Saturday was the "3rd Annual Oregon Humane Society Pet Telethon", which is the only telethon held for animals in the west. Or something like that... It was a fun time had by all!  It was held at the local CBS studios and we basically were told that we could wander everywhere except into the Anchor room.
 

Some volunteers manned the phones taking pledges/donations, some were runners bring back the pledges from the phones, some were gophers running messages back and forth between different sections, and I was in the back in the "Gift Center" verifying large donations. I had fun calling people back up thanking them for their donations and verifying the amount. I would get great stories from some how they had adopted their cat or dog 30 years ago from the Humane Society (Okay, so I exaggerate) and it was their best friend for years....

A local radio host was the Host of the Telethon and two anchors from the TV Station were there to read Challenges and introduce stories and commercials. There were dogs running around all over the place. Some sat quietly next to their owners while they were on the phones so they were shown on TV, whiles others would accidentally get away and you would see it wander across the TV viewing space.

They had one of the anchors at the Shelter who they would go to occasionally to show adoptable animals.  The Shelter had a record day and adopted out over 50 animals, which is a lot in one day. There were a few people who actually went to the Shelter to drop off donations and pick up an animal. There was one gentleman who adopted a dog and left a $3000 check! There were some very generous people!
I was at the Humane Society yesterday doing my dog walking and it was nice to see that it was only half full after the weekend event. 

There is this very beautiful Dalmatian named Willie available for adoption right now. He has one blind eye from being thrown from a truck in the past (car accident). He is a very sweet dog that once he trusts you, he warms up to you. He is also very smart. He knows how to sit, shake, lay down AND sit up! I found the sit up by accident... I was having him sit and stay, and I just happened to say Sit up, and he immediately sat up and kept 'waving' at me like he was shaking. He's a good boy. Like all Dalmatians he as spots all over him, but the whole right side of his face is all black. He is a very pretty dog. You can see a picture of him at: www.oregonhumane.org/featured_dogs.asp

There is this sweet Beagle boy named Bill there now. He is 5 and has a bad skin condition. Beagles can have very bad flea allergies and skin sensitivity if not taken care of. This poor boy was not taken care of. Ajax has bad flea allergies so I know the agony he has been going through. Bill was in Foster Care for a few weeks getting back into shape before going to the Shelter.

His back half still looks a little raggy, but he's come a long way and we went for a nice walk yesterday and then I sat with him for quite awhile both outside and then back in his kennel. His back end was still quite sensitive so while I was sitting on his blanket, he would come lay his front legs across me and let me pet his front 'end'. He's a sweet little tri color Beagle.

Koda is a 9 month old BIG Black Lab mix. She is a very strong young girl who takes you for a walk. She has a Pet Pal who is working with her on her 'manners. She can play fetch until she just passes out. She will go after the ball, run back as fast as she can, drop the ball at your feet and sit panting, waiting for you to throw it again. She did not want to stop, so the ball came back in with her.

Oh my gosh, there is a 3 year old yellow lab named Pringle who is just BIG. He needs to go on a diet - he is huge. He is a sweet boy that loves to be outside and walking. He loves to play ball, which maybe he was just introduced to at the Shelter.

There are some absolutely beautiful dogs at the Humane Society right now. You can see them at the link I gave you above.... Bonnie, Laser, Rusty, Buster, Jerry, Travis, Roxy.... Oh, and can't forget Kitty who a sweet Shepherd mix who doesn't have her picture up. What a love!

I kind of have to start out on a sad note, because I don't want to end with it... One of the dogs that I'm fond of will probably have to be Euthanised within the next couple of days. Kastor is a big serious Shepard mix who has been at the shelter for about 3months. He unfortunately is stressing out way too much, and Shelter life has not agreed with him.

He came in pretty wild and not in control. He is two years old and was given no training by his previous owners. His 'PetPals' have worked hard with him and with patience he has learned to walk really well on a leash, to sit, stay and lay down, but he has this fight or flight instinct when he is in a kennel and is freaked out by kids who come near the kennel. And since he can't fly anywhere, his instinct when a hyper loud child comes near and puts a hand or finger in between the bars, is to bite. He's now done this twice and he is back in bite quarantine. He is no longer able to be put back out 'in front', and no rescue groups will take dogs that have bitten. He is a really good dog when not around children, and it broke my heart when I found out he bit a second time. I was very close to seeing if I could take him home - a "NO PTS", which means at the last resort, a volunteer or staff member can say, "No, don't put it to sleep I'll take him home." But it said that his prey drive was really strong and he chases cats, so I couldn't risk it. I can't come to everyone's rescue.

