The gang from the Vancouver SPCA

[Scuba]

This is Oscar, he likes his treats but he is willing to work for them so what the heck. I didn't get a chance to walk him, but I did play with the guy for a bit in the courtyard of the kennel so I though I would post a picture of him.

[growler~GateKeeper]

for Laddi

for Lucky

Tiger is adorable, with that easy going personality around cats/distractions he'll find his home soon

Oscar gorgeuous fluffy coat I hope he was in the doggy pool today

[Scuba]

Sorry for not posting anything new for about a month, been out of town.

Tiger got adopted
Oscar got adopted

Went to the SPCA Vancouver shelter at 10am today (BC day). Not a lot of people showed up so had to walk three different dogs out. Which is fun since I get to interact with more dogs but at the same time it sucks since it means that I get to spend less time with them.

First guy I took out was a Pitbull Terrier, his name is Marcus. He is a puppy at only three months old. Light brindle colouring. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the guy since it is not on the SPCA website. I don't know that much about him but somebody had cropped his ears . At least they were done neatly not like poor Quyla's ears. Due to his young age, he doesn't seem to know any commands. Going to have to work on that. He is really friendly and playful. Marcus has huge paws and long gangly legs that he needs to grow into. His leash manners a pretty good, except for a bit near the end when he wouldn't stop mouthing the leash. He also nipped me on the hand, I was trying to untangle one of his legs that he had managed to wrap the leash around and he thought it was a game . Pedestrians were shying away from him on the sidewalks . However in reality, the poor boy was more afraid of them than they would ever understand. He would position himself so that I was standing between the people and him. He would also lean against my leg and drop his tail. I just try to ignore this and keep walking as if everything is ok. At the dirt track near the SPCA, there was this really cute girl/lady who wanted to make friends with Marcus. Finally after realising that he couldn't run away because he was attached to me by a leash he came around and hesitantly let the lady pet him. At the end of the walk, in the parking lot he managed to swallow some pebbles before I could stop him, I did fill out a medical form so that the hospital staff will know to keep an eye on him. Once he gets to know you well he is really cuddly and friendly. For example, whenever I squat down he would want to climb into my lap and lick my face. So basically he is just a silly goof.

[growler~GateKeeper]

for Tiger & Oscar

Marcus sounds like such a little sweetie People are cropping the poor boys ears :sad:

[Scuba]

Next dog I took out was a Belgian Malinois whose name is Tony. He is approximately five years old. At the moment he has really bad diarrhea, but I also filled out a medical form for him on that. Good thing that I had a third of a box of biobags in my backpack instead of my usual pocketful of six or seven for a dog walking session. I kind of lost track after incident number five. He is pretty big and strong so a firm hand to put him on the right track was needed. For example, he doesn't want to wait to cross the streets nor does he want to wait for me to pick up his number twos (are the still number twos when it is all just this brown liquid?). Therefore I had to use a very firm tone of voice with him. He seems to response well to leadership and guidance though. I just hope that other dog walkers will be as consistent. Near the end, he wouldn't sit on command at the stops before crossing intersections. Therefore I had to turn around and do it again and again until he understood that no matter how much he wanted to keep the walk going, we weren't getting across the street until I got his bum touching the ground at curbside. Tony and I encountered that lady with the red wagon that I met before with Chewy. After chatting with her for a bit with Tony sniffing around, I found out that someone had stolen her red wagon. Too bad Tony isn't a police canine that could help her track down the thief. Once we got back to the shelter, I gave him a good going over with a brush. Had handfuls of his fur coming off in the bristle. He really seemed to enjoy it, only thing was that he would stay still. Kept wanting to get right up close and personal with me. In the end I put him back in his kennel with a big bucket of water only three quarters done.

[Scuba]

His name is Wally.

[Scuba]

Right after putting Tony away, another dog walker came back with Wally. She lead him up to the kiddie pool for a drink and cool down. The thing is that Wally is not tall enough to get to the water so I cupped some in my hand for him to drink. After a while, he made motions like he wanted to get into the pool but since the side was too high for him, I picked him up and placed him in. He didn't really splash and muck about like some of the other dogs like to when they have a chance to get in the pool. Wally just drank some more water while I pour some water over him to cool him off. I left him at the pool edge with is temporary mom while I got him a clean towel from the back. The only one that I could find was a beach towel that is like easily ten times his size. After drying him off. I noticed he had some knots in his coat. So off we went to a brushing. Got some of the kinks out and some of the dried poop in the back. I think he needs a real grooming though as the stuff at the back and under his belly is just way too long.

[Scuba]

She is a Mastiff cross.

[Scuba]

Tanga is also kind of head strong and stubborn like Tony. She looks like a bruiser but in fact is just a big baby. We didn't go for a long walk and there is really nothing that interesting that happened. She almost didn't get to go for a walk today. The coordinator today had taken her out for a pee break in the morning and that was it. In her mind though, she kept thinking that Tanga had been taken for a walk already, it was only at the coordinator's daughters prompting that she remember that she was the only dog that hadn't been for a proper walk. Good thing too, since Tanga did a nice big pile of number two (the biggest that I have personally seen and dealt with out of all the dogs so far) just a block away once I got her out of the shelter. After that we just went for a nice 20 minute stroll around.

