Just Three ...

Just three left at the shelter waiting adoption. Just three with special needs. Just three surrendered for lame reasons.
Said no one at the Wake County Animal Center ever.

And trust me ... they would LOVE to be able to say that every day! Anyway here are three sweethearts that need lots of love and a forever home.

Lil Miss Piggy (WCAC ID: 83629)

She's a staff favorite and just as adorable as can be. She's five and a half year's old but is full of energy and loves scampering around. She get's her name from the little grunty noises makes as she hangs out in her kennel.

She has tested positive for heart worms, but please ask your vet for details about this disease, in some cases it's not nearly as scary as it sounds. I know; I thought the same thing. And don't get me wrong PREVENTION is vital!

Max (WCAC ID: 83462)

This is Max. He's probably about a year old they don't know for sure as he came in as a stray and no one ever came looking for him. How could you not come looking for that adorable face? He was pretty shy when I first got in the kennel with him, but look at the way he perked up when I looked over the wall at his next door neighbor - Max wanted me to be sure and show what a stud he is.

Mickey Mouse (WCAC ID: 72433)

MM is a return. It makes us so sad when we see one of our own returned to us. Lots of times they left as a cute little puppy and come back a wild and undisciplined teenager. Now, at 10 months and 65 lbs. he's one big boy, but he's been through training and was very polite when I asked him to mind his manners and sit. Also, love his coat - very unique.

Well, that's all I have for this week. Your homework ... get down to the WCAC and bring home one of these very special dogs. And don't forget about the cats, rabbits, and lots of other little animals.

Wordless Wednesday

BABY (WCAC ID: 58412)

DOUBLOONS (WCAC ID: 82936)

DARSEE(rescued - SPCA)

 OSCAR (adopted) updated

 

PABLO (adopted)

ZEUS (WCAC ID: 83496)

Currently under vet care 29-JAN-13

RICCI (office cat; FIV+; available for rescue)

All of these wonderful dogs and cat (unless otherwise noted) are available at the Wake County Animal Center. Click here to see them and hundreds of others. You can visit them any day of the week between noon and 6 p.m.

So Sweet, So Sad, So Need You

I’ve gotten to the shelter as planned for the last couple of weeks. Everyone has been a real sweetheart and some of them have been adopted before I got the photos processed and uploaded.

Champ (WCAC ID: 82624)

I took Champ’s (82624) photo in the morning and he was “Adoption Pending” before the day was out. He’s beautiful and oh-so-fluffy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to cuddle with him because I came at him too quickly and from the wrong angle. I was really bummed.

Haley (WCAC ID: 82635)

But Harley (82635) was so incredibly soft that it completely made up for it. Not only is she a beautiful and playful little girl, but she’s as soft as soft can be imagined.

Dobergal (WCAC ID: 82587)

Dobergal (82587) deserves a good life. She was so sweet and so gentle considering the hack job that was done to her ears as a pup and how hungry she must have been. Her ribs were totally sticking out and she couldn’t get comfortable to do a proper sit. Such a beautiful creature who could dazzle the heavens given proper care.

Founder (WCAC ID: 82603)

Now this cutie (Founder, 82603) had the opposite issue. He was surrendered the week after Christmas. At four years old he’s probably still full of spunk. Maybe he should become my foster and we could go on some diet and exercise plan together.

Keeper (WCAC ID: 82602)

Who turns in a seven year old dog named Keeper (82602)? Yep, I’ve become too jaded to volunteer where I have to interact with the general public.

Komeo (WCAC ID: 82627)

You just gotta love this little face. (Komeo, 82627)

Twilight (WCAC ID: 82556)

Of all the photos I took on the 31^st, it had to be the little black pittie type whose kennel card I forgot to snap. Thank goodness for the Fido Fitness folks on Facebook who recognized her as Twilight (82556).

Reese (WCAC ID: 82601)

I’ll leave you with some artsy photos of Reese (82601).

Remember to check out my Flickr set (CLICK HERE) for all the photo shoot pics and head down to the WCAC any day of the week to meet your new best friend.  

Looking for some Christmas love

It seems like my last several blog posts have been starting out with “it’s been a long time …” so let me make my first New Year’s resolution for 2013 – I will get to the shelter once a week to take photos and write about all the wonderful pups I meet there.

I have no favorites from last night – they were all sweet and even the puppies were not too crazy.

Ice Frosting (WCAC ID: 82263)

Ice Frosting is a sweet boy who needs a good home. He’s on the skinny side, which makes him a little grabby where treats are concerned, but he sat nicely. That face just screams “snuggle-bug” wanting the rest of his life to be filled with love and kisses.