The Shelter has to follow some very strict quidelines when it comes to adopting out animals, especially dogs that have aggressive tendencies.  I completely understand and agree with the decisions they make there.

Cruella the Red Cross Bull Dog mix with the spiked collar is still there. She gets a lot of attention by us, so she doing okay not being with her owner full time. I love her 'coarse' bark. She sounds like she's smoked 20 packs of cigarettes. She's so cute.

There is Shylo the Retriever mix who is beautiful and loves to play fetch. He is really good about bringing the ball back and dropping it right at your feet and then sitting down to wait until you throw it. he does this until YOU are about to drop... this dog has love and energy that I wish I could tap into.

Bonnie is a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. She is a powerful dog who only uses her power for good actually the only time she has shown her true strength gvbbbbbbbb............................................(Lucy is walking acroy6ssuu th4e 5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 keyboard) is when she doesn't want to go back in her kennel. It usually takes two people to get her to go back in. She's not mean in the least, just stubborn. I really like her. She would be great to go hiking or camping with.

This Saturday I am taking part in a Telethon benefiting the Oregon Humane Society. A local TV Station (KoinTV -CBS - Channel 6) is hosting a Telethon from Noon to 4 where all the money raised goes to the Shelter. I won't be seen on TV thank god, but I'll be working in the back ground... should be fun!

Jambalaya for everyone!!

Yep, it's the 15th and payday!

Some dogs are so lucky! They have families 'fighting' over them! If a dog has not been fixed yet, and they are scheduled for a snip a few days away, people can put holds on the animal until they are ready. Animals do not leave the Shelter until they have been fixed. I've seen animals with 5 holds on them.

Anyway, there was this sweet dog named Lucky who I took for a walk last Thursday. His paperwork said he was a St. Bernard mix. He has St. Bernard colors but more of a body of a Shepherd - not as big as a St. Bernard. He was so sweet and mellow and just loved going for a walk. He didn't pull at all and was just a cool boy. He loved playing ball too. It wasn't until I got back to his kennel and looked closer at his paperwork. This boy was not done growing yet!! He is ONLY 5 months old and the other mix is Great Dane! I enjoyed playing with him.

Cruella is a "Red Cross" dog at the Shelter. I just had to say something about this cool dog. "Red Cross" dogs are dogs that are being boarded at the Shelter while their families are being helped by the Red Cross for whatever reason. They are not up for adoption, but they are walked and played with by staff and volunteers.

Cruella is an all Black Bulldog mix. I think the mix is Pug because she is smaller than a regular Bulldog and has a bit of Pug in her face. She is a little older and takes things in stride... She wears a spiked/studded collar and red painted toenails. I died laughing when I first saw this. She is so cool looking. She has a great sense of humor, and all the Volunteers and technicians just love her.

 

Shelby hurt her tail... I don't know how, but I came home from work day before yesterday and she was not her usual Lab self. Running around happy to see me and then running to the back door to go out. Plus her tail was down. The knuckle head probably fell off the bed and knocked it. She has a habit of getting too comfy on my bed and falling off.

Yesterday I get home  from work and it is no better and she is really uncomfortable and not wanting to sit. I call the vet... "What should I do? How long should I wait before bringing her in? Blah Blah Blah." They have an opening in a few minutes bring her in. So we go... I'm in a rush because I'm to be at my Grandmother's memorial in 2 hours and we all know how the Vet's office can be. Well, at least mine.

We decide to just give her anti-inflammatory for a week to see if it helps. Vet wants to wait on an x-ray... If it hasn't gotten better in a week, we'll do x-rays. Poor baby, it's right at the base... possibility that she has broken it. She played it up well last night, and slept right next to me with her head on the pillow.... silly goof.

Some people just piss me off! Two of some of my favorite dogs at the Humane Society were returned earlier this week. Remember Maverick the Beagle I told you about? Well he was back. He barked too much for the woman. Why don't people read up on breeds before getting them?

