Category: Dogs

Five Signs of Animal Cruelty and How to Help Stop it

Posted on by Carol Eicher

By Taylor Laidley

In October 2020, the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) faced one of the largest animal abuse cases in its history. More than 220 animals, including dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, mice and chinchilla, were rescued from a West Seattle property after SAS’s animal control team had been called to investigate. An equal number of deceased animals were also found onsite.

“I’ve been with the shelter for over 22 years and that is by far the worst house I’ve been in,” said Don Baxter, manager of field services for SAS. Inside, the smell of ammonia (caused by urine buildup) was so overwhelming, Baxter said his head was pounding. “There were deceased animals inside; there were deceased animals outside, in cages with other animals. It was like a Hollywood horror story where you think there’s no way this is real. It took weeks for me to get over what I saw in that house. It stayed with me when I tried to sleep at night.”

Approximately 95% of SAS’s animal cruelty rescues are made thanks to concerned citizens making those concerns known. All it took to rescue more than 200 animals was one person making a simple call. But not everyone knows what to look for or what to do.

Here are the five most common signs of animal cruelty and hoarding, and how citizens can help—directly from expert Don Baxter:

1. Animals left in hot cars.

“Our highest priority in the summer is animals that are locked in hot cars. We view those as emergency situations because it does not take that long for an animal to overheat and die inside of a locked hot car. Even on a breezy day, it can get up to 100 degrees inside a vehicle. We try to reach the owner if we can get ahold of them. But if not, we have had to break windows and remove animals. A lot of times, we’ll have to have police assistance; though, it’s not illegal to leave your animal in the car. But on a hot day, if the dog is panting severely, or it has vomited, those are signs that it’s in distress—and that is an absolute call that should be made to us. People think, ‘I’m only running into the store for just a few minutes,’ and sometimes that’s all it takes. Also, when a dog is sitting outside in the sun without shade or a bowl of water, a neighbor should be calling us to let us know. This is when we try to educate people because it could turn out tragic if they don’t provide the care.”

2. Too many pets.

“Unsanitary living conditions and animal hoarding often go hand-in-hand. If your neighbor has 10 dogs, they could take care of them perfectly. There may be no issues, but 10 dogs produce a lot of poo, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up on. Those are things we just want to look out for. The city does have a limit on the number of animals that can be kept on a property. There are some exceptions regarding the size of the property, but typically, it’s three dogs or three cats. If you see lots of animals going in and out of the house, give us a call.”

3. Unsanitary living conditions.

“If an owner isn’t scooping up after their pet(s), over time it starts to become a situation in which the animals are living in unsanitary conditions. There’s an ordinance that says they have to pick up pet waste every 24 hours. We’ve seen cases where they let it go for weeks, if not months, and then that becomes an animal cruelty situation. Those are the hard cases to track down. They’re hard to report because a lot of times those are individuals who aren’t having visitors, so people can’t see. It’s going to be more challenging for a neighbor or someone just passing by to see that happening if it’s out in the backyard or especially what’s happening inside the house. But typically, you’re going to see tons of flies around the house. It will smell. We’ve gone to houses where there are multiple pets inside and feces everywhere. If you see multiple animals inside the windows, excessive noise and barking complaints, that’s an indicator that issues are going on. It’s not always the case, but those are things to think about.”

4. Unsafe winter living conditions.

“In the winter, there are a lot of things to look out for if you see animals outside. Doghouses, for example—are they falling apart or non-existent? If it’s freezing temperatures outside, their water bowl is likely going to freeze. People should be bringing their pets inside when it gets to be freezing temperatures. However, the breed of the dog is something to consider. A husky or malamute is going to do a lot better in the winter than a little terrier who has no winter coat or body fat and it’s shivering. In the winter, we also see a lot of drainage in the yard. The dog might be perfectly fine up there in the summer; in the winter, when we get several days’ worth of rain, all of a sudden dog house is inundated with freezing water. An animal may also be losing weight in the winter because they’re working harder to stay warm. A dog needs more calories in the winter. Those are all things that a neighbor would be able to see and tell us about. This is, again, where we like to educate people.”

