On Shelter Dogs and Luck | Chandra

It happens to all of us dog people...you are out for a walk and you see him. You look around hopefully for someone, anyone, who might just be the owner. Maybe he's just off leash and his owner is here, somewhere, please. You approach the dog, hoping for a collar, crossing your fingers for a tag with a working phone number. And sometimes you luck out, the collar is there, the dog lets you approach and you can actually read the tag. The address is somewhere nearby and you take the dog home to nice people who answer the door and are completely stunned that their loved dog has somehow gotten out. They are grateful and you leave with a smile.

But mostly, that's not how it happens. Usually, there isn't such an easy ending. The dog won't let you near it, there is a collar but no tags, or the phone number rings and rings. And sometimes there's this...

Last night, while out for a walk with a friend in my decidedly upscale neighborhood, I spotted a skinny black and white dog at the edge of the lake. I thought it belonged to some people fishing but when I asked them they said "No, we always keep our dogs on leashes." I tried to get close to the timid boy, but he wouldn't let me anywhere near him and ran across the street to some houses. He went to first one porch and then another so I hoped that he lived in one of these houses. At one of the doors, a sweet lady answered and said that maybe that was Molly, who lived next door. When I rang, no one answered the doorbell, and I walked around to see if maybe their gate was open. Sure enough, no latch and Molly had nosed her way back into the yard. In front of the gate there was an old tire half buried in the dirt and lots of empty bottles on the ground. Molly was slinking, tail between her legs, barking at me, extremely skinny and not very healthy looking.

When I came back around, three boys were standing in the open front door, just in shorts, no shirts. All of them looked a little uncared for themselves and when I asked them about Molly being so skinny, the oldest boy told me that Molly was just old. I let them know the latch on the gate wasn't working and went back to my friend and our walk. She told me that when she's seen that garage door open, it looks like a hoarder's house, and I imagine that might be the case. Those three boys had a hungry look about them underneath their freckles, not that happy healthy look you hope for.

When I tell people I volunteer at the shelter, the most common response I get is "I could never do that. I'd feel so sorry for all the dogs and want to take them all home." I usually respond with something like, "Well, you get used to it and shelters are much better these days with lots of great people working to make it good for the dogs."

But really, that's not the whole truth. The truth is that I firmly believe that the dogs in our shelter are much better off than a great many dogs that are in homes.

I spent time with a tan pit bull with cute triangle ears named Katy last weekend. She's a confiscate dog who came from a dog fighting case and has spent nearly all of her two years in the shelter after arriving at just eight weeks old. Katy hasn't ever been in a home or taken a trip to the river or slept with her human in a bed. She's never had a person of her very own to love. She hasn't had a lot of things. It's very easy to feel sorry for Katy.

But like most everything in this world, there is another side to the story if you look a little deeper. Katy has a whole crew of people who love her and take care of her. Katy has a warm, dry place to sleep with a raised bed and a clean blanket every day. She has an outdoor area where the volunteers can play with her and she can hang out with her stuffed toy and her tennis ball and things to sniff and other dogs to watch walk by. She has her brother Odin to wrestle with. She gets walks most days and a caring human to pet her and snuggle with her and tell her she's beautiful. Katy knows how to sit and stay and lay down and walk nicely on a leash and how to fetch a tennis ball. She regularly gets a Kong stuffed with peanut butter and a bath to keep her coat shiny and soft. Katy gets her shots and is strong and healthy and eats good food. The volunteers know that Katy likes a lap to cuddle in and are happy to oblige her. Katy is loved.

I'm pretty sure that Katy has a much better life than Molly does. I know she has it much better than the two dogs who used to live next door to us and almost never got out of their small cement dog run. When their owners moved, they dropped them off at the shelter before they went and I'm pretty sure their consciences were clear. I know she has it better than Lola, a pretty husky who lives all her hours behind a chain link fence, who one of the PB Soc volunteers writes about on Facebook.

So next time someone asks me that question, that "How can you do it?" question, I'm going to answer differently. I'm going to say, "You know what? These dogs, these wonderful shelter dogs, they aren't the ones you need to feel sorry for. They've got a second chance and most of them will find new homes after they've spent some time being taken care of by people who truly do care. Their worst days are behind them."

