BACS Volunteers' Blog

January's Volunteer of the Month

2012-01-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Sasha

Sasha brings her whole family to volunteer at BACS - proving what a great family activity volunteering can be. She's also "ze ar-TEEST" behind the wonderful portraits of adopted BACS dogs.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I work as a full-time online media artist in Emeryville. I love to spend my spare time with my family – in fact, sometimes all four of us (my husband, 2 kids and myself) visit BACS animals. My kids enjoy the time they spend there, my daughter recently told me that she want to be a veterinarian and help abandoned dogs and cats. I do some occasional volunteer work at my kids’ school, as well. Among my interests are travel, reading, oriental cultures, foreign languages, dog training, digital art, fostering dogs for some rescue organization, singing, Japanese animation, skiing... and many, many more.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

A bit over a year ago I’ve started looking for a dog that would get along well with our cat (adopted from Martinez Animal Shelter). I never had a dog in my life, by the way. Since the Berkeley shelter was the closest to my work, it was the first one I visited. I spent there about 30 minutes and walked away with the schedule of classes for prospect volunteers.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Seeing “Adopted” mark next to the dog or cat photo at BACS Facebook page!

It still amazes me, how our love and attention turn shy, fearful or hard-to-control animals into wonderful companions.

I learn a lot from animals and people at BACS. In fact, when I first got there I did not even know how to put a harness on a dog. I am still having a hard time with that, but getting better, I hope!

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

My favorite one was, is and always will be Leonard, Chihuahua and some small terrier mix, the first one I walked. He was the main reason why I came to shelter five times a week for the three months that he was there.

Sasha's portrait of Leonard

Thus a bond that cannot be broken easily was created, I am truly attached to this place now! I still tend to spend more time with smaller dogs that you can could hold in your arms or on your lap. Vinnie, Geoffrey, Raven, Quigley, Hollis, Marla, Herman, Zack, Shirley – what a year! Out of bigger ones my favorite are Godiva, Blake, Sweet Pea and Prudence.

Sasha's portrait of Godiva

The BACS Blog Interview: Cola and Oreo

2012-01-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

These litter mates have spent too much of their young lives at BACS. But they are both friendly, fun, attentive dogs which means that they get lots of walks from volunteers. The BACS blog was lucky to corral them long enough to get an interview.

BACS Blog: Now that I’ve got you both in front of me, I have to admit that it is really hard to tell you two apart.

Cola: Well, I’m Cola.

Oreo: And I’m Oreo.

BB: Thanks, that was really super-helpful.

Cola: In my opinion, the easy way to tell us apart is that one of us is just a little bit cuter than the other

Oreo: But Cola won’t tell me which one it is

Cola: Keep thinking about it.

BB: All right, we’re not trying to start any sibling rivalries today. Surely there must be a way to tell you apart.

Oreo: Well, Rachana takes me to BAD RAP class.

Cola: And Shannon takes me. So that’s a good way to tell who is who.

BB: BAD RAP class? You guys are pretty young for that, aren’t you? I didn’t think it was for puppies.

Cola: Who you calling a puppy? We’re coming up pretty mature. Just look at Oreo in class last week. Pretty good, huh?

BB: Not bad, Oreo.

Oreo: Well it looks easy, but doing a good down-stay with all those other dogs around is really hard for a friendly guy like me.

BB: Looks like you guys are coming right along.

Cola: We’re getting there. We really are different dogs. People think we’re exactly alike because we’re litter mates, but we’re actually a lot different.

BB: Really? What is your favorite food?

Cola: Kibble

Oreo: I’d also have to go with kibble.

BB: Favorite drinks?

Cola: I like water.

Oreo: LOVE water!

BB: Favorite dog at the shelter?

Cola: Oreo.

Oreo: Probably Cola.

BB: Guys, this is some really insightful stuff.

Oreo: Well, we’re still young! We haven’t seen too much of the outside world yet.

BB: What’s the holdup for getting into a home?

Cola: We’ve been wondering about that ourselves. I think it was those Simpsons puppies a few months ago. Remember Mr. Burns, Marge, and the rest of that litter? That was a lot of puppies up for adoption. They probably temporarily fulfilled the puppy demand. We’re hoping to catch the post-Christmas wave.

Oreo: Yeah, we're not giving up. Did you hear that we were made an appearance at Sports Basement in Walnut Creek last weekend? Looking good and representing the shelter!

BB: Well good luck guys, I’m sure something will work out soon for you.

Cola: Spread the word!

December's Volunteer of the Month

2011-12-15T21:12:00.001-08:00

Kate

Heading back over to the cat room this month. Thanks to Kate for bringing some Christmas cheer to the felines!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I'm currently involved in painting, drawing, mosaics,and jewelry making. I travel a lot, and I'm a Broadway buff, so I always enjoy going to New York to see a few shows. I also enjoy movies, and right now I'm really into everything from classic films to the Twilight series. And of course, I have my foster kittens and two cats of my own-Cathy (10) and Zorro (5). They take up a lot of time as well!

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I had spent about two years fostering kittens for the Martinez animal shelter, but then I decided I wanted to be a cat socializer and work with more adult cats. I tried looking at a few different shelters in my area and when I came to BACS, I got such a warm welcome, so I decided to stay and have enjoyed volunteering ever since.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

I love seeing a really shy cat come out of its shell with the help of a volunteer,and I love knowing that sometimes I can be a part of that process too. I also love helping people find a perfect cat for them to bring into their family.And finally, I love how the volunteers at BACS are drawn together by their love of animals and sense of team spirit.

Who are your favorite cats, past and present?

Chris, Dewdrop, Ms. White, Delilah, Igloo and Icicle, Ms. Grey, Frieda (Oyster),Zack, Baby Cakes, Minerva

Chris

Dewdrop

Delilah

November's Volunteer of the Month

2011-11-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

Mona

Who comes to the shelter almost every day, doesn't complain about a thing, works tirelessly with nearly every dog, and never has a spat with anyone? We all know who. It's everyone's favorite Rottie - the lovely Mona. Thanks for being such a great helper Mona!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I would say that my primary activity (if you can call it that) is sleeping. After a long day of volunteering, I really need to get my beauty sleep. Nobody looks this good by accident. I also like to eat breakfast and dinner. Throw in some peeing and pooping, and I call that a full day.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

The main goal was to get out of Amelia’s house for a few hours a day. Do you know how many dogs live there? It’s just plain crazy. I like dogs as much as the next dog, but sometimes I need a break.

So I thought I'd give the shelter a try. There are still a lot of dogs of course, but it's fun to see all the new faces. And the people are always so nice to me too. I don't even mind the cats.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

There are so many great things about the shelter. First of all, I love all the staff. They really know how to treat a dog right. And it’s fun to say hi to all the volunteers. But without a doubt my favorite part about volunteering is all the extra treats I get. It seems like everyone wants to give me a little snack. I know Amelia wants to limit my treat intake, but I’m here to tell everybody to ignore her. If you think I’m getting pudgy just throw me into the play area with Joey for awhile. I'll sit, look cute, whatever you want. As long as the treat winds up in my stomach, I'm game.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Number one would definitely be Shifty. He would really be mad at me if I didn’t say that. I used to think I knew what I was doing in life, but thank goodness Shifty has come along to show me how to improve. Howard and I were great friends too. He’d go along with any crazy idea I came up with. I’m so glad he went off to a good home.

Among the current shelter dogs, I love Galloway. He's fun to wrestle with in the play area. We just made a video together, not sure if you saw it. Dozer and Joey are also good pals of mine. But I'm OK with pretty much any dog. Just look at the crew I have to deal with!

BAD RAP class videos

2011-11-13T20:03:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple of videos my lovely wife shot at class today. What you can't see in the videos is that we had a bunch of shelter representatives from the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators on hand to observe. SAWA is having a conference in San Francisco this week, and without a doubt the highlight for them will be a visit to BAD RAP class to watch our BACS dogs show their stuff. A few of the visitors are visible in the background, but there were at least 100 people on hand. Just watch our dogs ham it up!

We're working on our "downs" here.

You can see Mari and Leroy showing off their "roll over".

DeAnna brought Pluto for his first class, he's showing a lot of potential.

Jupiter is a little too enthusiastic, but he's learning quickly and I'll have him in shape in no time.

Joey is pulling his usual trick of not going "down" for Linda unless he is 100% sure that he will get a treat for it.

Anne and Fancy, Christina and Ruger, Andy and Dozer, Shelley and Molly, and David and Faline are also on display.

See if you recognize former BACS puppy Kale, now full-grown and named Daddy-O. His adopter Lisa has been bringing him every week.

BAD RAP Action

2011-11-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

Lots of dogs and handlers are doing good work at class, let's take roll call:

DeAnna gives some personal instruction to Ethan.

Faline does a perfect "down" for David.

Molly and Shelley have the hang of it too.

Dozer does a not-as-perfect "down" for Andy. Dozer likes to take a bit of creative license when following commands!

Jill and Bagel take a break.

Caroline has turned Galloway into a rising class star.

See you next week Anne and Fancy!

I had Jupiter this week. What a fun guy he is! He needs some work but this was only his first class. He had a great time.

Godiva, Joey, Leroy, and Blue are also class regulars. Stop by anytime to watch your favorite dogs in action! And you can see some former BACS dogs whose adopters continue to bring them to class. 11:30 - 12:30 on Sundays in the parking lot right next to the shelter.

October's Volunteer of the Month

2011-10-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Laura

With Laura's musical abilities, can a BACS theme song be far off? I think not.

Thanks for all you do for the shelter, Laura!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

My 2 pittie girls, snagged from the streets of Richmond, a 16 y.o. chow/golden boy who was living under a house for 6 mos. when the people moved out, and various fosters keep me busy and constantly amused. I have been boarding since 1989 and was featured in Tufts veterinary magazine ‘Your Dog’ in May 2003 as a pioneer in home boarding. People thought I was crazy 20 years ago when I told them doggie daycare would be the wave of the future!

I have started a neighborhood watch which has decreased crime dramatically on our block and brought neighbors together.

I am a singer/songwriter working on my 3rd CD, blessed to be working with the phenomenal guitarist Garth Webber, who played with Miles Davis, Robben Ford, Cold Blood and other luminaries. There are 19 songs here: www.reverbnation.com/laurawagner

I am a devoted Giants fan and need comedy to survive!

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I was initially very unsure about volunteering but met so many wonderful folks who I admire greatly for their dedication, inspiration and caring that I overcame my trepidation. Thank you Tom, Barbara, Ferne, John, Paula, Karen, Pam and Ilene and Alan. Tim is wonderful and cares deeply…the dogs and volunteers are so lucky to have him! I also enjoy helping people adopt the dog who is right for them and running into BACS alumni at Pt. Isabel and seeing them thrive! I would like to create a more calming environment for the dogs and visitors by utilizing music through the PA, which would be cut when announcements are made. With the present system it can't be done because there is no cut off capability. I know several sound men who would be happy to advise on the right set up for the new shelter.

Laura, with Karen and Barbara. Good thing Reggie was there to monitor this situation.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

I love helping the frightened and overwhelmed dogs find confidence, learn that walks, focus and manners are good things. I am drawn to the ones who are overlooked because they’re too old, had too many puppies, are too wild or aren’t ‘pretty’ enough. They are the ones I find most beautiful. The play area is my favorite spot because some just need to zoom zoom and walks are not enough. Everyone learns better when they’re tired! I have been cleaning up the area and want to get desperately needed fresh woodchips and toys.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Reggie, Felix, Claudia, Harley, Claudette, Lavender, Gort! and all the bubbaheads. I must confess I have a weakness for the special seniors.

Felix

Claudia

September's Volunteer of the Month

2011-09-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

Mari

Mari comes all the way over from San Francisco to volunteer with us. And she does a great job with those big boy dogs like Cecil and Leroy. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication, Mari!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I'm mainly engaged in the current national pastime; looking for work. And since I'm not working currently, it gives me the time to pursue some of my other interests. In addition to volunteering with BACS, I also spend time volunteering to work with people who are recovering from substance abuse issues. Recently I've been exploring doing some entrepreneurial work in my field (nursing) creating educational seminars for nurses about substance abuse and recovery topics. (When the mountain won't come to Mohammed...) I've had the opportunity to work on art that I normally don't get as much time to do; I paint images of animals (mainly pit bulls) which are allegorical commentaries about the issues with which I see humanity struggle. I do a spot of writing as well. And love on my cat, Eamon, who returns the favor.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

Over the years I've worked in animal sheltering for a long time. When a friend of mine mentioned that he volunteers for BACS and that approximately 80% of the dogs there at any given time were pit bulls, I knew this was the place I wanted to volunteer for, even though I live in the City. I have, in the past, been involved with pit bull rescue and the idea that I could devote my time to this wonderful breed again was exciting. I've been impressed with the quality and strength of BACS's volunteer program; it really shows up in how well the dogs do at the shelter. Not only does the training, socialization, and positive attention allow the dogs to remain adoptable for very long periods of time, but many of them transform from dogs who had undesirable behavioral issues to well-mannered animals ready for new homes. In my experience, this is really exemplary and helps me feel that my small contribution plays a part in a larger goal.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Well, the dogs of course! Spending a day with a dog always makes me feel like I'm well loved - dogs are good for that. Also, beyond that, I feel a need to contribute back to the community, and doing this type of service work benefits both me and the dogs reciprocally. Several times a week, I get to stop fussing about the minutia my own life and really focus on the needs of the dog I am with. Since I participate in the training and socialization classes that BAD RAP provides to the shelter pit bulls, when I am walking with the dogs outside of class time, we are working in addition to just getting out and about. By staying in tune with what's going on with the dog that I'm working with, I get the opportunity to have constant teaching moments with them, whether that's teaching Leroy to roll over (he thinks this is great fun!) or watching an under-socialized dog like Godiva figure out that the world's not such a scary place by walking her around the 4th Street shops. To start working with a dog that may not even know how to walk on a leash and end up with a dog that's well on their way to being a Canine Good Citizen is a real reward for me!

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

I've been working with Leroy for the last few months and he's a really sweet, stellar guy. A little stubborn sometimes, but I like a dog with moxie! When he's on, he really knows how to shine, and he's got a lot of love to bless on his future owners.

Leroy

Blue, who's also at the shelter right now, is another rock star in the making, and boy, if anyone was ever looking for a high-octane candidate for agility training, Blue could be your boy! He loooooves to run up and down and all over things and is very proud of his abilities and wants to show them off at any given time.

Blue

I quite like Miss Godiva, and when this little chocolate flower fully blooms she'll be the kindest, happiest dog. Dogs like Godiva, who have only experienced lives of horrible abuse and neglect, but still trust and love people despite their histories are one of the many reasons why pit bulls in particular so appeal to me. Ironically, my all time favorite dog was Cecil, who was not a pit bull, but a dogo argentino. Cecil was so shut down and indifferent to people when he first came to the shelter, people thought he was deaf. Something about him, however, spoke to me from the first time I walked him (and he was the first dog I walked at the shelter), and I was hooked.

Mari and Godiva

Cecil was at the shelter for a very long time before he finally made it into his forever home, and was a miracle he turned out to be. His transformation from aloof, depressed, and uninterested to a happy, engaged, and a human-oriented dog was so much fun to watch. Each milestone he past was a celebration. I don't think that it's a stretch to say that up until he was homed, the shelter was the best life that he had ever experienced.

Cecil

Famous Freckles

2011-09-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

I took Nadia to BAD RAP class last Sunday. It was the first time I worked with her at all. What a pro! She was great at class, and really loved it.

I can't get over those freckles. It made me think of other famous figures with freckles, and how much Nadia has in common with them.

Played a character named Red:

Is a red character:

Doesn't mind performing in the nude:

Ditto:

Not locked up, but should be:

Locked up, but shouldn't be:

Why is this dog still at the shelter? Any ideas?

Shiva is at it again

2011-09-01T11:12:00.001-07:00

Our nerdiest alumnus has to be Shiva.

First, she breezed through her Canine Good Citizen test.

Now, she's been been certified by the American Temperment Test Society as well.

Great job, Shiva and Hilarie! Always nice to keep up on shelter dogs out doing good in the world.