5. Physical abuse.

If someone is driving down the street and sees someone punching on their pet, they should immediately call us or 911. Any time of year, we need to respond to that immediately. Those are things that should absolutely be reported. If someone didn’t see the abuse but there are wounds, cuts, open sores that are not being treated, that could sign of physical abuse. Pet owners are required to provide medical care for their pet(s). If you see abuse, don’t engage because you don’t know how that person is going to react. But try to give the dispatcher as much information as possible. What road were they on? Which way were they heading? If you can get a license plate number, we can track that down. Even if we have the general area, we can narrow it down. What were they wearing? What did they look like? What did their dog look like? Was the dog cowering? Was it making any reactions? Did it yelp? Was it in pain? Those are the types of things to keep an eye out for.”

What to do:

If you live in the Seattle area and you think an animal is suffering, it’s super easy to help them. Simply save this number to your phone: 206-386-PETS (7387). This will connect you directly with SAS’s animal control dispatch unit. If you have a life-threatening situation involving both humans and animals, call the Seattle Police Department at 911.

Alternatively, you can visit www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/animal-control to file a complaint online. Even if you’re unsure about what’s happening, don’t hesitate to report your concerns. Dispatchers are more than happy to talk through the situation with you and provide you with information and assurance.

“Trust your instincts,” said Baxter. “If you see something that doesn’t look right, it might not be. It may be fine, but at least you said something. The person that reported that case in October didn’t know the extent of everything. They just called and said something didn’t quite look right to them. But that was exactly what we needed. Unfortunately, those animals lived in that condition for a long time. It wasn’t something that happened just over a weekend. Maybe people that walked past that house were focused on their walk or weren’t paying that close attention or didn’t see something that jumped out to them. But there were also some people that probably walked by and saw something but maybe felt, ‘It’s none of my business.’ People need to make it their business. Because an animal could be suffering.”

Foster Fail for a Dog Named Badger

Posted on by Carol Eicher

The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) foster team is a group of dedicated individuals who provide extra care and support to animals when the shelter is full or when an animal needs a little extra one-on-one time. While it’s often hard to say goodbye, SAS foster parents are happy to send the animals on to a loving, forever home; then, sometimes, the connection that is formed is so strong that foster parents end up being the forever home for the animal in their care, often known as a “foster fail.”

Below, SAS volunteer foster parent, Allison, shares her own foster fail story.

We have been fostering for SAS for a few years now. It was our way of having a dog without having a dog. We have had a number of pups that we have loved and sent on their way to their forever homes.

Our last fosters were Honey and Badger. They were sisters from the same litter, and they looked adorable in the picture on the foster request email. We’d never had two dogs at the same time, but they looked cute and manageable.

Pretty girl

I made an appointment to go meet the dogs and pick them up. Upon arrival, I was told that Honey was off at a medical appointment, but that I could take Badger and come back later for Honey. And then I overheard, “Oh, did anyone mention Badger is afraid of everything and everyone?”

The staff at SAS brought Badger out, and she would not come anywhere near me. I waited patiently because I didn’t want her to have to go back to the kennel. Then, unexpectedly, Honey came back from her appointment early. When they brought Honey out, she came right up to me and jumped right in the car. Once Honey was there, Badger came over and let me hold her leash, staying at the far end — but she wanted to be with Honey, so she got in the car, too.

Once we got back to the house, Honey was all over the place getting love from my (human) girls. It took Badger a little bit of time to warm up. She still stuck to Honey’s side, but she was doing OK with the girls. She was very afraid of my husband at first and would do some amazing acrobatics in our small house just to get away from him.

Watching the neighborhood

Honey and Badger came back with us in May 2020, so we had all summer with them. We have a fenced yard; because of the pandemic, the whole family was home working and learning, so we would often take the opportunity to sit with the dogs in the yard. They were very entertaining when playing and very into chasing squirrels on walks. Their squirrel fascination required two people on walks, so that each person could manage one dog rather than both of them overpowering one single person if they caught sight of a squirrel.

