It’s Been a While

Yep, life got a little crazy and it feels like I haven’t been to the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) in a month of Sundays.  And it’s kind of true; my files tell me the last time I took pictures of pups was mid-May. YIKES!

It’s been a rough few weeks for the shelter as well. There have been so many “owner surrenders” and strays that they’ve had to euthanize for space, which tears up the hearts of staff and volunteers horribly. Please, please, please spay and neuter all pets (and preach it to others) and if you’re looking for your new forever friend, just remember “Don’t shop! Adopt!”

Well, let’s meet some of the cuties I met and photographed last Thursday.

Fizzle (WCAC ID: 90417)

This sweet ol’ girl has been at the shelter since July 5^th. She is a timid thing who looked at me with eyes begging to get her out of the chaos of shelter life.

Sissy (WCAC ID: 90466)

Sissy also came in to the shelter as a stray on July 5^th. She was nicely mannered for being just a year old and is a great size – not too small and not too big.

 

Swarles Barkley (WCAC ID: 90356)

Barkley is about a year old and has those wonderful Pittie-bat ears. He was standing on his hind legs at the gate when I did my walk through, but was a good little guy when I got in the kennel with him. I think the stress is getting to him as I’ve heard he got into a kerfuffle with one of the experienced dog walkers and is now in the back waiting to be evaluated for temperament.

Piper (WCAC ID: 89890)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t remember anything in particular about Piper and maybe that (along with her color) is why she’s been overlooked at the shelter since mid-June. She was sweet and sat nicely for treats – including taking them gently from my hand. Just look at the love in her eyes – don’t you just see how much she has to give?

 

Sammy Sweetheart (WCAC ID: 89305)

I saved Sammy for last ‘cause I just love an underbite. She’s been around since the beginning of June and she is still full of joy and playfulness. She is heartworm positive, but there are some new less expensive alternative treatments that will give her a good long life.

 

All of these sweethearts need your help, whether it’s adopting, rescuing, or fostering. Please go to the WCAC website and be a part of the solution.

Something a little different

Well, I almost took a big step outside my “photographic comfort zone” and did a shoot with dogs AND a human – but I didn't want to be responsible for pulling S away from his assigned dogs so I did my typical “dog solo” shoots. It was a little more challenging than usual ‘cause the kennels in Isolation aren't set up for me to crawl in there with them.

These dogs and cats are all “special needs” and some are designated “rescue only,” so you’ll find them on the Friends of WCAC Facebook page rather than on the WCAC gallery.

Nemo (WCAC ID: 88413)

RESCUED

Nemo is one of those dogs that are so cute I usually don’t photograph them because they’re going to get adopted faster than receiving can process them. He’s looking for rescue as he has some medical issues.

Gertrude (WCAC ID: 88260)

Gertrude is 10 years old and suffering from an extreme case of shyness. I could barely get her to look my way – but bacon will win you many friends and I was able to get her to take a couple of “Beggin’ Strips” directly from my hand.

Strawberry Cupcake (WCAC ID: 88297)

Now this dog does not have a shy bone in her body. I actually came back with J later ‘cause there was no keeping her in her kennel to shoot photos. Look at all this love spilling out of her. She is awaiting rescue or foster because she has a pretty bad case of Demodex – that and a serious case of “Happy Tail” that she apparently gave to herself on the ride to the shelter. Ya, those aren’t freckles on her AND she had a bath earlier in the day.

Napoleon (WCAC ID: 88119)

Is this not a smile that can change the world? This gorgeous boy, Napoleon, needs to find himself a rescue because shelter life is really stressing him out and it appears he has some potential hip problems. Such a sweet guy – he’s a favorite of J’s – even though she has no favorites.

Rachael (WCAC ID: 87938)

RESCUED

This little girl is in need of rescue as she was a little snippy during intake – heck, I know and like the folks who work in receiving and I’m sure the process would put me on edge. She is an absolute cutie pie, very treat motivated and knows “sit.”

Marley (WCAC ID: 88263)

Marley is a beautiful black shepherd looking for rescue. He had a wagging tail and was friendly, although a little bit of a nervous nelly.

Duffy (WCAC ID: 86941)

Duffy was one of the dogs that I was specifically asked to photograph. Isn’t he beautiful? He is very, very shy and needs to find a good foster home to bring him out of his shell. I sat with him for a little while – every odd kennel noise made him jump just a little. I got him to come take treats from my hand and he was ever so gentle, but no matter how much I wanted to just hug him, pet him, and give him lots of love he just wasn't ready. It breaks my heart.

Blue Skies (WCAC ID: 88350)

RESCUED

Now this little mamma with her terrible case of Demodex – I have to admit that even though my first foster was a Demodex dog I had to tell myself to pet this sweet girl. I was reminded of just how rewarding it is to give affection to a dog that has not had that touch for a very long time. She sat close to me and just soaked up the pets and chest massage. If I stopped, she’d come a little closer, but was never rude and never made a demanding hand flip with her nose.

Emeli (WCAC ID: 88120)

RESCUED

And this little girl is super cute but in need of rescue to get her into a foster home to build up her confidence. You could see by her wiggly butt she wanted your love and affection, but every time you reached out to her or moved she scooted into the corner of her kennel. Poor little girl.

Mikey (WCAC ID: 88180)

RESCUED

I think the thing that grabs your heart in Isolation is how sad these little guys are. Mikey is a three-month-old puppy with something wrong with his back leg. You could tell he so much wanted some comfort and love, but every time you touched him he peed a little. He needs rescue to fix him up in so many ways.

