Puppy Friday: Eddie

This week’s puppy friday award goes to Eddie, a handsome 6-7 month old cattledog mix. He’s got the chocolate brown color distinctive of labrador retrievers, and a white coat that comes from… cattledog? basenji? it’s anybody’s guess. Just think of him as permanently wearing a brown tuxedo.

He is a happy, joyful dog who loves to play and to learn (he knows his sit very well!). He would most definitely enjoy puppy training classes and playing with other dogs.

He still has a lot of puppy energy, but he does well after a good workout (he loves squeaky toys!).

He’s also intensely affectionate– once he knows that you are going to be his friend, there is no stopping him from licking your face. Especially if you rub him all over and show him all the good things a dog likes.

If you’re looking for a highly trainable puppy with killer charm AND good looks, Eddie is your guy. Visit him in Kennel 29. For more info, contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org

Featured Dog: Roxy

I don’t think I’ve met a dog who was so happy to see me as much as Roxy. I don’t think it’s just me, but there’s something special about Roxy– she clearly, eagerly, happily loves people. For instance, she did a little happy dance when we first went out, gave me a play-bow, stuck close to me when I rubbed her chest, and kept looking back at me if I was going to offer any treat (not that they were really needed– just you will be enough) or a toy or a rub or simply attention.

Also, despite her size (she’s a Boxer/Pit mix, which means she is all 40-plus lbs of muscle and 200 lbs of love and affection), she thinks she’s a lapdog. No, really. The moment you sit down, she practically jumps into your lap and curls up into a ball, tucks her head under your hand, and you cannot really resist her. Your lap (or possibly, your sofa) was apparently made just for her.

Seriously, though, how can you resist that look? She’s already pretty well-trained- she ’sits’ very nicely for treats, and definitely pays attention.

She would be okay with other dogs if they are polite or male, and I’m guessing, if they’re okay with her having all the human attention . Seriously, though, she’s got enough love to fill several dogs her size, and would be fine as an only dog. So if you like just chilling out, relaxing, and generally enjoying the good things in life, Roxy might be a great companion. Not to mention, she’s pretty much guaranteed to bring sunshine and smiles.

Come see this wonderful girl in Kennel 4. For more information contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

Featured Dog: Baxter

This week’s happy-go-lucky award goes to Baxter, an adorable nearly full-grown puppy (he’s 6-7 months old) with a bit of hound and shepherd background.

The reason is mostly this photo of him:

He’s got such a big, happy, genuine smile, don’t you think?

Here’s another one:

Baxter is really a very happy-go-lucky puppy– he likes everything, from long walks to treats to uninterrupted stretches of bellyrubbing/patting.

The other best part is that for a puppy, he’s actually fairly low-energy (or high self control) and very polite towards humans (and even cats!). He would benefit from some puppy training to boost his confidence, though he seems very well trained- he knows ’sit’ and is very good about not jumping up on people or furniture.

Even when Baxter isn’t smiling or loving everything in general, he’s very, very cute.

He would make a terrific hiking companion or a second dog (he gets along very well with other dogs) and may do well with older children (because he’s so calm).

Come see how sweet Baxter is! He’s at Kennel 38. For more information, contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org

Featured Dog: Georgia

At the shelter I see a lot of brindle-colored dogs- they remind me of pumpernickel bagels that have all these brown and tan swirls. Mostly, though, they happen to be either pit or lab or hound mixes. This makes Georgia unique in that she’s got the wiry terrier appearance and a brindle coat.

When I first met her, I was amazed by how well behaved she was- she even looked back to see if I had any further instructions/was okay. She’s really a dream on the leash and very easy to walk. But she’s not all calm- if you want her to be playful (like when toys are on offer) she’s definitely got the enthusiasm. Also, she gets along well with dogs and children– she’s a GOLD STAR dog, after all, passing her temperament test with flying colors.

If you’re looking for a gentle, amiable companion who can be easily trained and is easy to get along with, please consider Georgia. To see if she can be the perfect fit for your family (and she is very much a family-type sort of dog), visit her in Kennel 47. For more information contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

Featured Dog: Orson

Hope everyone’s had a happy 4th! Sorry about being blogless last week- the combination of being sick and a holiday has kind of screwed up my schedule (though I did manage to see the dogs, yay). Also, I apologize for the poor quality of my recent photos- my camera is on its last legs and is pretty much sputtering through whenever I use it. It’ll be replaced soon, hopefully.

Back to your regularly scheduled program…

May I introduce you to Orson, a rather dashingly handsome gentleman?

He’s an adult male Akita mix with an affable personality. He loves being petted, trained, taken for walks, being near you, you name it.

