Hi Diana,

Sorry I haven’t been able to update you sooner, but we’ve definitely had our hands full with Jackson (formerly Jeremy). No worries though, it’s in a good way. =)

On the way home, he seemed exhausted and slept most of the way. He was probably pretty overwhelmed, maybe playing possum just in case we were headed to the vet. Once we got back to Portland, he had a chance to meet the cat and my roommates Min-Pin. Boy was he excited… He chased Ninja (the cat) for a while, then did some laps around the living room and the dining room before turning on Dakota (the dog). I guess he had built up some energy during the drive home, and he couldn’t wait to get outside to let it out. So, needless to say, we were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.

We left him alone for the first time on Thursday afternoon, and he seemed to do just fine. There was quite a bit of barking and crying at first, but he eventually quieted down and entertained himself (probably with one of the millions of toys that we’ve bought him so far). He does love to destroy tennis balls, we’ve noticed. So far, he hasn’t been able to demolish the rope or the Kong… thank goodness.


We took him off the choke and switched to a harness, which he seems to respond very well to. His leash training is coming along quite nicely, and he’s almost impermeable to distractions from squirrels, cats, and other dogs. Birds are another story, but we’re working on it… He walks nicely by our side with minimal pulling, and he even runs on a loose leash.

We’ve visited the vet to get his general exam, rabies, Giardia, microchip, etc. I wouldn’t say he really enjoyed it, but he’ll thank us later. Hopefully. We also took him to a couple of clinics at the pet store, one on leash manners and the other on general obedience. I’m proud to say that he was the best kid in class for both. =) His sit, down, stay, and leave it are coming along great, especially if we’ve got treats.

We take him on at least 2 runs and 3 or 4 walks every day, and it seems to work for wearing him out. Jonathan runs him before work at about 7, I run him at lunch, then we take him on a few long walks in the evenings. I’m worried about how our sleep would be impaired if we didn’t exercise him that much.

So, overall, he’s doing really well. We absolutely love him, and we think he likes us quite a bit too. He’s graduated to being left in the house during the day instead of the garage, and so far, no catastrophies too big. =)

His coat is much better now, and we’ll be taking him in for his second dog wash next week. =) We also have taken him the dog park, and he absolutely loves it. Just like you said, he’s a big hit with all the other dogs (the energetic ones anyways). He loves making them chase him around for 10 miles or so until they get worn out.

We’ve had a blast with him, and we love him more than anything… He’s been a great addition to our home. He keeps us on our toes anyways. =)

Thank you so much, and I’ll keep you as updated as I can.

Kristina

Thanks so much for letting us visit with Mandy.  It’s so great that there are caring people like you and the others at the shelter who put so much effort into finding these poor dogs a home.  It would’ve been nice to just take her with us, but it was apparent we weren’t the right people for her.  She really needs someone who will take her hiking and camping in the mountains and let her be a free spirit, not two geezer-types with creaky joints like Tom and I.

I hope she finds someone to love her.  We were very sad on the way home that we left her behind.

Anyway, thanks again, and God bless.

Deb

Kuranda beds are awesome. The “chewproof” design works well for both our indoor and outdoor kennels and they are safe for chewing puppies and anxious adults. They’re soft, comfortable, last for years, and keep dogs off the floor. They’re easy to clean and deodorize and we can replace the fabric and parts when needed.

Might you donate a Kuranda bed to our shelter? Click here!

By Cory McKeown with Photos by Melanie Epping

Maggie

In the harsh weather of last November, Maggie’s people moved and just left her to fend for herself. Sadly, that wasn’t all…. they left her with her tiny kittens to care for. Kindly neighbors brought this sweet young mom cat and her babies into our shelter, where they would be warm and safe.


The weeks passed, and as it so often happens, Maggie’s kittens were all adopted to good homes. This has left this pretty kitty lingering in the shelter, waiting for the time when she to will have her forever home.

Maggie is a lovely tortoiseshell- patterned girl with a short, plush, easy care coat that shines with multiple colors. She was a little shy when she first came to the shelter, but over the months she has been with us, has become much more outgoing and affectionate. She would thrive in a quieter home, and would be a good companion for another cat or gentle dog. Please come and ask to meet this loyal little cat. She deserves and needs a chance to have a better life.

Roxy’s not really serious- she is a clown at heart!!

When people stop by Roxy’s cage to say “hi” to her, they are sometimes fooled by her serious-looking demeanor and intense yellow eyes. While this young Aussie shepherd mix might look very serious, she is in fact a clown that loves people and loves to play!


Spend some time with her and have a toy with you and she is your best friend- she actually is one of those dogs that can smile!


Roxy comes alive with attention, and is a delight to be around. She is extremely intelligent and affectionate, and very trainable and eager to please. Roxy is a great size, is trim, healthy and athletic, and has a bobbed tail and a short, glossy dark pewter colored coat.

