Paige

Paige came into the shelter as a stray, and it's bewildering that her previous owner never came looking for her. She's only about two years old, so she's hitting that golden time when a dog still has a puppy's playfulness and energy, but a bit of the wisdom and restraint that carries into their adult years. Although she is a little bit overenthusiastic in wanting to give hugs sometimes, Paige is well-behaved and personable. On top of all that, she plays fetch, too!

When we went outside today, Sophie and I took turns brushing the unshot winter-coat she was still carrying around (in the 103-degree Texas summertime). As is often the case, getting anything but a close-up was tricky, since she always seemed to want to be wherever the person with the camera was. Paige really seems to be everything you could want in a friendly, knocking-about-with kind of dog.

"And if you adopt one Paige today, we'll even throw in a second set of back dewclaws FREE as an added bonus!"

UPDATE 7/11: Took Paige outside again today, and she was really happy to get a chance to stretch her legs. We also found out that she's much more of a people-dog than a dog's dog: she grumbled at a couple of other female dogs that walked by her kennel, and (although there was no snapping or lunging) an overenthusiastic young puppy wound up getting literally punched in the face. Not sure if it's because she isn't spayed or if her "only dog" instincts extend to the menfolk, but Paige could use a little extra socialization and supervision when it comes to strange dogs.

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ShoeShine!

Although ShoeShine was dumped at the shelter by his owner about a month ago, I only had the opportunity to meet him this past weekend. At first, I didn't think he liked me at all - he would dart to the front of his kennel, bark repeatedly, then dash off... only to repeat this ritual again and again. It was only after I got home and was getting ready to walk our dog Rufus that it hit me: Rufus usually uses the same bark when he's playing or when he wants something. And that got me thinking even more.

The next day, I managed to get up to the shelter again. When I got to his kennel, I called out, "Hey, ShoeShine! Wanna' go ouside?" and he cocked his head at me; not a confused expression at all, but a cheerful gesture that I recognized well. It's the same bright little "Heck yeah!" nod that Rufus gives me when asked if he wants to do something fun. So outside we went.

ShoeShine is brimming over with energy and enthusiasm. He's a smart dog, and a complex one as well. One moment, he can be mischievous and swaggering; the next moment, he'll be sweet, vulnerable, and eager to please. He's a combination of German Shepherd and Golden Retriever, and seems to have gotten some of the best of both breeds in him.

Beautiful, energetic, and amazingly friendly, ShoeShine is a real find - and sadly, one that may be gone forever in just a few short days. Since the opening of the new shelter, adoptions have been painfully few; rescue groups are over-full and desperately trying to make just a tiny bit more space to save more lives. Times are tough all around, but it's literally a life-and-death struggle for the shelter, its staff, and the animals. ShoeShine has been there a month - long enough to grow from a puppy to an adolescent, long enough to watch a number of other animals come and go. In the past two days, at least eighteen new dogs have come in, and there is nowhere to put them.

Tuesday may well be his last day. If it is, and he has to be put to sleep to make room for new dogs, it will be heartbreaking. And for me... well, he's so much like Rufus in so many ways, I think my heart will break a little bit every time I look at my own lovable rascal and see what ShoeShine could have been, too.
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UPDATE 6/30: ShoeShine was one of ELEVEN dogs pulled yesterday by rescue groups at the last minute. Thanks to their hard work, there's a little bit of breathing room at the shelter - at least for a few days. ShoeShine headed to Shreveport, LA along with a Chihuahua named Josh, where they will be fostered - and hopefully adopted out - by Animal Welfare, Inc., a Shreveport-based rescue group.
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A Request

Looking back at all of the dogs we've met over the past year - and looking forward to the opening of Irving's new "Animal Care Campus" to replace the 36-year-old shelter building - has made me a bit nostalgic. I've been wanting to do another slideshow of the animals we've featured, but this time I'll need some assistance to make it work.

If you have (or know someone who has) an animal that was adopted from the Irving Animal Shelter - especially one featured here on Shelter Diaries - I'd like to get photos to show the animals "then and now" when possible. People should get to see that for a lot of these dogs and cats, leaving the shelter is not just a "happily ever after," but a "to be continued" as well.

If you do have photos you'd like to contribute, please e-mail them to us at onimusic@verizon.net. Thanks!

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Sandy

Sandy is, to put it plainly, the ugliest dog at the shelter. Her eyes are red and baggy half-covered by the membranes surrounding them, her tongue protrudes from her mouth constantly, her teats are like wads of chewed bubblegum hanging from her underside and she has a permanantly protruding vulva from her years as a puppy-mill bitch. She was smeared with feces and her legs calloused and scabrous. And I absolutely love every inch of her! One might think that a dog so used and mistreated would want nothing to do with people, but Sandy is so full of affection and trust, she has surprised everyone at the shelter with her good nature and manners.

Tim and I took her outside for a much-needed bath, and she was so good on the leash and really enjoyed stretching her legs and soaking up some sunshine. She didn't like the cold water but she was really brave as we scrubbed away the dried poop from her shoulders, legs and backside.

I let her stay outside in the sun for almost an hour while she dried. She liked the grass but was quite happy when I laid out one of the towels for her to sunbathe on. If I walked away, though, she was right there following me. She is not stingy with the kisses either and her tongue is surprisingly long! She doesn't know what to do with a ball but she does enjoy just hanging out and watching the world go by.