August's Volunteer of the Month

2011-08-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

Caroline
Caroline just can't get enough of our dogs. She's often at the shelter, and loves to take dogs to BAD RAP class. She also volunteers at the BAD RAP barn. We hope she doesn't find a job too quickly! Volunteering with dogs is much more fun.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I actually just finished grad school this month, so I've recently earned my master's degree in Library and Information Science. When I'm not searching for job openings, I spend a lot of time volunteering. In addition to BACS, I volunteer at the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek, where I assist in both the natural history department (checking out specimens to docents for their programs) and their wildlife rehabilitation hospital (where I get to feed baby birds). I was also fortunate to join BAD RAP's barn crew recently, which means that I get to interact with their rescue dogs during the transition between shelters and foster homes. Like the BACS dogs, they need mental and physical stimulation, as well as lots of cuddles. I'm also unofficially interning at my local library, which basically means that I help out the teen librarian and make her life a little less hectic. And I'm pretty involved in my church, where I sing in the choir. So, I keep pretty busy, but I love it.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I came to BACS in kind of a round-about way. Initially, I was thinking about volunteering at Oakland Animal Services, and while I was looking into their program I ran across some information about BAD RAP. I had never heard of them before, and I don't think I'd ever even met a pitbull at that point, so there isn't really a rational explanation for why it hooked me and I felt like I needed to get involved. I read about BACS volunteers taking shelter dogs to Pit Ed, and I hurried to the next BACS volunteer training (which I think was literally the next day - I don't think I even signed up for it). I met with Loraine for my mentoring session and was eventually upgraded to an orange dot, and I was observing Pit Ed the next weekend.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Definitely the dogs. It's so gratifying to see how much they improve, both in behavior and basic commands, when you've been working with them for some time. And of course you start to build a relationship with them, and they get this look in their eyes when they recognize you and realize that they get to spend some time with you. Right now I'm taking Roseanne to Pit Ed, and she is particularly sweet and eager to please. I think she gets overlooked at the shelter because she's not that young, but she's really one of the better dogs I've worked with. I also really enjoy meeting people through BACS, although that tends to happen less often. I think everyone who is drawn to help animals has a really generous spirit, and that seems to be true of the wonderful people I've met here.

Caroline and Roseanne at class. Note that Roseanne has an adoption pending as this blog entry goes to press!

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

I have a soft spot for Emma, who was the first BACS pitbull I took for a walk (during my mentoring session!) and to Pit Ed. I didn't get to know her very well, because she was rescued by BAD RAP right around the time I started volunteering. She actually just was officially adopted by her foster family this month, so great things have happened for her. Baby was another one of my favorites, because it took a while for her to get adopted and I spent several weeks in Pit Ed getting to know her. And obviously I love my current sweetheart Roseanne. I will be thrilled when she gets a home. (Psst...she's housebroken, folks!). These are just a few - there are so many great dogs that come through BACS.

Caroline and Baby

Emma and her new family

Thanks Caroline!

Time to catch up with Big Mike

2011-08-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks since Mike went to his home, and it looks like he really scored big. A family in Danville adopted him, and he seems to be living the high life.

Here is an update from Leslie, his adopter. Mike is a nice mellow dog, so it should come as no surprise that he's made the transition from shelter to home with no problem at all.

"It has been so fun having Mike. I was actually reluctant to adopt an older dog (i.e. not a puppy), but I would seriously recommend it to anyone. In Mike's case, we don't know his history, but there are so many more positives. He is very calm although still spunky. He is great on the leash and has picked up basic obedience so quickly. He has no problem with his crate and goes to the bathroom in our Mike designated areas.

He is getting lots of attention and doing great on the leash. He has met a lot of the kids' friends and many of the neighbors. He is a very social boy! The kids are particularly fond of him. Often times they swing by the house just to see Mike! He has put on a little weight so you can't see his ribs anymore. The vet did say he could gain about 5 more pounds. His coat looks great, so shiny and soft."

Here are a few pictures Leslie sent me.

Mike gets revved up to head home with his new, uh, siblings, Carolyn and Anthony (this is about as revved up as Mike gets, by the way).

If Carolyn is going to be dishing out the lovin', Mike will take a double serving.

After all the visitors, we're not surprised that he's worn out at the end of the day.

Bon Voyage Mike!

Patches Is a-Comin' Around

2011-08-09T10:44:00.001-07:00

Apart from my ongoing work with Joey - the John Blutarski of the shelter - I've really taken a liking to Patches. She came in as a very skittish, nervous dog who was very uncomfortable around other dogs.

She's still got work ahead of her, but she's doing better on all counts. She's gaining confidence. She's still a little too focused on other dogs, but she didn't make a peep during our walk Sunday.

She's a bit of a nervous Nellie in her kennel, but check out how relaxed she can be when she's out...

Who's your daddy?

Nothing like a nice Sunday afternoon for lazing around.

Earth to Patches...come in, Patches...

Please redirect your attention to the tall, handsome volunteer.

That's a little more like it.

Time to resume our previously scheduled grass chewing.

With more walks and socialization, she will make a perfectly good dog. I'll try to walk her every time I stop at the shelter. If you have chance, it would be great for her to get some additional walking.

Old School

2011-08-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Joey and I were back in action at BAD RAP class yesterday.

Actually, I feel like I was the only one in action. Joey had his own agenda.

We couldn't help noticing all the adopted BACS dogs that were there as well. When you adopt a pit or pit mix from BACS, you and your adopted dog have an indefinite invitation to come to class. But you still have to put your dog in the car, drive to class, put in all the hard work with the drills, and practice during the week. It's a commitment on the part of adopters, and it's great to see how many adopters see the value in bringing their BACS dogs to class.

Check out all of our alumni. How many do you remember?

Shirley Temple (adopted in September 2010), with adopter Matt. Focus on the drill, Shirley!

Ozzy (adopted in March 2010, he was known as Captain Crunch at the shelter) and his adopter Al get some advice from Donna as they go through the weave.

Rolen (adopted in May 2010, he was known as the slightly-harder-to-pronounce Raulon at the shelter), with adopter Esther. I like to spell his name "Rollin'", but it's just a matter of personal preference.

Two of my favorites. Radar (adopted in April 2011) hams it up, with adopter Brian. And Edie (adopted in October 2010, she was known as Miley at the shelter), with adopter Jason. Edie is a notorious collapser at class.

Molly (adopted in July 2011), in her first class with adopter Tina. Tina has a head and arms and everything; this is just a bad picture.

Here's a better picture of Molly and Tina as they prepare to race Rollin' and Esther in the wedding march drill.

Rexx (adopted in February 2011), with adopter Anastasia.

There's Clover in the background (adopted in June 2011), with her adopter Janet.

Of course, we've still got merchandise in house. You can see Reggie in the previous picture, with Karen.

Here are Roseanne (with Caroline), and Sweet Pea (with Joanne). Contrary to their appearance in this picture, neither of these dogs are dead. They're both alive and well, and waiting for their own adoption.

Claudia, Nanee, Melanie, Blue, and Leroy have also been spotted at class. Come check them out! You'll be impressed with how quickly these shelter dogs are improving.

So Happy Together

2011-08-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

Miki and Chris reflect on the 1-year adoption anniversary of their girl, Lola.

"Sunday, July 31st was my 1-year anniversary with Lola, (aka Kaya). It is really difficult for me to be brief in describing how much and why I fall in love with Lola everyday, but I will try.

This is Lola on her very first day. Very anxious, nervous and trying to recover not only from being homeless and recently weaning puppies, but from burst mammary glands, and a recent spay.

Such a sad face.

This is Lola today. Never said she was the classiest gal in the world.

But then she turns around and looks like this. Stunning!

A lot of things have changed for Lola just in the last several months alone. She now wags her tail soo much more than she used to. She has learned to play with toys and plays a mean game of fetch. Though she prefers the trails, she has learned to be more comfortable and even enjoy our city walks with all it's noises. She is learning to run off-leash in the east bay parks minding her manners and having a great time. She has discovered that she LOVES to swim, garnering amused looks from hikers that pass by and adoring looks from me.

We feel so lucky that Lola is ever so polite to our resident evil cat who wants nothing to do with her. She has proven herself to be sweet and gentle to children of all ages. She has charmed her way into our kitchen and onto our beds. My extended family is so in love with her that I never worry about daycare. And can this girl run! We're a family of trail runners and Lola didn't miss a beat. 3 miles? 5 Miles? 14 miles? No problem.

Thank you BACS for helping us find this wonderful wonderful girl. She's strong and healthy and happy and we couldn't be more in love."

Good job, Lola!

July's Volunteer of the Month

2011-07-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Jodi

It's hard to miss Jodi at the shelter. She's a dog walker. And a cat volunteer. And she takes a lot of photos. And she adopted one of the shelter dogs. And she's been helping to set up a new non-profit group to help fundraise for the shelter. And she always has a smile on her face.

WHEW. Tough to keep up with that resume. I need to pick up my game. Have a read to learn more about Jodi's involvement at the shelter.

Unfortunately though, we are about to lose Jodi as she prepares to move to North Carolina! Our loss will be some other lucky organization's gain. Jodi plans to stay active and is going to start fostering.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I am a librarian by profession; but my interests are many. I have a background in photography, write short stories and am passionate about organic gardening and living a simplified/sustainable lifestyle. I read lots of zines, graphic novels and Young Adult fiction as well.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

After BEBHS had their terrible fire, I met and fell in love with Oreo, one of their dogs who was now being boarded at BACS. I initially went to BACS to visit Oreo, but he was out for a walk on that day, so I decided to visit with other dogs instead. From that very moment, I was totally hooked and signed up on the spot to become a volunteer. I met some wonderful staff and volunteers who I really felt a connection with and developed immediate friendships. I also witnessed BadRap class early on and was very impressed with their wonderful pit bull advocacy work. I was lucky enough to score Lisa Guerrin as my mentor, and Wilbur was the first BACS dog that I met, walked and fell in love with.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Volunteering at BACS has enhanced my life in so many ways. The animals are all love sponges, and anything you do for them goes so very far. They are so appreciative and forgiving and resilient. I love that the shelter is located right on the Marina and near the Bay. It is a natural high walking the dogs near the water and breathing in all that fresh air! I love petting and playing with the cats as well. There are so many gorgeous cats! And I instantly bonded with many volunteers and made many new friends which I am grateful for. I also enjoy photographing dogs, cats, rats, roosters and guinea pigs and sharing my photos with the BACS facebook page maintained by the fabulous volunteer Maureen.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Past: Wilbur was an early favorite (note: he was one of my favorites too - he's with a great family now, and is MUCH happier than he looks in the picture below!), then an elder blind terrier named Pretzel who Muttville took in and found a loving home for, and dear Petunia were my first true dog loves. And I will never forget Shirley Temple, Ruby and Tulip. I also had a special bond with a shy dog named Lily. And now, of course, my own little Daisy Mae, a jack-chi I adopted from BACS several months ago. She is the happiest little dog ever and fills my life with joy. As far as cats: I loved a cat named Jax who was rescued by BACS from Golden Gate Fields Racetrack and also little Angela, a feisty, little cat who was recently adopted. I have wanted to take so many cats home, but already have 2 of my own who I adore, Kiki and Toby.

I have also been very involved with FOBACS: Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services. I am quite proud to have been the first elected co-president of this newly formed 501(c) 3 non profit made up of a group of dynamic and dedicated volunteers to provide ongoing funding, enrichment and support for the new shelter facility and animals. Our first big goal is to raise $75,000 to equip an onsite medical facility for our animals. We currently have none. This will greatly add to the overall well being of all BACS animals: providing in house spays and neuters, vaccinations and minor medical procedures and care. FOBACS is recruiting new members and welcomes donations as well. Our own website, brochures, etc. are currently under construction. Information will soon become available to the public. Interested volunteers can inquire at the front desk. Ask for Amelia.

A few of my favorite pits

2011-07-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

As is clear when you visit the shelter, we do get a lot of pit bulls. Once you get to know a few of these dogs, it’s hard to say no to them. It’s not uncommon for new volunteers to want to work with any type of dog except pit bulls…and two months later, the same volunteer ONLY wants to work with pit bulls.
With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite pits at the shelter right now…

Mike

This is one laid back dog. So much that I think people kind of skip over him. He doesn’t draw a lot of attention to himself. But what a nice mellow guy he is.

Nanee

Nanee appears to be very excitable in her kennel. It’s just because she is a people-lover who desperately hopes that you’ll take her out. She’s gotten much better about pulling on the leash during a walk. She’s a smaller pit – a very manageable size. And if you are like me and believe that two dogs are better than one, I think that Nanee and Mike might have a thing for each other…

Leroy

I confess, I haven’t had Leroy out for a walk yet. But he’s such a good-looking dog. I saw him his kennel the day he arrived and he was so petrified that he would not move a muscle. He sat there stiff as a board. But when I visited him a few days later he was totally friendly and came right up to me. Lots of potential in this one.

Molly

Another smaller pit, Molly is super-friendly and ready to learn. And what a great-looking dog with the black-and-white cow spots!

Blue

Blue was a backyard dog prior to coming to the shelter. He’s learning his commands quickly, and is another big-time people lover. And he’s got a great dog smile!

June's Volunteer of the Month

2011-06-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Cindy

Cindy has become one of our most dedicated volunteers. Read on to find out why she has such a devotion to our shelter. Thanks for all your hard work Cindy!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I work around the corner on 4th Street at The Gardener. I have always loved animals and grew up with dogs. I am an aunt to many dogs but I do not have one of my own. I like to ride my bike, garden, and listen to music (my partner is a musician.)

I got a degree in Landscape Architecture and one of our projects was a redesign of Aquatic Park. I would come and do field work and I thought that it should be re-named pit bull paradise. I saw all the volunteers walking the dogs and the Bad Rap classes. I got interested in the shelter and the plans for its new location. I think the proximity of the shelter to the park is an asset to both Berkeley institutions.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I live in Emeryville and ride my bike through Aquatic Park on a regular basis. Last year, my husband, Bryan and I found two chihuahuas that seemed to be dumped under a building in Aquatic Park. I could have grabbed one of the dogs but the other was really afraid. She looked like she might be too scared for me to handle her. So we called animal control and left a message (it was a holiday weekend.) The next day they were open we went to check on the little girls. They were back in quarantine together. They stayed together for about a week and then the friendly one found a forever home pretty quick. I was not surprised she was outgoing and loved dogs an people. The other one (Gertrude) need more time before she found her way into the public. She LOVED other dogs but was scared of people. Every time I came to visit her the staff had her behind the counter. Gertrude loved snuggling with the other dogs and began to tolerate my little visits. She even crawled into my lap once. They finally found her a foster home with another dog. I was so impressed at the lengths that BACS went through to find this timid little dog a place that she could learn how to thrive.

Later that same year I found kitten and brought her to BACS. I was so happy to take this sweet animal to such a caring shelter. I knew that no matter what, they would do what was best for whatever animal came to them. The owner found her there.

I knew I had to give back.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

This might seem funny, but I love how loose the volunteer program is. If the shelter is open, I am welcome to show up and help out. The rules are clear, the staff is helpful, and I LOVE THE ANIMALS. I have spent more time with the dogs but I love to check in with the cat house. It really is amazing how the volunteers in the cat hose are so dedicated. I love how there are really experienced volunteers around who are always willing to answer questions and give tips.

Another thing I LOVE is helping to find homes for these animals. I told all my friends that I am volunteering at the shelter and to let me know if they are interested. My neighbors Tony and Patrick told me they wanted a black puppy. So I let them know when some animals came available. They adopted Georgia, now Minerva, and they are one big happy family. Minerva lives with a chihuahua, Martini, and two cats, Memnock and Zsa Zsa .

Minerva and Patrick

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Wow, there are so many. I really enjoyed walking Rusty and Fred. I liked the puppy McFee. Right now I am enjoying Aurthur. He and I are training at the BAD RAP classes. In one week we both improved quite a bit.

If I had to pick one all star, it woud be Carla. She was a blast to walk and play with. She is a love and I know she is happy with her new family and her BFF Pete.

Cindy and McFee

Fred

Rusty (who is in a foster home but is still up for adoption)

What a difference a home makes

2011-06-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Rexx arrived at the shelter in February. He was a perfectly good dog once he was out of his kennel on a walk. But he was not fit for kennel life at all, showing all the typical signs of stress - lots of barking and jumping, anxiety, and unease around other dogs.

His condition was severe enough that Pam wrote up a special blog entry to give Rexx some extra publicity. And luckily, we were able to find an adopter for Rexx. He wouldn't have lasted too much longer at the shelter!

That was four months ago, and we hadn't seen Rexx since. His adopter, Anastasia, did send us a note to say that Rexx was doing very well in his new home with his new dog housemate, who had also been adopted from BACS.

Anastasia brought Rexx to BAD RAP class last weekend. Free, indefinite access to BAD RAP classes is a great benefit to adopting a pit or pit mix from our shelter - and the offer is still valid even if it's been awhile since the dog was adopted.

Rexx was not in our shelter long enough to start attending class with a volunteer. And because he was so jumpy and anxiety-filled during his stay, we were interested to see how he would handle the demanding class environment. There are so many dogs and handlers all in one place that it can initially be overwhelming for a dog.

We are happy to report that Rexx is a totally different dog these days. He handled class like a pro right from the get-go. He is calm, composed, and totally in tune with Anastasia. He has also filled out - he's gotten bigger and more muscular. He's quite a specimen. He looks like he could win the Kentucky Derby!

Apologies for the bad pictures, but Rexx is very focused on Anastasia. It's hard to draw his attention away!

