Walking Dogs before Lunch! Mash Potato....Frito....

While walking six pooches today I was thinking about how interesting my days have become since starting the Dog Walking. I have come across so many dogs that have been challenging. Dogs that have made me laugh out loud and dogs that have touched my soul in ways that I couldn't have imagined.
  Today started out with a BEAUTIFUL black lab named Salem. He is another heartworm survivor and I cannot imagine that he will be among the adoptee candidates for long. He is a perfect gentleman and shows no sign that he is ailing. He even took his meds for me after refusing the first go~round with staff. All he needed was a little fresh air!

Salem is a perfect gentleman!

   Next, I walked a guy named Frito, he is a Brittney Spaniel. He doesn't have a photo on file yet, but he is a very good looking guy! He walked very casually and no pulling or leash grabbing... another successful walk!
    Diggy was up next. What more can be said? Diggy is ideal! He is so smart and knows what we should do on walks, he is interested in what is going on around him and just has the best disposition and character! I hope he gets a person soon!

Diggy

    Diamond has a very similar face as Diggy. They both look like they have boxer mixed in...today I conceded that Diamond is the number 1 BEST dog to take out. She is a perfect angel....every time! She loves to be held and looks right in your eyes when you are talking to her. I can't think of a more trainable poochy in the kennels! She is a dream!

The ultimate dog...Diamond!

  I had time for two more. Tommy Mash Potato is a shelter favorite! He is very good once he gets away from the kennels....but OH!!! TOMMY!! He goes nuts when he gets into the kennel yard. He seems to know that all the dogs can see that HE...TOMMY MASH POTATO is the CHOSEN ONE!! He jumps.. he grabs.. he gets down low and wiggles and poses, so all can see that HE is going for a walk! He is so funny!

Tommy Mash Potato....LOVES his walks!

    Then, to top off my day, I took out Xander (the Alaskan Husky/lab mix). If Tommy MP is a handful...Xander is two! He,too, leaps, jumps up, grabs apron, yada..yada...he gets very excited though and won't be reckoned with until someone (me) gets stern with him. He means well, but doesn't seem to understand that humans aren't built for play like Xander is....he is a good boy, though! (and handsome, too)

Xander chillin' on a hot day!

Wooley Bears,Goldfinches and Grasshoopers Galore!

          We had a beautiful early fall day today at HSHV. I walked a big newbie named Mike, smarty girl Flora and three little bit doggies. I only have two photos to share as the little bits aren't in the photo gallery yet!
   Mikey is a very large Heartworm positive, American Bulldog/Mastiff mix. He is so big and strong, I can only imagine his strength when he becomes healthy again. He has a very, very handsome face that looks like a very big Pitty face...and he doles out the kisses like they are goin' outta style!
 

Flora is as bright as they come...you can see that in her eyes, huh?

Flora gets a little jiggy when she sees you select her leash off the front of her cage. She jumped straight up and gave about three strong jumps before following me out to the other side. She wears a leash wrap, but really wants to chew on the leash as if it were made of delicious doggy treat material......I brought an extra leash and snapped that on to keep all four on the floor, so she cleaverly countered by giving my apron a tuggy tug and a shakey shake....oh goodness! As soon as we get away from the other eyes and noses she gets down to the business of walking. She reminds me of that dear sweet girl Dixie, more and more every time I walk her!

Conner is a chubby little terrier mix thatn looks as if he is slimming down a bit. He was in one of the front glass window rooms and when I got his leash ready he was....(ahem)..... having his way with his doggy bed.....CONNER!! I think that he was a tad bit embarrassed, but walked along like "nothing to see back there, lady, nothing to see"...(giggle)....

 The three all smalls were easy walks.

They were one was a beautiful Yorki/Poo. She was well groomed and found as a stray. It is sad that she lost her person, but with her looks and personality she will find some to love her soon. No name as of today, but I will keep you updated.

Conner a randy little chubster!
Until next week..........keep your paws clean and noses wet!

Flying Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease

Hello there. I had a day of flying dogs! Well, starting out with a new special guy named Tommy Mash Potato. He is an absolute charmer! He has a smile that will melt your heart and a style all of his own. Tommy is tall ( I believe that there may be some Great Dane in his background), but his face and body are Boxer. The catch is that Tommy MP is black and white,very,very striking!!

Look at that FACE!! It's Tommy Mash Potato!!

