It’s me Rasha, formerly known as Millie.  I was adopted on March 6.  Things are going really well.  My new owners made a big deal about me getting a microchip.  I didn’t notice anything, but I did get a new toy when we were done.  We already went camping to the beach and are going again this weekend.  I also get to ride in the pick up and car a lot.  I have lots of toys and good things to chew on.  My owners don’t like me to bury my bones in the flower beds, but they are learning to accept it.  Thanks again for taking such good care of me.  My new owners say if we’re ever up around Astoria, we can stop by and see all you guys again.  I am getting spoiled, but I don’t mind.  You guys take care and I’ll stay in touch.  Hope you like the pictures.  Rasha

New “magnificent mutts” arriving soon!

The past few weeks, we have been working with an Oregon pet rescue organization called OFSA (Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals) to save some very adoptable dogs from a shelter in California that has, quite frankly, a deplorable euthanasia record.
These dogs have been wonderful mutts of all sizes and descriptions- Chihuahua mixes, terrier mixes, and larger breeds like labs and spaniels. The dogs were transported to our shelter and other shelters by a group of caring volunteers.
When our rescued dogs arrived at our shelter, they were evaluated for any needed veterinary care and spayed or neutered. When they were good to go, “go” they did- it didn’t take long for adopters to fall in love with these charming mutts and give them good homes.
This week, we are getting another group of these rescue dogs, and they should be available for adoption by Thursday, according to our Manager Diana Galbreath. So, if you are interested in helping to rescue a sweet mutt and in having a new best friend for your household, come to the shelter this week and take a look!

Are you missing “the odd couple”?

More than a week ago, we received a pair of stray dogs that had been brought to the local vet’s office. They are very bonded to each other, and more than likely came from the same home. Both are males- one appears to be a French bulldog, and the blond one is a very nice terrier mix.
We are still hoping their owner will find out that they are at the shelter and come for them.  But, if time continues to pass and no one steps up to claim them, they will be placed for adoption.

Shelter Wish List

We are running low on some much-needed supplies and would be very grateful to receive: dog kibble (Pedigree or Kirkland’s seems to agree the most with our pooches), traditional clay cat litter, like Johnny or Tidy Cat, and kitten chow. Kitten season is just around the corner- in fact, we have already had our first kitten family at the shelter. We have found that Purina Kitten Chow, the kind in the yellow bag, seems to make the tiny felines thrive.
We are very appreciative of the generosity of our loyal supporters who faithfully bring donations to help make the lives of the shelter animals so much better. Thank you!

Our Shelter has been working with a dedicated team of volunteers rescuing small-breed dogs from a 95% kill facility in California.   About twenty of the dogs were adopted through SPCHS last month and more arrived this week.  We were surprised to get mention on Portland’s KOIN-6 TV spot.  Enjoy!

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoId=15951@koin.web.entriq.net&navCatId=156=

Henry’s doing very well! He and Moses are inseparable, they play all the time. I’ve noticed that Moze initiates most of the play in the morning, and Henry initiates it in the evenings. Moze is still the dominant one, he often steals toys or Kongs from Henry. I’m curious to see if that will change or not.

Henry’s brownish coat has almost entirely grown out, and his shiny black coat looks great! He’s about 105# now, and is at a good weight. He’s settled into the house routine well, but he still needs work with things like greeting new dogs. He gets a little too excited sometimes. He and I are going through obedience classes, and he loves it!! Treat city!

Sarah

Henry, when he came to SPCHS last November. He was quite malnourished.

Henry now, looking fit, healthy, happy and...

...in love!

Henry and his new brother Moses are inseparable

Don’t you just LOVE happy tails?

Just wanted to give a update on little Sally. What a sweetheart she is!  I was worried the first few days, I could barely get her to eat or drink. And she seemed so sad.  She is really coming out of her shell though.

I noticed on Saturday that she only has one ear!  I was brushing her, which she loves.  It looks like it was cut off. Maybe a grooming accident?  I sure wish she could talk and let us know about her previous life.  I have also found out that she will only eat people food!  The first few days, I tried EVERYTHING!  Tuna, Turkey lunch meat, small dog wet food.  She only ate a tiny bit of cheese and lunch meat.  Yesterday by accident I found out she LOVES fig newtons!  And pizza and popcorn!  It seems like she has not eaten any sort of dog food before.  She is opening up with my other dogs and last night played with Dexter, my Lhaso boy.

She will be going to Canada this Saturday to her forever home.  Thanks again for your help!

Stephanie

Zippy has really warmed up to Deja. He’s still leery of me but getting better. He let Deja pick him up this morning–big step!

Zippy came up to Deja and Kiefer (our grandson) and Granny.  He’ll sniff her.  He’s jumped up in my lap but is still nervous of me; all I had to do was shift my position and he was down and back to Deja.

He gets along with the other dogs; no problems at all.  He’s been to the food dish although he’d rather have people food.  He even passed on the Beggin’ Strips as he’d rather have a nut or whatever I’m eating.

He was out of the carrier with his tail was wagging and sniffing around just minutes after we got home
yesterday.  He didn’t want anyone to pick him up but today he let Deja pick him up.  Baby steps…

I can’t wait till he lets me love him and I can trust him to go running with the pack!

Thank you for Zippy!

Lee

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don’t have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn’t acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company’s web site, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that “It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it.”

*Snopes site gives the following information:

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called ‘Theobromine’. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp*

These adorable stamps go on sale at usps.com on April 30th.  You can pre-order online.

This special issue comes in a 10-block or 20-book of 44¢ self-adhesive stamps.

On April 30, 2010, in North Hollywood, California, the Postal Service™ will issue Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet special stamp in ten designs, designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, DC.

With these 10 stamp designs, the U.S. Postal Service hopes to raise awareness of the need to adopt shelter pets.

The pets depicted on the stamps were photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce near her home in New Milford, Connecticut. All had been homeless at one time; all but one had been adopted when they were photographed.

Help spread awareness of the need to adopt shelter pets.  Order your stamps today.

There is nothing like Mom’s lap no matter who you are. This is precious!

This is a newborn offspring of Taskin, a Gypsy Stallion owned by Villa Vanners of Oregon .

These pictures were taken immediately after his birth on April 6.

The mare laid down, and then he trotted around and crawled right up into her lap.
Talk about true love!

Ha haaaa heh heh hee hee ha hee heeeee ha!

Seriously though, who trained those dogs?  Well done!