Scott (WCAC ID: 88354)

RESCUED

Scott, such a big name for such a little dog; then again, most Chihuahuas have very big personalities. Scott is an elderly dog and with his future forever home needing to be child-free he is awaiting rescue. I loved his bat-like ears when he looked up at me. It was also so very sweet when he came up and sat close to me.

Piles of Kittens

Yep, it’s kitten season and if the WCAC isn’t filling up on “bottle feeders” – litters of kittens who come in without a momma and have to be bottle fed every couple of hours – then it’s the “hissy spitties” – or the kittens that have no socialization and hiss and spit at you when you touch them. 

I photographed two litters of them that are looking for a good foster home to play with them and bring them around to the beauty of the human-cat relationship. There is Will Boyds (88398), Amy Lee (88399), Rocky Grey (88400) and Ben Moody (88397) and the other liter was Caty (88360), Sadie (88361), and Zoey (88359).

Dennis (WCAC ID: 88157)

And a special request by A as I was walking through the halls to get some photos of this sweet guy. I woke him up from a nap, surprise. Isn't he a beauty?

So, there it is, not my normal post with adorable dogs needing to find their forever home, but rather some sweeties looking for somewhere to heal, be loved and learn to trust again. If you know a rescue or can be a foster yourself please contact the WCAC via email or by clicking this link (http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx) and applying to be a WCAC foster.

To see all of the photos of these beauties, you can go to my Flickr set WCAC Paparazzi.

Tough Times

Why would I say that when I’m about to show you some pics of some terrific dogs? Because the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) is full – yep – chock-a-block, to-the-rafters FULL. I saw the sign on the door as I went in Tuesday warning people who were surrendering their dog that there was a good possibility it would be euthanized because of the number of strays coming in that HAVE to stay on hold for several days.

So, now is the time to become a foster or find your new best friend for life.

Aisha (WCAC ID: 87597)

Is an adorable five-month-old pup who is full of playful energy.

Francheska (WCAC ID: 87604)

Her next door neighbor is a month older but she is all puppy and looking for fun.

Sasha (WCAC ID: 87711)

My final puppy of the night is a beauty as well as being a hoot – I just have to share an extra crazy picture of this girl. 

But don’t let that put you off; she really is very sweet.

Beauty (WCAC ID: 87498)

If you visit my WCAC Paparazzi Flickr set you’ll see a ton of pictures of her. She was so sweet and took such a good photo that I simply had to share all of them.

Sadie (WCAC ID: 87798)

If you’re looking for an adult dog who is very sweet but a little shy, stop by the WCAC and meet this girl. It just took a treat and some kind words for her to warm right up to me and start wagging that tail

As a reminder the WCAC is located on Beacon Lake Road and is open seven days a week from noon to 6:00 p.m. – lots of opportunities to help those in need.

Just Weeks and Weeks of Waiting

Baby (WCAC ID: 58412)

Please take me home.

Lil Miss Piggy (WCAC ID: 83629)

Aren't I just cute with my little tongue.

Tellhim (WCAC ID: 85619)

I wishes so hard for furever family.

Rebel (WCAC ID: 86447)

Trackin' my new family.

Target (WCAC ID: 86449)

I loooovvvve to get rubs.

Brogan (WCAD ID: 86587)

This tongue can do all sorts of clean-up.

Wildflower (WCAC ID: 86678)

I promise to be a good little girl and love you always.

Derek Daniels (WCAC ID: 86787)

This is good, but I can't wait for it without the gloves.

Marley (WCAC ID: 86897)

Really? You know you have time to visit the Center.

Scout (WCAC ID: 87027)

Did you not hear Marley? Come visit today.

Winnie (WCAC ID: 87053)

You're coming for me soon, right?

All of these wonderful dogs (don't forget the cat) and more are available at the Wake County Animal Center on Beacon Lake Drive in Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit them on the web at http://www.wakegov.com/pets/Pages/default.aspx to learn about all the great animals available for adoption and upcoming events like the rabies clinic May 18th at the DMV on New Bern Avenue.

Some Young, Some Old

And every one of them looking for love, lots and lots of love.

Demesey (WCAC ID: 74633)

Demesey has been around before – you can tell by how low his ID number is – but life seems to have been okay if you look at his chubby self. And such a fun face.

Denver (WCAC ID: 85927)

Now Denver came in with four little pups even though she’s still a pup herself. They were recently weaned so Denver was still a little unsettled in her kennel. She has spent her life outdoors and will need some training to live the “couch princess” life – and doesn’t she have the look for it.

Alpha (WCAC ID: 85941)

This sweet little puppy was this week’s heart breaker. She was so shy and timid raising her little paw to show me how non-threatening she was. Her previous owner let their dog have a litter of pups, but now a year later decided they could no longer take care of little Alpha. How could someone throw this sweetie away? She did warm up to me and she still has that wonderful puppy breath.

Buffy (WCAC ID: 85065)

Buffy is a sweet little girl with the most wonderful ears. Her fur is very soft and thick and although they call her a Chow mix she looks a little like a Dingo to me. And it’s hard to believe she’s nine years old.

Daisy (WCAC ID: 85950)

And Daisy wins my most beautiful of the week honor. It’s more than skin deep as she is a very sweet girl with some pretty good manners for being just a year old.

Just look at these faces. The Wake County Animal Center(WCAC) will be closed Good Friday and Easter, but visit on Saturday and make their doggie dreams come true.

Also on Saturday is an adoption event at the PetsMart at the corner of Millbrook and Capital Blvd. You can meet some of the great pets in our foster program.