As soon as we get in front of the other dogs (who are barking as loud as doggily possible)...he leaps in the air straight towards me. Not out of malice, but out of pure excitement. I blocked him with my forearm and he jumped merrily in the air as I held his leash at arms length until we managed our way away from the rest. We had a quick chat in the gazebo about who was going to be in charge (we elected "me" as the leader). Okay, off we went. He is all charm to say the LEAST!!
    Next up was Zander. Now Zander just returned to us. I am not sure why he came back, but he too, is an exuberant pup! He is only 11 months and really , really wants to learn the ways of the world. He came outta the gates flying, through the air, too!!

Zander a Siberian Husky/German Shepard mix.

 He was leaping and twisting to get free of his leash, so hard that he fell down. (puppy fall...no ouwies!). Finally, I stepped on his leash and held him in a down to calm him. This worked better than I expected. We stayed there for a couple of minutes as I patted his head and talked calmly to him, then I took my foot off the leash and continued his relaxed state....THEN we walked! He was so good once he figured out that we could enjoy ourselves. All these methods were taught to me through the wonderful training sessions that I attended at HSHV. I do use my own intuition, but when I need to reach back for a new method that I haven't used before, the classes that I had from HSHV are so helpful! It's funny , too, because I think that each walker has different issues with each animal and different methods work for us.
   Next, I walked a beautiful grey/blue pit/lab (?) mix named Dusty Rose! She is new so I don't have a photo yet. Dusty didn't fly through the air. She was quite a shy, doclie young lady. She was very, very timid, but certainly knew that her walkers had treats at the disposal! Every few yards she would face me and sit with a beautiful serene look on her face! I will post a picture when one comes up on the Website.
   Last up today, I walked Bella. A blue female Pitty. I think that she was returned after a short adoption as well. I don't know why this happens, but if it's not the right "fit" this is the best thing for the dogs. She is a sweet soul that just wants to be loved. We had such a nice walk and when we returned to the kennel, she slathered me with kisses galore!

Bella enjoying herself in the play yard!

Another dog day of summer....they are quietly slipping towards Autumn!

I am so happy to be back!!
   I have missed sharing my experiences, but have enjoyed my summer of walking! There have been several changes many adoptions and some fosters that are, so, so important.
    One day last week, I had eight dogs that needed walking...every one of them so grateful that they could get out to do the daily business.
 My precious Cinnamon went to foster.

the Princess...

I will miss our time together, Cinna....

 I discovered sweety Diamond and Cocoa whom have personalities above AND beyond the call of doggy duty!

Diamond

Cocoa

These girls have everything anyone needs to make them smile.....such HUGE personalities and interesting doggy ways that would make even the most skeptical want to investigate "what's UP"?

Then there is Diggy...he went to the play yard...normal guy....he started running...running so fast....he was running so fast that I began thinking about the possibilities of actually stopping him...as I thought this he "flew" through my knees and I thought 'all was lost'....before finishing my thought...he turned on a dime and stopped between my feet facing me "tete a tete" and we had a great laugh! I have missed many stories, but am ready to begin again and tell the "tails" of HSHV and the wonderful, wonderful dogs that are the lucky ones that pass through the doors.......so many faces...so many tears, yet smiles abound!!

Conner

Bubba!

I can't wait until next week!!

Out of Order!

My computer was electrified by a lightning bolt a couple of weeks ago....I will need to get a new one before I can continue my blog...photos and such. I have been walking wonderful dogs and we have had very successful adoptions at HSHV. I will update as soon as possible! Tanya

Beatin' the Heat! The Walk Goes On....

I missed walking the dogs on Tuesday, as I had some personal business to attend to and I realized that I really missed my babies!! It has been blistering hot and super duper muggy, but the walks must go on!

   Cinnamon really, really missed me...I could tell (wink~wink)....She went right into the yard without her "puppy" and never really wanted to hold it. She was very interested in walking "with" me and we had loose leash most of the walk. She has come SO FAR! I know that she is in the Head Start program at HSHV, where she gets special training and attention from the volunteers on a daily basis. Cinnamon is also the featured adoptable Dog of the Month!

Precious Emma

The Lovely Dog of the Month....Cinnamon!!

Emma is the sweet older Beagle lady that has been staying at the front desk. She also enjoys choosing her route on her walks....Basically it's Emma's way or the Highway! But, today it was so miserable outside that she took care of her doggy business and turned right back to the front door...took a quick break to allow the children waiting in the lobby to pet her and then went back behind the desk.

