June 2019
Ten years ago we used to expect up to five dogs in the first half of May. Recent years have seen fewer dogs, but this year sure felt like the “good old days.” The first dog was Snowy, surrendered by his second owner at less than a year and a half old. We have to thank Seattle Humane Society for telling her about us and suggesting she contact us first; she had made an appointment with them to surrender Snowy a few days later. Hans and Holley picked him up and brought him here, where we found him to be a typically friendly boy, eager to please and still full of energy. He is also the son of Tessa, one of the puppy mill girls we have here. The pedigree showed what we have come to expect, showing Tessa had been bred to her brother. We called Sue Yim, who recently lost her boy Tolkeetna, and she came to visit him. Two days later she came back to pick him up, and Snowy lives with his new sister Sadie, who was one of Katie’s pups born 12 years ago. Snowy is a handful, still in training and a high energy dog. He needs someone like Sue.
Annie has been here since November last year. We kept her an unusually long time because she was so unsocialized and fearful, and then when we thought she was almost ready she came into heat. Our vet prefers not to spay until a month after it begins, so she finally had surgery and it’s time for her to find a home. Recently we checked in with all the people on our waiting list, asking for updates and requesting they tell us if they want to remain on the list. One reply was from a couple in Idaho who adopted Button from us many years ago. Button passed last month at 14 years old, showing what great care she had. We called that family and they are going to drive to meet Annie soon. We warned them Annie is the most active girl we have ever fostered; she barks and digs and gets into trouble, but they have enough Sammy experience to recognize that won’t last forever. Annie is the kind of dog we’ve often seen, who will settle down and be an outstanding family member.
In April this year a dog named Jaiozi was listed on Craigslist, but we didn’t get an answer when we wrote. Unfortunately the woman who got him, who wanted a companion for her male, found the two boys didn’t especially like each other. We became involved and we’re looking for a home for him. We will try to place him directly; Karen in Ellensburg has been waiting for three years and has gone to look at several dogs during that time. None were still available when she got there, so we’re hoping this one works out. He looks like he might be another dog born at Prairieland from Iowa puppy mill parents. We don’t have paperwork on him, so we won’t know for sure.
Tessa and Sophie, our Prairieland girls, continue to make progress. At first their only outdoor access was a small are outside the garage, but when they moved indoors we cross-fenced a section of the back yard for them. In the last few weeks we began letting them out in the big dog yard, and they are running and playing with the other dogs. Most of the time they come back when called inside, so we will continue giving them more time there. It will be nice to get rid of that cross fence and be able to mow everything. Both dogs are still afraid of men, so Kathy interacts with them most of the time. Still, compared to a year ago they are completely different dogs. Fena, the third of the girls, is still with Kathi and making even faster progress. Recently she even turned over and asked for a belly-rub, which considering her background is nearly miraculous.
Max remains with Melissa and he is still looking for a home. He is a wonderful dog, but 7/8 Siberian Husky and people don’t come to us for a Sibe. Even those who say they will adopt a mix don’t seem interested. We even used Petfinder for the first time in years, without any positive result.
Some shelters or humane societies, like Homeward Pet in Woodinville, don’t like to work with rescues. They think they know breeds better than we do, and as a result there is a Samoyed there who was also there a few months ago. He was placed badly and came back. We tried hard to get him, but they just aren’t interested and as a result he has been in a shelter this time for over a month. Others, like Seattle Humane, recognize rescues as a good tool to help dogs. They are responsible for getting Snowy to us and we truly appreciate them.