This young dog would be an ideal companion for an active person or family. She would probably be happiest being an “only pet”.


Got tennis ball? Going camping? Roxy is the canine companion to make your life more fun!!!

This past Saturday, SPCHS volunteers marched in the Loyalty Days Childrens’ Parade in Ilwaco. Take a look!


Video: hpim0039.avi

Diana,

Thank you and the shelter ladies for all your help. Jeremy was an angel on the trip back to Portland and quickly made himself right at home. He has been groomed so his coat is wonderfully soft and mat-free. He has also had his rabies shot. We went to the dog park and the local pet supply store, where he got a treat and lots of compliments. He met the neighbor’s dogs through the fence and they seem to get along fine. Jeremy met my boyfriend Rick last night and they hit it off right away, like old pals. I think we will all be very happy together. I will try to send pictures this week.

Thanks again!

Elisabeth

decade-of-dedication.pdf

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

If you’re looking for a sweet, well-mannered canine companion, you’ll love Lucy!

It is always a particularly sad situation when our pets outlive us- just as the bond between a pet and their person is getting the strongest, the dog or cat will be left alone to face their older years. Such is the case with Lucy, who came to our shelter after losing her lifetime companion.

Lucy definitely has not given up finding another special person- she has too much to offer. She is an intelligent lab/shepherd/whatever mix, and that has wonderful manners and is a pure delight to take for walks. She got a little,uh, “chubby” in her past life and it would be wonderful for her to have a new person who would watch her diet and take her for the walks she so enjoys.

Surely there is someone out there who wants a loyal, mellowed canine companion to bring some love and companionship into their lives. Come and meet Lucy- this sweet girl is definitely worth the time!!

Good gosh, Josh! A year in a cage??

From time to time, we take pets into our shelter from other shelters when it appears the animals’ time may be running out. When we heard that Josh, a charming young silver point tabby had been in another cage for a year, we knew he had to come to us for another chance.

Just exactly why this sweet and handsome cat had been left so long without a home is a mystery to us. He loves people, is playful, gets along with other cats, and is a very nice- looking boy with a short, easy-care coat. Josh has good house manners, and would be a joy to have in any home.

Josh has thoroughly enjoyed being in our free-range “kitty playroom” where he can run, stretch, sit in the sunny windows, and meet and greet the people who come in the room. But, as much as the playroom is so much better than a cage, it is past the time that this great should be getting a new home and person of his own.

Good gosh, Josh, a year in a cage means that you have probably spent almost a half of your young life behind bars! The rest of your life could be so wonderful in a new home…. Could you be the one to give Joshua the chance at life he so deserves?

Sign up for our “we want a kitten” list today

The spring kittens seem to be arriving quite a bit later this year that the norm- perhaps because of the harsh conditions last winter. But, we will have kittens soon, and if you are interested in adopting a “tiny tiger” come by the shelter or call and ask to have your name put on our “kitten wanted” list. When we get kittens in, we call the people on the list so that they can come and meet the newest arrivals.

Shelter Wish List

Our hungry hounds wanted us to ask for donations of Pedigree or AttaBoy dry dog food- they say” thank you for thinking of us!!!’

Dear Friends at the Long Beach Shelter,

We just wanted to say hello and send a couple of photos of Sabrina. We adopted Sabrina from your shelter back in January, and have been enjoying her company ever since.

We had a call from someone on Saturday inquiring about how she was getting along, and my husband Robert wrote down an e-mail address, but must have heard it incorrectly, since it didn’t seem to work. (He is very hard of hearing, so probably didn’t get it quite right.) Anyway, it was a completely different e-mail from the one I’m using today, which I got from the Observer. Anyway, we are assuming it was one of your employees doing a follow-up call on Sabrina. If not, perhaps you should let us know…

But to get back to Sabrina, she is just a doll. We love her dearly. She is gentle and patient, except when it’s time for her daily walk in the woods, at which time she barks up a storm. She is eating well and has a very sweet temperament. She has made our home complete again. (We have always had a dog, except for short periods between dogs.) On Tuesday she will go for her second bath/grooming appointment, since she is again shedding all over the place.

So, thank you again. You run a wonderful shelter, and we are so impressed with the number of animals you are able to place in a given year’s time. What a wonderful comment on your caring approach, and the community’s support.

So, here are a couple of pictures for you of Sabrina:

Affectionately,

Sandy and Robert Godsey - and Sabrina

Staff and Volunteers,

Here are some current pictures of Perdido. We just love him so much. I was going to email some movies of him, but the file sizes are huge! So I’ll have to burn them to a CD and drop them in the mail. He and Sadie are the best of friends. They play together, groom each other, and even sleep together (on occasion). Perdido usually sleeps on his our bed, or in his crate.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Some are just around the house, and some are of a day trip to a park.

Thank you so much for taking such good care of the “little guy” so we could adopt him.

You’re the best!

Stuart Schrader & Kendra