Miss Mittens (WCAC ID: 82013)

This little pittie, Miss Mittens, was showing her serious side for the camera, but in person she’s a bouncy, happy girl who loves to play with her bone. Rumor has it she was getting spayed today so by the time you read this she’ll be ready to go home with you right away – no waiting for Christmas necessary.

Turtle Dove (WCAC ID: 82278)

Two Turtle Dove is still on stray hold, but if you’re looking for a super soft dog with the cutest little sit routine – he always raises that paw – I’d stop by right away to visit him and put a deposit down. That way if no one comes for him he’ll be yours. And, yes there’s more: Since he’s already neutered, his adoption fee will be only $45 and he can go home with you Sunday!

Sasha Fierce (WCAC ID: 81497)

Sleigh Horse (WCAC ID: 82055)

Puppies this week were Sasha Fierce and Sleigh Horse. Yes, they are full of puppy energy, but given a bit of time they both settle down nicely. Sasha’s a year old, which means she shouldn’t grow much bigger and is a great size – kind of a mini-pittie. Sleigh Horse knew how to sit, but at just four months old sitting still to have his picture taken was just not going to happen.

Santameister (WCAC ID: 82021)

I thought I’d end with someone to really pull at your heartstrings at this sentimental time of year. Santameister is a year-old Boxer mix male who had his neuter surgery in hopes that he finds his furever family and can be home in time for Christmas. Look at that face? How can you resist?

Get up, get in the car, go to the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) at 820 Beacon Lake Drive (click for map) and make everyone’s Christmas wishes come true.

Foster Papa Charlie: Somehow They Know

As a couple that fosters animals until they can find a permanent home, Suze and I have learned even more than we knew before about animal behavior. Each doggy (or the one kitty so far) that we have fostered has taught us something about how animals adjust to new surroundings and the revolving door of temporary placements on the way to someplace (hopefully) permanent.  In particular, each of our failed fosters so far (those who we caved in to and adopted) have shown us more about how foster animals transition to a permanent home.

In the cases of our dog, Ruby, and our cat, Tic Tac, they seemed to be on exemplary behavior with nary a trace of excitability, rambunctiousness, or naughtiness, until after we adopted them.

Somehow they know.

Don’t ask me how. Ruby may know a smattering of English words, in addition to her name, but I can’t see how she could have known enough to understand us saying anything to each other like, “Yes, let’s go ahead and adopt her already.” And yet it seems the day after we did, the “first date” behavior was out the window and it was time to jump up on us, start hording shoes, socks, and bath mats in the living room while we were out, and claw at the recently painted inside of the door when we were unlocking it to come in.

At least she's not hording dead cats.

And Tic Tac. I’ve already written in another post that his “halo” came off after we decided to keep him. Mr. Sit Quietly in Your Arms and Purr became Parkour Cat, bouncing off the walls and furniture and declaring the kitchen counter open for strolling. Of course, in his case the period between bringing him home as a foster to adopting him was pitifully short – less than 48 hours. So he didn’t have to maintain a facade for long.

I iz sittin' in yer Easter Baskit, which I also bin eatin'. 

But of course none of this is intolerable, or even that bad. It’s just that it really seems like they were on best behavior until it was official – then they were ready to be themselves. Maybe that’s as it should be, though. It’s not so much matter of bait and switch (hey, this isn’t the dog I ordered!) so much as getting into that forever home. We should probably admire an animal “savvy enough” to present itself as well as possible to get adopted. Heaven knows they need everything they can get on their side.

Just a Quick Look

That’s all it takes to find your new family member at the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC). Click here to see all the great cats, dogs, rabbits and more waiting for their forever homes.

My time to photograph this week was short as I wanted to get my temporary foster, Ruffus, home; he spent the day at the shelter visiting the vets and getting a progress report on his neck. I had just enough time to capture pics of these five cuties – and for being puppies they were all very well behaved.

 

Max (72133)

Max (ID: 72133) left the center as a tiny puppy and has come back as a timid teen. With lots of love, socialization and training he’d make a great family dog. Doesn’t that face just make you want to say, awww?

Pinot (79306)

Pinot (ID: 79306) is a beautiful Pittie girl who at four months old is looking for a family life filled with games of fetch and rope toys. She’s also said to be good with dogs and kids – bonus!

Jetfire (78493)

Jetfire (ID: 78493) has been at the WCAC since late September. She’s seven months old and was a very good girl for her photo shoot – and just gorgeous with that white blaze on her head and chest.