And then another dog that I really liked named Piper came back as well. He was adopted by a family where English was a second language. Dad did not want a dog, but mom brought the girls in anyway. She promised her husband that the dog would stay in the garage. After showing the women the dog and I knew they were going to adopt him, I went up to the Adoption office to tell them of my fears. Well, Lo and behold he was adopted and he's back after two weeks.

I had someone pull the paper work for me to see what happened. As I thought, Dad did not want the dog in the house AT ALL. Piper got not only relegated out to the garage, but TIED UP in the garage. They fed him mostly table scraps, they didn't buy dog food until the second week when someone from Adoption Services  called to check on everything. The Adoption Service worker explained that feeding the dog people food scraps was unacceptable and that he had to have good dog food and that tying him up in the garage was also unacceptable. He hardly spent any time outside

Well, to make a long story shorter, Piper chewed through his leash and ran away. When they got him back, and they called for advice (they were confused as to why he would WANT to run away), the end of the conversation came when they decided they had to bring him back. Good for Piper to run away!!! Who needs  that shit! These people have a flag by their names and will not be allowed to adopt again from the Oregon Humane Society and their money was not refunded. They took none of the advice that was given to them by the Adoption Services folks.

There are two really beautiful white German Shepherds at the Shelter this week. Buddy and Missy. Very Beautiful. Buddy is 10 months and Missy is four. There was a very nice couple in on Tuesday looking at Missy. They put a hold on her until after her spaying today.

I decided NOT to volunteer 'in the back'. I'm sure you could probably guess why...

While I was at the Vet's yesterday, there was a kitty named 'Red' hanging out there looking for a home. They were trying to find him a home. He came from a "Crack House" which was busted and he ran away to a house 3 doors away. They were customers of the vets and couldn't keep him, but he's so sweet and mellow that he just hangs out on the bench or the counter and visits with everyone and the animals.
 

Yesterday the Oregon Humane Society, along with Greyhound Pets of America, and several other local groups that take care of homeless and rescued animals had a great time at a local Amusement Park. It was "Bark-toberfest at Oaks Park.  It was the last full day of the summer season that the park would be open and the rides would running, so it was a big day for families to come out and check out all the animals.

 

The Shelter brought out a bunch of dogs, kitties and some Rabbits. I was there on Adoption Outreach with a wonderful 6 yr old Rotty/Shepherd Mix named Lady. Very nice dog just wanting to find a nice home again. She likes cats, and even went nose to nose with a floppy eared dwarf rabbit named Dude. The rabbit was really cute and with Lady sitting and sniffing the pen the rabbit was in, Dude came hopping over and they sniffed each other. it was so cute!! Lady never barked at the rabbit. The only time she barked was when the Portland Fire's (Local WNBA team) Mascot, "Spot" would be near. Or another Mascot that was a Chipmunk. Dogs hated these huge animals!

A family with three kids came over to check her out in the afternoon. She got along with the kids, but the parents were not too sure, even though they wanted a little older dog. They spent about an hour with her, and then they left. I was really disappointed. After they left we went for a walk, and then I was chatting with some volunteers, who one had 'Buddy' the white Shepherd/Collie Mix. Lady and Buddy liked each other.... it was very cute. I think Buddy felt that Lady was his woman.
 

Some of the dogs I talk about can be seen on the Featured Pets section of the Oregon Humane Society's Web Site. http://www.oregonhumane.org/featured_dogs.asp . Which by the way, I began helping out with, by taking pictures of the new animals on Sundays. Actually every 1st Sunday of each month, usually.

That is quite a job I have found. The dogs are not the easiest to shoot. They are all jumpy and wiggly. The cat's are a little easier, but want to get right in your face, but the rabbits are the easiest. They just sit there. The Guinea Pigs sit and squeak at you as you talk to them, and the rats and mice... well, they are just rats and mice.

Bugsy Malone... what a fun dog! Bugsy has been at the Shelter for a week or two. He is a Pharaoh Hound/Husky mix. Quite the mix! He is 2 years old.

Here is a good site for pictures of Pharaoh Hounds  http://www.storyteller2.com/Critters/PPPharoahHound.html
 

He is golden in color, a little fuller in the body because of the Husky in him, but he has face and ears of a P Hound. His tail is curly like a Husky. He is so sweet! He walks really well on a leash, is curious of other dogs, but wasn't yapping and chasing after any of the dogs, but really wanted to hang with me last night. He was brought in because of 'Divorce'. hhmmpphh...

