Dogs in review, Apr. 25

Cleo

Yet unnamed Lhasa Apso Mix

Unnamed Doberman pup

For adoption information on these and other dogs (and cats and other animals), please visit Toronto Animal Services.

Friday review, Jan. 1

A day late with putting up the dog photos this week and this wee one has already been adopted. We're thinking he's a Pekinese something or other but he's your basic lap warmer regardless of breed.


This ten year old with the bad hair day acts like he's a happy two year old and is still currently listed as "lost" but it's unlikely the owners will come by for him so he'll probably be up for adoption soon.


For adoption information on these and other dogs (and cats and other animals), please visit Toronto Animal Services.

A pair of dirty mops

This must be the week for bonded pairs. These two were previously a breeding pair who got dumped once the breeder moved on to a younger pair of producers. They are seriously in need of some grooming and seriously adorable nevertheless and seriously sweethearts for each other.

Maggie

The female, Maggie, is a bit shy at first but once she knows you're a friend, she'll be trying to crawl into your lap first chance she gets.

Bingo

Her partner, Bingo, is a lot more forward but then boys are like that aren't they?



Maggie and Bingo will be adopted out together.


For adoption information on these and other dogs (and cats and other animals), please visit Toronto Animal Services.

Dumpster dog gets a home

CHARLIE'S SONG

When darkness falls
on one so young,
Each breath so hard to draw,

How can you hope
to understand
The last cruel face you saw.

And yet amongst
the darkness comes
Faint hope and faith in good,

A whimper now for all to hear,
If only someone would.

And then through fate
or luck or God,
Whatever truth you see,

A dustman heard
your piteous cry,
And brought you safe to me.

So now my task?
To make amends
To one so small and sweet,
To show you all the world can be
And make your life complete

To give you
not but tender touch,
And show you all that's fair,

To reap the warmth
of hearts unbound,
Enough for all to share.

I'll watch in time
the pain subside
Bad memories fade like dew
Replaced by joy in all of life,
With love from me to you.

That's a poem submitted by Mark Collins to Toronto Animal Services as part of his pitch to woo the adoption of Charlie. Charlie, you might remember, is the little Lhasa Apso that was thrown away into dumpster a couple of weeks ago and rescued by a janitor. It may be a good thing that OPP sergeant Mark Collins, a cop with a big heart when it comes to animals, sent in that poem because it certainly made his adoption application stand out from the nearly one hundred others. Now Charlie is happily living with Mark and his family on their 190-hectare farm.

Here's the Toronto Star article for more details: 'Tough cop' takes in pup cruelly left in dumpster

It's wonderful so many people offered to open their homes to Charlie and I hope that those people will now consider opening up their homes to the other dogs left behind at the city's shelters and rescues.

For example, this old guy ...

... and his buddy...

They've both been at Toronto Animal Services for a few weeks now. The older one is fifteen and the younger one is five and they are very attached to one another so they are going to be adopted out only as a pair. They've been through enough already and no one wants to put them through the additional heartache of another separation. Adoption information about them is available here and here.

There are, of course, many excellent local dog rescues aside from Toronto Animal Services and one of the ones I've dealt with before is called Happy Tails Rescue. Happy Tails Rescue specializes in small breeds and always has a selection of great dogs looking for a home.

Here's one. His name is Magic.

From his adoption description: Magic is a very special little man. He is about 10 years old and weighs about 10 lbs. Magic got his name because he is so cuddly that he melts into your chest when you pick him up and makes you feel so happy. It is like magic!!! Magic is missing both eyes a but he quickly finds his way around and is not bothered much by his disability. He bounces around like he can see, occasionally bumping into furniture, but not as often as one might expect once he has explored an area. He is very happy, cuddly and playful. For information on Magic, you can check out his profile here.

These are just a few of the dogs that will never make the evening news but who are in just a great a need for loving homes. We need to figure out a way to match them up with those other hundred applicants that went home empty handed.