Madeline (79188)

Look at that face – Madeline (ID: 79188) is a sweet girl who wants to shower her family with kisses and snuggle up for long winter nights. She’s a year old and a wonderful size at 44 pounds.

Blaze (79420)

OMG, I think this might be the best photo I’ve taken so far this year. Blaze (ID: 79420) is a ten-month-old pup who’s previous family said he was good with cats, dogs, and kids – AND he’s crate trained!

It was a great night for quick photo shoots with pups that were so photogenic. All these beauties are looking for love and can be visited daily from noon to 6:00 PM at the WCAC. Click here to check out all the detailson the WCAC website.

It’s Pittie Time!

Really it’s shelter doggy time, but I did get my Pittie time this past week.

Fall is here and the days are getting shorter, which means I’m losing what little natural light comes in the skylights. Not that this changes the happiness with which each of these pups greeted me as I entered their kennels.

Fall also brings Halloween and that divisive topic of whether it’s cruel to put pets in costumes. I dug a few out of our stash at the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC). I picked carefully as I know the challenges of getting a good pic in such tight quarters. In the end there was minimal success and no one was particularly thrilled with it.

Air Raid (78629)

Air Raid (ID: 78629) had it easiest with the spider collar. This sweet guy is about 10 months old. One can only hope he grows into those ears – or maybe not! He’s some sort of Basenji mix. The Fido Fitness crew commented that he walks great on a leash – always a good pup quality.

Chewy (79376)

Speaking of big boys who are still of that growing age, this is Chewy (ID: 79376). He was surrendered to the shelter earlier in the day so I didn’t stress him out any more with costumes. I thought he was a grown boy until I saw his kennel card. This hound mix is just 10 months old. He was very well mannered during his photo shoot. How can you say no to that face?!

Last of the Unicorns

Charlene (ID: 78567), the last unicorn, is a very sweet pup. For being just six months old, she did very well to put up with her Halloween photo op. I love how just by putting her ears up or down you see two completely different dogs. I also really love her little Vandyke beard.


Charlene (78567)

 

So sweet

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then it was Pittie time …

Natalya (78923)

Natalya (ID: 78923) is a pretty little girl with wonderful freckles all over. She’s a year old but still seemed to be full of puppy enthusiasm. Her costume photo op didn’t produce anything worth posting, but isn’t she just adorable?

OMG, then there was Button (ID: 79223) and Angel (ID: 78134). These two mommas are so beautiful and very sweet. Just look at Buttons in the pirate hat – so adorable. I had given up on the costumes by the time I got to Angel – preferring to just enjoy the dogs for who they are. Angel was too funny with her whiney grunts when I went next door to do Rastafari’s photo shoot. Poor girl, she was just looking for a little more love.

Buttons (79223)

Angel (78134)

 

Rastafari (78230)

Rastafari (ID: 78230) and Tea Leaf (ID: 78339) were the two brindles of the night. Rasta was full of energy, but had some great comments from volunteers about how well behaved he is on a walk. He’s two years old but still has lots of get-up-and go for someone looking for a walking or running partner. Tea Leaf is noted as being part Rhodesian Ridge Back – probably because of the lovely ridge/Mohawk down the length of his back. He can seem a little intense but what a smile.

Tea Leaf (78339)

 

Paga (79228)

Paga is an owner-surrender. You can tell by his chubby figure that he was well fed in his previous life. They left behind a lot of good notes about him being house and crate trained, good with kids, dogs, and liking to go swimming. He really uses those ears to express himself – I wish I had gotten a better picture of them in “rabbit ear” mode.

Samantha (78957)

Finally there was sweet, sweet Samantha (ID: 78957). She was such a shy and timid girl, I couldn’t help but hang out with her for a little while and give her lots of love. It took a little patience, but she did get to a point where she came to me and gave my hand a little nudge and flip to get some more pets.

Do check out the WCAC pet gallery for all the great pets waiting for their forever homes. We’re at capacity so please click here to learn more about these guys and all the others.

One last thing: next weekend, October 20-21, from 9 AM to 5 PM each day the WCAC is hosting a MEGA adoption event at the PetsMart on Capital Blvd. at Mini-City. PetsMart has challenged us to reach 200 adoptions over the weekend and will give us a $10,000 grant for reaching that goal. The foster program can certainly use that to increase the number of lives saved. Please click on this link to the Friends of WCAC Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWakeCountyAnimalCenter), download the flier, print it and post it in all your favorite haunts. Thanks!