Lots of dogs are right in front of him, but Rexx only has eyes for Anastasia:

I've had girlfriends who never looked at me like this. Such devotion!

Thanks to everyone who helped get Rexx to his new home, and to Anastasia and her boyfriend for welcoming him. Sometimes all a dog needs is a change in environment to really thrive. And here is Rexx's roommate, Stella...

A few pictures of our boy Chance

2011-06-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Based on these pictures, has Chance...

a) Enrolled in a survivalist training program?
b) Been adopted by Robin Hood?
c) Moved to Marin County?
d) Become a park ranger?

Answer below...

Answer: C

Chance's adopters Bill and Wendy live in Marin County so now he gets to run around in redwood forests. Don't be a stranger, Chance! Chance came to BAD RAP class last week, so he's still giving access to his local fans. What a considerate dog!

D was a throwaway answer by the way. If Chance had become a park ranger, he would have to wear one of those tan hats.

Chance hasn't gone totally crunchy though. He's also taken an interest in home renovation. Here he helps Bill and Wendy look for specials at The Home Depot.

It's enough to wear a dog out!

Look who got their Canine Good Citizen certification

2011-06-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Shiva! We knew her as Paris when she was at BACS last fall.

In addition to being super-friendly, smart, and now holding CGC certification, Shiva also has the distinction of looking exactly like a sports car.

Congratulations Shiva and adopter Hilarie!

The BACS Blog Interview: Joey

2011-06-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Joey is one of our best-kept secrets. He is an enthusiastic friend to everyone who stops by to visit, and he’s shown that he can be a serious student despite his playful nature.

Joey has a lot of interesting stories for such a young dog. Woodles, Paul Newman, and the positives of having a case of mange - you name it, and Joey covers it in this wide-ranging interview.

BACS BLOG: Joey, let’s get the obvious question out of the way first. Where did you get those fabulous blue eyes?

Joey: I have no idea. But I have to admit, they are my best feature. Real moneymakers. Did you know that all humans with blue eyes come from one single ancestor? Look it up. What that says about me I can’t tell you. And I’m not sure I want to know.

BB: Maybe you’ve got some Husky or Australian Shepherd in you?

J: Yeah, I really look like a Husky (rolls eyes). But I guess anything’s possible. One of my cousins has a wolf's head and a poodle's body. A woodle! No joke.

BB: Do you have any blue-eyed role models?

J: Well it’s such a cliché to mention Frank Sinatra, but I do enjoy his music. He was a smooth one. And Paul Newman of course. He makes pretty good dog chow too. I like “Cool Hand Luke”, right up until the part where the police dogs chase Luke. When the policeman carries the dog back to the jail, I have to go to the next room and howl. I’m a rebel myself, but I stick up for my species first – even if they’re with Johnny Law.

BB: Come on now, rebel? You? You’re a happy-go-lucky kind of dog.

J: You obviously haven’t tried to put a gentle leader on me. Attica! Attica!

BB: “DOG Day Afternoon”. We get it. We didn’t know you were such a movie buff.

J: Lots of down time in the kennel. I’ve got a Blu-ray player under my kuranda bed. Don’t tell. “Turner and Hooch” is on tap tonight. Tom Hanks’ best role, if you ask me.

BB: Any other favorite shelter activities?

J: Oh I’ve found lots of ways to have fun. I enjoy spending time with my favorite walkers. I’ve learned how to fetch in the play area. And I really love being the Director's Assistant. I overheard Tim and Thomas saying that Kate was looking for a dog who could nap in her office and give her an occasional lick on the face. I don’t think I have to tell you that I was born for that job. I made sure to submit my application pronto.

I really have been pleasantly surprised during my stay. When you hear other dogs bark about shelters, the tails tend to go limp. But the Berkeley shelter is not too bad at all. The food is good and I get walked every day.

BB: Sounds like you’ve really made yourself at home.

J: Well let’s not take it that far. I’m still anxious to wake up in my own home and run around in my own yard. I’m even willing to help pay for the Netflix subscription.

BB: You were kind of mangy when you arrived. The skin is healing?

J: It's much better, thanks for asking. The nice thing about being a dog is that I can take an extremely close look at almost any body part. I’ve noticed that the hair is still a little thin in a few spots, but now that summer is here I don’t mind. Sparse hair means less panting. I’m aiming for full coverage by the time fall rolls around.

BB: How are you doing in BAD RAP class?

J: Barking of panting, that class is some seriously hard work. With all of those other dogs hanging around, at first I thought I was at the dog park. I was certainly in for a rude awakening when I realized that I was expected to do stuff. But now I get what’s going on, and I love earning the praise and treats. My handler is incredibly good-looking, but he’s also very demanding. I’ve been up to the challenge though. I’ve about got him figured out.

BB: We heard that on breezy days, your ears sometimes get blown upwards and resemble giant pig ears. True?

J: No.

BB: Uh, OK. Well Joey, thanks for spending some time with us. Hope you're able to find a home soon!

J: My pleasure. And keep up the good work, I enjoy reading the blog!

Every Picture Tells a Story

2011-05-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Every animal who walks through the door at BACS is special. Each has their own story to tell. Some dogs can tell you their stories by the look in their eyes. Other stories can be plainly seen on the animals themselves. Skin disease. Failing health. Protruding ribs. Matted fur. Any one of these things tell the story of life on the streets or worse, just plain neglect. Two dogs that recently came through the shelter doors told such tales.

Precious Polly

When Precious Polly first came to BACS at the beginning of April, her sparse fur revealed a severe case of Demox Mange. Despite her discomfort, she was a playful and happy puppy who quickly found a loving family. Unfortunately, Polly was unable to adjust in the home, and when a distrust of men came to the surface, she was returned to the shelter.

Returning to the shelter was very traumatic for Polly and upon seeing this, devoted BACS volunteer, Patsy, sent out an S.O.S. for her to be posted on all our adoption websites as soon as possible. No sooner had she been posted on Facebook when, Diane, a follower of the BACS page, saw her and said those magic words, "I want to help." Patsy sprang into action and within days, Polly was taken into the foster program by Home at Last Rescue (HAL) and placed in Diane's home.

In her new foster home, Polly not only benefits from Diane and Eric's experience as previous foster parents, but also from their success of recently nurturing a lab who also came to them with a fear of men -- and who not only overcame that fear, but became stuck like glue on Diane's husband! Polly already seems to be following that same pattern. Diane reports that while she was a little wary of Eric at first, by the end of the first day she was all about the cuddling!

Hoagie (Jason)

Everyone who met or saw his photo couldn't help but be affected by him. With his big, bully head and lumbering arthritic body, Hoagie could garner sympathy from even the coldest of hearts. At only 10 years of age, his frame carried the bulk of his neglect, making him seem as ancient as a giant tortoise.

For most dogs, being dumped at the shelter is the worst thing that could ever happen to them. But for dogs like Hoagie, it's like they've hit the lottery and the spoils of their new found fortune are everywhere. Years of neglect are replaced with medical care, healthy food and love. But what next for him? It's not like there's a big market for arthritic, senior bully breed dogs with a host of medical issues. The best that we could hope for was a rescue who would take him on a compassion hold and give him a home in which he could experience love, even if only for a short time. But after trying all the area rescues, things where looking dire for Hoagie. Rescue groups are as overwhelmed as city shelters these days. We are all victims of this economic climate.

Hoagie's luck changed, however, when Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, gave it one more shot and posted his photo and a plea on her Facebook page. That's where April and Michael found him. Having fostered senior pit bulls before, they couldn't turn their backs on one now -- especially one as deserving as Hoagie.

And so it came to be that Hoagie was taken into Muttville's foster program, and thanks to BACS volunteer, Samara, caught a ride down to Southern California to something that was waiting for him that he'd never experienced before: a loving home.

Hoagie's family reports that he is doing great. Not only do the kids love him, which is plain to see, he's gained the love of their family dog and also the neighbor's Bichon Frise. In the evening he goes on a trail walk with the family, but due to his arthritis, scores a seat in a bike basket on the way home. Most of all Hoagie, (now named Jason), loves laying in the hammock and enjoying the sun.

We couldn't ask for any more.

Avea / Dee celebrates one year in a home

2011-05-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

Who remembers the wonderful Avea, who was at our shelter for almost a year? I never really understood why she was there for so long. She was super-friendly, really smart, and had a great temperament. It's been a whole year since she was adopted to Mike and Kai, who live in Sacramento.

Avea is now Dee, and really seems to be living the life. Check out this update I received, along with some pictures. What a hilarious dog she was (and still is):

"It's been almost a year exactly since we adopted Dee (aka Avea) and we just wanted to say hi and let you know that she's still doing well in Sacramento. I honestly can't believe that it's been a year since we got her, it feels like she's always been part of our lives. And we just love her so much.

Dee is, above all, funny. She flops around on her multiple beds, often sleeping in ridiculous positions with a paw sticking out or her butt not quite all the way in the bed.

She also has multiple toys that I keep stockpiled in a box and every single day, I find at least 4-5 toys lying around in her bed (sometimes all of them) and she has to sleep squeezed into a corner so that all her toys can have enough room. I once found all her bones lined up, in descending order of size. On one walk, she learned that squirrels can climb up trees and for the rest of the walk, she paused to look up at each tree to see if a squirrel was there. And if we let her on the bed, she sleeps like a human on her back with her head on a pillow.

She's also incredibly sweet and smart. She excelled in her doggy classes, and was totally the teachers pet and used for all the demonstrations. She never tries to leave the house without us. I love this about her. We can leave the front door wide open and she's much more interested in being with her people than playing outside.

She is a cuddler and a lover. She barks at new people when they knock on our door but will then run up to them and greet them with licks and a wagging butt as soon as the door is open. We get so many compliments on how great of a dog she is. And my parents, who were initially terrified at the idea that I adopted a pitbull, have repeatedly asked me to leave her with them because they love her so much."

We love happy endings like this one. Thanks for the update, Mike and Kai!

May's Volunteer of the Month

2011-05-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

David

David is a busy guy at the shelter. He's a mentor and a BAD RAP class regular. But we didn't realize how smart he is. I bet he's not taking all the gym classes like I used to do. Thanks for all your hard work at the shelter, David.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I'm a 2nd year PhD student at UC Berkeley in Computer Science. My area is Artificial Intelligence, specializing in Natural Language Processing. Basically, I make computers understand human language. My two main research threads are in syntactic parsing, which involves figuring out the grammatical structure of sentences, and in historical linguistics, which involves the reconstruction of ancient languages using the languages that descend from them.

I also have a research project to make artificial agents to play the video game StarCraft, which is kind of like chess with aliens, except played in real-time (no 'moves') and you can't see your opponent's half of the board.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

My girlfriend and I had been in Berkeley for just a couple of months and we were looking for something to do together. We both love animals, and so the Berkeley Animal Shelter seemed like a perfect choice.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

The dogs! I love how after maybe one or two walks the dogs start to expect that you'll walk them, even the dogs that didn't really seem all that into you. It's really gratifying to know that they're excited about it too.

Also, the shelter staff is really amazing. They're so kind and patient with everyone. They're an incredibly impressive bunch.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Past: Bella! (below) I was initially a bit put off by Bella. She was incredibly high energy and usually I saw her tearing at someone else's jeans in BADRAP class or grabbing for the leash. Once I started working with her, it turned out that she was just really smart, and she got bored extremely easily. She just wanted to show off how clever she was, and she was going to make you pay attention. Once you gave her a task, she really was a sweet girl.

Current: I really love Brando (below). He's a striking young guy who always wants you to pet him. Always. When we were trying to teach him sit, he would just immediately flop over and look at you like it was belly rub time, and then he'd look surprised when it was not in fact belly rub time. He's also amazing on a leash even from day one, which is incredible for a dog as young as he is.

Join us for BAD RAP/BACS Pit Ed Open House - this Saturday, May 14

2011-05-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

If you've heard about "BAD RAP class" at the shelter and would like to see for yourself what it's all about, this Saturday will be a great chance for you to come have a look.

We have class every weekend, but this Saturday's class will be a special one. It will be one of our Open House classes where we hope to get as many people as possible to come watch, learn, and meet the dogs. BACS pitties will be prominent co-stars of the occasion!

BAD RAP's pit ed classes have been gaining a lot of visibility. Thanks to a lot of good publicity and tireless educational/outreach efforts, BAD RAP has been attracting lots of fans nationwide. The pit ed classes - conducted just down the street from our shelter - are one of their most popular activities. Read BAD RAP's blog or Facebook pages to see how many people in communities all across the country wish they had this type of program.

The added interest has also increased the number of BACS volunteers who are interested in attending class. This means that lots of BACS pitties have been going to class with devoted volunteers. The dogs learn manners and basic obedience, gain socialization, and they get to be seen by potential adopters.

Donna's post over on the BAD RAP blog has all the details. Please do drop by for all the fun, and support your favorite BACS pitties in action.

Most of our pits started out life as strays or neglected backyard dogs, and arrived at the shelter not knowing a leash from a ham sandwich. But thanks to hard work from our volunteers and our partnership with BAD RAP, many of them are now out showing off their skills at class, helping change the public's perceptions of pit bulls, and eventually heading on to become happy family pets.

I hope you can make it, and bring a friend. It should be fun for everyone!

Here are some pictures from our last Open House, back in October. The weather was lousy but we had a good turnout.

Doors opening

Ruby, David, and Ruby's adopters
Ruby was adopted by this couple who had come from Petaluma to check out the open house. That's David with her, who had been taking her to class for quite some time. This is NOT the dog behavior we encourage at class, but we're willing to let things slide when we have an adoption to celebrate.

Johnny Justice
Former Vick dog Johnny Justice (now a trained therapy dog) was on hand to wow the crowd with his tricks. This guy is a real ham.

Advanced class
Tim Racer from BAD RAP leads the advanced class through drills. You can see the nice crowd in the background.

Bella
Bella celebrates a successful drill by high-fiving her volunteer, Larry. Bella recently found a home and her adopters have been bringing her to class. Maybe we'll see her again this week...

Heartbreak

2011-05-07T22:33:00.001-07:00

Gigi

circa 2004 - 2011

Heartbreak. It happens when there is loss -- a relationship, a home, a life. If you volunteer at a shelter long enough, you will experience your fair share of loss: perhaps a favorite cat or dog who is adopted-- a good outcome, but nevertheless a loss of sorts for you; a dog or cat you adored and thought would be there until he or she was adopted is euthanized for reasons that are understandable, but nevertheless he or she is gone.

Knife-in-the-gut-wrenching heartbreak is losing a being you have come to love from the depths of your being-- the dog or cat whose kennel you visit first when you come into the shelter, the dog or cat you post on FB constantly, or who may even become your profile picture for a time, the dog you walk the longest, whose habits and personality quirks you have come to know like the back of your hand. The dog to whom you bring special treats, ensure has a blanket on his or her Kuranda before you leave. The dog you talk to with that only-to-you tone of voice, not caring whether anyone overhears. The dog you pray finds a good home and gets to experience what you give them everytime you are with them, but still just a small fraction of a 24-hour day-- every moment of every day.

When this doesn't happen, there is heartbreak. The capacity for deep feeling is what makes us sensitive human beings, the quality that may be responsible for why we seek out volunteer work at an animal shelter in the first place. But there is a price for that capacity, and it is a mighty high one: pain Pain that ebbs and flows, but can often underlie everything you do. Pain that is especially sharp when you pass the kennel "your" dog used to inhabit, or when you come across a picture of them. Sometimes, it is too much to bear and we have to stop volunteering for a while. Or, for good. Sometimes, the only way to bear it is to keep going, walking more dogs, giving more of your heart. Walking through pain is the most difficult task we have as human beings. Volunteering or working at an animal shelter often necessitates that we find a way to walk through it, especially if we are committed to continuing.

It takes a certain type of human being to continue loving, opening your heart to new dogs or cats who come in, or to those who may already be there, one of whom will become your new favorite. Or maybe we will decide not to have any more favorites, to spare ourselves the risk of experiencing that degree of pain again. Usually, this option does not work out too well, for it is natural for us to be drawn to certain qualities in animals, just as we are drawn to certain qualities in humans.

Every volunteer and staff member who walks through the door is worthy of admiration, for he or she, whether consciously or not, has made a decision to open up his or her heart, making it vulnerable to hurt, but also making it capable of great joy and satisfaction: the sheer delight of seeing our favorite dog running with abandon around the wood-chipped play area, wading through tall grass, nose in the air, exhibiting curiosity when playing with a new toy or visiting a new area of the park; the satisfaction of observing them picking up good leash manners and responding to commands that will help them become more adoptable; and the unparalleled joy of forging a connection that feels strong and real, deep and authentic . . . and of perhaps getting more hugs and kisses from them than we've gotten all day from any living being. These are the reasons why we continue, even when our hearts have been broken. And they are the very experiences that will help to mend that broken heart.