    I met a couple of new fellas today The first newbie is named Bubba! What a joyful fella he is! He is a Coonhound and has a mournful bay! He was fine when I first took him out and then he spotted a buddy of his and WOOOOOO...out it flowed. He was such a cutie though and walked so nice on his leash! He is a lovely fellow and I'm betting that he gets adopted quickly.

The Bub~ster!! Bubba rules!

Now, you that know me and for you that don't German Shepard's have a very very special place in my heart!! We have a handsome lad looking for a forever home, named "Elroy"....One of the other volunteers, Karen and I were discussing names that were little more GS approved...   (smile)...like perhaps Sarge or Major...we shall see. Unfortunately, there is no photo quite yet, but I will post one as soon as our wonderful photographer gets his mug shot! Anyhow, he is an absolute DOLL! So, attentive to EVERYTHING...every sight, sound, smell, texture and some "tastes" (I was sweating  so hard today that the kisses had to have been extremely salty tasting)!! He is a dream dog!

I

Bridgette sees you....

Then, I had time for one short one and Bridgette fit the bill. After last weeks leash grabbing episode, I was a little cautious getting her leashed up. She sensed my apprehension and it took me a few minutes and some help from one of the staff members to get her out and about, but it is because she is so darn excited to get her exercise...she was wiggling and play bowing and giving happy jumps and jig jags, but as long as we were moving she was fine. Poor baby, she still has a week or so of easy walks, as she is still on Heart worm meds. Bridgette is such a sweetie pie and very loving and smart!           

Here is the pretty Bridgette!

My buddy Yogi is now in foster, so he is getting lots of love from his new foster family. (I kinda miss his goofy lil self)!!
      So, until Saturday, please remember to keep your pets cool as possible in this heat wave! They will appreciate your efforts! Until next time, Tanya

Leaping, Licking and Laughing

I would like to start out today by sharing photos of Dingo (who is now at a foster home...and looking very comfortable, in that silly Dingo sorta way)! Also, a photo of Sassy (the pretty faced pitty mix that I walked on Tuesday) and Daisy Duke, the lovely black lab lady with the white markings that I 'd met last week.

Dingo (left) with his new bud!

....AND

Sassy, who is very, very sweet...can you tell?

                AND.......Daisy Duke......................................

Daisy Duke with lovely white summer slippers!

Now, for the walking news of the day. All the dogs were repeats as there were plenty of walkers and I focused on the Blue dot dogs today. I walked Yogi first and he is the ultimate little squirmy guy. He really contorts and is awkward and falls down...but that's Yogi! He is smiling and having a good time...so what to do?? He found a great smell (evidently...) and rolled in it...it was on gravel, so I am not sure what the attraction was, but he knew! (smiles)

Yogi is such a funny fellow!

Junior, the chocolate lab senior citizen is next. There are no issues with Junior...except he really really wishes that I would follow him off trail into the brush to discern the wonderful SMELLS that are off the trail (looks at me like SSSSCCESSSHHHH lady come on!)!!

Junior (wishing I had more adventure)!

AHHHH....lucky me Cinnamon needed her walk next! As always, we had a great time. She actually enjoyed herself so much today that she dropped her soft toy (aka her 'puppy'). I took her to the play yard as we haven't had that opportunity in quite some time. She had so much fun. She showed me how she could run through and back the cloth tunnel chased tennis balls and always came back to me to rest.

The one the ONLY Cinnamon!!

I will now move on to the last and "easiest" walk of the day....Bridgette......(clears throat). She is a heart worm survivor and still on meds, so ole' Bridgette should be going for nice easy 5 minute walks. She started out feisty, but normal, then something came over her when we got to the back...it's always at the far point from the kennels. She got super excited and jumpy and grinned and looked at me and grabbed the leash right by my hand. She was giving it the shakey shake...OH NO!!!! Bridgette, she wasn't letting go either. Usually you want to step on the leash when they are jumping to calm them down but there was no leash to step on....and she was just challenging me in a very playful way to play tugga war...which is obviously (to humans) a HUGE No~NO! We were taking a step trying to correct trying to bribe, trying to command our way back to the kennel...after two full minutes...snapped out of it like nothing happened and we went back to the kennel and had our normal finishing snuggle.  It was strange, but we made it back OK. I talked to one of the staff members and we think that she is gaining all her strength back and needs more exercise! What a Fireball she was today!

Bridgette asking..."Who ME"????

That's all for today folks! Tune in for more "As The Tail Wags"