He is also extremely goofy:

Kind of blurry, but you can see him sticking his tongue out at me (or the dying camera– I’m sure it was making a death rattle noise or something).

He’s very lovable, social (he would be a hit at parties), and eager to learn (he’s quite confident- there’s no special handling with this one). He would be best as an only dog, though, so if you can have only one dog, he would be an excellent choice, because then he will be your best friend for life. Really.

Come meet Orson in Kennel 25. For more information contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

Puppy Friday: Cassius

Actually, more like awkward-gangly-teenager-stage kind of Friday.

The case in point is Cassius, a 4-5 month old boxer/hound mix.

He unsuccessfully keeps up with his enormous paws, and even his tongue seems to be a little too big for him.

Despite all this, Cassius is an eager-to-learn and loveable puppy-dog (my term for dogs that are not quite finished with being puppies, but are not yet full grown dogs).

Cassius loves bellyrubs, being on your lap, goofing off, playing with toys, and being showered with attention.

He likes to play-nibble (he covers his teeth with his lips so he doesn’t hurt you…

and play peekaboo…

…and will gladly chew up stuffed toys that are offered:

He appears to be playful, and may get along with other dogs. He’ll be very handsome once he “grows up.”

I think I can see a future for him on the Supreme Court bench…doesn’t he look so distinguished?

Cassius will do well in a kind home where he’ll get lots of love and fun and training. Come meet this goofball in Kennel 39. For more information, contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org

Featured Dog: Rocky – ADOPTED!

Are you looking for a small dog?

Meet Rocky, an adult male Jack Russell Terrier mix.

Isn’t he adorable? He’s a great little guy– walks well, energetic (except when it’s hot out…these are the dog days of summer, after all), and very affectionate.

He loves to be petted and sit in your lap. My guess is that he’s looking forward to not just a forever home but also a forever warm lap with some gentle petting now and then.

He’s also attentive and very responsive to treats- he should not be a very hard dog to train.

He gets along well with other dogs, and would be a great addition to a canine-ful family or even a first dog.

Come meet this handsome fella at Kennel 5. For more information contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

Featured Dog: Olive

Last week, I met a very nice puppy with the most enchanting ears, Olive. She’s a pit/hound mix who’s roughly around 3 months.

She sits well– in fact, I didn’t have to tell her to sit most of the time. She just did it all by herself, as you can see in most of the photos.

Her ears, though, have an entertainment value all by themselves:

(like butterfly wings!)

(wiggling her ears!)

She likes playing with toys, gets along with other dogs very well (she’d make an excellent second or third dog!), and is a GOLD STAR dog (would be great around children). She’s very polite and very attentive, so she’ll respond well to commands and would do wonderfully in obedience classes.

She would also be a photographer’s dream model- all good looks and good poses, too.

“Is that a forever home I hear calling to me?”

Come visit sweet Olive in Kennel 44. For more info, please contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org

Featured Dog: Max – ADOPTED!

Hey! Someone’s coming your way!

Who would that be? Why, it’s Max, a handsome male adult Beagle. Like all beagles, he is interested in his world and sniffs around a lot, though he is not terribly insistent in getting his own way or stubborn– he walks rather nicely, in fact.

He’s got warm brown eyes that just melt you the moment you look into them- liquid milk chocolate, I call it- and he has some of the sweetest dispositions I’ve met in dogs.

He can be a little shy in his current surroundings, and will often go to you for “protection” but he warms up pretty easily.

Just look at that smile! Max will do well once he’s in a home with kind handling and a steady routine. Come visit him at Kennel 14. For more information contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

Puppies Friday: Erin and Ellery (both ADOPTED!)

Are you looking for cuddly and cute puppies? Well, meet Erin and Ellery– they don’t have to be adopted together, and probably would do best in separate homes (they each require dedicated individual attention).

Erin is a little shy, but warms up easily when treats are on offer. She’s a pro at ’sit’ and unlike her sister Ellery, will never have a bad hair day.

She’s very sweet and would love nothing more than to snuggle up next to you and be loved. She’ll do well with consistent positive training and handling and would love to be part of your routine.

Ellery is a little less shy, but maybe that’s because she wants folks to stop rumpling her furry hair. She’s fluffier than her sister, so she has a little more of collie in her (both are shepherd mixes).

Like her sister, she’s a pro at ’sit’ and listens well.

She can be quite serious about it:

She tried out a biscuit and thought it a toy, especially when I played with her:

“You ever gonna let go so I can eat that thing?”

She would most likely enjoy toys and obedience classes– she seems eager to learn more.

Visit both of them at Kennel 41. For more information, contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org