Posts tagged dogs

Water was known as ‘Big Joe’ when he came to Pet Haven.  Now he has a family, a couple of humans who love him very much, a buddy, Earl, he can play with and even a foster sister.  Pretty good for a fellow who had no home just a few months ago.

Family portrait!

Walter and his brother!

Hot dog!  Cool floor!

Here’s a report from his family:
I just wanted to send you both a quick update on Big Joe now named Walter.  He is doing great here at his new home in Minneapolis.  He’s enjoying his daily walks to the park, snuggling on the couch, lounging outside in the yard and wrestling with his new brother and foster sister.  He is such a great dog and we love him so much already.  He had his first trip to the vet yesterday and we made it a group outing (all dogs came) so he wouldn’t feel lonely.  He was a champ at letting the doc check him from head to toe and he was an instant hit with everyone there.  People were so excited to meet him and give him a big ol’ hug!  He’s also met all the neighbors and they’ve welcomed him to the neighborhood with open arms.  We are planning a trip to our cabin in August and we can’t wait to introduce him to Lake Superior.  

I will try to keep everyone up to date with everything that’s going on but if you feel I’m slacking or it’s been a bit too long, please feel free to let me know and I’ll send an updated email asap.  Again, thank you to everyone who brought Walter to us.  He is such a great dog and we can’t imagine our family without him.

Sincerely,
Sarah, Kristin, Earl and Walter

Good boy, Walter, you hit the jackpot -

Have you ever heard of this?  There are more black dogs (and cats) born than other colors, because it is a dominant color.

Various theories abound as to why black dogs seem to be overlooked for adoption:

Is it superstition?

Is it because it is harder to get good photographs of these dogs?  When you don’t see the light in their eyes and the expression on their faces, they may be more readily ignored.

Sitting in the kennels of your local animal shelter is likely a black dog.  It might be a Lab, Mastiff, or Chihuahua mix- who knows!  Almost each breed can come in black.  The staff’s efforts to snap photos that illustrate this dog’s beauty are usually in vain, as the dark color of its shiny coat easily blends into the background.  The spirited expression in it’s beautiful eyes are also hard to see with that dark black coat.  So “just another black dog” gets posted up onto PetFinder, to blend in with all the “other black dogs.”  But here’s a secret.  Black dogs are the roses among thorns; the diamond in the rough.  They get looked over so easily that often their special talents or uniquely wonderful personalities are missed.  But not by us.

Come to an adoption event, come see one of our many black dogs with Pet Haven. Click here to find the dates and locations.

Big Mac comes to us from rural Iowa.  Some say he is a very large purebred Lab, some say they think he may be mixed with Great Dane.  Regardless, he is one large and gentle giant who is worth coming to meet!

Hooch is a new member of Pet Haven and was found as a stray near Fairmont, Minnesota.  Everyone who has met him has fallen in love with him, even people who admitted to being afraid of “pit bulls” (note: he is not an American Pit Bull Terrier) before meeting him.

Although not exactly black, Kimono is close, and is so ready for her forever home.  She has been in rescue for months, and besides the negative stereotypes that sometimes come with her breed, we don’t know why.  She is a sweet, sweet girl who is ready to make a family VERY happy they found her.

Nick is a “bassador” (lab/basset) who is also new to our clan.  His previous family spent very little time teaching him how to be a proper house dog, so skilled foster mom Laura Briggs is helping him learn quickly.  He attracts attention everywhere he goes and we don’t anticipate he will be in rescue too long!

Although she will not be in attendance at this weekend’s event (recovering from surgery), Dixie is another black dog in rescue.  She is a spunky lady who is, “the sweetest dog I have cared for in my 4 years of fostering” (says her foster mom).  She didn’t get the best of care the first 10 years of her life, but you can bet she will for the rest of it!

Thank you to all those out there who have stepped up to adopt a black dog and help break Black Dog Syndrome.

And for those who have never owned a black dog: please consider!

There will be ‘wearing of the green’!

Small dogs:  Chuck and Don’s near Lake Calhoun

Diamond  -enjoying her toys and snuggling

Pumpkin -

and others!

Medium and Large dogs:  PetCo Richfield at 66th and Lyndale Ave. S.

Sierra -

Kimi -loves to play with her chew toys, snuggle and go for walks

Sister -a girl who would love some ‘jobs’, part border collie and she thrives in play and exercise with you

Big Mac -

Chloe -

Bailey –

and others!