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For the most up-to-date information on who is currently at the shelter waiting for a new best friend and furever home, check out our Facebook page. Hope to see you there!

DAWG ADOPTION EVENT

BLIND BETTY UPDATE

WONDERFUL NEWS!

DAWG ran an ad on Betty
looking for a a new home
or a foster home. But she's
going to the best home of all!
Her owners saw the ad and
are picking her up today.

Yeah, Betty! We're so
happy for you.

PICTURE PERFECT

DAWG is lucky enough to have Susan C as a member.
She's a wonderful photographer and spends a lot of time
getting shots for our website. All of her photos are great,
but sometimes the click of the camera shutter captures
some particularly awesome shots.

Such was the case with Frank and Herbert. We are not
usually able to let the dogs play together. But Frank and
Herbert came into the shelter together and because of
a lack of room, they were sharing a kennel. So they
obviously got along and it was safe to let them play
together in the exercise yard. Just look at the results.










Didn't Susan capture the magic of these two dogs!

To find out more about Frank, Herbert, and the many
other dogs and cats waiting for forever homes, go to
the DAWG website.

BLIND BETTY

WILL YOU ADOPT ME? OR BE MY FOSTER
FAMILY UNTIL I FIND A FOREVER HOME?


Hi. I'm Betty
and I'm blind.
I was picked
up wandering
aimlessly on a
busy road. I was
very lucky to
not get hit by
one of the many
cars that passed
me by—without
stopping to help.
But then I heard
the sound of a
vehicle braking
and a door opening.
Suddenly, there were gentle hands petting me and scooping
me up.

Now I'm in the shelter. It was pretty scary at first, but it was
clean and there was food, water, and a bed with a thick quilt.
I'm in a fairly small kennel, so it didn't take me long to learn
my territory. I did get a few bruises on my nose until I had
the wall locations firmly fixed in my mind. Then I located
the flap to the outside. That's good because I'm very house-
trained and was pleased to find a place where I could do
my business.

I'm a sweet, loving girl who walks well on leash (with
guidance, of course). I learn very quickly and would make
a grand addition to your family.

Is there a place in your heart for me?
There's plenty of room in mine for you!

Visit the DAWG website to learn more about me.

10-MILE TOMMY

Tommy went for a 10-mile
ride today without getting
sick. He loves to ride with
his head out the window and
his ears flapping in the wind.
He smiled the whole way.

Cherie


This was a real milestone for Tommy. At first, he
couldn't make it even a quarter mile. But he's always
up for a ride anyway.

Tommy is still looking for a forever home. To learn
more about this wonderful dog, see our Sept. 7 blog
and also go to the DAWG website.

Introducing Fluffy the DAWG

Hi. I'm Fluffy the DAWG. I've been
the DAWG mascot for many years
now and it's always been a great joy
to help the cats, dogs, and DAWG
volunteers.




And now DAWG has a blog,
and I get to share my thoughts
with the world! You'll be
hearing from me regularly.

In fact, let's start right now.





____________________________________

A SHELTER PET'S PLEA

- By Fluffy the DAWG

Please look at me, don't turn away . . .
Just touch my cage, brighten my day.
Reach out your hand, give a gentle touch,
Please take me home — I won't ask for much!



____________________________________

Bye.

We'll talk again soon.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

Danny and Harley have been at the shelter for a long, long
time. But not any more!

At long last, both Danny and Harley found forever homes,
thanks in large part to the never-ending efforts of the DAWG
volunteers, including these wonderful ads.
































A special thanks to Dina (Harley's advocate) and to
Dottie (Danny's advocate) who took these dogs on as
their special projects, taking them to adoption events,
running ads, handing out flyers, and while waiting for
happy results, spending lots of time walking, playing
with, training, and taking these fine fellows for rides
(often through the drive-through of a burger joint or
to their homes for a little family time) to give them a
much-needed break from shelter life.

There are, of course, many more pets waiting for
homes. And there's always a need for volunteers to
help keep these wonderful critters sane while they're
waiting. Browse the DAWG website to see if your
perfect pet might just be there. And also think about
joining DAWG and entering the very rewarding
world of volunteering. Until you've been there, you
just can't imagine the incredible joy it can bring
to your life.