Our shelter dogs really are the lucky ones. They have a chance for a wonderful life and a safe place to wait for their forever families to find them. The few who don't make it out will at least exit this world with a kind word and a gentle touch. And I am lucky too. Lucky to be able to play a little part in making their wait a good one.

Giving Katy some kisses.

Katy's Glamour Shot | Photo by Shannon Skalisky

If you are interested in learning more about Katy, or any of the other wonderful dogs looking for homes, please visit SacCountyDogs.com. Sweet Katy even has her own Webpage.

Still Waiting | Bailey & Murphy (Adopted!)

Two of my very favorite dogs are still waiting for someone to choose them and take them home...Bailey & Murphy.

Bailey is an absolutely gorgeous German Shepherd looking girl, who already knows several commands that she is happy to trot out for you in return for a treat: sit, down & shake. She walks perfectly on the leash, checks in often to make sure she's doing everything right, and will sit right down in your lap if you invite her in to snuggle. The volunteers at the shelter all know her and love her and their eyes light up when she comes near. No one can resist her charm and her happy, open face. Bailey seems to be house trained, she's good with other dogs, and she's smart too. It is way past time for her to have a family of her own to love.

Bailey

Murphy, oh Murphy you sweet, sweet boy. We've taken Murphy on two field trips, to the Easter Egg hunt at Del Webb and to an adoption event at Petco. Both times he was a joy to be around. He rides in the car like a champ, and especially liked snuggling up with Chloe in the backseat. He greets toddlers, seniors and anyone who came to pet him with a wiggly butt and a bit smile. Murphy also loves playgroups and is an all around fun boy. He also loves to climb into your lap for a snuggle.

Murphy

Some dogs just steal your heart and Bailey and Murphy have absconded with mine. I cannot wait to see their pictures on the adoption post some Monday soon. Today is Sunday and when I left the shelter, they were still there. I've got my fingers and toes crossed for these two.

If you think Bailey or Murphy might be a fit for you please visit their pages on the PB SOC site (Bailey • Murphy), or you can see them in person at the Bradshaw Shelter. All adoptions are 50% off through the month of April and the shelter is completely full. If you are looking for a dog, now is the time. And if not you, maybe someone you know might just fall in love with one of these two cuties. So please do share!

Let's get Bailey and Murphy home.

xo

Chandra

Update: Both Murphy and Bailey were adopted and are safe at home:)

Murphy's Easter Field Trip | Chandra (Update: Adopted)

Sunshine, grass, plastic eggs, a buffet with strawberries, mini croissants, donuts rolled in colored sprinkles, sweet iced tea. Little girls in Easter dresses. The Easter Bunny in a golf cart festooned with crepe paper streamers. A white gazebo surrounded by rose bushes just starting to open their blossoms.

And four decked out chihuahua mixes and one black pittie boy in a hand decorated "Adopt Me' bandana.

Huh?

Today we were lucky enough to score the great volunteer job of taking a dog on a field trip to the Del Webb Easter Egg Hunt in Elk Grove. As far as volunteer assignments go, it doesn't get much cushier than this. Ron and Chloe picked up PB Soc dog Murphy and loaded him into the car, where he rode like an absolute champ and loved looking out the window. They swung by and picked me up at home after I took our own boy Teddy for his morning walk (Okay, mostly tennis ball chasing, but whatever.)

The Shelter Volunteer Coordinator, Celeste Ingrid, brought her supplies...table, flyers on volunteering, and a big suitcase filled with decorated bandanas for the dogs. Several other volunteers came out with little dogs decked out in their finest notice-me-clothes and we all set up on the lawn at Rose Garden Park.

Murphy was in heaven. He got tons of attention from large and small people alike, behaved very nicely when offered treats and didn't steal any Easter candy. He had an extremely personal encounter with the Easter Bunny, where he moved in quickly for furry kisses. Grass rolling, a big rawhide bone, a rope toy, and string cheese treats made the day a big win for Murphy.

Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, and loved having the dogs there...several people said it added so much to the day. There were no forever homes found, but just getting Murphy out of his kennel and into the sunshine felt like a huge success. Any friends he won over to the idea of a shelter dog as an option is a big bonus.

We got to sit in the sun and watch the kids look for eggs and bask in all the great attention that Murphy enjoyed. And, yes, we did score a few of the donuts.