Sadly, Honey died in September, and we were pretty worried about how Badger would react. She was a little confused for a few days — but with the loving family around her, she did OK. We were still debating if we would keep her because we like to travel, and a dog didn’t really fit into our lifestyle. But we were very worried about sending her off to someone else without Honey around, so we made the decision to keep her.

Honey and Badger relaxing

Badger has warmed up to all the girls; when my husband is not around, she is totally relaxed and an absolute goofball. Over time, she has learned not to be terrified of my husband. Occasionally, she will take treats from him, but she is still very wary around him.

Badger becomes a permanent part of the family

We are not the greatest at training her, though she has picked up a few things that are super cute. She will give a “high 5,” which I just LOVE — my girls laugh at me because I love it so much. When she wants to get on the couch or the bed, she will “ask permission” by gently putting her head on the couch or bed — and she won’t come up unless she is told she can.

The city environment is not the greatest place for her, as she is still very anxious about noises, people, cars and bicycles. We like to joke that she won’t go for a walk unless she has her entourage with her. She needs at least three of us to get her out, but we don’t mind.

— Allison

If you’re interested in supporting Seattle Animal Shelter pets and programs, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.

Tux’s Second Chance

Posted on by Carol Eicher

When Tux was surrendered to the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) in February, it was not his first time. A four-and-a-half-year-old American Pitbull Terrier, Tux first met shelter staff in 2016 when he was picked up as a stray. His owner came to redeem him the next day, but he was picked up as a stray again a month later. Over the next four years, Tux was surrendered twice more by another owner due to severe “stranger danger” behaviors.

Unfortunately, with Tux’s history, the shelter determined he couldn’t be put up for adoption without specialized training. In the past, when a dog couldn’t be put up for adoption right away, it was at risk for being put down. But today, dogs like Tux are getting a second chance.

Tux was enrolled in the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) donor-funded Behavioral Training Program. Built on a foundation of positive reinforcement, love and patience, the program applies a unique range of behavior modification techniques that help dogs overcome their fears and start to trust humans again.
“Usually, when working with animals that have issues with strangers, the root of the issue is fear and/or anxiety,” explained SAS Behaviorist Kimberlee Spicer.

During his first assessment, Spicer observed that while Tux was fearful and anxious, he exhibited no obvious signs of territorial aggression. However, territorial aggression doesn’t usually manifest in a shelter environment, often due to stress or a lack of ownership over a shared space. So, Spicer knew Tux would also need to be assessed in a home environment right from the start.

Spicer recommended that SAS’s Vet Services team examine Tux to start him on anti-anxiety medication that would help him relax and aid in his training sessions. The behavior team then began working with Tux on crate and muzzle training. Crate training is essential to give every dog a sense of safety and security, but in Tux’s case, this was also a safety measure, both to ensure a home assessment could be conducted safely and to set up his future adopters for success. Muzzle training is also especially important because it allows the behavior team to safely observe a dog’s response to potentially problematic situations.

Tux quickly became a behavior team favorite.

“Ah, Tux!” said Penny Bolton, a member of SAS’s volunteer behavioral team. “His first time in the conference room, he was so cautious. Outside and in his kennel, he seemed pretty rambunctious, but when I opened the door to the room, he crawled across the threshold very slowly. He saw all the stuff and walked around looking at it with his tail tucked. I got down on the floor with him and showed him how to take apart a box with food in it because he was afraid to get into things. After we broke the ice, he very happily spent 20 minutes snuffling and eating and getting pets. He totally relaxed into the ‘real’ Tux.”

In no time at all, Tux became friendly, affectionate and cuddly. He was also highly food-motivated, which made training easy and fun for him. Tux also received daily enrichment, which is an essential element of the program and looks different for every animal.

The science of behavior training and enrichment

“We look at the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch and what that specific animal is most enriched by,” explained Spicer. “For example, some dogs might find the sound of classical music most relaxing, whereas another dog may find the taste and smell of a frozen Kong more enriching. There are also some days that the dogs do not feel up to doing training, and that is okay. Training is a choice, and they have the right to opt-out. On those days, we may heavily rely on enrichment instead of structured training, such as agility, Nosework or dog-to-dog play.”