Gigi was laid to rest today, after two large inoperable tumors were found lodged in her abdomen.

April's Volunteers of the Month

2011-04-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Kirsten and Beth

We here at the BACS Dog Blog apologize profusely for the delay in announcing the Volunteer of the Month. We sheepishly admit that even the dog blog was not immune to Royal Wedding Fever, and we woke up in a panic on the last day of the month realizing that we had not completed our duties.

The occasion does give us chance to salute Her Majesty as a doglover - particularly Corgis.

Unfortunately, we must lessen our enthusiasm by noting that we highly doubt that the queen went to the Royal & Ancient Dog Pound to adopt her Corgis. If Her Majesty is a reader of the blog, perhaps she could shoot us a quick email to let us know that we are happily misled.

And as a final note, unlike many fashionistas the BACS Dog Blog approved of the queen's smart yellow ensemble for the wedding. However, the hat did veer towards resembling a cake.

Although it certainly put Princess Beatrice's "hat" to shame - back to the drawing board for you, Bea.

But we digress - even more than usual this time.

Beth and her daughter Kirsten have been volunteering for several months now. They are a great illustration of how volunteering can be a fantastic family activity. Kids love to be around animals! Having kids doesn't mean you should give up the shelter. Bring your kids along - they'll love it! Just watch Beth and Kirsten in action for a good example.

Beth and Kirsten have a particular affinity for Carla - which is certainly easy to understand. They can often be seen in Carla's kennel on the receiving end of a prime-time lickdown. Beth also takes Carla to BAD RAP class. Not sure why Carla has been at the shelter so long. She is one of our most adoptable dogs!

Thanks for all your hard work, Beth and Kirsten! It will make it even more rewarding when Carla finds her home.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

School and work take up a lot of our time but we enjoy family time, playing games at home, and coming to the shelter to work with the dogs. Of course we love to play with our own adopted dog, Smiley.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I had been a devout web stalker of BadRap for a few years, reading about their work and the pit bull plight. When they had an open house in October, we took advantage of being able to meet the crew in person. At the open house we discovered BACS dogs could go to the BAD RAP classes, and kids could volunteer with parents starting at age 8. So it was the perfect setup - have the kids learn about dogs and work with pit bulls in BAD RAP class.

Kirsten and Carla:

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Helping the animals whom we dearly love. Making them more adoptable by teaching them basic skills, being able to get the dogs out of the kennels and outside for stress relief. We love watching them sniff everything they possibly can, and roll in the grass with pure joy.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

When we started, we met an "unknown" (new) dog coming into the shelter. The volunteer walking him said Kirsten could name him and thus he became Wally. He was a really good dog, smart puppy. We were glad to see he was adopted fairly quickly. Fred was a sweet boy who would "cry" when people weren't around - I was really happy when he got a home. Of course our favorite now is Carla whom I take to class on Sundays and we work with together on Saturdays.

Carla

Wally

Fred

Petunia: BACS’s best dressed girl is looking for a home

2011-04-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of DeAnna, Petunia's biggest fan...

Tucked away in the back corner of kennel B, Petunia tends to get overlooked - which is a shame, because this is one sweet girl. But her time is running out at the shelter, and we need to find her a real home, either foster or adoptive, ASAP. Not only does she come with BACS’s standard bully package of free Bad Rap training classes, Petunia’s many fans are ready to send her off with the complete package: ongoing one-on-one support from her best shelter buddy staff-member, her complete wardrobe, and a sweet leather collar and leash. It doesn’t get much better than this, folks...

Petunia gives great eye contact

When “Tuna” and I started Bad Rap classes last October, she was a bit of a mess. Tense and reactive around other dogs, we spent the first few classes on the sidelines just working on sitting, looking, and not lunging. She’s gotten much, much better since then - beautiful eye contact, a great connection with her handler, and most importantly, much better doggie manners. She still has issues around unfamiliar or reactive dogs and will need to be in a single-dog home with a dog-savvy handler, but she’s shown great improvement and is now able to ignore polite, familiar on-leash dogs. In class, she loves nothing more than leaning into your leg and gazing up at her person, and when we’re in the zone, she aces even the silent wedding march (10 cones, 10 sits, 10 looks, 0 verbal commands). If you’re interested in checking her out whether she might be the dog for you, she’ll be strutting her stuff at Bad Rap this Sunday at 11:30.

Petunia has the softest mouth, and will lick and nibble treats delicately out from between your fingers

Aside from some reactivity towards dogs with whom she is unfamiliar, Petunia is a cheerful, easy dog who greets life with gusto. You want to go three miles around the lake? She’s up for that. You’d rather flop down in the grass and laze around all afternoon? She’s game. Half an hour of being dressed up and photographed? (Not that I, ahem, would ever torment a dog in this way...) She’s your dog.

Petunia the bee-dog

Slightly older - at five years old, she’s well past her adolescence - she shows all the delight of a puppy at seeing her favorite person approach, but with none of that puppy-craziness. When you enter her kennel, her whole butt wags with delight, but she’s very mindful not to jump up, and she’d never dream of being mouthy. Instead, she dances back and forth on her front legs, whole body wagging, nose glued to the crack of the kennel door, staying carefully still as soon as you produce the collar. Good girl!

With her happy, easy-going temperament, she’s miraculously gone eight months in the shelter with nary a sign of kennel stress. She absolutely delighted to get out of the kennel for a walk or just a visit, a belly rub in the grass on a sunny day or a chance to gleefully splash her way through puddles after the rain. Mostly, Petunia loves people! She has a rock-solid temperament with strangers, little kids, and anyone else who might offer scratches, treats, or a kind word.

Petunia is a little too interested in cats and needs a home without such temptations.

If you’re able to provide a home for this wonderful girl, please contact the shelter at 510-981-6600 for adoption information or Home at Last at 510-237-1625 for fostering information. As a health note, Petunia does need to have some dental work and exploratory surgery for a sinus problem. If there is a firm offer from a foster or adopter, shelter volunteers have several options to cover the medical costs.

Objects in these photos are closer than they appear

2011-04-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

BAD RAP action

2011-04-03T20:25:00.001-07:00

Lots of volunteers bringing dogs to class, here are a few shots from the past two weeks. Sorry I didn't get a picture of everyone! Arnie keeps me pretty busy. I'll try to take a few more photos next week.

Note for any potential adopters:

All of the dogs in this blog entry are currently available for adoption or fostering. To learn more about these dogs and others at our shelter, check the following links:

Our Facebook page

Our page at Northern California Pet Adoptions

David was out of town, so Bella got to come to class with Caroline. Bella thought she could outsmart her substitute handler, but Caroline was having none of it. In this picture, Bella looks a little depressed that Caroline was able to outfox her. But don't let that fool you, Bella had a good time at class. Bella is a smaller pit mix, and she does great with other dogs. Bella has been at the shelter for a YEAR now, she'd sure like to get out of the kennel!

Andrew tries to get Brando motivated after one of his patented bellyflops. Lisa and Bunny are in the background, word is that Bunny has an adoption pending.

Wow, look at the eye contact that DeAnna is getting from Petunia. And check out Tuney's hipster collar, DeAnna made it herself!

Kelly and Chance take a break.

Mari and Claudia...Claudia wants to play with the other dogs at class, so Mari has to work hard to keep her focused on the drills.

Christina has started working with Gigi, a new volunteer favorite. Gigi is still learning her basic commands, but she's got a gentle, friendly disposition. She'd be super-easy in a home.

Here is one of our last shots of Rita before she was rescued. Rita was fantastic in class - one of the smartest, most attentive dogs we've had in a long time. Lisa needs a new class partner, but she will have a hard time finding a better student than Rita.

My two favorites, Cece and my wife Holly. Cece is a super-mellow dog who has learned all of her basic commands at the shelter. After 8 months in a kennel, she'd love an opportunity to be in a home! Of course she would need to get some exercise, but this dog definitely has the potential to be an all-star couch potato.

Holly was not convinced that Cece needed a break from class at this point, but apparently Cece thought she was perfectly entitled:

Arnie is making rapid improvement. He is really good with his commands and is very responsive.

Radar, Billie Jean, Carla, and Clover are also class regulars. We also have several adopters bringing their former BACS pitties to class. It's a nice perk of adopting a pittie from our shelter - adopters get to bring their dog to class for free and can skip the waiting list. I saw Paris (now Shiva), Elmer (Fish), and Miley (Edie) there today.

Thanks to all the volunteers who are working with these dogs! And of course to BAD RAP for continuing to help our shelter pitties.

March's Volunteer of the Month

2011-03-21T13:08:00.001-07:00

Sabrina

Sabrina can often be found behind the desk at BACS helping out the staff, and as you can see in the pictures she enjoys the company of all of our animals. Thanks for being so dedicated Sabrina, it's great to have young volunteers like you!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I go to school! I'm in a program where I have two classes a day at Berkeley High then I have three classes in Independent Studies so I'm at the shelter a lot more often. Other then school, I spend a lot of my time reading and working with my church youth group to do fund raisers. Oh and hang out with my friends of course!

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

It was a end of the year school project called an iSearch. I was doing a research project on the animal shelter after I was inspired to volunteer in a cat sanctuary in Sacramento.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Well the people are definitely one of the best things. The other volunteers are really nice and willing to answer any question and once I got past the fear that the staff would bite off my head I started to really enjoy being around them too. The animals are another thing that I enjoy. I love animals and always have, ever since I was able to pronounce veterinarian I've wanted to be one, and so volunteering at an animal shelter just seemed like the perfect thing for me!

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

In the past my number one favorite was a little Chihuahua mix named Papa. I was so attached to him and almost begged my family to let me take him home but he found another family after spending quite a while at the shelter. My present favorite is French (see below), whom Amelia is currently fostering and Blaze, the Border Collie.

The BACS Dog Blog Interview: Rita

2011-03-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

Rita was a real wild child when she showed up at the shelter, and her reputation initially kept some volunteers at bay. But she’s made a lot of progress, and many skeptics have become fans as Rita has showed us the great dog under the rough edges.

We suspected that this spirited young lady would have a lot of opinions to share, and she doesn’t disappoint in this hard-hitting expose.

BACS Dog Blog: Rita, you’re known as one of our more energetic residents. Is that fair to say?

Rita: I prefer “enthusiastic” to “energetic”. I know I look like a handful when people walk past. But I’m just a human-lover who hopes that everyone enters my kennel. I admit that I can get carried away sometimes, but once you get me on a leash and out walking I’m not any more energetic than the next dog.

BDB: It does seem like you’ve been able to tone things down since you first arrived at the shelter.

R: I’m merely a product of our instant gratification society. When I see a person, I immediately want to be with them. Period. And I was certainly very up-front about it when I first came to the shelter. Maybe even obnoxious, if you listen to what some of the other dogs were barking (my hearing is fantastic, FYI). But if you can’t go two hours without checking Facebook, why criticize me for following my impulses?

However, I am learning that it takes patience to get what I want. It’s hard for me, but I feel the improvement. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Have you read my updated bio? I had no part in that. It’s totally unbiased.

BDB: I see you’ve started BAD RAP class. How is that going?

R: It’s been a fantastic experience, and I can’t thank Lisa enough for taking me. To be around all those other dogs and people is great fun. And I love the challenge. Any dog can ‘sit’ when it’s just you and your handler. But to do it when all those eyes are on you and the chips are down – that’s when you know you’re a top dog. There are quite a few dogs who can’t handle the pressure. I crave it.

And I also want to thank BAD RAP for allowing me to attend. I’m proud of my heritage, but I know I’m not the pittiest dog at the shelter. My father may have been some sort of lab. I don’t know. He was the proverbial rolling stone. Mom didn’t really bark about him too much.

BDB: Can you tell us about your previous home life?

R: Obviously it wasn’t a disciplined-laden environment. You’d be amazed at some of the stuff I got away with. Fun at the time? Sure. But in retrospect, not the way a young dog should be brought up. That’s all in the past, though. I’m looking towards the future.

BDB: Wasn’t it scary to be dumped at the shelter?

R: Are you kidding? It was exciting! I was ready for a change, and had been considering about busting out of my yard. Before I was dropped off, I had even been looking for low spots on the fence where I could make a jump for it. So coming to the shelter has been a big opportunity for me.

BDB: Even though you didn’t know anyone?

R: You want to know the difference between humans and dogs? Apart from thumbs and better table manners? Humans fill all ambiguity with pessimism. As soon as anything is unclear, you can count on a human to assume the worst. Dogs aren’t like that. Any new situation is an opportunity for something fun and exciting to happen. Since coming to BACS I’ve met all sorts of new people, learned tricks, barked at a lot of other dogs, and I even got to go skinny-dipping in the Aquatic Park lake. I know I’ll get adopted eventually, but I’m going to make the most of my time at the shelter.

BDB: As a dog, don't you actually skinny dip every time you swim by default, since you don't wear clothes?

R: Will you just let me have my fun? And I still had my collar on, if you want to get picky. I only went belly deep. Have you taken a good hard look at that lake? I’ll never turn my nose up at my water bowl again, I’ll tell you that much.

BDB: Any advice for dogs that have just arrived at the shelter?

R: Don’t run from the bath. Just take your medicine, it will be over more quickly that way. And Kongs are for licking, not eating. That’s a mistake you only make once.

BDB: Well thanks for your time today, Rita. I see a volunteer coming your way, looks like you're getting a walk. And good luck with an adoption, we hope you find a home soon.

R: Thanks! And I know this guy. He usually keeps treats in his pocket. Gotta run, I'll see you around.

Chika (aka Leeloo) Finds a Home

2011-03-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

Many volunteers will remember Chika, the adorable two-month old pup who came into our shelter on November 12th via the night-box. She was such an adorable bundle of softness and love that we all thought Chika would be adopted in no time at all. However, "no-time-at-all" turned into three long months during which Chika went through various stages of development within the confines of a kennel. Happily, as soon as her series of vaccinations was completed, Chika was able to go for walks and explore what lay beyond the shelter walls.

Here are a few of my favorite memories of Chika: a rainy Christmas afternoon and (the usually extremely active and somewhat mouthy) Chika snuggles sleepily against the chest of a volunteer; visiting a Fourth Street store and watching her bark at the image reflected back to her by the store's mirror; venturing ever-so-tentatively into the bay, unsure of what this penetrable, but dark surface really is; running with abandon on the low-tide shore behind the Seabreeze Cafe as seagulls and sandpipers flew up in flight at her approach; curled up on the fleece-covered passenger seat of a car, paw gently draped over the driver's leg as she snuggled ever-so-comfortably into the folds of the fleece, sun warming her dark coat; chest out, legs ramrod straight in a proud mini-pittie stance. Confident, smart, strong, loved.

Jill began taking her on outings to the Albany Bulb for a good pack romp, enabling her to use the muscles and bones that had so dearly been awaiting the opportunity to run and consequently develop, as a normal pup's should.

One Saturday afternoon in February, a young couple came in looking to adopt a young dog. Something about this smart, confident, yet respectful and eager-to-please dog captured their hearts.

Now Leeloo gets lots of love and hugs . . .

. . . and chew toys (finally) to soothe her incoming adult teeth . . .

. . . and opportunities to play.

Leeloo is in good, capable hands, with a mom and dad who adore her, a cat who tolerates her, and a home that is forever hers.

Rexx, A Special Dog Who Needs a Home

2011-02-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

Rexx touched my heart from the beginning. There is something so sweet and gentle in him that evokes a strong sense of protectiveness and an eagerness to give him all the love I could within the confines of his circumstance: being a shelter dog I could not take home.

Rexx remembers you, trusts you, wants to keep you by his side so you don't disappear. All this, so heartwrenching because of course I , like all volunteers must disappear and leave him in his kennel where his anxiety heightens and his need for love and attention becomes greatest.

How dearly I want for him a home-- a soft place for him to rest his head in peace, where a loving guardian is not far from his side, or will soon return home, as sure as the sun will rise.

Being with Rexx makes one feel extra-special: like you have done something right and impressive to have earned this sweet boy's favor. But all you have done is show tenderness, caring, and love. None of this to be taken for granted, especially by Rexx who seems to appreciate each gesture, each soft-spoken word of encouragement and soothing.

It is wrenching to see him is such desperate despair in the kennel, where the good things he has experienced in his life seem unreachable and far away. Yes, he has food, water, warmth, a clean kennel, all of which are not to be taken for granted, for in some shelters even these basics are not a given. But Rexx is a sensitive soul who knows there is more and literally cannot live without it. With each day, his body shrinks, slowly dying from starvation despite the two-a-day feedings prescribed to keep his weight up.

Times are tough and adoption rates all over the country are down. But I pray there is a home out there who will cherish Rexx in all his gentleness, in his tender leanings into you, in his soft licks upon your cheek, in his laying his head in your lap as the sun warms his aching body, in his friendly and cheerful interaction with every passing dog. I hold hope in my heart for Rexx, who has so very quickly worked his way into it, and who I know does so easily into others', as well.

