May 2020
Max has been here since early this year. When he arrived he paid little attention to people, didn’t know his name, and tuned us out most of the time. Now he has become a social dog who loves to be with us, obeys (most of the time), and treats the girls with respect. Well, at least most of the time. He doesn’t get along well with our boy Rowdy so we’re keeping them on opposite sides of gates when indoors. Outside they ignore each other. Having Max around and watching him learn and grow has been a joy.
Sophie and Tessa continue to make progress, which is now very, very slow. Although I can’t touch them yet, there is one exception. When they go in their crates at night I can hand them food, and when they eat what they drop from the bottom of the crate I can pet them. The next step is to gradually teach them it’s safe to let me approach at other times, but honestly I don’t ever expect that to happen. Fortunately, Kathy is able to walk up to them in the kitchen and feed them from her hand. Increasingly, they let her touch and sometimes pet them. If they ever leave here they need a home without men.
Nanuk is recovering from an encounter with another dog. He was in his own yard with Theresa when a pit bull mix staying across the street got loose, ran over, and bit his face over the fence. Fortunately he didn’t get in the yard. The owner said he would pay the vet bill, but poor Nanuk has a number of staples in his muzzle. The police were called and a report was taken.
A couple weeks ago we heard about a disabled puppy who needed a home. She has some sort of neurological problem, caused by something at birth, and can’t walk on her own. Two of our wonderful previous adopters said they would take the challenge and see what happens. After working with the puppy, whose new name is Hope, they know they need some formal rehabilitation. Whether it’s water therapy or someone who has experience with dogs like this, they need someone with experience who can help with the job. It might be one of you, or a professional trainer, or someone who does doggie rehab. If you have any idea who in the Portland area can do that, please contact us. This is a pup who needs our whole village.