When dogs are bored, they can develop abnormal behaviors, including excessive licking or chewing of their feet or tails (which can sometimes even result in self-injury), barking, digging or escaping from their enclosures, circling or pacing, and eating feces, according to research from the University of Bristol Anthrozoology Institute’s Department of Clinical Veterinary Science.

But giving a dog a “job” to do, a food puzzle, for example, helps keep them stimulated by requiring them to work to access their treats. Tux especially loved using his nose and had fun with snuffle mats and Noseworks (an activity that stimulates a dog’s ability to detect scent).

“At the end of the training session, we would usually leave him with a bully stick or Kong, as having that option of enrichment when left alone is crucial to the mental health of our animals,” said Spicer.

Behavioral modification training is about building trust. It is a highly repetitive and ongoing process that takes time, sometimes months. But Tux was a fast learner. Over four-and-a-half weeks, he began to excel, at which point, Spicer and the SAS Dog Foster Program began searching for a foster home for Tux.

The foster care assessment

Trying a dog in foster is an essential element of the program because it helps behaviorists assess progress and see how the dog does in a true home environment. SAS works to pair dogs with foster parents who are patient, eager to learn and willing and able to continue training with the help of the behavior team.

Katherine Humphrey has been volunteering as a dog adoption assistant for SAS for nearly 6 years. Tux was her first foster dog, and she was concerned at first that she might not have the necessary experience to care for a dog with potential behavioral issues. But SAS made sure she had everything she needed.

Humphrey continued to work with Tux on his crate and muzzle training, which she said he took like a champ. But he was still very anxious when new people neared Humphrey’s home.

Not long after she began fostering Tux, Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order went into effect.

“Having him during the beginning of the quarantine was really important for me,” said Humphrey. “It was an uncertain time, and having him there was so comforting. It also got me outside walking and seeing the world even when there was very little person-to-person contact.”

Thanks to Humphrey, Spicer was able to conduct extensive virtual assessments on Tux during foster, and soon decided Tux was ready to be put up for adoption. In the end, he was only available for one week before they found a perfect match.

The forever home

Riley and Daylen G. knew from the start they had the patience to adopt a dog that might need extra love and attention. Determined to rescue an animal rather than buy one from a breeder, they began calling local shelters looking for pitbull rescues, dogs they knew were much less likely to find a home because of the negative stereotype so often associated with them. When they saw Tux’s pictures online and read his story, something clicked.

“When we finally were able to meet him, we knew that he was an anxious boy, so we let him come to us, and he came right up and gave us kisses on the face and was ready to go for his walk,” said Riley. “He just wanted to play and do whatever he needed to in order to get a treat…He was a great little boy who seemed ready to curl up on our couch and get loved on! We knew he was perfect for us.”

Riley and Daylen adopted Tux in June, and he became an official graduate of the SAS Behavior Training Program.

“When we brought him home, he fell asleep standing up in the car,” said Riley. “He then ‘asked permission’ with his eyes before getting on the couch. It was so sweet. It was like he didn’t know if he was allowed to do certain things. Once we got him on the beds and couches and showed him the yard, he was right at home.”

Not long after bringing Tux home, they realized something incredible. When Tux was home alone, he was quiet and calm when strangers neared the house. Only when Riley and Daylen were home did he grow uncomfortable when strangers neared the house.

“I think he feels the need to protect us,” said Riley. “He is not territorial of himself or the house—it is his people.”

Thanks to Spicer, Riley and Dalen have a system to address this behavior. Tux is happy to greet houseguests on the porch instead so he can make sure they’re safe to be around his people.

“All it takes is a sniff and lick, and then he turns right back around to escort them inside,” said Riley.
Not only can he meet new people and dogs, but he can also now safely interact with children and even likes having his nails done.

Since it was launched in 2016, the SASF donor-funded Behavioral Training Program has saved more than 1,330 dogs with behavioral problems. Consider donating today to give dogs like Tux a second chance at happiness.