None of us wanted to leave and have to drive Murphy back to the shelter...it's one thing to walk dogs there, and a whole different feeling to take one out into the real world. Driving back, with Murphy cuddled up to Chloe in the back seat, it felt absolutely impossible that this beautiful, loving, playful puppy doesn't have a home. He's just like any other dog that is someone's much loved pet; it's just pure chance that has him in the shelter. All he needs is a someone to claim him, to teach him a few manners, and give him a chance to share all of his charm.

And he's just one dog. There are so many who just need that chance for someone to see their shining personalities. Once they get out of the kennels, they suddenly become a pet, a being with their very own personality, not a statistic. They are transformed.

We get to see the magical transformation every single week. And every single week, we shake our heads at the fact that these wonderful dogs aren't yet home.

For more information on Murphy, please visit SacCountyDogs.com or meet him in person at the Sacramento County Shelter. To find out about the little dogs, Poodle Mattie and Chihuahuas Rosa, Riley and Alice, please visit the Shelter's Website.  You'll be very glad you did.

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

Update: Murphy has been adopted! 4.27.15

Bonding with a "Fail" | Ron

"She's a fail."

The words came matter-of-factly from the mouth of one of the rescue volunteers.

I was confused for a moment.  I'd been walking dogs for months as a volunteer and the expression hadn't been uttered once.

The volunteer pointed to a sheet of paper where notes had been scribbled about a beautiful white dog named Abigail.

She had failed her temperament evaluation due to some fear and body language issues. She was not available for adoption. Nor did anyone know when - or if - she ever would be.

"How long?" I asked, wondering if "failed" dogs were living on borrowed time.

I was told there was no specific deadline and that they were working with the dog on her issues. I quickly agreed to take Abigail out for the morning, blindly confident that I could reach her in some way.

In truth, I rarely seem to make a true connection with the dogs I walk on Sunday mornings.  Sure, they're usually happy to be out and about, but I don't always feel like I'm making much of an impact in their lives beyond getting them out of confinement for a few hours.

I didn't expect it would be any different with Abigail.  I assumed she would be reticent of me and perhaps leery of other dogs.

But after only a few minutes on the leash, she seemed to settle in very nicely. I kept stopping to lean down and caress her coat, giving her reassurance. She looked back at me with doleful eyes. So far, so good.

Abigail is a gorgeous dog - part lab, part pit bull, a silky white coat, her ears as pink as a bunny's on the inside. There's no doubt in my mind she would be adopted in a day if finally made available to the public.

We paused to sit in the shade on a grassy knoll. She was anxious for a moment, but then stepped into my lap and enjoyed some treats from my hand. She looked back at me again, this time more confidently.

When I traded off dogs with my wife for a few minutes, it was clear that Abigail wanted me back. So I took her again.

We found another place to sit and snuggle in the shade. This time she stretched out and laid on her back, begging me for a belly rub. I happily obliged. There was something happening between me and Abigail.

I'm not sure if you can bond with a dog in 90 minutes. I'm not sure how much of it is my feelings projected on her or whether a true connection was made.

When I returned Abigail to her assigned kennel, I felt a twinge of sadness leaving her.  However, when I looked at back at her, she almost seemed to smile at me.

When I left the shelter that day, I felt like I might have made a small difference in Abigail's life. Maybe I gave her a hint of normalcy. She is far from a "failed" dog in my mind.

Now she just has to convince the others.

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

Update 3.31.15: Abigail is safely in rescue where she'll have time to get ready for a family of her own.

The One You Want to Keep | Chloe (Update: Adopted)

There's always that dog. The dog that you instantly connect with. The dog that walks great on the leash. The dog that sits on your lap and cuddles. The dog that has a gentle mouth. The dog that gives the best kisses. The dog that you so badly want to take home. The dog you can't have.

This is Sydney, and she is that dog.

This big goof loves walking and exploring, and most definitely is vocal about how she wants to play with the other dogs. Except, she can't...at least until her kennel cough is all gone. For now anyway, humans will have to do.

She is a cuddler, this one. She climbs and rolls around on you, and gives you lots of kisses.

I wish I could keep this girl. But I can't.

So what can I do? 

Help her find her forever family. 

Anyone would be beyond lucky to adopt Sydney. Enjoy the video of her I put together, and see all the cuteness in motion.

And please share!