He had fun with sitting and shaking for me. He really thought he was quite something being able to do these things for me. He likes to play fetch with the tennis ball. He'll make a great pet I think. He's a fun guy who appears to quite intelligent and likes to lean on you.

Eddie... an 11 month old Black Lab. Still a puppy, but great on a leash and a fun walking partner. He's very sweet and smart guy. We went for a walk and then went into an outside kennel and played fetch for about 15 minutes, until he got tired, dropped the ball in the kiddie pool and came over and sat next to me. He is a return to the Shelter, and his first name was Jake. "He didn't get along with the cat". Poor guy.

Another return to the Shelter is Lucky the 5 yr Dachshund. He was adopted during the Shelter Adoption Fair, 7 weeks ago. I distinctly remember him getting adopted and handing him over to the couple to take him home. He was returned because 'she couldn't get him potty trained.'   Lucky is nice boy who love to sit in your lap. He also loves to be carried every where. As soon as you lean over to pick him up, he's already jumping up into your arms. It's pretty damn funny!

There is a little 3 month old Shepherd puppy named Goldie, who is very shy. A young couple asked to see her, so I took her into the "Puppy get acquainted room" but she was so shy she hid under one of the benches. She is being spayed today, and they were thinking of putting her on hold until after that, but they were still thinking about it when I put her back in her kennel.
 

30 minutes later, another couple asked to see her. She was a little better this time. She walked around the room sniffing things and getting a little closer to the couple. At least she would walk up to them and let them pet her. She wanted nothing to do with the first couple and acted like it hurt her when the woman held her and petted her.

We were sitting chatting about Goldie, and she walked over to me and sat on my foot. I reached down and scratched her tummy. She layed down on her side, and I started rubbing her tummy and she had this look in her face like, "I think I like this... I think I like this." and when I started scratching her chest, a look of relief came over her face and she just collapsed onto the floor. It was so cute. We all laughed. This couple decided to go put a hold on her. The poor girl just needs some love. You can tell she wasn't given very much attention.

King Solomon... Big dog? Little dog? Can you guess? It's a one year old Miniature Schnauzer! What a fun little dog!! He was just made available yesterday and I decided to go in and sit with him in his kennel. He is a hoot.

As I was sitting with him getting licked to death and walked all over, a woman walked up and said, "There you are! I came here especially for you. I saw on the website that you were here... oh shit, you're expensive!" This made me laugh. Did she expect him to be free?  She whined and complained at his adoption fee. Hey, smaller dogs have a larger adoption fee because they are in more of a demand and are very rarely put up for adoption...

"I drove all the way from xxxx, I can't believe you are $$$, that's outrageous, but you are very cute, but shit, you are so expensive... blah blah blah"

I finally asked her if she would like to see him in a room, and she said yes. So we went into a room and he ran around the room, came to us when called, wanted to play and have fun. He's a great dog with really expressive eyes. She still complained and bitched, and finally left. As soon as I put him back in his kennel, a very nice, young English guy wanted to see him. So, back into the room we went. Solomon was on his best behavior, but still acted cute. The guy was looking for a small dog for his son. Solomon was given up because 'there wasn't enough room in the apartment' He's a great little dog.
 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... it is so rewarding to be able to go and feel like I'm helping these animals out.  It's better that they are there at the Humane Society amongst "friends" who can take care of them, play with them, and give them the attention they need, then possibly in a neglectful situation or just plain lonely and not being around a "pack".  It makes me feel so much better both physically and mentally.  If I'm stressed, I know that if I go to the shelter and walk some dogs I'll feel better in no time.  Well, I was right yet again! 

I spent a couple of hours at the shelter again this afternoon, and had a wonderful time.  There is a darling and sweet little  7 year old Lhasa Apso named 'Lucy' there this evening.  Very shy and quiet little girl.  Poor baby, she is a girl who was brought into the Shelter before with her little girl, and adopted out with her little girl.  But, because she was aggressive towards her little girl, they returned her. 

She's so shy, and just doesn't know what to do.  She would wag her tail when I walked by, and I finally unlocked her door and began moving towards her, but she just coward.  I talked to her for a few minutes and was able to 'talk her into' going outside.  I took her outside and some ladies followed us out to one of the outside kennels.  We chatted while she sniffed around and pee'd.  Poor baby... 