Rexx has been adopted by a very special family. Thank you!!

February's Volunteer of the Month

2011-02-22T17:21:00.001-08:00

Anne

This month we are featuring one of our most devoted volunteers. Radar likes to call her "My BFF", but everyone else calls her Anne. Anne has been taking Radar to BAD RAP classes for several months, and these two class nerds have just been promoted to the advanced group. But Anne is an equal opportunity employer - you never know who she might walk next.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I am a member of that fast-disappearing breed of employed journalists. I cover science at UC Berkeley, which is great, because I get to talk to researchers and write about what they do. I also love to cook and write fiction.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

Well, at the time I wanted to be a “cat whisperer”. I have been working with a nonprofit to trap and neuter feral cats (Fix Our Ferals), and at one point I decided I wanted to gain experience taming and handling feisty felines. Well, I never got past the first row of kennels. How can you say no to a dog who’s staring up at you with such hopeful, soulful eyes?

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Whenever one of the staff thanks me for volunteering at the shelter I think, "Really?" I get so much out of the experience I feel like I should be the one thanking them! There are so many things I love about it. One of the most rewarding things, the thing that makes me feel all gooey inside, is when a dog greets me with a play bow. I also love the challenge of Bad Rap class, of learning how to become a better handler and how to help these dogs learn how to deal with humans and all our peculiar protocols and demands. I’m so grateful to all the other dog trainers who come by to teach their techniques, which are often more like life lessons. I love that the volunteers don't necessarily recognize each other but they know the dogs immediately, and I love that there’s this implicit understanding that we’re not there to socialize—we’re there for the animals. I am daily inspired by the staff, who have to cope with a lot of challenges on a very tight budget. But most of all, I love that feeling of coming home after a full day at the shelter, exhausted and smelling of dog but just absolutely fulfilled and content. It sounds corny but we volunteers really do make a difference, and you feel it, with each dog that you touch and each walk you take.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Right now, it’s got to be Radar. As one of the staff members jokes, he’s my special project. I’ve been working with him closely for several months, both at Bad Rap and on our walks and time in the play area. He’s bursting with so much energy that he doesn’t know what to do with himself. But he's got a rock-solid temperament at his core. He’s been at the shelter almost as long as I’ve been volunteering there (last July-ish), and he’s still fundamentally okay. That says a lot about his ability to cope. I also fondly remember Miley (now Edie, happily adopted). She was the first pit bull I ever walked, and man, was I intimidated. (Editor's note: here is a very scary picture of "The Intimidator", along with one of her adopters)

Those of you who know Miley will laugh at me (and rightfully) because she really is one of the sweetest dogs you will encounter. These days, of course, almost all the dogs I handle are pit bulls, and I don't think twice about it. They're just all such great dogs.

Classic Concentration - solved!

2011-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Let's solve the puzzle that I posted the other day.

"WE" (Wii)

"NEED" (knead)

"MORE MEN" (that's Joseph Smith, who started the MORMON church)

"TO" (Roman numeral 2...if you didn't get this clue, please stick to Sudoku)

"VOLUNTEER" (that's the University of Tennessee mascot, the VOLUNTEER)

"FOR" (Fore!)

"DOGWALKING"

We need more men to volunteer for dogwalking!
We’ve got a quite a few good male dogwalkers at the shelter, but by and large there are a lot more women than men. Why? I have no idea. But I’d sure like to see some more guys turn up to walk some dogs. It really helps the dogs become more adoptable, since they are often a little timid at first around men. You can be Mormon or whatever - we’re a public shelter.

Fear not, brothers. You can walk a big dog. We won’t stick you with a purse pooch, like poor Jay Mohr.

Nice attempt at a redirect with the Nirvana shirt Jay. But it's not really working.

For you single guys – remember that ladies love a man with a dog.

And for you budget-conscious dads, here is a little trick of the trade: if you consider the basic economic concept of opportunity cost, you actually GET PAID to volunteer. I don’t know what I would be doing if I weren’t volunteering to walk dogs, but I guarantee you it would cost more. Since walking a dog costs nothing.

Plus, it’s a great family activity. Give your kids their dog fix and help out a homeless animal at the same time.

So, let's review our next steps.

1) Check to see if you are a man
2) If yes, proceed immediately to your local animal shelter
3) Walk a dog

Couldn't be easier. See you at the management end of a leash soon!

How we turned Russell into a blue-chip recruit

2011-02-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Any of our readers ever play football? Me neither. It looks pretty rough out there, and I bruise easily.

OUCHIE!

Plus those coaches are always yelling and swearing at you.

No thanks. It’s really fun to watch on television though. These guys seem a little dorky, but the sandwiches and beer sure look tasty.

You get the idea. Anyways, one thing I DO know about football is that training camp features the dreaded two-a-days, where the players have to go through two practices per day (yet another reason to not play organized football).

Well, we had to employ the same strategy recently when one of our recruits was not in game shape when he reported to camp. Of course I am talking about Russell.

Russell came to the shelter as a very scared dog, very nervous, and was quickly deteriorating in his kennel. Some drastic measures were needed, or this boy was never going to see the field!

We try to give each shelter dog at least one walk a day, but that didn’t seem like it was going to be enough for Russell. He needed a lot of companionship and exercise. So the two-a-day policy was instituted. Volunteers got organized to make sure that Russell was getting at least two walks per day. We also moved him to a relatively quieter corner of the shelter, where he would not be so spooked by other dogs barking.

Russell turned around very quickly. He mellowed out and became much easier to work with. His improved behavior attracted the notice of a family, and Russell was adopted into a home. Now Russell gets to showcase his skills every day.

While we know that dogs LIKE to be walked and receive human companionship, it’s not always apparent how much they NEED to be walked and receive human companionship. It is very rewarding to see immediate tangible results like we did with Russell, especially since he’s already been adopted. Of course, this type of rigorous training regimen is only possible with the help of some extra volunteer hours. It’s not as if other dogs were being ignored so that we could double up on Russell’s walks.

If you’re a current volunteer who hasn’t been very active lately, how about trying to stop by for one extra dog walk per week? Just one walk can make a big difference for a dog like Russell.

And if you’ve been thinking about becoming a volunteer, there is no time like the present to make a difference for a dog or cat. Give your local shelter a call and take the steps necessary to become a volunteer. If you live near Berkeley, we’ve even got the meeting set up for you. All you have to do is sign up and show up.

Don’t make me come find you…

Let's play Classic Concentration

2011-02-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

This public service announcement is being given in the form of a poor man's rebus (meaning that I came up with it). Are you clever enough to figure it out? Answer coming on Sunday...or whenever we figure out the answer as a group. Whichever happens first.

"Why are There So Many Pit Bulls . . . ?"

2011-02-11T21:41:00.001-08:00

At one time or another, most of us have been asked, either by prospective adopters or friends who know about the work we do, why our shelter (and those in most California jurisdictions) are filled with pit bulls. Here is my perspective on the issue:

Pit bull puppies are cute. Not just average cute, but cute-as-cute-can-be cute. Adorable. Irresistable. And therein lies the answer: irresistable is easy to sell. Given the downturn in the economy, backyard breeders have sprung up in the hardest hit areas of our State: the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and southern California. One puppy on the street can garner anywhere between $25 to $500, depending upon the supply and demand quotient, with blues (gray or dilute black) bringing in money closer to the higher end of the spectrum.

In addition, with foreclosures continuing unabated, at the highest rate in the nation, many families have had to not only give up their homes, but their beloved pit bulls, as well, as they move into apartments with strict rental guidelines on pets.

But back to my first explanation of the high numbers: those adorable pups with the doe eyes grow up. In order to become well-adjusted pit bull adults, they need to have lots of opportunities to play . . .

. . . and to run.

They need training . . .

and lots and lots of t-l-c.

If a lucky puppy gets all of this, then there is a good chance he or she will turn out like this:

Unfortunately, the reality is that many puppies do not get the attention they need, the mental stimulation they crave, the exercise their growing bodies demand. The result is a 45-lb adolescent who is undersocialized, highly intelligent, brimming with energy, and incredibly frustrated. This state of affairs leaves the often well-meaning owner incredibly frustrated, too, if not exasperated.

What happens next can be this:

or this:

That's where we come in. Most of the pit bulls in our shelter are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old, the span of time when living with an untrained pit bull becomes extremely difficult. But because of pit bulls' huge capacity for loyalty, and their unrelenting eagerness-to-please, our shelter residents can become wonderful, well-trained members of families, even without having had the most ideal beginnings. Well, they are already wonderful; for many, their potential just has not yet been tapped into. Yet.

It is because of the volunteers that many of these dogs leave and go into good, solid homes that provide what the pit bull has wanted all along: structure, security, continuity and love. With many dogs getting out for walks at least four times a week, and several attending BadRap training on Sundays, the pit bulls at the shelter are becoming socialized, learning what behaviors are acceptable, and which are not. In essence, without the volunteers, many of these dogs would not find homes.

The absolute best way to prevent this cycle of unwanted pit bulls begetting more unwanted pit bulls is to spay and neuter. Most of you reading this article already know that. But, we need to spread the message. So, the next time you have the opportunity to do so, try to let people know about the shelters busting with unwanted, extremely lovable pit bulls.

Do it so we don't end up with this:

and more of this:

Helen is Loved

2011-01-31T20:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve morning, ACO April brought in a dog whose skin was literally falling off of her in pieces, whose nails were curled under touching her pads, who was so exhausted by life that she slept for nearly the entire first week she spent in our shelter, always covered in blankets by caring staff-members and volunteers to protect her from the drafts that were blowing through the shelter that cold and wet Christmas week.

There was something special about Helen that touched shelter staff, and instead of putting her to rest, the decision was made to save this girl and bring her back to life. With lots of nutritious food to strengthen her depleted body, medicated baths to soothe her skin, and t-l-c to warm her heart, Helen became stronger and seemed ready to take her first walk with a devoted volunteer. Getting outside into the fresh air (but no sunshine), energized Helen and the pace of her progress seemed to increase markedly.

Muttville http://www.muttville.org/, a rescue which places older dogs into permanent foster situations took Helen in and found for her what seems to be from these pictures, the perfect home. For those of us who remember the early days of Helen's stay at BACS, these pictures depict a dog who doesn't resemble in the slightest the dog who came in on that cold and rainy Christmas Eve morning. Thank you BACS staff, thank you Muttville, and thank you so very, very much Foster Mom for giving Helen the home she has waited for much too long.

Yet another update - Queenie for a Year

2011-01-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

How many volunteers remember our old pal Queenie? She was featured in past blog posts such as:

Queen for a day

A Day Out With the Girls

It seems like just yesterday when she was at the shelter, but she has been in a home for almost a year now. Queenie is now named Fiona. Queenie Fiona should not be confused with Fiona Fiona, who was adopted by Maya and is featured in a previous entry. Let's make sure these two dogs never take a class together.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of Queenie/Fiona. Looks like post-shelter life is working out OK for her.

Duke Finds His Soulmate

2011-01-30T19:35:00.001-08:00

Remember this quiet, stately gentleman of a dog? Duke was adopted by a Berkeley man looking for a companion to spend his days with. Duke and his person get to spend all day and night together, for his person works from home, a cozy apartment off Shattuck Avenue. Today, I received this upate from Duke's "Papa," as he calls himself:

"Today was an extremely successful first attempt with an off-leash experience. We went to the Albany Bulb. Duke was awesome: came when called, ran zoomies around the beach-- it was amazing! I was so nervous that he'd just take off. When he came back to me after I called him, he never left my side. We've bonded. Everyone loves him. Duke is the perfect dog for me."

Music to a volunteer's ears.

Who's That Happy Girl? Fiona!

2011-01-26T09:26:00.000-08:00

It's been three months since my mom and I adopted Fiona, the super-friendly, butt-wiggling, cow-printed pit mix. And I'm happy to report that she's doing great! She gets to go on daily walks, and trips to the dog park every couple of weeks. She is so great with other dogs: she has never been aggressive with any of them, no matter the size or gender. Her best friend is my mom's friend's 40 pound Rottweiler puppy (who will eventually be about 130 pounds), who she helped nurture out of a very fearful state.

We are convinced that she is mixed with Bull Terrier (we've been told she looks like Spuds Mackenzie), Greyhound (she is EXTREMELY fast), Pointer, Basenji, Border Collie (she does the low-to-the-ground stealthy walk they do sometimes), and probably more.

She is very well-trained now and knows sit, down, shake, high-five, leave it, play dead, come, up (jumping in the air, not on us), and stay. I have trained her to walk off -leash very well, and we can now take walks through the city (on the less busy streets, of course) without a leash, and she will stay right next to me (well within six feet, which is within the Berkeley law parameters). Our only complaint is that she gets VERY excited in crowded areas where she is not allowed to greet every person and dog and will cry very loudly. She also gets very depressed if we ever have to go out of town. But besides that, she is a total angel! Thanks so much for giving her to us!

Written by Maya G.

January's Volunteer of the Month

2011-01-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

Julia

At BACS, we like to think that we lead by example. And we can even apply that outside of the shelter, where we start the new year with hope for civil discourse and more cooperation from everyone throughout our society. So what better way for the BACS Dog Blog to kick off 2011 than by demonstrating a willingness to knock down traditional barriers?

No more shall BACS have West Side Story-style rivalries.

No more Daniel-san vs. Cobra Kai blood feuds.

I think we all know where I'm heading. This month the Dog Blog is featuring a Cat Volunteer.

Thanks for all your hard work Julia! I'm allergic to cats so I avoid the cat house, but it's good to know we've got volunteers back there taking care of our feline friends.

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I'm a PhD student in transportation engineering at UC Berkeley, and I work at a research center where we study traffic safety. I also dabble in bicycle advocacy, baking, gardening, and home repair, but I really love relaxing with my kitties, Mr. Bingley and Oliver (pictured below). I'm only 31, so I still consider myself a 'crazy-cat-lady-in-training.'

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I had been wanting to do something to help homeless kitties for a while; my own boys were rescued by Island Cat Resources & Adoption as semi-feral kittens. When I moved from Oakland to Berkeley last year, I was finally within bicycling distance of a shelter, so I signed up.

What do you do as a cat volunteer?

Like the dog volunteers, we try to keep the cats sane while they're stuck in a kennel for weeks to months. Cats don't do so well on a leash, so we keep them on our laps in the main cat room or take them to the back room for some playtime. The cages are pretty tiny, so the kitties really appreciate being able to get out and stretch their legs. Since I'm there often, I also take photos of the cats when they're being extra charming, and when they've won me over, I write them bios to post online. I work in the shed with the sick cats, and I've helped to tame some feral kittens, too. In December, I started teaching one of the cat classes. I really want to work with the dogs, too, but there's no time! ... and no green dot dogs.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Some of the cats are understandably pretty freaked out by the cages, the smells of all the other cats, and the sounds of dogs barking. It's super satisfying when I'm able to help a shy or frightened cat start to feel comfortable in the shelter; seeing progress over days or weeks lets us know the work is worthwhile. It's all about that first purr! The ultimate goal is to find these kitties homes, so I also like introducing potential adopters to the cats and helping to make a good match.

We cat volunteers are a bit misanthropic, but since we can't take the cats outside, it seems like we spend more time interacting with each other. I've had a great time chatting with and getting to know the volunteers and staff.

Who are your favorite cats, past and present?

My first love was Sam (pictured below), a gorgeous classic brown tabby with white, who was very scared at the back of his kennel, but he would still purr and lift his chin for me to scratch it. With a little work, he showed his true lover-boy self. He was the first cat I photographed, which got me started on that. My other past favorites include Ellie (our toothless girl), Ralph (with the infected tail tip), Babu, and Lila. Basically, all a cat has to do is lick my hand. My current favorite is Boots; he's such a cute little dummy!

More Paris/Shiva pictures

2011-01-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

We don't mean to objectify anyone, but she's just such a looker. Thanks Hilarie!

The BACS Dog Blog Interview: Elmer

2011-01-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

The BACS blog got to sit down with Elmer for an exclusive interview recently. Things got a little testy at points, but we think you’ll appreciate the insightful responses from one of the shelter’s top prospects.

BACS Dog Blog: So you’ve been here at BACS for awhile now. Overall, how has the experience been for you?

Elmer: To be perfectly candid, I can’t complain. Would I like to be in a home right now? Of course. Any self-respecting dog would. A nice, warm, people-filled bed to sneak into. My own yard. Unobstructed access to a kitchen. All of that would be ideal. But at the same time, many other dogs have it worse than I do. I keep that in mind, and I know I won’t be here forever. As Benjamin Franklin said, "He that can have patience, can have what he will."

BDB: Any favorite volunteers?

E: You know, people try to get me to play favorites all the time, but it’s not my style. I have my preferred volunteers of course, but giving names only causes hurt feelings. There are enough politics in the world right now. I just try to be an agent of love and acceptance. I have a happy face for anyone who comes into my kennel. But I do admit to a soft spot for volunteers who bring me treats and let me show them how good I am at “sit” and “down”.