[growler~GateKeeper]

I love Malinois Tony should get adopted fairly quick everyone loves the handsome belgians

Wally for sure will have no problems, little guy looks purebred & the small breeds get adopted faster

Tanga is beautiful & a great personality too for her

[Scuba]

I was kind of tired last night and forgot to mention that Marcus for a while was trying to chase down his own shadow and mine. He almost tried to pounce on them a few times. It was so funny watching his puppy antics.

Also, Tony at one of the intersections when he finally got the command "Ok, lets go!" after he finally sat for me was all excited that he kind of took off in a bound. All four paws left the ground and somehow he manages to wrap the leash around his right front leg. Therefore for a few meters he was hobbled and limping across the street. There wasn't any traffic so I wanted to stop and untangle the poor guy. I think that he thought I was going to stop and make him stop and do all that silly sitting stuff again so he just hopped and limped faster. Somehow once we reached the curb on the other side he managed to free his own leg.

Can't wait to take these guys out again if I have the chance.

[Chaser]

I'm kind of glad you live in Vancouver, b/c I have wanted to adopt over half the dogs you've posted about! Tanga...

[Scuba]

Chase Mom - Thanks, I totally get what you mean. If I could I would have taken most of them home myself.

Tony, as of today (Thursday 7th of August 2008) is Adoption pending

There was this little bully girl that I really really really wanted to walk but when I got there tonight (1st volunteer @ 5:39pm) she wasn't there!! The staff had named her Pinky, she has a pink nose and when she flips her ears back the inside are all pink. Her coat is all white. She was found tied up to the stairs outside of the SPCA shelter apparently. They estimate her age to be about four months, basically she is just a puppy. The saddest thing was not that she was abandoned but that she is just skin and bones. One of the staff told me when I asked where she was, that another staff had taken her home to be fostered for now. I am mournfully happy.

[Scuba]

I was going to take a rottie named Sasha, out first but another volunteer really wanted her so I went with my little buddy again.

Here is a picture of Sasha, she is so funny. Somehow she manages to get herself on to the top of the crate in her kennel. She just stands there, and I saw it happening on Monday and tonight. It is kind of funny and cute, that is why I wanted to walk her. So much character, only thing is that she has some kennel aggression with the other dogs.

[Scuba]

Marcus was pretty much his usual puppy self, easily distracted and curious about everything. It finally dawned on me tonight that Marcus is a little difficult to walk. Not difficult like leash pulling, aggression or bad manners. But difficult like small children can be sometimes. For example he is so curious and easily distracted, that if he hears a motorcycle or loud car. He will stop and turn in that direction to try to find the source of the noise. This can cause foul ups with the leash and some times it is even hazardous as he will stop in the middle of the road to do this too. I just try to make like there is nothing unusual and keep going. Another thing is that he keeps suddenly walking behind me and changing sides on me which tangles my legs with the lead. Which leads to me either switching hands on the leash or untangling us from one and other. At least he has understood with me now that if he was to put a tree, pole, parking meter, hydrant or mailbox between himself and me. He has to get back to the right side himself (I am not going to move for his convenience) before walkies will commence again. Met loads of people on his walk tonight that commented on how cute he was and what a wonderful coat he has. He was just hamming it up with all the attention. At one of the parks, I was trying to get him some water at a drinking fountain but he is still not big enough to stand up and drink from it directly and little handfuls just wasn't cutting it. Luckily a lady who is a really experienced dog walker at the SPCA happened to be going by and lend me this plastic dish. She was walking Jack who is a GSD and Lab cross. Both Jack and Marcus got to drink and bit of water and got some good socialising happening. Loads of sniffing and checking each other out. Then they got to have a lot of fun playing together. Jack was the one doing most of the vocalising and even though he is a lot bigger than Marcus at over an year old he was really gentle with Marcus. They were rolling around, pushing and pawing each other. It was really good that Marcus got to socialise with another dog as he is still a puppy. He didn't want to go back into his kennel at the end of his walk, I wonder why.

This is a picture of Jack, the good big brother.

[Scuba]

The next that I walked was Kisses. She had a little and "how are you" with Jack as well. I was taking Kisses out and Jack was going back to the shelter. It is so funny, Kisses is so gentle and lady like yet when she pees, a lot of time she likes to cock one of her back legs up like one of the guys. Whereas Marcus will squat everytime. She knows her commands and I got a sit out of her, but when she realised the treat was part of a milkbone she promptly spat it out again. Couldn't get her interested in doing any other stuff after that. I wasn't going to force her but at the same time I didn't want to spent too much time tonight on training. Not because that I don't have the patience but that fact that there were 16 dogs at the shelter tonight and I didn't know if I needed to get back and try to walk another dog even if it is only for 15-20 minutes. Therefore just concentrated on the waits at the intersections and before crossing the streets with Kisses tonight. She kind of got the program by the end of our walk "No stopping and waiting means the both of us just stand there at the edge of the curb". She gets anxious and nervous when we encountered some cyclists on two different occasions during our walk. People really shouldn't cycle on the sidewalk unless they have too and both time these people didn't need to. The second time Kisses was tucking her tail and leaning right up against me, I think there was also a whimper from her. I just pretend it was nothing and ignored it. Only when she was walking normal again with tail wagging did I give her a hug and praise. I will try to get some better treats next time and work on some routines with her next time.