A Last-Chance Dog Named Max

Posted on by Carol Eicher

Beacon was found wandering the streets of South Seattle when a good Samaritan spotted him and brought him to the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). When no one came forward to claim him he became one of thousands of homeless animals that find themselves at SAS every year. Although the shelter is a loving and compassionate place, Beacon was very agitated and afraid. He could not be approached or touched and snapped and growled if anyone came too close. He yelped if anyone touched his left flank, but after X-rays cleared him of any medical issues, his response was diagnosed as “a reaction to a past experience.” At the same time, he would become distressed and agitated if anyone left him alone. SAS staff knew that he was a smart dog as he knew the commands “sit” and “stay” but given his behavior they also knew that he could not be adopted.

Unfortunately, dogs like Beacon are often euthanized because of handling and behavior issues. They are deemed “unadoptable”.

But there was hope.

Luckily for Beacon, he was one of the fortunate animals that get another chance at life, love and happiness. He was immediately enrolled in the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation donor-funded
Behavioral Training Program that helps dogs who have lost hope and trust find their way back to happiness and love.

After months of training and rehabilitation by SAS staff, volunteers and the animal behaviorist, Beacon started to trust being touched and handled. Within no time at all he was full of life and optimism, and adored being patted, hugged and played with. He no longer minded being left alone and even relaxed when approached by strangers.

During this time, Ella and David P. were searching for a companion pet as they had just lost their beloved cat of twenty-five years. Ella had always been a cat person, but when she saw Beacon’s face on the SAS adoption site, something told her that Beacon needed her just as much as she might need him. They visited the shelter with Dave’s dog Lucy, (another SAS rescue) to meet Beacon, but Lucy was afraid of Beacon. Disappointed, they decided not to adopt Beacon in hopes that maybe another animal might make a heart connection with Ella.

But Ella could not forget Beacon. They talked about bringing him home and into their lives and finally after two weeks decided to try again. That day Lucy fell in love with her new brother and Beacon became Max. After months and months of waiting, he had finally found his forever home.

“He is the light of my life. He knows that it takes me a while to go down the stairs, and he waits for me every time. He loves cuddling on the couch. He is so patient and is such a loving gentleman. He is even teaching Lucy manners! He is very cordial with our big Siamese cat and quite frankly, we can’t remember our lives before he came home with us. We feel so blessed that he is part of our family. Thank you to everyone that saved our Max. We are all so grateful.”

In 2009, former Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation President Julie Pitt (2015 – 2016) met with SAS Deputy Director Kara Main-Hester over a glass of wine, to discuss how to save the lives of animals who have troubled pasts, have lost hope, and will no longer trust humans. They formulated a plan which involved creating an animal behavior training program based on positive reinforcement, love and patience. SAS enlisted animal behaviorists from the University of Washington to develop a pilot program. The SASF funded Behavorial Training Program launched in 2016 with great success. Since then SASF donations have helped save over 166 dogs with behavioral issues, enabling these last chance animals to love, be loved and find their forever homes.

Please consider donating today, and give an animal like Max, the gift of lasting happiness.

DONATE HERE

Furevermore and More – Event Roundup 2018

Posted on by Carol Eicher

You knew it as It’s Raining Cats and Dogs in previous years. Beginning in 2018, we’re ushering in a whole new fundraising era. Our 8th annual fundraising gala – Furevermore – brings our donor community to the auction table in honor of Seattle’s shelter animals. Tickets are on sale now!

The Ziva X-Ray Suite is now open and serving the dogs, cats and critters of Seattle. Dedicated to retired Seattle Police Department K9 patrol dog Ziva, Officer Mark Wong and our generous donors celebrated this milestone moment at the Seattle Animal Shelter to dedicate this innovative, high-tech facility to the shelter.

Thank you, Ziva, Officer Wong, our amazing donors and all who attended the event! Special mention to Seattle Barkery, Street Treats and Rachel’s Ginger Beer who gave their time and goods to support this cause.

