Since I mentioned the need for change on the last posting

(and left off ‘why’) I thought I would at least put some thoughts

into the readers’ minds for now. I will state here that REAL change

can only happen with education—KNOWLEDGE–and the upcoming generation

is the one to target. In order to see ignorance dissipate, the youth who

will be the adults of tomorrow are the perfect resource for CHANGE.

There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.
(Proverbs in Prose, 1819)
―
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Collected Works

 

 

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH PETERS

Hi, my name is Slapstick and I’m a very handsome boy.

I’ve been at the shelter awhile and that makes me

very sad, because I know my furever family is out

there waiting to meet me. I was extremely excited

to find out I’d be hiking with my buddy Sarah. She

takes me for long walks and out in the yard every time

she volunteers. When she approached my apartment,

I couldn’t stop wagging my brown spotted butt!

I was ready and raring to go even though it was very

hot and humid outside that day. We took a seat over

by the meeting area and I enjoyed getting my belly

and ears rubbed. I even tried to sit on Sarah’s knees

when she was kneeling down, that is until she kicked me off!

After all of the introductions were complete, off we

went to her car. I jumped in and took a spot in the back.

I’m a gentleman you know, I sat in my seat the whole time

sniffing and looking out the window. Sarah was nice enough

to give me a meaty rawhide bone. I couldn’t help myself;

I devoured the entire bone. I love being chauffeured

around so of course I stayed in the back while Sarah drove.

We stopped for a potty break and to make sure we had everyone

and I couldn’t hold in my excitement any longer.

I squealed to “Let Me Out!” But Sarah said we weren’t there yet,

so I sat back down and patiently waited. After 10 or so grueling

minutes, we were finally at the trail! I hopped out ready and

raring to go. I don’t think Sarah expected me to be so energetic

since I’m very relaxed on our walks, but I’ve never seen so many

trees and smelled so many smells before! I wanted to lead the

pack so badly, but I listened every time Sarah stopped and

pulled me back. Being the good dog I am, I let the others lead the

way. There were tons of bikers on the trail and I didn’t even care.

I just wanted to go – with occasional water breaks of course!

I was sad we had to end our hike early, but man, checking for

ticks is the best! I laid on my belly and she gave me a good rub down.

I gave Sarah some extra kisses for the good belly rubs! We finally

got back in her car and I passed out. She says I was even snoring,

but I don’t believe a gentleman snores! She even gave me some french

fries and chicken….shhhh don’t tell anyone! I was sad we had to go back

to the shelter, but I got in some good snuggle time before I went

back to my apartment. I laid in Sarah’s lap for a long time in the shade

while she rubbed my ears and belly….I may have even started snoring again.

I so look forward to my next hike or better yet, my furever home.

Will it be you?!

~SARAH

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH PETERS

Slapstick is in a foster home!!

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/slapstick

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion.

No one is entitled to be ignorant.”
―
Harlan Ellison

 

 

As always, Laika was ready to get out of her “office” for

a while on Sunday morning. I am usually the one to take her walking

on weekend mornings so she was not surprised to see it was me at

her door holding the leash. She did seem to think it was a bit

odd when we didn’t head directly up the alley to Jefferson for

our normal walk but instead crossed Pine Street to join the

assembled group of other hikers and dogs.

Laika jumped eagerly into the back seat of my car and took to

the ride as if she were an everyday commuter. She greatly enjoyed

watching everything go by and seeing the other cars and the people

inside them. I could tell she was excited to be taking a trip but she

remained composed and only occasionally put her paws on

the driver’s seat so she could sniff at the back of my ear.

I sensed that was her way of telling me to drive faster.

Once at the trailhead, Laika was ready to get started. She was aware

of the other dogs but seemed only to be interested in hitting the trail.

She did show mild disapproval of Ferrari’s siren like wail,

but overall was not going to let anything spoil her day.

Normally a walk for Laika includes an energetic roll in some long

grass followed by ten feet or so of army crawl and then a brief,

intense session of sprinting in circles around me at the end of her leash.

Unfortunately for Laika, the wooded trail did not provide an appropriate

setting for any of these activities. Instead she concentrated on the trail

and was excited to see where it would take her.

Although the hike was cut short (too hot and humid), Laika did get to

discover the joy of lying on her belly in the thick layer of damp leaves

on the ground. It was wonderfully cooling and refreshing. She also learned

the price of that activity when I spent twenty minutes after the hike

wrestling with her and picking at her fur to remove the ticks

that had found her! Even though she was agitated

by my efforts she was patient with me and spent a good bit

of time licking my chin while I was bent over her.

The drive back to Pine Street was uneventful. Back in her office she settled

into her bed for a well-deserved nap.

~MIKE

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/laika

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
―
Derek Bok

 

 

Heparin was a beautiful sweet girl and was a perfect

angel on our hike. She was very excited to get going

when I went to the shelter to pick her up.

