Wow Chihuahua!

Adoptions Saturday, Jan. 23 - Tuesday, Jan. 26.

The Adoption Center was filled with frenzied activity on Saturday morning. The dogs had arrived the night before, but all things that normally would have been completed for an adoption event had not even been started. Despite our best efforts, kennel cards were still being printed as the doors were about to open. The word we were back had obviously spread because the parking lot was full and there were more than 20 people in line at 10:45am. By 11 am the only place to park was across the street. Some folks knew exactly who they wanted to meet after previewing the new dogs on the website and others were there to look at all of the newest residents of SOHS.

Soon the Adoption Center was filled to capacity, with no standing or sitting room anywhere. The walkways through the outdoor kennels were also packed, so it was fairly challenging to even see the small dogs. The puppies were all quickly adopted as were the two tiniest Chihuahuas and one tiny toy rat terrier. Then things seemed to simmer just a bit while potential adopters carefully considered adding a new family member. The “hold” board had nine names and all of the families came back that afternoon for a “meet and greet” with their other family dogs. Some left empty-handed because they had come to the conclusion that it was not the right time to make a lifetime commitment. And that is actually good news for pets, because we want to make great permanent matches. There really were some super adoptions. Adopters represented every age group as did the dogs that were chosen.

Sunday was just as busy with lots of nice adoptions to seniors who found the size and temperament of many of the dogs to be a perfect fit. Many who had adopted dogs on Saturday came in to visit their new pets. Two senior couples spent an hour just holding and stroking their new dogs and left reluctantly. Thirty adoptions were completed over the weekend! Many of those dogs are now waiting to be scheduled for spay/neuter surgery before they can go home.

The Monday Mail Tribune featured a beautiful photo essay entitled “Rescue Me,” which was complimented by an online photo gallery of the dogs. Many of the photos captured the dogs’ sense of trust as humans comforted and cuddled with them. It really is amazing how forgiving they are after some of the unimaginable circumstances that forced them into a shelter where their fate had already been determined. Monday and Tuesday there was a steady stream of visitors through the adoption center which resulted in another 18 adoptions. So four days after they set their paws on Southern Oregon soil, half of the rescued dogs have been adopted. Wow Chihuahua!

I cannot help but reflect on my own Chihuahua-mix that “adopted me” after the first Fresno rescue last year. He definitely is a spunky firecracker of a dog that makes me smile every day. Referred to as “Honey I Shrunk the Pointer,” Pocket Rocket mimics the behaviors of his Pointer sisters. He “points” baked potatoes, roasted marshmallows, and moths. Wow Chihuahua!