SF DogBlog 2008 Campaign Coverage

It's an election year, and dogs as well as voters have important decisions to make. According to our polls, the key issues for voters this year are free and frequent walks in the park for everyone, doggie biscuits across the board, and, of course, change.

The first dog to go out for a walk today was Bernie, a Lab/German Shepherd mix. Bernie is deeply committed to his opinions, as I discovered. After only one lap around the park, Bernie decided it was time for change. As we were rounding the turn for the second lap (of the standard three to four laps), Bernie stopped in his tracks and dug in his paws. He demanded a full and immediate withdrawal of the troops from the park and wanted to go home. He really put his foot down on this issue! Seriously, I tried for a second to pull him along by the leash and he was too strong! Bernie stands firm in 2008. We cruised on back to the SPCA.

Next up was a walk-off/election for the record books. A young couple was trying to decide between 2 dogs, a black one and a white one. The black one was a Retriever named Bodie and the white one, I am not making this up, was named GRINGO. That seriously is his name. [Photo evidence at end of this news story] After meeting each dog in its room at the shelter, the prospective-adopter couple requested that we take them each out for a walk. This is a great way to learn where a candidate-for-adoption really stands on the issues: leash-pulling, car-chasing, etc.

Bodie was up first and she was a perfect angel. However, when it was Gringo's turn, his stance on the lunging-at-birds issue was a resounding "Yes, I do that." Being a border collie, it's in his nature to herd people and animals. Unfortunately, these potential adopters have a parakeet at home. They list lunging-at-birds as the key issue in this decision! Black dog adopted, white dog runner-up. But have no fear, dear reader: Gringo was adopted by someone else the very next day. :)

From the official SPCA bulletin board:

As of 3/10/08:
Bernie...AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
Bodie...ADOPTED!
Gringo...ADOPTED!

Take your vitamins

Here we are on the "tail" end of winter, and it seems everyone is either sick or has just recovered from a cold or the flu. Well, doggies get sick, too! This week let's meet some brave canines on the comeback from what ails them.

Let's meet Mona, a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix. While Mona is in tip-top physical shape, she does suffer from a high degree of shyness. She's not neurotic, as in "Why are you looking at me? BAAARK!!!" She's just easily startled by loud noises, sudden movements, and circus clowns (oh wait, that last one is my own personal phobia). There wasn't a single bark to be heard during our walk, but she did crouch in fear for a second when a a car honked up the street and when a truck rumbled past.

Now here's the thing about shyness: it can be overcome with a little bit of time and TLC. And then what would you have? Mona with all her beauty plus confidence. You can't lose with a combo like that!

Seriously, Mona is hot. So act fast. Adopt this girl now, 'cause she won't stay single, er, in need of adoption for long.

Strutting her stuff:

Sha-la-la-la, my brown-eyed girl:

If you haven't knocked over your computer while running out of your house in a sprint to adopt Mona and are still here, then perhaps redheads are more your bag. [Yes, this is our most objectifying, un-PC entry so far. I'll try to pull it back a bit.] That brings us to Ferron, a super-sweet German Shepherd/Lab Retriever mix. Ferron and I went for the shortest walk ever. That's because Ferron is on meds for heartworm right now and is therefore restricted to 5-minute walks. Again, a temporary state of affairs. We only got one photo on account of the short walk. Still, Ferron seemed to accept her current situation with grace and didn't leash-pull, whine, or utter nary a peep of complaint when it was time to return. Classy, sophisticated, and she's got the cutest face that just wants to kiss you and kiss you. Since 5-minutes is such a small time slot, I think I'll be walking this gal a lot more these next few weeks till she's all better (and adopted)!

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UPDATE from April 2, 2008: Whoa, Ferron is famous! She's featured in this week's Guardian in the ad for the S.F. SPCA, complete with her photo and bio. You're a star, Ferron! Represent, girl!!!

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Finally we have Sara, a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix patiently awaiting her turn (and your attention). I didn't actually walk Sara. We had a gentle in-room training and play session. Sara is recovering from having a couple benign cysts removed from her back. So she was shaved there and for the time being she gets to wear this very regal-looking towel around her neck like it's Party-at-the-Palms in Vegas. But has she got an exotic-looking face. Actually she's stunning. My snapshots don't even do her justice here. You'll just have to come in and meet her. (Sara adds: "Please.") SO polite!
As of 2/29/08:
Mona...AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
Ferron...AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
Sara...not available yet.