While I was outside with 'Lucy', a couple was out with 'Kramer'.  He was on his best behavior and I think won them over!  Since I've spent so much time with him, I was able to give them some info on him.  He's a great dog.  He had a good time with them and didn't let me down when I told the couple, "Oh yah, he loves the water!  Last time we were out and there was a pool, like the one there is over there..." I was about to say that he would just jump in and splash around...  Well, he did.  He was attacking the water and doing that 'digging at the water' thing that dogs do so well.  It was so funny!  We got a good laugh out of it.  They decided to put him on hold so they could bring their dog back tomorrow to do a 'pet meet'.  I'm sure that will go well.

Another dog that has mastered the art of 'Digging at the water', is a dog named 'Jamie'.  A very sweet, but shy until she gets to know you Shepherd/Rotty mix.  Or maybe there is Shar Pei in her... I dunno.  Anyway, a young couple were looking for a 'younger' dog but not a puppy and they wanted to look at her.  They had looked at 'Sheba' (M0re on her later), but couldn't take the chance on 'Sheba' because she can 'Climb Fences'.  So, after they looked at 'Sheba', I went and got 'Jamie' for them.  She had just arrived at the Shelter yesterday and was made available today.  Very shy.  It took a few minutes for her to come to me and let me pet her and put the leash on her.

We went outside and she warmed up the couple very quickly.  She loved to play fetch, and she is able to entertain herself.  Plus she loves the water.  She was laying on her side and acting like she was swimming.  She was soaking wet when I took her in.   The couple put a hold on her until after she was Spayed tomorrow.  They will probably pick her up on Saturday.  Great dog.  She is only 11 months old I think. 

Okay, 'Sheba'...  I really like her.  She is a German Shepherd/Rotty mix I believe.  She's about a year old and just a love of a dog.  We went for a walk and she was curious about EVERYTHING.  Plus she walks really well on a leash, sits, shakes and lays down.  The only bad thing, is that she's a fence climber.  I guess her owners that brought her in, only had a 5 foot fence and she could get over it.  But then, they did leave her alone 12 hours a day...    Guess what I'm thinking....??  She shouldn't be there long, I hope.  She's a good girl.

Unfortunately, 'Penelope' the Beagle and 'Bear' the Corgi mix are still there.  Ugh...

Oh my gosh, I saw the cutest thing tonight!  I have never seen a Chihuahua puppy before!!!  A few blogs ago, I posted about 'Ginger' the Sentry Chihuahua...  Well, she and one of her babies, 'Heidi' were just made available for adoption tonight.  I sat with them for about 15 minutes before I left tonight.  Oh my god, how cute!  'Ginger' was still a very good Mommy and made sure she stayed close to 'Heidi' and to me while the little girl played with me.  She is sooo tiny!!! 

Last Saturday the 7th I was part of an Adoption Outreach booth at the Senior Expo, being held at the Oregon Convention Center. There were several volunteers along with Kristen the Volunteer Manager in attendance. 'Stormy' the kitty was present, along with 'Bear' the 4 year old Corgi/Australian Shepherd mix and 'Penelope' the 6 year old Beagle. Friday the day before, 'Kipper' the Cocker Spaniel was adopted from the Expo. I'm so happy to hear that. I hope she has a wonderful rest of her life… She is a 9 year old girl.

'Bear' and 'Penelope' were on their best behavior… well, at least most of the time. 'Bear' did accidentally go pee on the rug in the booth. But the poor dogs were getting tired. Long day of seeing hundreds of different people and getting petted and touched. I'm sure by the end of the day they were  glad to go back to a relatively quieter setting of the Shelter.  But they were very GOOD doggies!  Along with Stormy being a very patient kitty.

Last night was another 'hound night'.  At one time, we had 'Lillabelle', 'Henry' and 'Farley' in the Outside Kennels.  It sounded like a fox hunt!  'Lillabelle' in one and the two boys in the another.  All three running back and forth howling at each other.  You gotta wonder what was being said. 

I met Julie, another new volunteer to the Dog Walking program.  We had quite the fun time with many of the dogs, and we got quite the workout!  'Clifford' was still there and was wanting to take us for a walk.  He immediately tried to take the leash and lead us, but he finally calmed down and we three had a good walk and then a good run around one of the outside shelters.