She was very good on the ride out. She stood in the back

seat and looked out the back window for a good part of

the ride. Once we got to the trail she followed along

with me and was the perfect hiking companion. Even though

the heat was pretty intense, she was not ready to quit

when it was time to go. We bonded very quickly on our

hike and we enjoyed each other’s company the entire time.

She did not pay much attention to the other dogs that were

on the hike with us. She was tired on the way home, but she

still wanted to look out the window. Once we returned to

the shelter she was leading me the other direction,

so we took another walk once we got back.

~MICHELLE

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/heparin

“Fear always springs
from ignorance.”
―
Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

^^(PS I LOVE this QUOTE!!!)^^

I have hiked with Shangri-La before. I HAD to take her again.

I am simply in love with her spunky, tough girl attitude (not a real

tough girl, just a “pretend’ one!). She may bark at a stranger,

but as soon as she is abruptly asked to “quiet” she relaxes and

smiles and wags that cute lil butt!

She is an amazingly tenacious lady….she hikes so well, and tries to

please the entire time you are with her.

She rides politely in the back seat, and loves to occasionally come

forward to plant a big kiss on my arm or face.

She is selective on her canine friends, I think because she tends to be

“bossy” and therefore not so easy-going….

However, she truly ADORES humans, and could make such a lovely

best friend for someone, if only that person is willing

to let her take baths instead of showers.

See, she really didn’t appreciate the shower method of

removing dirt and ticks. But she DID

enjoy a soft bed.

Maybe you are that person?

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/shangri-la

“No matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as the truth.”
―
John F. Kennedy

 

 

Costello was great before the hike. He was eager

to walk around and see what was going on,

but wasn’t too aggressive on the leash. He was

fairly calm compared to some of the other dogs.

He seemed just happy to have the chance to get

out and run around.

He was great in the car! I have 3 dogs and none

of them are even remotely close to being as good as

Costello was. He was calm and just laid in the back,

playing with the toys I brought for him.

Costello wanted to approach other dogs but of course

I tried to keep a distance between him and everyone else.

He didn’t seem aggressive; just more curious and wanting to

perhaps play. He is such a sweet dog! His overall disposition

was friendly and happy. He wasn’t aggressive and didn’t bark

at the other dogs. Like I said above, he seemed just happy

to have the chance to get outside for a while.

The only minor issue I saw was that later in the hike

(on our way back to the cars) he seemed to limp

(he lost part of his back paw from an injury)

than he was in the beginning. His back foot seemed to bother

him the longer we walked, but it didn’t seem to slow him down any!

~JAMIE

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/costello

“At first sign of crisis, the ignorant don’t panic because

they don’t know what’s going on, and then later they

panic precisely because they don’t know

what’s going on.
”
―
Jarod Kintz

 

Ferrari, fast, sleek and fun to drive…

This isn’t your midlife crisis Ferrari! This is a great dog that needs

a human companion. Anyone can buy a car, maybe not a Ferrari.

But not everyone can find a sweet personality like this dog!

That is what Ferrari is, sweet and wonderful!

As I approached the apartment which was probably 4 feet high.

Ferrari leaped into my arms with style and grace.

When we walked to the car, Ferrari was calm and ready

to get outside. We got our instructions and off we went in a

red car. Not a Ferrari. In the car Ferrari just got in and

relaxed in the car. It was if Ferrari always rides in cars.

It was amazing.

As we arrived at the trailhead, Ferrari was the last dog in line.

She likes to lead, in the back she was yelling a little Italian,

while I have no idea what she was saying, I know she likes

to lead the way. On the trail as we became the leaders, she

would keep a great strong pace and loved cruising the trail.

She hates to go too slow. This was a hot day and she didn’t

mind the heat. On the trail she looked to me anytime a decision

on direction was needed. As we ended the day, she cruised home

in the car and was nothing but a treat. There was not one bad

trait about Ferrari. She is a nothing but the best.

~Scott

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/ferrari

“What the mind doesn’t understand, it worships or fears.”
―
Alice Walker

 

Mizz Johanna was excited to get of the shelter. She was

very calm when I approached her and sat while I put her

leash on knowing that she was getting a chance to get outside.

She was very happy to be in the rear of the vehicle.

Along the way she enjoyed looking out the windows taking

everything in around her. Once we were up to highway speed

though, she quickly decided that having her nose out the window

was not the best idea and laid down for the trip.

Once on the trail she was a very capable hiker.

Mizz Johanna got great pleasure in being out front and in the lead.

She was very interested in all of the new smells. She kept

an eye on her fellow canine hikers also but really never bothered them.

On the ride home she was tired and easily was down for a quick nap.

Upon our arrival back at the shelter she again sat quietly as I

gave her a nice long rub down with cool wet towels.

