, frankly, bodies, are all very good things. There was a terrific long-lead training with Ann King that will help all the dogs learn to chill and bring their adrenaline levels down. There was a training with Tug Dogs to teach everyone to work with some of the more challenging dogs at the shelter. Apollo, Banjo, Bandit, Beatrix, Boo, Dopey, Jazmyne, Jo, Jose, Lulu, Mickey, Piper and Tango got adopted this week. And then, of course, there are the dogs themselves. The spunky, joyful, live-in-the moment creatures who lure us to Bradshaw even when we'd all just as soon drink a beer, or three, and never return.

Dogs like Justin. We took this boy to the river today, and, once again, he's a dog we'd take home ourselves if we could. He looks like Aussie's brother, he's a real charmer, and did I mention the kisses? Oh, yes, he's a lover, this one.


(If you cannot see the video below, view it HERE.)

Justin walks beautifully on leash, knows sit, is eager to please his humans and is uber affectionate. He loved the car ride and adores playing with polite female dogs. He has a super soft mouth when he takes treats, is attentive and responsive, and would be a true pleasure to teach things to. If you want a boy who just wants to be your very best friend, Justin is the one. Dogs like Justin are the reason we all volunteer. 

The only thing I know to do when things get especially difficult is to go back to the source. Back to these blocky, squishy, huge grinned faces, to the souls who live to love. Back to the dogs. Back to our hearts.

Update: Justin has been adopted!

xx

Chandra 

1.01.2016

One Dog at a Time | Chandra

Last week, I wrote a post about the dogs who haven't made it out of Bradshaw and I know that it hit so many of you, hard. It is important to acknowledge our losses, but it is even more crucial to celebrate our successes. What we focus on grows.

All of us PBSOC volunteers fall in love with certain dogs. Each day a few more make their way into our hearts. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to see all of the new dogs each week that come into the shelter and it's easy to wonder if it's even possible to find them all homes.

Well, here's a little inspiration for you. This collage features just SOME of the dogs who have been adopted or rescued during the last four months of 2015. Did you catch that? FOUR MONTHS!  I only included dogs who had glamour shots so it doesn't even count the many, many dogs who went home before they had a chance to get a fancy picture. And even of the dogs with great photos, I can guarantee that this isn't everybody. And it also doesn't include the many dogs who are in foster homes right now, safe and happy.


If that doesn't make you think that we're doing some good, I don't think anything will. Look at all those beautiful faces, all of them safe and on to better lives.

The dog walks, the playgroups, the photos, the bios, the videos, the rescue networking, the fostering, the adoption events, the adoption counseling, the social media posts, the laughter, the emails, the hand wringing and the tears. They all lead to this.

One dog at a time. One volunteer at a time.

So, in the spirit of one, here's Apollo. We took him out on a field trip to the park today and made him a video. We petted him and snuggled in the back seat and fed him chicken. We laughed as he chewed up a tennis ball while nestled in a pile of leaves and let him sniff and explore all he wanted. We took him back to the shelter and put him in his kennel and then I edited. And now, we share.

Apollo, we wish you the very, very best. You are a fantastically good boy, with a silky gorgeous coat and a snuggly soft side. You deserve your forever family and we hope they will find you very soon.

(If you cannot see the video below, please view it HERE.)

So PBSOC folks, a big thank you for all that you do. One dog at a time, we're making a difference.

And if you aren't yet volunteering, we'd love to have you on board. You can find lots of info HERE.

Happy New Year!!

xx

Chandra

Update: Apollo was adopted!