-Chloe

If you can't view the video below, click HERE.

Update: Sydney has been adopted! 4.6.15 So happy for this sweet girl.

Lila & Buster's Doggie Glamour Shoot | Chandra (Update: Adopted)

Sunday morning is dog time for us. We grab our leashes and bags of chicken, put on our dog walking clothes and head over to the shelter. This week Ron walked Babette and I got to hang out with PBSoc volunteers Gwen and Emily while they walked two newcomers...Lila & Buster.

At first glance, Lila & Buster look a little, well, odd. They are the thick, short legged low-riders of the dog world. Lila has front feet that splay out like a seal, and is missing most of the hair on her back, except where a few little tufts are hanging on. (Her coat should grow back with some TLC.) Buster has the blockiest of heads and the squishiest of faces on top of a short, stout compact body. He is kind of scabby and endured a very bad toe nail clipping before he landed at the shelter that left two of his toes still bleeding yesterday. We also pulled a tick off of him.

Buster

Lila

We don't know what Lila & Buster's background is, but clearly they were neglected.

But here's the thing about dogs that always knocks me flat...they are the world's most forgiving creatures. Lila & Buster are two of the most loving, sweet dogs I've ever met. When I plopped down next to Lila, she promptly climbed into my lap and curled up for a cuddle. Buster was fully stretched out on his back getting a fabulous scratching from Emily. They were both worn out from their walk and just wanted to chill and be doted upon.

Everyone who met these two on Sunday fell head over heels in love with them. Volunteers were crossing the street to come pet Buster, drawn by that big blocky head and huge smile, and then they'd turn to Lila and love her up too.

Every Sunday, photographer Shannon Skalisky spends her day at the shelter taking glamour shots of the adoptable dogs and Lila & Buster had their turn after their walk. Often dogs are scared of the photo set up...the white backdrop, the unfamiliar props, the camera. Not Lila & Buster. They just took it all in stride, tails wagging. With their amazing tolerance level, these two would be perfect for a family with little kids. I can just see them dressed up as a princess and a pirate, being pulled around in a wagon, stoically handling the exuberant hugs.

I truly hope these two can be adopted together as they clearly love each other. All they need is the right family...and a little time to grow hair and toenails.

Enjoy a little peek behind the scenes at Lila & Buster's photo shoot and then please do share these two and help the perfect family find them!

For more info on adopting Lila and Buster, please visit SacCountyDogs.com.

And a great big shout out to Shannon for giving her heart, time and talent to the dogs each week. She does it all with such grace and love.

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

xoxo 

Chandra

Update 4.1.15: Buster and Lila have been adopted. They went to separate homes and hopefully will be just fine with their new families. I have to admit I'm a little sad though that they didn't go home together.

The Wonderful Mystery Behind Shelter Dogs | Ron

(Update 3.23.15: Dolly has been adopted!)

Dolly exploded from her kennel. I barely caught her collar as she darted past me. She wriggled and leaped and twirled as I finally managed to clasp her to my leash.

And then we were off. In a furious charge to the exit.

Dolly jumped. She grabbed my leg. Then my other leg. And then as we hit daylight, she decided to go into a touchdown celebration dance. 

Oh no, I thought to myself, this is not going to be a pleasant walk.

I was wrong.

In a matter of minutes, Dolly was walking peacefully at my side like she had been my dog for years. I admired her snow-white face and brindle body as she strode through the sunshine. But I soon began to notice something. She had no interest in sniffing anything. Not a plant. Or a tree. Or the grass.

Kinda odd. Dogs love to sniff. Especially dogs that have been cooped up in a concrete kennel for most of the day. But Dolly was different. She wanted to do two things: Chomp on chicken and stroll lazily. That was fine by me, but it made me want to know her backstory. Was Dolly a city dwelling dog who never really got a chance to romp in the grass? Was she simply kept on the side of house in one of those long, paved dog runs? 

That's the thing with shelter dogs. They're kind of a mystery. You only get hints of their past by their behavior in the present.

For Dolly, I suppose it doesn't much matter. She's a good dog. A very good dog.

--Ron

Enjoy Dolly's photos from her glamour shoot with Shannon Skalinsky today and the video that Chloe made of her. Dolly got lucky and found her forever home quickly, but many more dogs need home. For more information, visit PBSOC.

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