Which she seemed to enjoy very much.

It was fairly obvious to me that she will make a very good

companion for some lucky person.

~CRAIG

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/mizz-johanna

A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance

when the need for illusion is deep.
―
Saul Bellow

It was my pleasure to hike with Mary Poppins.

She is such a sweet little lady. Rode wonderfully in the car

and although she didn’t lay down at all,

she stayed in one spot and just took in all the

gorgeous scenery on the way to the trail.

She was raring to go and didn’t waste any time

getting started. Although it was very humid that

morning and we didn’t get in the entire hike, she was

a real trooper and kept going and going.

I thought maybe she would sleep on the way back,

but she jumped in the back seat and sat up and enjoyed

her ride back home.

She didn’t seem phased by any of the other doggie

hikers and had no problems at all with her surroundings.

I very much enjoyed taking her out and would

be happy to have her for my hiking partner again.

~KAREN

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/mary-poppins

Living is Easy with Eyes Closed.
―
John Lennon

 

Masquerade is a beautiful girl! I had never met her before,

so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I found was a sweet

female with a lot of happy positive energy. Masquerade is just one

year old, so she still has a bit of puppy left in her. She pranced

alongside me as we went for a walk and kept pace perfectly as I took

her for a little run before we got in to the car

for the drive to the trailhead. She seemed excited to ride

in the car and I would guess it was a new

experience for her, since she didn’t seem to know exactly what was

expected, but after a few gentle reminders quickly learned

her place was in the back seat. She then settled down for the ride.

On the trail, she was interested in all of her surroundings and showed

a friendly playful interest in the other dogs and seemed genuinely

happy to greet any of the hikers who came over to say hello and pet her.

The trail was quite a busy one, and we encountered many bikers and hikers,

and even the occasional horse. Masquerade was a perfect lady

throughout! She had no problem sharing the trail with any

of them and acted as if this was an everyday occurrence for her.

While hiking, she seemed to know the trail and hiked like a pro.

Several times when we passed some small trees, she went around

the opposite side. Instead of getting her leash wrapped around the

tree, she corrected herself and went back around the way

she came – every time. Smart girl! The warm and humid day did

not seem to matter to Masquerade. After each break and drink of

water, she was ready to continue to explore the great outdoors.

When we got back to the car for the ride home, she hopped right

in and settled down in the back seat for the ride home.

~NANCY

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/masquerade

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance,

it is the illusion of knowledge.”
―
Stephen Hawking

 

Corey is such a sweet, friendly and loveable guy! He was

very excited to get out of the shelter for the day.

I picked him up and took him for a walk and as we were

sitting waiting for the other hikers he was full of kisses.

He was really enjoying all of the attention he was getting.

He was very interested in the other dogs and hikers. I think

he wanted to make friends with all of them! Once on the trail,

Corey really enjoyed exploring all of the new things. It was a

very hot and humid day but that didn’t seem to slow him down

t all. We passed several mountain bikers and even some horses

and none of them bothered Corey. He was a very easy going guy.

On breaks he took his treats so nice and just enjoyed the special

attention he was getting. Corey does pull when walking, but I

think he could easily be trained not to. He seemed very motivated

to please. The ride to the trail was a long one and Corey seemed

a little anxious during the ride. I think the car was a new

experience for him. Again, I think with a little patience he

would get better about this. After the hike he was much calmer

and rode peacefully back to the shelter. He never fell asleep

though! I think he wanted to make sure I didn’t get lost.

Once back at the shelter he sat so patiently while I checked him

over for ticks. He didn’t even mind when I had to pull a few off.

Corey is a great guy! He is patiently waiting for his forever home.

~KRISTEN

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/corey

He who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
―
Alexander Hamilton

 

 

This was James Rutherford’s first hike and he was

obviously excited to be joining the group. James was

very excited to see me when I went to his apartment

to get him out, but quickly sat on command to allow

me to put his leash on. He put his ‘radar’ ears up

and could tell he was going somewhere fun.

He was quick to get excited when he first

got outside, but settled down a bit while we did our group

introduction. James easily jumped in my car ready to go,

and his excitement kept him from sitting still as we drove to

the trail. James is full of great energy and was ready to

get started on his hike. He did pull on the leash more at the

beginning of the hike, but settle into a comfortable pace as we

kept hiking. Unfortunately we had a pretty hot day for our hike,

so we had to cut it short. When we got back to the car, I

checked James for any ticks that might have crawled

on him. He just sat still while I checked every inch of him.

Overall, James was a wonderful hiking partner.

I know that he would make someone an excellent

running/hiking partner, or someone’s best friend

just playing fetch in a backyard. If you are looking for a young,

energetic dog, please check out my new friend, James Rutherford!

~JEN

http://strayrescue.org/adopt/james-rutherford

http://strayrescue.org/adopt