Beer and dog lovers unite! This summer, Seattle’s craft beer enthusiasts have poured hundreds of pints in the name of shelter dogs. Urban Family Brewery and Floating Bridge Brewery donated proceeds from their fundraising events to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. Coming up, we thrilled to partner with Growler Guys for Dog Day Afternoon on August 26. In November, we’re partnering with Reuben’s Brewery to keep the dog love-fest going well into 2018. For details visit SeattleAnimalShelterFoundation.com/events/

Join us for Creeptacular 2018 at the Seattle Animal Shelter on Saturday, October 6, 1-4pm. This special event promotes awareness of critters at the shelter, as well as educating the public about good critter care. We hope to see you there with family and friends!

Keep Your Pup Cool During Summer

Posted on by Carol Eicher

By Ischelle Martin — Summer is here, and although it might feel comfortable to us humans, we have to keep our pets in mind in high temperatures. The number one rule to follow is to never leave your pet in a car. The consequences can be fatal for your best friend. Know how to recognize heat stroke in animals so you can respond appropriately. Another cause for concern is sidewalks and asphalt — these surfaces can soak up the sun and become much hotter than the air temperature, burning your pup’s paws. Some animals can suffer sunburns, just as we do. It is also very important to keep yourself and your furry friend hydrated. There are many creative solutions to these problems, so don’t hesitate to apply them!

As temperatures rise, Seattle Animal Shelter’s response to dogs locked in hot cars increases. “A 2015 Washington state law makes it a violation just to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle or enclosed space, if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat or cold, lack of ventilation or lack of water. Penalties under this law are in addition to potential animal cruelty charges.” * Even on a 70-degree day, temperatures inside a car can increase past 100 degrees in less than an hour. If an animal inside a car appears to be distressed, officers will make efforts to remove the animal from the situation and avoid heat stroke.

Heat stroke is particularly dangerous for dogs with shorter muzzles, as the cavity that regulates air temperature is decreased. Early signs of overheating include excessive panting and high heart rate. Things to also look out for are: vomiting and diarrhea, skin that doesn’t immediately fall back into place when pinched, a depressed or disoriented state, and bright red gums. Heat stroke in dogs must be treated immediately and can be alleviated by immersing the animal in water and using a fan to cool it off, and by spraying alcohol onto foot pads, since dogs sweat from their feet. Never use ice, as this can cause further complications. [Side note: do not wet your dog’s head; this traps heat. Wet their chest instead!] As always, seek a veterinarian’s help as soon as possible.

When outside walking with your dog, be sure to monitor sidewalk temperatures. Heated surfaces can quickly burn your dog’s paw pads, which can cause blisters that lead to infection. You can test it with your hands — don’t force your dog to walk on a surface that is too hot to hold your hand on! Alternatively, walk in a grassy or dirt area. With training, dogs can be accustomed to wearing booties that will protect their paws from hot surfaces.

So what are some good ways to avoid the summer heat and keep your pup cool? When traveling to an area where your dog is not allowed, leave your furry friend at home instead of in your car. Bring a collapsible water bowl on your adventures. Get creative and make popsicles for your dog! My dogs love chicken broth ice cubes, but you can freeze anything that’s edible to dogs (avoid grapes, garlic, onions, and caffeine/chocolate). Stay in the shade and reduce exercise hours to early mornings and nights. Get your dog a small wading pool if you are able to. Always offer him plenty of water, and keep yourself cool as well!

Pro Tip: Do not shave your dog in order to keep it cool. A dog’s fur protects its skin from sunburn (and therefore skin cancer) and regulates air flow over their skin. Dogs do not sweat throughout their bodies, as humans do — they sweat through their paws and through panting. Their fur acts as insulation, keeping a regular body temperature. For some dogs, their coats can take years to grow back. Instead of shaving him, freeze a wet bandana and tie it around his neck!