There was 'Buffy', a 1 year old toy Poodle/Cocker Spaniel mix.  What a doll!  She had many visitors the last two days and she was adopted last night by a family that brought there little terrier for a 'Pet Meet'.  That went really well, and off Buffy went home!  Yaayyy! 

Oh, there are these two sweet dogs that are together that are just so shy.  'Libby' and 'Sugar'...  what two, sweet lovable girls.  They are both around two years old and very shy.  They need to go home together.  They are Shepherd mixes, and would stay right at my side when we went walking.  Then they just wanted to sit in my lap.  I took some time and went into their kennel with then and sat with them for awhile.  Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss....

Can I just say that I have to wonder about some people?  One of the Animal Care Technician's came up to me and asked if I wouldn't mind showing 'Henry and 'Farley' to a couple that really wanted to see them. It sounded serious.  Of course I said yes.  Anything to get the dogs shown and hopefully sent to new homes. 

It was a young couple.  So, off to one of the outside kennels we go.  Of course the two brothers were howling and running around like the hounds they are. The guy just thought it was hilarious and was calling the dogs dumb names.  The young lady was bored and acted disinterested.  The guy made the comment, "wouldn't the other people get a kick outta these dogs at the apartment complex?"      Oh dear!   Needless to say, the guy just wanted some time with the dogs.  I don't know why he picked these dogs, because they paid NO attention to him.  Later, the Animal Care Technician found me and asked how it went.       That's how it went....  people can be so frustrating!

I have the worst heartburn/indigestion this morning... ugh! I woke up at 2 am with it. I think I ate dinner too late. And I have no Tums or anything at home. bleh...

I've become a 'Dog Walking Program Volunteer Mentor', at the Humane Society. When new volunteers sign up, their first day with the animals is with an 'experienced' volunteer. Monday and Tuesday evenings I'm showing volunteers 'the ropes', so yesterday, a gal named Jenna and I hung out. There seems to be a run on Hounds at the shelter recently.  There are 6 there now. These are the big lanky hounds that are REALLY loud.

We took out 'Bandit', who was some sort of Coon Hound. He's a very sweet boy, but I think he was probably left outside and didn't get much socialization with people. He really wanted nothing to do with us.  He ran around the outside kennel howling at the other dogs and sniffing. He had had no obedience training  and is not house broken. He may be staying awhile, while the socialization skills get worked on. Poor guy... he's very beautiful.

Another Hound is 'Lillabelle'. She's typical hound. Love to go out and just bark and howl.  Right now she is very shy of people but sweet. She's another that is getting some 'people skills'.

Jenna and I took out 'Henry' and 'Farley' next. They are Hound brothers. 'Henry' had been fixed the day earlier so he was a little 'tender' and walking just a bit gingerly. He's a short stalky guy with bowed front legs. He is very into people. His brother 'Farley' was more interested in running up and down the outside kennel howling at the dog that was in the next pen. 'Henry' would go over and join his brother occasionally in the noise making and then he would come back over to us and gingerly sit so he could get some luvin. What a good boy. I do hope though, that they go home together.

We then took 'Kramer' for a walk. What a goof ball! He has some Shepherd in him, and he coloring and look of St. Bernard, just smaller. What a good natured dog! We went for a walk, and he was begging for treats the whole time. He knows how to sit and shake. We took him into one the outside kennels that had a kiddie pool that had water in it (remember it's been hot, and Christine stole our rain yesterday!). He ran over to the pool and immediately plopped right in it and laid on his side.

The next guy we took for a walk was named 'Bear' yet again. He was a Corgi mix with Brindle coloring. He was sweat and loved giving kisses. He would be great for a Senior Citizen.

We then found 'Risky' the Pom... I honestly have never been around Pomeranians before. What a silly little boy! He is six and his owner had to move into an apartment. The apartment couldn't take an 8 lb dog? Poor little guy, he is so sweet, and just bounces right into your lap.

Then the next sweetheart we found was a 9 year old Cocker Spaniel. How could you give up your 9 year old dog? Her name is 'Kipper'. She was a big chunk. I bet she weighed 35 lbs. She was very quiet and composed. We took her out and sat with her for a long time. You could tell she was sad. Even if I had to move somewhere, I would make sure I could take my 9 year old dog. That would be like me abandoning Ajax.

Couldn't do it. I know some people have to, but there would be no way in hell I could give him up.