Stray Thoughts 2019 Volume 1 Winter 2019 Newsletter_Digital | Page 3

Donate today online at www.wshs-dg.org Ready for a Home Astoria Female | 1 year old | Doberman Mix Hello, I’m Astoria! I look like a fierce guard dog on the outside, but I’m all mush on the inside! You can’t help but be bowled over by my affection when you meet me, and I mean literally bowled over! I am so exuberant that I can’t help but try to reach your face for tons of kisses! I’ll come thump-thump-thumping over to you with my whole body wiggling and then sit my soft, shiny self in your lap – oomph! That’s a lot to hold in your lap! And then I’ll look in your eyes like I know exactly what kind of day you’ve had. I adore absolutely everyone. I even love kids, but I’m told that until I get some training, I should live with kids that are at least 12 years old so they are sturdy enough to withstand my playfulness. I’m only a year old, so I still have a lot of learning to do, but my zest for life cannot be tamped down. I’m going to be the only pet in my new family because I wasn’t taught to share with other animals before. The great thing is, though, that I share with my humans just fine! Well, okay, I might play a little tug with a bone, but it’s all in good fun. I know how to fetch! I happily bring the ball back for more throws. I’m a beautiful girl with an intense stare and that’s because I am half Doberman Pinscher. My mother was a gorgeous red Dobie but she never fessed up about what Dad looked like. Anyway, I need space because I’m a lot of dog. That means no apartments, condos or town homes for me. Because I’m so "extra" (in a good way, of course), my new person will need to have owned a dog before. At the end of the day, I’ll be snoring away on your couch dreaming about all the fun things we can do together. This is when I am most cuddly. Maybe I can convince you to stay home with me instead of going to work! Oh, did I mention that I am house trained and crate trained? Yep, I’m that dog that will have you shaking your head one minute and laughing hysterically the next. Life’s an adventure so let’s take it together! I’ll be waiting at the shelter, storing up my kisses just for you! Colin Male | 2 years old | Border Collie Mix Hi, I’m Colin! The first thing people notice about me is how gorgeously handsome I am and how intelligent my eyes seem as I look intently at you. My former foster mom can attest to how smart I am. This is what she said: “He is housebroken and doesn’t need to be crated when left alone, although he enjoys having a crate as an occasional napping spot, and he is quiet unless he hears another dog. He’s a happy balance between snuggly but not “velcro,” and his energy level is a great midpoint, too: he will walk or play as long as you’d like, but as long as he’s had some exercise, he is content to hang out around the house until something new comes along.” “Colin is slowly improving his dog greeting skills but will need continued training (or an acceptance that he’ll never like other dogs), and he puts cats in the “squirrel” category, so he must be an only pet. He is smart as a whip and eager to please, so he is a lot of fun to train! He picks up tricks in no time flat, and could excel for a person looking to put in the effort to make him a performance dog!” I’m all those things she said, and I do great with everyone I meet at the shelter. Here’s the thing, though: once I get comfortable in my home, I guard it with my life. I am the sentry and no one is getting past me. For this reason, I must have an adult only home where the people have owned a dog before. I’m not a good fit for a first time owner. The shelter has arranged for three training sessions with a professional trainer once each week for the first three weeks I’m in my new home. This will help me understand I don’t need to be the guard and will arm my family with the tools they need to keep me nice and balanced. If you love a herding breed dog, I just might be your guy! 3