* http://thescoop.seattle.gov/2017/05/19/seattle-animal-shelter-reminds-pet-owners-of-hot-car-dangers/

More resources:

https://www.rover.com/blog/hot-weather-dogs/
https://www.rover.com/blog/pad-burn-dogs-in/
https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-heat-stroke/

A tribute to Daisy—A rescue dog from Seattle Animal Shelter

Posted on by Carol Eicher

In memory of Daisy, who died from cancer recently, we are honoring her positive spirit which brought joy and love to her family for almost 18 years. The following article was written by Christopher Priest, and initially published in Bark Magazine:

All dogs go to heaven. They all represent unconditional love and an incomparable companionship. They are our family.

We always had a joke though about Daisy Mae—a blackish, grayish, brownish terrier mutt who passed away in April at 18 (the vet says 19). We always joked that Daisy Pants would never make it to heaven. She was that kind of dog. She was naughty, she connived, she ruled, she ran away, she judged.

We always joked that Daisy Bottom would go to the other place and quickly be running it within a week. She was that kind dog–she outsmarted everyone and everything. She caught backyard birds–we’d find their massacred little bodies. She figured out how to open her dog food container and we found her stomach bloated, unable to get up, with no more water in the house. We bought her toys you had to figure out to get treats and she’d be munching on them in seconds–another supposedly difficult puzzle solved too quickly.

Daisy Pants was adopted from the Seattle Animal Shelter in about 2000. She was found wandering the streets of Seattle without a collar, filthy, in good shape, content. She was a street dog. She remained a feral spirit until her final days. She would sneak out and go wreak havoc and be back before we got home from work. She did this for weeks–until a neighbor said, “you know… your dog gets out every day.” She would get out, we’d spend hours searching for her, and then we’d see her strolling home, as if she’d done what she wanted, accomplished her purpose, and knew it was about dinner time.

Daisy Mae was home in the mountains, on old logging trails, running through the underbrush, diving into snow banks, chasing fun smells, searching–there was not a hole she would not stuff her head into. Daisy Bottom was home in the city, on long walks, smelling fire hydrants and garbage cans, swimming in urban fountains, chasing squirrels, searching–she had a knack for always getting into things when you weren’t looking.

For all her trickery, Daisy was a good canine citizen. She spent hours at nursing homes and children’s hospitals letting the elderly pet her and showing off for children. She had more education than most college grads. She could do more tricks than most good magicians. She knew her right from left, could spin both ways, drop down, pop up, beg, bow, say her prayers, shake hands and give high fives or high tens, jump through arms, close doors behind her, and grab a tissue if you sneezed. When she went up to a bed, she would sit down and put her paw up on the mattress and let the child or the old woman pet her as long as they wanted.

Daisy had chandelier ears we called chandelears. She brought joy to people who saw her with her dark brown human eyes and speckled neck and ever-changing hairstyles–she could look like a scruffy wolf, the Tramp (from Lady and the Tramp), a schnauzer, or some unknown, wild canine cousin just visiting.

She was good at expressing herself. She had a vocal range like no other–she could plead, she could sigh, she could howl, she could moan, she could sing, she could whine, and she could bark. But she had a funny bark, a bark not quite a bark for a dog her size, and you could kind of tell she knew it.

Daisy Mae was an adventure. She loved to run, to chase, to be chased, to sprint along the ocean’s edge with the waves rolling in, to swim–if there was water, she was in it. She loved road trips. When she saw the bags come out, she would weave around them and pant. She would stand by the door and run to the car.

Our house was Daisy’s territory. She patrolled the grounds and made sure nothing was amiss. No living thing was allowed in its boundaries. Two or three times a night, she would get out of bed and make her way through the house, out into the yard, and around the perimeter. We once watched her herd children like they were sheep. In fact, when we took Daisy to try to herd sheep, it was like she’d been doing it her entire life–within seconds, she had them corralled, the minder baffled and impressed.

My wife rescued Daisy 18 years ago. She went to the Seattle Animal Shelter, took one look at Daisy and they were a family. When she was young, it was just the two of them. Daisy went to work all over the state with her every day. She ate what Lolly ate. She went where Lolly went.