[Love4himies]

All the dogs are so beautiful , but Sasha is stunning.
Thank you for keeping us updated.

[Dog Dancer]

No I can't read your threads - I live in Coquitlam. I want them all... It breaks my heart to see them, I don't know how people can part with their pets like that. But it helps me so to know that they are getting their little bits of loving from good folk like you Scuba. Bless your heart. And I already have two SPCA rescues thanks!!

[growler~GateKeeper]

Originally Posted by growler

I love Malinois Tony should get adopted fairly quick everyone loves the handsome belgians

Originally Posted by Scuba

Tony, as of today (Thursday 7th of August 2008) is Adoption pending

see what I mean

for Tony

Great job Scuba

It's great that Marcus got some big doggie play in, Jack sounds like the purrfect dog for the job. Good work with Kisses too

[Winston]

Scuba what the link to the SPCA your at?

Cindy

[allymack]

aw they are all so adorable, its great to hear that so many of them are homed!

[growler~GateKeeper]

Originally Posted by Winston

Scuba what the link to the SPCA your at?

Cindy

Cindy it's the Vancouver SPCA the dogs are on page 4 & 5

http://www.spca.bc.ca/vancouver/

[Brandykins]

Those are beautiful dogs and it is a very worthwhile job you do. You must get job satisfaction when the dogs go to a forever home.

Keep up the good work.

Take care.

[Winston]

Scuba

Do you know anything about a dog in the Vancouver shelter named Tessa?

Cindy

[Scuba]

Winston - I have seen her in one of the kennels. Haven't had a chance to interact with her. If you like I will try to walk her tonight and tell you more about her.

Scuba
8:55am 11th August 2008 (monday)

[Winston]

The web site I thought said she was in foster care? but if she is there sure would love to know a bit more about her. Someone we know may be interested in her??

[growler~GateKeeper]

Winston here's Tessa's page http://bcspcapets.shelterbuddy.com/a...1041&result=34

[Scuba]

Winston - Tessa wasn't at the Vancouver SPCA shelter tonight, apparently she is in foster right now. Sorry for not being able to help you get some information on her.

[Scuba]

First up was a lady dog named Night. She is really shy and skittish. From talking to one of the staff members, I gather that she had spent the majority of her life in a garage. Probably had some bad experience with people as well. She is a bit hand shy, plus if I make big gestures or quick motions she will flinch. Ears back and tail down. Just some issues with her past I guess. She also pulls on the leash, not like Spencer or Tosh, "Lets try to dislocate this guy's arm" pulling but just not very good manners. Like always having tension on the lead and other minor things. This probably isn't so much Night being naughty but her not having been taken out on leash in her previous life.

Night is nine years old already so she just likes to take it slow. During our walk she was really mellow. Didn't even give second glances to cats or birds on the sidewalks. Walks right pass them. Knows some basics commands and stuff. She was really good for me at the intersections before crossing the streets. Stops by herself and sometimes will even sit without being told.

When we got back to the shelter, one of the staff had to give this medication to Night and it was pretty funny. The vet tech had put the stuff (just a tiny amount) in a syringe. Thing was that Night knew what a syringe was but didn't realise that we weren't trying to give her a shot. She was playing and cuddling with the staff member until the syringe came out. Then she just kind of jumped and turned around. Next thing I knew she was in a empty kennel. Problem was that it wasn't her kennel and we still had to give her whatever it was. So, Steph (the staff) and I talked her out and cuddled with her some more. Then Steph squeezed a little of the stuff on to her hand and let Night lick it off. All this time Night was happy to play with us but at the same time really strung up and on guard. It was like she was saying "I know something is up, I am not stupid". After she calmed down, Steph squeezed the rest of the stuff on to her fingers and just kind of stuck her hand in Night's mouth and rubbed it all over her tongue. Then it was back to the kennel for Night and some water.

[Scuba]

Next dog that I walked was Sasha. She was standing on top of her crate tonight as well and doing some roo roos. Sasha had been out earlier already so wasn't too hyper. Still has kennel aggression issues but once we are outside, she is totally different. Even though she is a big rottie, she is just such a clown. During our walk, I took the time to do some basic command training with her. Her sit is really good and down still needs a little work but we will get there. Half way into our walk, she smelt something on this one lawn and just had to roll around on it. I didn't see anything but it was just irresistible to her. At one point she had wrapped the leash around her own midsection. She doesn't have a tail but watching her bum wiggling away was pretty funny.

At her kennel there is also a notice up saying "Adoption Pending".