Like I said, Sandy is not going to win any beauty pagents, and is going to have to get by on her personality alone, but given a chance to love somebody, there is no one who shines brighter.

UPDATE 3/09: Sandy met two outgoing female dogs in the lobby of the shelter and did NOT like either one. I would suggest she not be homed with other females, and possibly not any other dogs at all. We'll see how she is around males and try again with calmer, older females.
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Harley

We haven't been able to take Harley outside his kennel yet, but check out these photos.  He is too cute!

We'll do a proper write-up when we have more to tell you.  He really does seem terribly sweet, though.

(UPDATE 2/24):  Never got around to doing a proper update, but it doesn't matter now.  Harley was euthanized today, due to acute illness.  I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time with you, Harley Dog.

Sadie

I have only met Sadie briefly, so I will let Tim do the write up.  But I wanted to at least introduce her to you and show you her pretty pictures.  Sadie was dumped at the shelter by an owner who actually said "We're selling her pups but we just want to get rid of her."  Her teats are still swollen and lactating, so we're not sure just how long ago she gave birth.  Our own foster dog, Mia, was dumped with two of her puppies.  A new mother should have peace, quiet and security and her babies need to learn those things from her.  These horrible owners who treat dogs like puppy dispensers should be forced to work the "back room" of a shelter when these unwanted dogs are put to sleep.  Just let them see the final result of their thoughtless, careless actions (or inactions in the case of unspayed females.)

She is so scared and so timid.  No one is going to give her a second look.  She doesn't look like a cute little puppy or a heroic guard dog or a fancy lap ornament.  She looks small and dark and so very intimidated, but she's brave enough to trust you if you give her a chance.

Honestly, she probably won't make it out alive.  No one seems to really notice her.  But we just want those folks who will probably answer the "Puppies for Sale" ad or sign to know that the story doesn't end with the purchase of a puppy.  A lot of stories end on the cold steel table in the back of a shelter.

UPDATE (2/22):  Sadie never got her happy ending.  I sat with her and walked with her and played with her, but trust moves slowly.  And the current of human thoughtlessness moves swift and strong.  She was put to sleep today, to make room for incoming animals - most of them brought in by their owners.

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Jasper, the One-Eared Dog

 

When Jasper first arrived at the shelter, we really didn't know what to make of him.  He huddled in the back of his kennel, pretty much sitting and glowering.  He wouldn't come forward to take a treat from me - even when I tossed it halfway across the kennel floor.  But he didn't growl, or give any signs of aggression, and the poor guy needed some water.  So in I ducked to get to know him better.

At first, he looked shy and confused:  one ear flat and laid back, the other standing semi-erect and forward.  Once inside his kennel, I could understand why a lot better:

My initial thought was that a previous owner tried to "ghetto-bob" his ears, and gave up after the first wouldn't stay erect.  After discussing it with some of the other folks at the shelter, though, it seems much more likely that something - something very large -  had gotten ahold of him at some point.  Jasper isn't a small fry by anyone's estimation, but whatever happened to him was very big and very scary, and it's left some pretty deep scars.  Not all of those are flesh wounds, either.

He's extremely frightened - almost never standing fully upright when he walks, ducking and shaking uncontrollably when he's touched too quickly or startled.  Yesterday, we had to cut short our walk because he was terrified of even the pigeons and grackles in the parking lot.  A little later, we ventured back out with Laney, a happy-go-lucky young boxer/chow/shepherd fellow, and Jasper found a bit more pluck and courage.

 

 I only had a chance to stop by for a few minutes this evening, but made sure to stop and say hello to Jasper.  He was a lot more relaxed, and nuzzled up under my arm contentedly.  I have yet to see him smile outright, but I have a feeling that he's not too far from it.

NOTE:  Time and weather allowing, we'll try to introduce him to our dog Amelia tomorrow -  she's no stranger to working with frightened dogs herself, and maybe she'll help Jasper locate his misplaced confidence.

UPDATE (2/11):  It snowed like crazy today.  Undaunted, Jasper and I went outside to hang out with Frosty, another dog on the "urgent list."  Someone was interested in both of them, so I figured it would be a good thing to see if they could stand each other first.  How did it go?  You be the judge.

 

And, at long last - Jasper smiled today.

UPDATE (2/13):  Jasper finally got to meet Amelia today - along with Rufus and Mia, when he came to stay with us for the next week!  Minnesota Animal Rescue pulled him (along with Frosty, and three other dogs) today, and he'll be heading north next weekend, health permitting.   So it looks like Frosty and Jasper could get used to this "snow" thing after all...

UPDATE (2/19):  Tomorrow is the day Jasper is supposed to go to a new foster in Minnesota.  We will let you know how that goes.  He's been a wonderful guest and I will miss his sweet little face.

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UPDATE (2/20):  Jasper's prospective foster did not reply to Tim's email, so Jasper is still here.  Our house is a bit too small and crowded now and so we are looking for another temporary foster for him until things are set for him in Minnesota.  He's super sweet and snuggly, and although he is being treated for URI, he's happy and energetic.  He does like to chase the cats and has a strong prey drive and should not be in a household with cats or other small animals unless supervised. He does not like strangers coming up to "his" house or gate and will let you know if someone's approaching.  Other than that, he's very observant of both his human and canine packmates and is eager to be a good boy, whatever that entails.  If you are interested in fostering or adopting Jasper, we can certainly arrange a home visit with your family/pack.  Email to onimusic@verizon.net.

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