I very strongly believe Daisy saw it differently. I very strongly believe Daisy was annoyed with herself for getting caught by some crafty animal control officer, that she had an intricate, fool-proof plan to escape, but then…she met Lolly, decided to give her a chance, and fell in love. She was never un-wild, she just chose to let herself wear a collar, do some tricks for treats, tolerate a half-brother named Linus, sleep in a big comfy bed between two people, and keep them safe, keep them warm, make them happy.

Daisy got old. She slowed down. She needed more help. She needed special food. When she wanted to smell something she would drop down onto all fours and refuse to move. She still loved the outside. She wanted to go on walks–we bought her a pet carriage and took her all over the city.

She got cancer.

All dogs go to heaven. Daisy left on a bright, warm, sunny day after a weekend filled with her favorite things, and a final day with her favorite person. It doesn’t feel like anything will ever be the same around here. Daisy was too important, too unique, too special. We like to believe in reincarnation. We like to believe when Daisy gets asked what she’d like to go back as, she decides on a rescue dog.

 

Paolino Makes a Year End Appeal

Posted on by Carol Eicher

You can help a homeless animal unwrap health, happiness and a new start this holiday season. As we head toward the holidays, we hope you’ll remember the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation on your gift giving list, to help animals like little Paolino. Despite a heartbreaking odyssey, Paolino has a lot of living left to do.

After his longtime guardian suddenly passed away, Paolino stayed with a family friend while they searched for a permanent home for him. But one day the little great escape artist slipped from his temporary guardian’s home and was struck by a car and greatly injured. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan rushed him to the nearest vet where he was stabilized, given pain relief, and transferred to Seattle Animal Shelter. His temporary family was reached but they knew they couldn’t cover his bills and surrendered him.

But there was hope. Seattle Animal Shelter’s in-house medical team provided Paolino the care he needed. His back leg required amputation and after surgery, Paolino was immediately sent home with a loving and experienced foster home to rest and rehabilitate. He was lucky too as his forever family would find him soon.

Laura had been following Paolino’s journey since the first day she saw his picture online – the day of the car accident. Her family was looking for a new companion for their elderly dog Kiyoto, and waited to meet Paolino while he recovered. Now, Paolino and Kiyoto are doggie BFFs. Laura said “Paolino has overcome so much, and every day he reveals a little more of himself,” Laura explains fondly. “His attitude tells us that he knows his painful days are in the past, and he has a lot of living to do.”

Please give a gift today online at https://www.seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org/how-to-help/donate/ and give an animal like Paolino lasting happiness. Thousands of animals like Paolino find their way to Seattle Animal Shelter every year, and each one needs care and support. With your help, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation funds new and innovative programs to provide more comprehensive and compassionate care to animals in need.

Senior Poms Need New Plan for their Golden Years

Posted on by Carol Eicher

For pets who should be enjoying their golden years, but instead find themselves homeless, the Seattle Animal Shelter foster program, with funding from the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, is so crucial. This is the case for Junior and Topsy, 15-year-old male Pomeranian mixes. Currently being fostered by SAS foster volunteer John, they both are loving, sweet dogs who are looking for their forever home. They were surrendered to the shelter after their owner died and the owner’s daughter surrendered them to SAS.

According to John, while these brothers grew up together, they both have distinct personalities and preferences. Junior has a playful personality and Topsy is a quiet, reserved cuddler. Junior is full of life, frisky and adventurous. He loves to go for walks and to play with other animals and people. Topsy is more introverted and prefers to snuggle on the couch. He likes to be carried around as opposed to walking. They both love to be pampered and enjoy being wrapped in plush blankets. Everywhere they go, people stop John and ask if Junior has wolf or fox in him because of his furry grey face and his paws. Topsy also gets lots of attention because he is always being carried and is so small.

John has enjoyed fostering both boys and even with all the changes they have gone through, Junior and Topsy keep moving forward with a positive attitude. John said, “These guys have a lot of love and companionship to give. They bring joy to the people they interact with, and I know they would offer the same in a forever home.” Junior and Topsy need to be adopted together because they’ve spent their entire lives together and balance each other out so well. To find out more about adopting this bonded duo, visit http://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/adopt.