The news media is a funny thing. It focuses its spotlight onto those things that need to be revealed but sometimes at the risk of overshadowing or pushing aside other equally significant stories. But, occasionally, the news is more than just an interesting anecdote. Sometimes, the beam of its spotlight is expansive enough to cast light on the larger problems and leads to an overall improvement for more than just the one subject of the story. Sometimes, a news story actually contributes to positive societal change. I hope the recent publicity around the dumpster dog, the story of Charlie, is part of that.

Toronto Animal Services Friday review, April 10

Two Lhasas came in last week. As so often happens with Lhasas, one arrived so badly matted that he had to be shaved and then later, because he was shivering, he was given a jacket to wear. Pink may not have been his preferred colour and the other dogs that made fun of him were quickly given a faceful of fearsome Lhasa attitude.

No, I'm kidding. He's a little sweetie and didn't mind the pink outfit at all.


His buddy here, and I'm not sure if it's male or female, managed to hang on to its coat and was might happy about it.

I'm guessing these two will be up for adoption in a week or two once their spay/neuters are done if they're not done already.

Toronto Animal Services Friday review, March 27

I think on Fridays I'm going to start posting up photos of new dogs who have come into Toronto Animal Services South the past week. With all the rescue TAS is doing these days, a lot more dogs are available and I'm thinking the additional publicity can only help. These pooches are either already up for adoption or will be shortly.

Some of the photos have accompanying descriptions and some don't. That's not because the ones without have got no personalities but because I can only write fun, friendly, happy, etc. so many times before those words lose all meaning.

If you know anyone who's interested in adopting one of these guys, just contact Toronto Animal Services South at 416 338 6668 or go to their website.

You can also e-mail me and I might be able to give you some additional information before you go check them out.

Sira is fascinated by birds and I've never seen a dog actually point before but she certainly knows how it's done.

Scratch

McTavish may look like he's got Scottish ancestry but it's all in the haircut. He's actually a Lhasa Apso but came in with thick fur so dirty and matted that the groomer decided to give him buzz cut.

Gigi

Chanel is a puppy mill dog who is a fab dog. Since she's spent most of life inside, and likely inside a cage, she's still very curious about the outside world and is a little anxious around loud noises. Otherwise, she's a wonderfully affectionate dog and great on a leash.

Update on Gigi here.

We don't have caves but we do have dumpsters

Toronto Police photo

(h/t to redstarcafe for this)

Thankfully, the Gido Washa cave is a world away but someone in North York is making do with a dumpster. Sometime in the last day or two, someone put a Lhasa Apso puppy into a box, dropped it into a plastic bag, tied up the bag and threw it into a dumpster up by Yonge and Finch. Here's the article from The Star: Janitor finds 4-month-old pup in condo dumpster

This little guy has been brought to Toronto Animal Services North and is presently listed here under the Lost section with the name Charlie. TAS reports that he's currently healthy and happy.

I somehow doubt the owner will show up, so after holding Charlie for 7 days, he'll be up for adoption unless the police decide they need TAS to keep Charlie longer for their investigation. I hope this doesn't drag out. Charlie deserves a proper home sooner than later.



Continued here.

Presto Change-O

Before:


After:



Yeah, I know. Not that he doesn't still look like something highly squishable, I think he looked cuter before but the mattes were horrendous and so it's comfort and health over beauty for this little one. Anyway, hair grows back and if his hopefully soon to be found new owners prefer the something which will sweep their floors, they'll have their wish by the time summer rolls around.

's wonderful

They came in fast and furious last week and while I haven't had a chance to meet every last one of them, these guys and gals I did meet and they are wonderful each and every one. All have good people skills and are pretty dog friendly and as far as I could tell, seem housebroken (but you'll have to check on that). This is going to be the best graduating class yet.

Mika

Bonnie

Pico

Sandy

Hank (the Tank)

Unnamed Lhasa Apso

Unnamed Boxer

Reba