Life is a beach for Paris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!