LOST DOG FOUND

This is Ellie who was recently adopted
from the shelter. Ellie was one of the
four "Antelope Valley" dogs remaining
at the shelter.

Who are the "Antelope Valley" dogs?
Well, at the beginning of the year, the
shelter became involved in helping a man
living in Antelope Valley who had started with a couple of
dogs, but then had about 28 at best guess. A few of the dogs
were comfortable with people, but most of them had pretty
much kept their distance. The shelter managed to capture
most of the dogs on leashes and bring them into the shelter
for rehab and adoption. But four of the dogs were virtually
feral and they had to be trapped.

That's what was done and in mid-February, Ellie, Jamie,
Tammy, and Heather arrived at the shelter. For months
all that could be done for these terrified animals was to
sit outside their kennels reading or talking softly to them
and very slowly getting them to accept treats, and then
petting, and a leash, and a walk, and so on. Once we managed
to get them out of their kennels, they had to be familiarized
with the domestic world. There was very little they weren't
afraid of. Walking on a tiled floor was terrifying, as was their
reaction to so many common, every day activities: turning
on a water faucet, opening the fridge door, flushing the toilet,
sounds from the TV.

But the months passed and these wonderful dogs flourished.
They finally reached the point where they would ride in a car,
so they could be taken to the vet for spaying. And then, at last,
available for adoption. Ellie was first, followed by Jamie.
Heather and Tammy aren't quite ready yet, but will be soon.

So what has this got to do with a lost dog? Well, Ellie was
adopted into a wonderful home—a DAWG-member family.
She was doing very well, but early one morning discovered
a window open far enough for her to slip out. A quick search
did not find her, so DAWG was called into action. DAWG
members living in the immediate area acted first, and the
search was on.

From the title, you know how this turned out. Judy L, a
long-time DAWG member and volunteer at the shelter who
had worked with the Antelope Valley dogs from the beginning,
was searching the streets when she saw the familiar face
strolling along. She stopped her car and got out and gave
a call to Ellie. Ellie, happy to see a familiar face, came right
over, a smile on her face and tail wagging.

So Ellie has been reunited with her family who are so very,
very happy. Just how cool is that!

P.S. The man who had the dogs originally was not left
alone. He kept three dogs who have now been spayed
and neutered.

KITTENS — KITTENS — CATS

So many cats — so little time. But that doesn't stop
Sue (just one of DAWG's "cat ladies")from giving
this bundle of kittens all the love they need.



















But they still need forever homes. Help Sue
(and Kathie and Cheryl, our other cat ladies)
by giving a loving home to one of these kittens,
or one of the adult cats also waiting at the shelter.

Boo is still a kitten (about 5 months now).
Sue calls her a "lover kitten."



Ramey is a purr machine—just a total lap cat.
Rena is so cute with that exclamation point on
her nose. She's shy but very sweet. Both are
spayed and ready to go home.

So put a little love in your life.
Adopt a shelter cat—or two!

A Love Story

I am new to blogging. In fact, this will be my first ever blog, but I'm quite sure it won't be my last. I now take my camera along when I'm headed toward the shelter and I'm thrilled to be able to share some of the many wonderful encounters that always seem to happen there. I hope many of you will consider volunteering. It will bring great joy to your life.


This is Miley. Isn't she beautiful! I snapped this shot last Wednesday. This is pretty typical of what we see when we enter the kennel area. All the dogs are very excited to see us and ready to get out for a breath of fresh air.

I know many of you might think that it's just too hard to see these wonderful creatures locked up. I understand that. But think about this: While waiting for their forever homes, they can either be locked up 24/7 or they can get out every day to walk, play, swim in the kiddie pool, get brushed, get lots of love, and sometimes even a little car trip for a burger. Take a look at the "lovefest" below to get a feel for how important this is not only for the pets but for the people.














These shots were taken during just a few minutes of the time my husband Terry and I spent with Miley before moving on to other dogs and for Terry, some cats, too. (I'm allergic to cats so must look on from afar.)

I'm so glad I had the chance to spend this time with Miley. I just found out that she was adopted today into a wonderful home. It's a mixed bag. This is just what we want to happen, but you still can't help missing them. Have a wonderful life, Miley. We'll be thinking about you. Tina D.