BDB: You’re quite proud of your tricks.

E: It's important to have a big picture perspective. Not many shelter dogs get to appear on blogs and Facebook pages, so I know that I’m carrying the torch for others every time I’m out in public. We shelter dogs are just as talented as these so-called geniuses who have already found homes. We’re just a little on the raw side since we don’t get as much practice. But, come on now…”sit”? I learned that in two minutes. Even if you convert that to dog minutes, I’m in the skinny part of the bell curve if you know what I’m saying.

BDB: Any preferred walks?

E: Wow. Tough question. Where to start? I love the play area. Always dry, and I hear we just got a load of new tennis balls that need to be corralled. Aquatic Park is any dog’s dream. Lots of grass, a lake with ducks, a nice breeze. I never get tired of it. And the neighborhood sidewalks are fun too. It's always good to keep up on current events. I like to see whose yard got a fence, check for freshly blooming flowers that need to be peed on, and you never know when you might find some food scraps on the sidewalk. Really, it’s hard to go wrong.

BDB: Let’s change the subject. Can we talk about this picture?

E: What about it?

BDB: It’s a bit suggestive, don’t you think?

E: Not this again. I expected a little more out of you. Look, I’m a licker and I’ve never tried to hide it. If you're waiting for me to apologize, all I can say is that I hope your Kuranda bed is as comfortable as mine. I can’t worry about what people say. And I mean that literally – 99% of it is gibberish to me.

BDB: Yet, you’re understanding my questions?

E: I think you’re at the shelter too much. Look at yourself. You’re interviewing a dog, for crying out loud.

BDB: Point taken. Well I can’t thank you enough for your time today, Elmer. And, good luck finding your home.

E: My pleasure, and thanks. PS, my schedule really isn’t all that busy - stop by anytime. I'm always up for a bellyrub.

Life is a beach for Paris

2010-12-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

I’d like to share an update I’ve received from Paris’s adopters: "Unfortunately, Paris is really struggling to adapt to her new home. Her debilitating shyness and chronic fear of humans has proven to be a huge obstacle, and we've had to resort to extreme measures to keep her upbeat."

Ha ha, that was just a little paw-pulling to see who is paying attention! Hopefully you didn’t fall for it. Shy??? PARIS???????

Paris was one of the friendliest, happiest, most social dogs to come through our shelter in recent memory, so it’s no surprise that she is doing great in her new home. Here is the REAL update from her adopter Hilarie. Paris has been renamed Shiva, but everything else sounds pretty familiar.

Tomorrow is the month anniversary of our adoption and I just wanted to let you know how great Shiva is doing. She is literally stopping traffic with her beauty -an SF tree trimmer stopped his truck and interrupted my trainer's class to run over to look at her! But we won't let it go to her head - I'm putting a lot of training on her. She's super respectful (even to the cat!) and responsive - she sits automatically at each curb now and down stays quite nicely -we're working on further proofing all those commands every day of course - I see real potential as a therapy dog in this one!

It looks like everything is great for a former shelter favorite. And of course I’m going to repost this picture since I think it’s the BACS photo of the year.

And did we mention that Shiva lives in Pacifica, right on the beach? Now taking dogsitter applications!

Cece checks in from BAD RAP class

2010-12-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

I filed a midterm report card for Azul on his progress at BAD RAP class, so I felt I should provide a similar review of my current partner – the rapidly improving Cece.

When Cece first came to the shelter, she didn’t know much about being a dog. I don’t think she had ever been on a leash. She didn’t understand the concept of a treat. She was not affectionate at all. She was a completely blank slate.

She has been a tough cookie, but after a couple of months of class she has improved a great deal. We’re not acing the class yet, but she has come a long way from where she started. She’s also started to be much more affectionate. If I sit down in her kennel, she will give me the type of prime-time lickdown that is illegal in several states. Additionally, she is one of the few BACS dogs to have an official theme song.

I should note that I have not been at the shelter that much lately, so Cece’s improvements are coming despite me not working with her very often (even though other volunteers are helping out). There is a halfway smart dog in there that nobody bothered to bring out before she came to the shelter.

Focus
Original grade: F
Current grade: C

My challenge with Azul was that he loved to focus on everything except me. I had the opposite challenge with Cece – initially she didn’t focus on anything (except other dogs). She stared straight ahead and would not respond to anything I did or said. We’re much better now. She knows she’s on a leash and realizes she has a handler. I’m able to maintain eye contact with her. Cece has really latched on to the treat concept. To improve her grade, she will need to do a better job of focusing on me because it’s what I want her to do, not simply because she will get a treat.

Basic Commands
Original grade: D-
Current grade: C+

This was another pitifully weak area for Cece at first. But now she is willing to ‘sit’, and as you can see in the video she is getting the hang of ‘stay’. I cannot get her to go ‘down’ from a sitting position, but I think it’s because she has a bad hip. She’s not superfast on following commands, but she’s definitely making progress. Again, to get a higher grade I need to continue to wean her off of treats.

Here she demonstrates her version of "Down" - the less common "Corpse" position:

Drills
Original grade: D+
Current grade: B

For such an untrained dog, she’s learned the drills very well. She heels well as we walk in circles, she’s quite good at the wedding march drill, and she’s gotten good at following me in left and right-hand turns.

Dog Reactiveness
Original grade: D-
Current grade: C

In Cece’s first class, she was overwhelmed by the presence of other dogs. She spent most of the class growling at any dog that came within ten feet of her. She’s gotten more tolerant to the point that other dogs don’t bother her much at all. She still sometimes gets fixated on another dog, and she’s definitely not a fan of smaller dogs (or the cats that live next to the parking lot), but she’s not looking for a rumble every time she leaves her kennel anymore. She’s become much better about letting other dogs be.

So there we are - not the class nerd but not failing either. Donyale even allowed that Cece is “coming around”. Cece is not our cutest dog, our most affectionate dog, our friendliest dog, or our most responsive dog. But she’s finally getting the hang of being a dog. Just look at her here, out mingling with the common folk at BAD RAP's recent open house:

But let's not let the fan attention go to her head. She'll need to have her game face on for class this Saturday. Those other delinquents too. In addition to Cece, volunteers are currently taking Bella, Radar, Petunia, Jelly, and Beatrice to class.

November's Volunteer of the Month

2010-11-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Alyssa

Alyssa is already a favorite volunteer, but she's about to become even more popular now that we know she works at Trader Joe's. Maybe she could get TJ's to send us a crate of those chocolate-covered espresso beans for every dog we adopt out? They're so delicious. Or maybe Alyssa could set up a remote demo stand outside the shelter on weekends? The possibilities are endless.

Thanks to Alyssa and Angelica for their hard work at the shelter, it's great when volunteering is a family affair!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I'm a mother of two Berkeley High School girls, Angelica a Senior and Czarina a Freshman. I have two other 'children', our cats Jacob and Isabella who we adopted from the Berkeley Humane Society.

When I'm not busy being a mom, I'm working at Trader Joe's on University Avenue. You'll find me almost always in Demo, serving samples to our customers. If you are ever visiting our store, be sure to come by and say hi!

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

My daughter Angelica plans to be in veterinary medicine and I wanted her to be able to volunteer with animals in need so that she is always in touch with her dream. It's hard to make it through high school and deal with the pressures of being a teen. I knew that if she was able to interact with the animals, it would give her inspiration to keep going so she doesn't lose sight of her goal. I myself needed to volunteer because my life isn't balanced without animal interaction. My whole life I've grown up around animals and I have a lifetime of memories that involve incredible experiences I've had with them. I choose BACS specifically to do our volunteering because we had adopted our cat there and I really liked what BACS was about and how it was run.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

The thing I love most is when you go up to a dogs cage to unlock it and they hop around, spin in circles, leap off the sides of the cage in joy. I love that! It reminds me that being there really does make a difference. Even though the dogs I get attached to eventually leave, there's always new ones coming in that I get to meet. Other things I have to mention are when you are out with a dog and you take a break in the grass and they roll around or hop in your lap. It's a comfort when they lean on you, without the use of words in that simple gesture they communicate their trust and appreciation for you.

I have to give credit to the amazing staff at BACS! They are definitely one of my most favorite things about BACS. I love sharing laughs and helping then when I can. It's part of what makes it so rewarding to be there, just getting to see them smile.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

My favorite dog who has left the shelter is Miley (shown below with Alyssa's daughter Angelica)! I miss Miley so much. I loved how she'd hear my voice when I first got there and she'd yip a certain way until I got to her cage. She was the best!

Another favorite was Faye who bunked right next to Miley. Faye was awesome! I loved taking her out and playing in the grass with her. I miss Rico too, the escape artist. Jasmine was another dog I really bonded with. I remember the first time I walked her, she was so skittish at first, afraid. After a few weeks, she blossomed into a really great dog. I loved being able to be part of her transformation. Currently, Tulip is my favorite. Her size might be intimidating to some, but once you get her outside she's a big puppy.

Azul doesn't really miss us very much

2010-11-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

You'd think that after almost a year at BACS, a dog would develop a certain affinity for the excitement of the shelter. But that doesn't seem to be the case for the ingrate pictured below. Azul has been in a home for several months now, and he's obviously not in any hurry to make a journey back to his kennel. Here is an update from Peg and Claudia, his adopters. (PS, if you ever stop at the Peet's on Piedmont Avenue, you may catch a glimpse of Azul. He is rumored to hang out there. I just hope he sticks to decaf.)

Well, we brought home a wild and spirited dog in August, and have had the joy of watching Azul blossom into a calmer, happier, energetic boy in the last three months. He is goofy, sweet, easily over-excited, and increasingly calm and happy. If he is bored while on leash (should we stop to talk with neighbors for too long, for instance), he can still start his leash wrestling act, but breaks out of it quickly, and this behavior decreases steadily. Remarkably, he LOVES "heel" and has become a great loose-leash walking companion. His sit, stay, and heel "play times" happen daily, as do his hour-plus walks. And he has gained a couple pounds of muscle since leaving the shelter, garnering many a compliment for his fitness and beautiful coat. We have discovered two other loves of his life: apples (lucky for us, because dog treats are only mildly interesting to him) and lazing in front of the (gas) fireplace on chilly days. The fireplace can put him into a trance for hours!

Claudia and I feel extremely lucky that the great volunteers at the Shelter recommended Zuuli to us, and kept him sane during the long months in his kennel. Azul is a prime example of a dog that many people took a long look at but rejected, mostly because of his exuberance during his few "unlocked" times. He undoubtedly suffered a lot of neglect and loneliness in his early life, but like many pit bulls, his adaptability and gameness has given him the heart to leap into his new life with enthusiasm! Whether he is belly-crawling in the morning to elicit butt scratches, romping with our daughter's pit, sitting politely while kids scratch his ears, or gazing in shop windows at the stuffed play toys, he is always funny and looking for something new to do!

Max takes the express route to a home

2010-11-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

The longer a dog is at the shelter, the more popular the dog becomes with the volunteers. And let's face it, some of our dogs have managed to become VERY popular. However, let's not forget the dogs whose stay at the shelter is a short one.

Max was a puppy left in one of our night boxes. He was at the shelter only briefly before finding a home with volunteer Nancy Evans and her family. I don't think he even made it to our Facebook page or the adoption websites, but this guy would have had a lot of fans at the shelter! It's great to see him go right to a good home though, especially since he was so young when he arrived.

Here is a report and a few pictures from Nancy. Looks like nothing in the house is safe!

The scared little puppy left in a BACS night box is now a fully accredited member of the Evans household. Max (a baby of 8 weeks) had foxtails deeply embedded in both ears and one eye, causing infections, but thanks to BACS, University Vet, and good home care, he recovered fully. Max loves using the kitty door, which made housetraining super easy. He also sleeps thru the night, a blessing for any new parent, and uses his crate for naps. Max’s preferred activities are sleeping, shredding, and playing. (Despite kidnapping quite a few shoes, he actually only chews the ends of the shoelaces.) Max and the boys, ages 6 and 8, are learning to treat each other with love and respect, and having a great time.

October's Volunteer of the Month

2010-10-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Larry

Over the summer, Larry could often be seen with our lovable lug Hercules. I think Larry was drawn to Hercules due to the dog's resemblance to his mythological namesake - powerful and with a good heart, but always managing to get in his own way.

In any case, Hercules is in a good home now and Larry has moved on to new challenges. He is a frequent dog walker, and as you can see in the picture he has been taking Bella to BAD RAP class. He also helps make sure that all of our dogs are posted on the adoption websites, and prints out and posts kennel cards. Larry and his wife have a new puppy at home, who is probably a little easier to handle than Hercules!

Thanks for all of your help Larry!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I retired from full-time community college teaching in 2003; sometime in 2006 I stopped my part-time teaching, and spent my time reconnecting with old friends, hanging out with my dog, reading and running errands. I still do those things, but now I'm trying to help our new puppy master the concepts of housetraining.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I had planned to volunteer several months before I actually applied, when it was clear that Nora, our wonderful and terrible Giant Schnauzer, would lose her battle with cancer. After we lost Nora, we were not ready for a new dog, but I NEEDED to spend time with dogs.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

The dogs, of course. Just being around them lifts my mood. When I work with a dog, and begin to understand her (or him) and build some mutual trust, I feel like I'm doing something good and satisfying. Even when there are setbacks.

One of the great things about being a volunteer is I don't have to do anything I don't want to. Some of the things I do as a volunteer, I would probably complain bitterly about if it were my job.

I really enjoy working with the other volunteers, and the staff, because we all share a common desire to care for the animals and help them find a good and permanent home.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

My favorite has to be Hercules. It took us several weeks to develop a routine that worked for us, and to figure each other out, with a lot of bumps along the way. He also changed my attitude towards Pit Bulls. I also really liked working with Azul. My favorites now are Radar, --an Almost Perfect Dog-- whom I've only worked with a few times, and Bella, who's very much like Hercules (except she weighs 30 pounds instead of 75).

Spay/Neuter License Plate

2010-10-21T09:46:00.001-07:00

Although the Pierce Brosnan illustration that complements this most important message may be a turn-off, it is worth considering investing the $50 to spread the word about the need to spay and neuter all cats and dogs. If there is one thing that could lower the numbers of dogs coming into our shelters significantly, it would be mandating spaying and neutering. Of course, we all know that many of the dogs who fill our shelters are the result of backyard breeders who would not heed this mandate, even if it were codified into law; however, it is still not a bad idea to get people who don't make the connections between pet overpopulation, high euthanasia rates and spaying and neutering, thinking, as they sit in traffic behind a car bearing the message.

Go to http://www.caspayplate.com/ for more information about ordering this special interest plate.

An adoption salute to Miley (now Edie)

2010-10-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

For this entry, we have a guest writer. It’s the most beautiful blogger this site has ever had – my wife Holly!

I suppose each volunteer has their own rubric for selecting a dog to walk on any given day. My criteria involves: charm, good looks, and swishing tail. Oh, and I usually look at the walk cards to see who hasn’t been out too. The stars and prong collars aligned and one regular Sunday I found myself with Miss smiley Miley.

An early photo of Miley - grinning from the get-go

Who doesn’t want their first date with a new dog to involve a little cuddle time, a crooked smile, and a lot of sniffing?! Miley and I immediately hit it off. It made me feel good too, to give her a long walk around the lake that first day. And so became our tradition of Sunday walks around the lake. The timing was perfect really – my husband, Joel, was at Bad Rap class with Azul. I would take the hour to do the lake with Miley and then we would meet up afterward. I loved it.

But, I realized I was ready for my next challenge as a volunteer and Miley was ready to learn a few things. So, two months ago, my favorite pittie princess and I showed up to Bad Rap. Well, wouldn’t you know, this girl took to it like a charm! Week one was a little overwhelming – lots of things to see and smell! But, by week two she had mastered sit. By week three she had look. And, by week four down and stay! We were on a roll. This past Sunday she was even reviewed by Bad Rap who told us she was nearly ready to move to the advanced class.

Showing off her 'stay' skills at BAD RAP class

Would you like some mustard to go with this HAM?

Miley’s other pals, two of whom are named Nancy, have been taking her on lots of long walks during the week and on non-Bad Rap days. All the time with her human-friends really paid off. A nice young couple watched Miley’s good work at Bad Rap and were impressed with how she was the perfect combination of attentive and affectionate. I’m so happy that Miley has found her forever home with great new human friends, Jason and Lizzy. I know I’m one of many who’ll miss seeing her down in kennel 21, but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing her around flashing that goofy grin as she wiggles on by. Huzzah for Miley!

