By Cory McKeown with Photos by Melanie Epping

Jax is a perfect “there’s no good reason” dog

“No good reason” dogs aren’t a new breed we are seeing at the shelter - these are the dogs we get in that are so nice, so well-behaved, so good with everyone that we wonder to ourselves what in the world the reason could be that they have lingered so long unadopted. Unfortunately, these great dogs often had the misfortune to have been born black in color. It is a well-known but sad fact in the humane community that both black dogs and cats are often the last to be adopted from shelters - and in “kill’ shelters, they are euthanized much more frequently because of this.

Such is the case with Jax, who was passed over at another shelter for several months before we received him. This very handsome and very nice black lab mix is just two years old and would make a loving addition to any home. He is gentle, likes other dogs, is housebroken, loves to go for walks and is attentive and very anxious to please.

Jax is such a great dog that we are sure that if given a chance his good qualities would quickly become apparent to anyone lucky enough to adopt him. We are sure he would have his new owners also thinking: “there’s no good reason why he wasn’t adopted sooner but we are glad we are the ones who gave him the chance he so needed.”

Loving adult kitties need homes before kitten season

In just a few short months, we will again be getting kittens surrendered to the shelter. In the meantime, we have some wonderful adult kitties still awaiting homes. We have cats of many descriptions and colors, all spayed or neutered and ready to be adopted. Kittens can be a lot of fun, but there is a lot to be said for bringing calmer, and usually better-behaved, adult cats home. Come and spend a quiet afternoon in the “kitty playroom” - you probably will find your next best feline friend!

Now is the time to prevent unwanted litters- check into our “Fix Your Cat Free” program

If you or someone you know is a low-income resident of South County and have a cat that needs altering, come to the shelter and get a voucher to have the cat spayed or neutered absolutely free! Vouchers are limited but are still available during our regular business hours which are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. It is a wonderful opportunity to do the right thing, and the price is right!We’re hoping you’ll be “wearin’ the green” with us March 15

Don’t forget our biggest fundraiser, the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and auction, is just around the corner. Tickets are only $30 and include a delicious full-course Irish meal catered by the wonderful Shoalwater Restaurant, and all the fun and excitement of the auction activities. Tickets are available at the Humane Society at 330 2nd St. NE, and at beachdog.com at 1517 Pacific Ave. N., both in Long Beach.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

There’s Nothing “Lucky” About Spending 103 Days in a Cage

Poor, sweet, goofy, 3-legged Lucky will have been at the shelter for over 100 days by the time this column is published. Kind of reminds you of the old “Lucky” dog joke, doesn’t it?? You know the one where there is a poster on the side of a telephone pole for a missing dog- a one-eyed, three-legged, deaf dog that has a hernia, and answers to the name “Lucky”. It is an old joke, but the longer this young lab mix stays in a cage, the more this joke comes more to mind. The only “lucky” part of the story for him is that he is at our no-kill shelter, and although his time is running on, it will not run out.

Lucky lost his leg in a fall from a truck, but doesn’t let his “tripod” stance slow him down- he is a real trooper, and loves to go for walks. He wouldn’t be a good companion for a jogger, but is a wonderful friend on shorter walks. He probably would enjoy the company of another non-aggressive dog, but would be happy being an “only” dog as well.

There has to be room in someone’s heart for this wonderful but “imperfect” dog that tries so hard to please. Adopting a “special needs” pet can be very rewarding. Please come and meet Lucky- you might just be the one to turn his luck around.

Sterling is Also a “Long-Timer”

This young, very handsome pewter-colored cat was with us only a short while when he came down with a horrible “kitty cold”. The virus involved caused damage to his eyes, and one of our dedicated volunteers took him home and spent weeks treating him back to health. His eyes now look great- only a hint of cloudiness, and he sees so well he can fling a toy up in the air and catch it before it falls to the ground!

The volunteer who took him home fell in love with his wonderfully easy-going and friendly nature. He gets along very well with other cats, likes dogs, is incredibly affectionate, and is immaculate with his scratch box manners.

Unfortunately, the volunteer is on “kitty overload” at her house, and Sterling needs to find a forever home. If you are looking for an especially nice, big, “mush ball” kitty, Sterling would just fit the bill!!  See Sterling on petfinder.com.

Shelter Wish List

We would be very grateful to receive canned dog food- we love to spoil the dogs with a little canned food on their kibbles, and we are almost out!!

Thank you very much for your support.

Santa,

I like other cats just fine but I’m shy with people. The people who hang out at this place all seem to like me a lot but I’m still kind of shy of people (and cameras!). Maybe it’s ’cause I’m barely grown. This is all so new to me.

Do you know the cat food guy they named me after? Does he need a pal at his forever home?

Love,

Morris
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9636864

These boys and girls are about 8 -9 weeks old and beautiful. Their mama had them under a nice lady’s porch so she brought them in and cared for and raised them and now they are all ready for new homes. Could these beauties be what you’re looking for?

We’ve also got orange, chocolate and grey tabbies, calico, torti and black kittens, as well as cats in most every color and breed imaginable. Will you help Santa find them forever homes this holiday season?

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9886006

and

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9747480

and

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9637062 

Dear Santa,

I like living at the beach. Some days, they say the water is the same color as my eyes. The truth is, I’d love living most anywhere. I’m an easy-going feline. I get along great with other cats and am a wonderfully affectionate lap kitty.

May I have a forever home for Christmas, Santa?

Love,

Vanessa
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9579440

Dear Santa,

I had a forever family once and we took good care of one another. Then something happened and we got separated. I wandered around until these nice shelter people found me and started taking care of me. They’re really very nice here but I need a special person or family who understands me and will let me take care of them.

The people who take care of me here say I’m quite the talker. A guy as intelligent as myself has a lot to say! I keep telling them I’m ready to go to my forever home but I guess they can’t help it if they aren’t bright enough to understand. I’ve started trying to communicate in different ways, but so far, no luck. When anyone comes to my cage, I get up right away and try to convince them to open my door and give me a rub. I just know one of these visitors will love me if they get to know me.

Santa, I need a new loving home. Will you help me?

Love,

Toby

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9886065