I finally got to go to the animal shelter today–first time I have gone alone in 2 weeks. I didn’t stay as long as I had originally planned–perhaps it is shallow of me, but I was determined to get to try my bread while it was still warm, and thanks to yesterday’s power outage John had to bake the bread today while I was gone. And oh boy was the bread worth it–stay tuned for that recipe.
So anyway I was only there for an hour or two. Jack the Rottie mix was adopted while I was gone–yea! Luna has been spoken for and is on hold (thank goodness). Interestingly they had been having socialization issues with her–which shocked me given how friendly she was to me and my toddler. There were some adorable new older kittens (maybe 10-15 weeks?) that I had to avoid–both for my own sanity and for the fact that they are concerned some form of feline leukemia may have gotten into the shelter, which as anyone familiar with the disease knows is a huge problem. So new cats were being carefully segregated (I think they have it under control but are instituting new policies to prevent it from happening again). And the last huge temptation was a very young German Shepherd that I walked. S/he had already been spoken for, which is a good thing because as Loki gets older I just cannot fathom my life without a German Shepherd so I suspect every time one comes into the shelter I am going to want to bring him or her home. And this one was really sweet–very affectionate and easy to walk.
I sat and petted a 1 1/2 year old grey cat for about 15 minutes today. She really got into it–purring and arching her back and rubbing me all over. Amazing how much friendlier the cats are when you do not have an overenthusiastic 2 1/2 year old in tow (no matter how gentle she is)! I also spent some time with some very young and sharp-toothed mutt puppies. (Speaking of, the mangy puppies were adopted). They were very rambunctious and nipped me all over, actually drawing blood at one point. Hopefully they will be adopted–and socialized–quickly. I sat for a while with the healthy dogs in the sick bay as well, since people don’t back there as often–I felt badly for them.
I have no horror stories from this time around, happily enough. Just the depressing fact that the shelter is very overcrowded at the moment. Those perfectly healthy dogs are back in the sick bay because there is nowhere else to put them.
On the subject of dogs though, Loki, my German Shepherd, is 13 years old this month. In case you don’t realize that is beyond ancient for a Shepherd. Astounding. He is like that toothless, scatterbrained, gimpy, but still very affectionate old relative you know–the one that just seems likes he or she might live forever (and is determined to try). Loki the Energizer Bunny.
Laura, you guessed it– those look like wild turkeys! Ours gather under the birdfeeder for “scraps”.
How wonderful that you still have Loki! Has she managed to avoid the hip problems common in shepherds? I really think that our next dog will be a German Shepherd– they are such cool dogs. 🙂
~Vicci
Vicci: No he has had hip displaysia, a mild form, his whole life. I was always very careful with his diet as a result. He has had nerve degeneration ever since he had a stroke from the stress (seriously 🙂 ) when my youngest daughter was born. Good news: he is not in pain–he does not feel much. Bad news: incontinence or immobility will probably eventually be his downfall. But he still makes it up and down the stairs (only following me–he is absolutely devoted).
I love German Shepherds–if you can handle the hair (and I mean THE HAIR) you won’t find better dogs.
Oh, yeah, I remember that hair. UGH!
Laura, My brother had a shepherd years ago and she was so great. I understand about the hair– we’ve had a collie, a sheepdog, a malamute, and a few large, furry mixed breeds. It’s the price (and a small one, at that)of having these wonderful beings in your life. 🙂
~Vicci