On to new adventures

Join us for a special BADRAP class on Saturday, October 23

2010-10-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, BADRAP's pit ed classes have been gaining a lot of visibility. Thanks to a lot of good publicity and tireless educational/outreach efforts, BADRAP has been attracting lots of fans nationwide. The pit ed classes - conducted just down the street from our shelter - are one of their most popular activities. Read BADRAP's blog or Facebook pages to see how many people in communities all across the country wish they had this type of program.

The added interest has also increased the number of BACS volunteers who are interested in attending class. This means that lots of BACS pitties have been going to class with devoted volunteers. The dogs learn manners and basic obedience, gain socialization, and they get to be seen by potential adopters.

Well hold on to your prong collars, because next week we are having the mother of pit ed classes (to date, at least). BADRAP has been hosting occasional "open house" classes where the public is invited to watch and learn. But to celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Day on October 23, they are pulling out all the stops. Refreshments, games, books autographed by celebrity dogs, door prizes, you name it. We've got everything but a Justin Bieber appearance. And BACS pitties will be prominent co-stars of the occasion!

Imagine a scene like this. But with lots more stuff.

Donna's post over on the BADRAP blog has all the details, so all I need to say is please do drop by for all the fun. And support your favorite BACS pitties in action.

Most of our pits started out life as strays or neglected backyard dogs, and arrived at the shelter not knowing a leash from a ham sandwich. But thanks to hard work from our volunteers and our partnership with BADRAP, many of them are now out showing off their skills at class, helping change the public's perceptions of pit bulls, and eventually heading on to become happy family pets.

I hope you can make it, and bring a friend. It should be fun for everyone!

A Dream Come True

2010-09-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

Shirley bathed in sunlight while on a walk in the woods.

Gearing up for a car ride.

Smiling happily in Montclair's business district.

Shirley (calmly) watching the passersby in Montclair

Shirley waiting for treats.

Shirley's Couch

Shirley is adjusting well to being in a home, immediately calming down from the hectic, stressful life of the shelter. She now is a much calmer dog. And I think the major reason she was looked over at the shelter was because her loud and constant bark scared adopters off. This is a silly reason given that in the whole time Shirley has been with us she has only barked twice.

The rest of her time she's either going on walks, begging for food, or sleeping on the couch which has now exclusively become her couch. She loves to go on walks to new places so I try to take her on new paths but usually she ends up making the regular weekday loop. On the weekends though we pack her up in the car (which she loves to ride in) and take her to a new place like Lake Temescal or a path up in the hills, and she just loves it.

Overall she is a great dog and her easy to love character has spread to all of the family. My dad who in the beginning of the adoption process has said, "No pitbulls and that's final," is now infatuated with Shirley and plays with her every second he has, including often lying on the floor as asking Shirley for some kisses.

She is a great friendly, loveable dog who also knows boundaries and won't jump up on a bed or couch without being asked. She is also much more well behaved with other dogs now that she is out of the shelter. My grandparents came over to see her with their dog (a tiny Shih tzu mix) and Shirley did absolutely fine with the other dog. In fact the other dog was the one with the problem and kept growling at Shirley but still she just wanted to play and he ended up having to sit in the car.

She loves playing with new toys (squeaky toys especially), but she is a bit of a princess when it comes to toys. She'll only play with toys if they're new and haven't been played with other dogs before. As soon as she gets them her main goal is to break them and as soon as she does, she never plays with the toy again. Well I guess that's why she's named Shirley Temple.

But really she is a great dog, and as she gets more and more accustomed to our home, she just gets happier and happier as you can see in the pictures. I am sad that Shirley had to spend 15 months in the shelter but in the end I'm glad she did, because if she hadn't stayed that long I wouldn't have found her. In the end Shirley got a home, and I got what I had been asking for since I could talk, and we couldn't be happier.

Matt

Rico is Seeking A Dog with Person to Call His Own

2010-09-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

When Rico first came to the shelter (8/7/10), he was a terrified little ball in the corner of his kennel not wanting anybody to come near him. Fast forward one month later and now meet RICO THE GREAT! Rico is lively, fun, and full of confidence. His favorite past time is playing in the office with Neffie the doberman. This spunky guy is just itching to get into a home - it would really be an added bonus if this new home came with a doggie friend in it.

September's Volunteer of the Month

2010-09-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

Karen

This month we salute Karen, who spends most of her volunteer time helping out in the office. Every time I take an overanxious, intestinally-distressed dog for a long walk on a hot day, I start to think that she might have the right idea. Thanks for all your hard work Karen! And please try to make sure that I don't keep walking out of the shelter with a key around my wrist!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I spend time looking for a job, which leads directly to...

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

Since being laid off from my job as an administrative assistant at the state Public Health Lab in Richmond, I now have the free time to volunteer. I've always wanted to do this, but full-time work didn't make it easy. Now, however, I have lots of time available and I love volunteering at BACS so much that I often forget that my main "job" should be looking for another one!!!

While I do spend most of my volunteer hours in the office, I also visit the cats and dogs frequently, and have been helping out lately with taking the staff's dogs out for walks.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

The incredible job the staff does with handling so many different animals, people and situations! I have a lot of respect and affection for these wonderful staff members and they've made me feel very at home at BACS. This also applies to the many other volunteers I've met these past months. And even though I'm frequently on a computer or updating the lost & found books, the bonus is that the whole time I'm in the office, I'm surrounded by the staff's marvelous dogs (constant puppy love!) and those 3 fabulous kitties (Squirrel, Wilma, and Madu). If I ever get another job, it'll be tough to give up the wonderful perk of being with loving animals all the time! Volunteering at BACS has given me tremendous appreciation of the hard and challenging work people do to save and protect and find homes for our animal buddies. Being a part of this community is a priceless experience and I'm very grateful for it!

I wish the best to everyone who is associated with BACS!!

Going the miles for Miles

2010-09-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

Or...that sad Frost line arises: and Miles to go before I sleep. Such sadness underscores the beauty of our fragile at-risk Berkeley dogs. Beautiful, happy (once he's befriended you!) Miles epitomizes this beauty. Some of you may wonder why he hasn't been posted, and why he has a special 'HALTI ONLY' warning on his Red-Dot walk card.

Well, Miles is a doll. He sits to be collared, as he knows you're taking him out; and he runs like a stallion, with or without his toys, in the play area. (Almost knows "drop it"!)

But, as some may know, he was distressed at being left at BACS and can be high-strung and barky with strangers at his barrier. Then, he had to be sedated in order for the vet to check out his badly infected ears. Kate and Tim have done a wonderful job acclimating him to his probably lifelong ear meds. But Miles also has a drama-king's aversion to the prong collar (I've developed some ambivalence about using the prong for my dog, as there are effective trainers and training sites who have gentler methods and consider the prong a tool of torture--see below): i.e., he will start yelping and sometimes jump and roll around in a fit of civil disobedience. Humor aside, he's never redirected with me; but I know he'd get himself in trouble were anyone to try a pop correction with him.

Those who walk him regularly know he's amenable enough to the Halti--he'll actually slip right into it! though his affection for other dogs makes him a bit feisty when they pass.

But he did pass his temp test on that score: great with dogs; also with cats--but then! the old vet aversion kicked in when his paws were handled during his temp test: he tried to bite. He is probably set to be a 'rescue-only' boy.

Yet everyone at BACS seems to realize that Miles is essentially a great, loving, safe dog--with this handling caveat.
Obviously, though, that's some caveat, and it's important not to be complacent about his apparent ease, to prevent him from 'getting in trouble.'

So I am hoping other Miles fans will join me in experimenting with some Dog Listening (NOT Whispering) methods that saved former BACS inmate Mallory, an extremely dog-reactive lab mix who was otherwise a love. The day she was to be put down, she was rescued by Dog Listening trainer Penny Locke. Some of her and a colleague's video links listed below. And some lovely shots of a happy happy Miles in the doggie play pen. Please contact me if you're interested in working with Kyree, an Oakland -based Dog Listener, to help Miles--and maybe also help dogs like Bella, Noodle, Faye, Jasper--smooth out their mouthy kinks. BACS also has Jan Fennel's DVD, and I have a copy as well if you'd like to borrow. All part of our Red Dot Education! Alexandra (510) 849-2613

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfP2O09bx0 Cali plays with a tire/early days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELXqugUj9rA Cali sharing space

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEjPOpIgrXQ But it's mine today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNRDHpNtFk4 (22bradshaw's rescue of a 'vicious' South African Dutch shepherd)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN84oAl8tCA (part 2)

Hercules check-in

2010-09-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

I'm sure we all remember Hercules, who went to a sanctuary in Humboldt County several weeks ago. I called the sanctuary to follow up on how Hercules was doing, and got some good news. He was adopted quickly! The sanctuary uses caution when they adopt out pits and pit mixes, but they were very pleased with the couple that adopted Hercules. Herky is now residing up in Humboldt County, and it sounds like all is well with him.

Unfortunately no pictures or adopter testimonials but I wanted to share with everyone. Hercules had a long road to find his home but it looks like it finally happened for him. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked with this lovable but challenging dog, especially Mike & Summer Vodnoy and Larry Gurley who put in a lot of hours with him. Plus Tim, Donna, and Donyale at BAD RAP who also helped him along.

Cleo: one clever (and very happy) girl

2010-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

From the day Cleo arrived at the shelter, it was clear that she was a very special girl. Here's an update from her mom, Noreen:

Cleo has been an outstanding dog: smart, loyal and full of love and kisses! It has been about two months since we adopted her, and she already knows Come, Sit, Down, Up, In, Out (of her crate, or the car), Stay, Fetch and Drop It - well, almost! We took her to the beach over the weekend for her first romp in the water - and she loved it! She loves chasing other dogs, and is nothing but friendly towards all four-legged critters she meets (well, except squirrels)!

Way to go, Cleo.

Sweet Samuel Has a New Home

2010-09-03T19:32:00.001-07:00

Samuel is a guy whose looks always belied his sweet nature. And who would have guessed that, while he was an enthusiastic enough walker, he mostly liked to sit on the bench and give kisses. Today he finally found a shelter browser who wasn't fooled by his tough-guy facade! Samuel has gone home to live the good life with a female pit mix (another BACS dog from years past, I think).

Beauty's Only Skin Deep, as the Temptations sang. Samuel is living proof.

Rory Has A Girlfriend!

2010-09-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

Many of us loved Rory, the big guy with a huge head and a gentle heart. Last week, a neighbor of Kathy Kear's came in to meet him (thank you, Kathy!)-- and of course she found Rory irresistible. The big question: how would her alpha female pittie take to Rory moving into her space, where she has been a prized only dog? We did a long 'meet and greet' walk, and things seemed to be okay, though Rory was clearly lots more interested than Pippin was in having a, ahem, relationship.

With excitement and a little trepidation, Kate took Rory home. We all crossed our fingers. A few short days later, Kate reports that Pippin and Rory are in love!

Pippin, you couldn't have found a nicer guy. We're so happy for both of you.

We knew you could do it, Roscoe!

2010-08-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

Roscoe, now Hank, is thriving in his new home. But don't take it from me. Here it is directly from his new mom (who won't be offended by my editing, I hope):

"It's been almost a month since I adopted Hank and I wanted to let you know he is doing great. He is much more confident and is so mellow that I take him to work with me at the tattoo shop almost every day. He is so gentle and affectionate with everyone, I think he makes the tattoos hurt less! Today we went to the beach and I let him off-leash for the first time. At first he was a little scared of the ocean but a girl pit who had also been recently adopted showed up and showed him the ways. He was so happy!"

Go Roscoe! Oops, I mean Go Hank!

Cece Rider

2010-08-30T16:01:00.001-07:00

No doubt most of you music fans are familiar with the blues classic “CC Rider”. If you find a musical act that hasn't covered this song...well, you just found someone who ain't worth listening to. Here are just a few of the versions out there:

12-string guitar legend, Leadbelly

The Grateful Dead

The Old Crow Medicine Show does a modern bluegrass version PS this is a really fun band to see live, and they are in the Bay Area fairly often.

Even Elvis covered the song

We have our very own CC, or shall I say Cece, at the shelter. She’s one of those mama dogs that got dumped at the shelter after being bred for puppies. We like to give these dogs some special attention. It’s apparent that she’s never had much training, but with some hard work I think we can whip her into shape. I’ve started taking her to BAD RAP class, and other volunteers have been working with her on basic commands. She's starting to respond, we're seeing improvements in her willingness to sit and look. Every time I go to her kennel I start singing CC Rider. So I figured this was a great time to OFFICIALLY start my music career with my own interpretation of the song.

Tell me what you think. And this is mournful, howl-at-the moon, delta-style blues.

Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See what you gone done
Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See what you gone done
Well you made me love you mama,
Now your BAD RAP training done come
Hey, hey, hey, hey

So I'm goin' to the shelter baby
And I’m headin’ right to your stall,
I'm goin' to the shelter baby
And I’m headin’ right to your stall,
Once you find yourself a good home
I might not be comin' back at all
Hey, hey, hey, hey

Instrumental/interlude. Come on, feel it now...

Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See the treat is held up high,
Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See the treat is held up high,
Just might get you a tasty morsel
If you start behavin' all right
Hey, hey, hey, hey

I'm a-goin' away doggie
But I sure don't wanna go
I’m a-goin' away doggie
But I sure don't wanna go
You know the trouble is
The shelter closes at fo’
Hey, hey, hey, hey

That is GOLD

Another Happy Ending - Bobo Leaves BACS! ADOPTED

2010-08-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Wilbur Finds a Home

2010-08-25T15:25:00.001-07:00

From a life of neglect to a life full of love, tenderness, children, and pugs, Wilbur has finally found his home! A big THANKS for the efforts of many devoted Wilbur fans, for he seemed to touch the heart of just about everyone he met at the shelter. The energy was galvanized to place him onto this inviting patch of grass, with these most beautiful humans and canines by his side . . . forever.

BAD RAP Action

2010-08-22T16:11:00.001-07:00

Lots of new volunteers and dogs at the class, let's check in for some exclusive coverage...

New viral video stars, Albert and Kelly:

Betty is a frisky pup, just look at what she did to Sue:

Deborah gets her game face on for the wedding march drill, Murphy's preparation looks a little less focused:

Larry gives Samuel his maiden voyage at class:

Working hard or hardly working? You be the judge. Tulip and David:

Our reigning Volunteer of the Month shows she is not going to let go of the crown without a fight. Maya gives Radar the business:

Super-sub Elizabeth guides Shirley Temple through drills:

DeAnna and her new charge, Rambler:

Kelley has turned Ruby into a rising class star:

My victim for the day, ol' Smiley Miley. She did really well in her very first class. She had a good time and thanked me by licking my face nonstop for about five minutes after class. See her demonstrating her crazy mad "Look" skills, by comparison it took Azul about six weeks before he decided he would look up at me:

Former BACS dogs Pony Boy (now Moby), Goldie (now Lucy), and Azul were also on hand, working with their new owners. Are you dogs a bit miffed that your pictures aren't up? TOO BAD, GET YOUR OWN BLOG! This one is for current adoption candidates only!

August's Volunteer of the Month

2010-08-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Maya

It's back to school month, and we're marking the occasion by recognizing one of our young up-and-coming volunteers. Maya has been spotted working with some of our rougher customers at BACS, and is even starting to take dogs to BAD RAP class. Maya, please do keep in mind that walking shelter dogs is much more fun than doing homework!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

Well for most of the year I have to spend all my time at school. I go to Berkeley High, going into my freshman year. Before I went to King Middle School. But now that it's summer I go to a lot of movies with my friends, gossip... normal teenage stuff. I spend a lot of time with my extended family too, and lately I've been educating them about pit bulls whenever I see them (they're not huge fans to say the least.)

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I've always loved dogs, especially big ones, but have never been able to have one for multiple reasons. I've actually always loved pit bulls, even when I was a little kid. I had heard all the horror stories but I met a few that were very nice, so I just didn't listen to the media. So last December I asked a friend where she got her dog, and she told me, "At that shelter down on second street. They're good but they have a lot of pit bulls..." But that grabbed my attention so my Mom and I started volunteering around mid February.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Probably meeting all of the new dogs that come in and getting to know them. I love dogs who are mellow but playful, and have energy but aren't hyper, so it's fun to try and pick out the dogs that I would like the most. It seems though that a dog will act the opposite with you from the way they act in their kennel, so it's nearly impossible to guess. I also love being able to help the dogs get adopted, learning skills for when I finally do get a dog, and bringing all my fearful friends and family to see how nice pit bulls really are.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Well, I was completely in love with both Red and Pony Boy, but Pony Boy just got adopted and Red went to a rescue a couple weeks back. I'm happy for them but I miss them. My first love was Blazey, an old lab mix back in March. Then I fell for Horton, the small brown and white pit bull. Now I guess my favorite would be Rory. He seems so scary in his kennel but he really is the sweetest dog, and I've actually seen him get scared of the cats in the office. I also love Cece, she is so stubborn but there's just something about the way she struts, or suddenly decides to jump and spin in the air because she is just so happy to be outside =). I also recently discovered what a love Radar is. I love Wilbur and Oliver too.

