Another Malik Sighting

Yesterday was the 2nd Annual Montclair Pet Fair in Oakland. I had the pleasure of sharing a booth with Donna Reynolds of BADRAP and her therapy-pit, Honky Tonk. Honky Tonk and I were holding down the fort, while Donna made a coffee run, when we saw a family with a lovely blue pittie coming our way. They stopped at our booth and humans and doggies all commenced chatting/sniffing when I heard someone call the blue dog Malik. Malik?!? That's our Malik AGAIN! I mentioned that he had already appeared in our dog blog, and his person said, "Our dog is more popular than we are. But we're getting used to it!" Apparently they make a point of taking him out in public with the kids so everyone can see how great they are together -- I wish I'd had my camera. Thanks again to everyone (shelter staff and volunteers, rescue folks, trainers, and adopters) who help Malik go from misery to stardom.

Shadow is a happy, silly, prancing pooch

Shadow had a busy Sunday. He had an active morning play session with Chiona in the dog run, training walk with Chuck in the park to work on his leash reactivity and finally a photo session with Helena and me just before the shelter closed. It was a good day for our boy Shadow. He's going to need a social secretary if this keeps up (or better yet a home)!

Bouncy Shines

Dear Bouncy was the subject of a special photo shoot by a guest photographer, my friend Helena. She is a 19-year old visitor from Europe who is acting as au pair to my sister's twins. I've noticed that she has a great eye and timing when she takes pictures. The twins' every moment have been documented beyond belief. Okay, when I was a baby my parents took slides(!). Remember those? Anyway, I asked her to direct some of her artistic talents towards snapping some shelter dogs. Bouncy went first. He's a sweet, sweet boy who deserves some extra attention. This is what it looked like as we hung out in front of the shelter today.

Chiona aka "Bat Girl"

She's the cutest little crime fighter at the shelter!

We love you Bo

Black dogs never look dirty

Isaac	Mickey
Sunshine	Chiona

Yes, there's a compelling practical reason to adopt a black shelter pooch: their coats hide dirt better! As you may already be aware, black shelter dogs are less likely to be adopted. It's sad but true. There's no one simple explanation for why this might be. Is it superstition? Do they look more menacing? Too ordinary? Whatever the case, a dark colored dog is going to wait longer to find a home. Bark Magazine did a nice article on this black dog dilemma.

We seem to have an unusually high number of black (or dark chocolate colored) pooches at the shelter right now. Even worse, several of them are pit bulls which adds up to two strikes: color and breed. Alas. These dogs are just as loyal and loving as any other color of dog.

In addition:
-- Black dogs are easy to find in the snow.
-- Black is a formal, elegant, and prestigious color!
-- Black goes with everything so you and your dog will never clash.
-- Black is made up of every color in the spectrum not just one!

Another challenge is that it's often hard to get good photographs of black dogs to display on the web. Their features aren't as visible so adopters are less likely to find them appealing. Here's a picture roundup of our current shelter crew. Let's hope some folks will "do the right thing" and give these sweet doggies a second look.

Faye	Shadow