BACS is the August Focus of KOIT FM's Wet-Nose Wednesday Feature

2010-08-09T11:00:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday morning (and every Wednesday in August), between 7 and 8, set your dial to 96.5 FM to hear the deejays promote two BACS dogs. The Wet-Nose Wednesday feature focuses on one shelter each month and tries to encourage listeners to check out the week's stars on their website, http://www.koit.com/pages/4053215.php. Last week's dogs were Bella and Vanilla Bean. Tune in this Wednesday morning to find out who this week's featured dogs will be.

Azul has been adopted

2010-08-04T13:20:00.001-07:00

Yet another loooooong-term shelter resident is packing his bags.

Azul has moved on to a good home, he will be missed at the shelter but after ten months in a kennel I don't think he is too sorry to go!

We might still see Azul at BAD RAP class, his new owners are planning on trying to bring him so he can continue his training. It's unlikely they will be able to replicate my fierce demanding approach, which makes Sgt Hartman from Full Metal Jacket seem like a teddy bear.

As a matter of fact, look at this outrageous update I just received from Peg and Claudia, his adopters:

"We have just brought Azul home, after a stroll at the Berkeley Marina. He's happily lying on his comforter, chewing on a Nylabone, on a tie down with us in the dining room."

What! Going soft on Private Azul already???? Get that dog doing some left hand turns and down-stays, on the double. HUP HUP HUP!!!

Good luck Azul! Don't be a stranger!

As for me, some other unlucky dog better be ready to get with the program. Martino? Faye? Guero? Radar? MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT!!!

Call for Bios

2010-08-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

If you have a special experience with a dog and would like to write about it so that it can be used in the dog's bio, please do so, and then send it to me. I try to get to know all the dogs so I can write accurate bios, but it is not easy to find that special something in one or two walks with every dog. As you have probably observed, some of the bios are more passionate than others-- it is because something about that dog has moved me deeply. I know others have that experience, too; if we could get those authentic moments incorporated into the bios, I think we would have some awesome copy to accompany Rob's great photos.

Please send to: oaklandres@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Bay to Barkers 2010

2010-08-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

Look out folks, we have not one, not two, but four K-9 Olympians in the house! Today was Bay to Barkers 2010 - a fundraiser for BEBHS - and BACS not only had a booth there but was also well represented by four wonderful 'competitors' - Guero, Murphy, Bobo, and Fendi (as well as BACS alumna, Pachanga).

Great dogs with great handlers!

There were 12 events - a one mile-ish walk around the Albany Bulb and 11 games. The games were lots of fun for the dogs. We got to sample various agility obstacles, try our paws at a rally course, bob for hot dogs (Murphy very cleverly drank all the water to retrieve the hot dog, Pachanga dunked her nose very tentatively a couple times before committing to the full dunk, and Bobo just went for it). Other games included the tennis ball catch (this was not Guero's specialty - he repeatedly let it bounce off him before committing to getting the ball), and recall through distractions (turns out Murphy is very food motivated, she stalled at the bag of treats, and Guero thought a rawhide ring was pretty cool to stop his mad dash for, Bobo was decidedly unimpressed with the distractions and the recall).

You'll note that Fendi hasn't been mentioned. Well, she had the honourable duty of greeting people at our booth, which she did with style and grace!

Who could resist stopping by with this little lady looking their way?

By the end of the day, we had lots of tired pooches (and we finally paused to get some pics). They were all fantastically behaved, even amongst some serious crowds of people and dogs. They did us proud so stop by their kennels (esp. with a treat) and have a look at their ribbons, their K9 Olympian certificates are on their way!

Two big dogs having a rest on one blanket...

So little Bobo can stay sound asleep on his, and under yet another
(he got a little chilly in the wind)!

"Forget everyone else, gimme the treat, gimme, gimme, come on.....pleeeease"

A happy ending for Scaredy Sasha

2010-08-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Volunteers may remember Sasha, a dog who turned up at the shelter last winter and was extremely scared and tentative in her kennel.

She was fostered by the shelter’s longtime partner, trainer Kathy Kear. A few weeks after going home with Kathy, Sasha made an appearance at one of Kathy's training classes. She looked like a different dog - much more confident and happy.

Kathy eventually hooked up Sasha with a permanent home. Here is an update from Kathy along with an 'after' picture:

Sasha was a scared worried girl in the shelter, not letting anyone touch her and hiding in the corner. I finally got her to let me leash her, took her out of her cage and she never looked back! She stayed with me for 3 weeks and learned from my other dogs how to be a dog! She blossomed with patience and gentle calm energy. Jennifer from San Francisco saw her on Craig's List and came to visit her one evening. She had just lost her wonderful Sharpei mix, Scout, yet was ready to open her heart again. Sasha was tentative at the first meeting- taking treats but staying close to me....In a few days, Sasha went home with Jennifer. They are now the best of friends. Sasha goes to work with Jennifer and she is the office dog that everyone must stop and say hi to. She has a pack of dog friends that she meets weekly at the beach, and most of all she has a warm loving home with Jennifer where she knows she will be forever loved and nurtured."

Thanks for the update Kathy, and it’s great to see that yet another shelter dog has wound up in a great situation!

Open House day at BAD RAP class - this Sunday

2010-07-28T08:23:00.001-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have an exciting announcement about a once-in-a-lifetime event (actually that just means this is the first time it's happened, but hopefully it can become a regular thing)

Pit bulls have been in the news lately for both good and bad reasons, and our friends over at BAD RAP have been dealing with a big uptick in public interest about the dogs. They have worked with BACS to turn this week's regular pit ed class (Sunday, August 1, from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM) into more of a show and tell session for the interested public.

We'll still have the normal class, but there will be some added attractions. BAD RAP volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions about adopting or volunteering. They'll also bring their famous Barn Puppies for some eye candy. We're hoping to draw a good crowd to watch some of our star BACS pitties strut their stuff. I'm also trying to convince Tim and Donna to serve mimosas and set up a waffle/omelet station, we'll see if that idea goes anywhere.

If you'd like to ask any questions about the pit ed program, adoption in general, or if you'd just like to see the BACS dogs in action, please do stop by. And pass the word on. My parents are visiting from Ohio and they will be there, so surely you can drag your sorry self to Berkeley. The class/open house is in the big parking lot next to the northern boundary of Aquatic Park, just a few hundred feet from the shelter. Look for the blimp and the ESPN crew.

Feel free to cheer for your favorite BACS pittie as he/she completes the drills. Whoever can start a decent version of The Wave will have the inside track on being August's Volunteer of the Month!

What's Going on with VPA??

2010-07-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

Many of us check the status of our favorite BACS dogs by logging onto http://www.virtualpetadoptions.com/. However, there has been a change in the set-up of the website, so that you can no longer click onto a particular shelter and find the kennel inventory of cats and dogs. Instead, you enter a bunch of different parameters and dogs from all over the Bay Area, including those from obscure rescue groups. Where are the Berkeley dogs??

Thanks to Rob, shelter photographer, who saved this link, you can go right to our dogs and cats :

http://www.virtualpetadoptions.com/adoptapet/pets_search_results.asp?ShelterId=30&PetTypeid=-1&petageid=0&PetSexid=0&PetSizeid=0&imageField.x=37&imageField.y=14, You may want to bookmark it as a favorite so that you can check on our dogs and cats in an instant.

In the meantime, if you want to voice your opinion about the changes, you can contact the webmaster, Shani at mailto:atsrussell@petfoodexpress.com.

July's Volunteer of the Month

2010-07-22T07:17:00.001-07:00

Barbara

You should probably know a little bit more about Barbara. She is a definite regular at the shelter, so you might run into her no matter what day you're there. Ask her about her grandchildren, doesn't every grandparent love to talk about their grandkids? Barbara, you don't look old enough to be a grandma!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

I am a retired Jazzercise Instructor and still attend classes regularly. I spend lots of time with my two young grandsons and I'm also an avid quilter.

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

My husband John (also a volunteer) and I moved back to the Bay Area after living in the San Juan Islands for thirteen years. We had THE most wonderful irrepressible Cocker Spaniel who lost his battle with cancer shortly before we moved. Both of us were devastated but not quite ready for another dog. I met another BACS volunteer at my Jazzercise class who was so enthusiastic about the shelter that I immediately signed up for the orientation.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

I love being able to come to the shelter any day, any time and know that I am making a difference in the lives of our precious dogs. Sometimes just sitting in a kennel with a frightened dog is all that's necessary. Some of the dogs like a slow stroll in the park, some like a wild race around the lake, some just want to nap on your lap. I love getting to know the distinct personalities of each of them and my mission is to brighten their day in any way possible.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Roscoe is my current favorite....he's the gorgeous one in the photo. He is the sweetest, most loving, adorable guy! My very first love was Shona, the white German Shepard. Then there was Radio, the black pit bull. Oh, and remember Romy, the black Chow? She was completely matted and scared but after hours and hours of daily combing she became our shelter Supermodel. Of course, Angel was the dog who touched my heart the most.

La Bella ♥

2010-07-20T01:45:00.000-07:00

A little less than a week ago I took Bella (kennel A13) out for a short walk. I had not taken her out before, so I didn't know what to expect on our walk. It turns out that walking on a leash isn't much of a problem for her, but getting the leash ON her is. When I got into her kennel, she was really jumpy and excited - a stark contrast to the demure dog I saw when I was standing outside her kennel a few moments prior. I was tempted to give up on leashing her, but I'm glad I didn't. Once out of her kennel, Bella really is a joy to walk. She's respectful and mindful of her walker and will sit when asked. I was pretty sure I would be taking her out again...and soon.

AND I DID! Yesterday, Bella and I went out on a short adventure to the windy marina area on the other side of the overpass (the one that goes over the freeway with the cool bronze statues). We spent about thirty minutes wandering around the huge mounds of dirt and sniffing the dried-up grasses/weeds (that was mostly her). Then, we made our way to the play area under the OTHER overpass; she loved it there! We played fetch and her personal favorite: "hog the tennis balls". After about half an hour of this, I figured it was time that we return to the shelter. All in all, the day was a success, even though I had to sacrifice a sock (she pulled on it too hard while I was trying to leash her up). The following are some photos I took during our play session. Please excuse the terrible quality - these were taken on my cell. Oh, and also excuse the bare leg in the first photo...I was wearing shorts.

"HEY! YOU! Throw this for me!"

"Hmmmm... Which one do I want to play with now..?"

"I guess this one will do..."

"YUMMY!!"

"I CAN FLYYYYY!!"

Mercedes has been adopted!

2010-07-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

I know everyone has started to flock over to BACS's exciting new Facebook page, but surely we still have some readers here?

Another of our old hands has found a home. Everyone's favorite low-rider - Mercedes! She didn't generate a lot of interest from adopters in six months at the shelter, but it only takes one family. Mercedes is not going far, she'll be setting up shop in Richmond.

Good luck Mercedes! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out with her, and especially DeAnna who spent so time with Mercedes - plenty of walks, lots of lounging around in Aquatic Park, and weekly BAD RAP classes. Looks like DeAnna is going to be a single girl on the prowl again, maybe looking to hook up with another lucky shelter resident...

Hiro and Mo (aka Drake and Santho)

2010-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

Then . . .

Now . . .

From Jose, Hiro and Mo's adopter:

"Hiro's the black and tan dog who I adopted first. Then Mo the pit-lab mix light tan dog-- the second dog who I adopted from BACS. Fatboy's also on the pic which is my other dog. They get along so well. I'm glad I got these two dogs from the shelter and gave them a forever-home. They sleep on the bed with us like our own kids. They love to watch TV, going to the park, going to Petfood Express (lol), they love those rope toys, especially Mo. Most toys never last though(lol). Hiro is a clinger, follows me everywhere, even to the bathroom. I think Mo's shelter name was Santho, I forget Hiro's shelter name thogh [Drake]. Enjoy the pics. Will give you more updates.

I love these dogs. They never fail to put a smile on my face everyday. Hiro loves belly rubs. Mo is such a big puppy-- he plays 90% of the time and the other 10% he devotes to sleeping and eating. I wish I could save more dogs. . . it's really sad to hear about alot of dogs in the shelter who don't get the chance that Hiro and Mo got. But you guys [staff] and the volunteers are just angels and what you do there at the shelter the time and effort you put into caring for these dogs is just amazing. Thanks for all of your hard work."

Back to you, Jose for giving these lucky dogs a more-than-a-dog-coud-ask for forever-home. : )

BACS on Facebook

2010-07-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/berkeleyanimals?__a=10

We have our own FB page. Become a fan, invite your friends to become fans, make a comment, or just have a look at our dogs and cats.

Thanks to Maureen and Rob for putting this together!

Goodnight, Sweet Angel

2010-07-01T23:41:00.000-07:00

We thought of ourselves as Angel's Auntie Alexandra and Auntie Barbara. I wish I could have better protected and nurtured you, Angel.And from Barbara: 'Rest in peace Sweet Angel. Life was never easy for you. For those of us who loved you it was an honor to give you the love and comfort you deserved during your short stay with us. You you will always live in our hearts.' I, too, felt honored: Thank you, Angel, for allowing me to sit in your kennel, though you were initially terrified of this big intruder in your fragile space. Thank you for honoring me with your approaches and for letting me finally nuzzle your ears.To echo what Barbara has said, it was an honor to receive your trust and love. [Angel and Hendrix left us on the same day; you can find a tribute to Hendrix on Pam's Facebook page.]

Tara (aka "Bali")

2010-06-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Long-term resident, Tara (aka "Bali") passed away June 11th. Volunteers from 2007 will remember Tara (aka "Bali"), as a smart, strong-spirited and perpetually happy petite pittie who could not help but win over all who she met. Tara came into the shelter in mid-2005, was adopted out in the latter part of the same year, but was returned after six months, malnourished and broken-toothed from having been kept outside.

Thus began Tara's second residency at BACS for many more months. But Tara did not seem to mind, for as the hands-down volunteer favorite, she was doted upon, walked often, and became a star pupil of BadRap trainer, Donyale, who took her to class to keep her mentally stimulated and sane.

But a shelter is not a permanent home, so the quest to find Tara a permanent home began in earnest. Volunteer Loraine answered a craigslist.org posting for her in hopes of finding Tara the right forever-home. A woman (Roma) with a large estate in Sebastopol placed the ad, stating she had been looking for the right bully-dog to rescue to become a companion to her dog, Misho. Roma and Misho came by the shelter and it was instant love! Soon Tara was being whisked away to the spacious home in Sebastopol, where she would be treated like the princess she was (see pictures above).

Finding herself in a veritable heaven-on-earth for a dog, Tara had free reign over the acres of Roma's estate, both inside and out, and basked in the warmth of Roma's effusive love for her. Best-devotees of Tara, Alan C., Loraine, and Dorothy went up each Spring and Fall to visit Tara, Misho and Roma. It warms a volunteer's heart to see a former shelter dog being treated with the love and adoration that Tara was fortunate to receive every day of her life with Roma. Would that all our dogs find such happiness as Tara did for the three years she was with Roma, until she passed away in June.

Rest in Peace, sweet Tara.

pictures courtesy of Loraine

Six Week Update on Ted and Dana

2010-06-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Summer fun continues with Ted and Dana. Things with my internship didn't work out, but the good news is that I get to spend the rest of the Summer with these two!

One of the most amazing things is how buff each of these guys has become! With all of the playing and running and exploring they do, their muscles have really bulked up. Dana is a compact, buff little wrestling and hunting machine, and Teddy is too statuesque and manly to believe. Everywhere we go people comment on our cool looking dogs, especially since the suburban area where I live is filled with yellow labs and golden retrievers (not too many pitties).

Ted, most often referred to as Tater or Tootle, can usually be found lounging on a pile of pillows on my sister's bed (he would snuggle there for eternity), on the living room couch, or in his favorite room, THE KITCHEN. Sure, we've lost some snacks off the kitchen counter, but one goofy look from Tater with his yellow eyes and floppy ears usual clears any tension up. Ted has really transitioned into a mellow and laid back guy. I can see his maturity and easy going attitude increase every day. Ted is also the best at making us laugh constantly. We have no idea what trick he'll pull next.

Sister Dana, on the other hand, finally has the opportunity to just be a puppy. I am amazed at the difference in her personality. At the shelter, I had no idea what a little puppy she really still is at heart. Now that's she's at home, this little youngster has the chance to play and act like the goofy puppy she is. She rolls around on her back, her eyes gleaming with puppy-like playfulness and excitement, and she almost always instigates the wrestling with her brother. She just wants to love and be loved, and fill the days with as much exploration and play as possible. She gets as many hugs as she pleases at home, so now on walks she just focuses on having fun with Ted rather than feeling the need to have a hug every five feet.

It is too much fun for me to see my best buds adjust to their homes and to transform into different dogs. I love to see my family become attached to them, and to see them be made a part of our family.