We're walking down the hallway and Cajou can barely contain his excitement. Like an 8 year old that broke into a candy shop and had his way with the bonbons, he looks crazy-eyed. But, in equal measure, there's a sweet glint in those crazy-eyes. All he needs is exercise and training (quelle surprise! Poor thing is used to running around and making it on his own up North).
We get half way through our walk when he finds a stick frozen in a giant snow pile. He tries to dislodge it for a few seconds and then moves on. I kick it out and it's on: He starts full body wagging, wearing a grin and running around with the stick before starting to gnaw into submission. I can't help but laugh. It was an ice breaker - he finishes with his stick and comes over to lick my hand and he keeps checking in with kisses on the way back.
If only humans were that easy; it'd be nice to just have to bring some sticks along with you to meet people at a party.
- Rachael
Cajou has been transferred to a foster home through TEAM Dog Rescue. He is now called Buddy and is available for adoption and you can get more info by contacting TEAM via their Petfinder adoption page.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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A request
The reason for this blog is to help get specific dogs adopted from TAS but equally important is to try to normalize the idea of shelter dogs being just as good and just as desirable as any other dogs including those which are regularly merchandised by backyard breeders, puppy millers and those few remaining pet store owners who still feel a need to sell live animals. The single greatest stigma shelter animals still face is the belief that shelter animals are substandard animals. Anyone who has had enough experience with shelter animals knows this is untrue but the general public hasn't had the same experiences you've had. They see a nice dog photo in a glossy magazine and too many of them would never think of associating that dog with a dog from a shelter. After all, no one abandons perfectly good dogs, right? Unfortunately, as we all know, perfectly good dogs are abandoned all the time.
The public still too often associates shelter dogs with images of beat up, sick, dirty, severely traumatized animals and while we definitely sometimes see victims such as these, they are certainly not the majority and, regardless, even the most abused animals can very often be saved and made whole again.
Pound Dogs sometimes discusses the sad histories some of the dogs have suffered. For the most part, though, it tries to present the dogs not as victims but as great potential family members. The goal is to raise the profiles of animals in adoption centers so that a potential pet owner sees them as the best choice, not just as the charity choice.
So, here's the favour I'm asking. Whenever you see a dog picture on these pages you think is decent enough, I'd like you to consider sharing it on Facebook or any other social media sites you're using (I know many of you do this already and thank you for that). And when you share it, please mention that the dog in the photo is a shelter dog like so many other shelter dogs waiting for a home. If we can get even five percent of the pet buying public to see shelter dogs differently, to see how beautiful they are and how wonderful they are, and to consider shelter dogs as their first choice for a new family member, we can end the suffering of homeless pets in this country.
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The public still too often associates shelter dogs with images of beat up, sick, dirty, severely traumatized animals and while we definitely sometimes see victims such as these, they are certainly not the majority and, regardless, even the most abused animals can very often be saved and made whole again.
Pound Dogs sometimes discusses the sad histories some of the dogs have suffered. For the most part, though, it tries to present the dogs not as victims but as great potential family members. The goal is to raise the profiles of animals in adoption centers so that a potential pet owner sees them as the best choice, not just as the charity choice.
So, here's the favour I'm asking. Whenever you see a dog picture on these pages you think is decent enough, I'd like you to consider sharing it on Facebook or any other social media sites you're using (I know many of you do this already and thank you for that). And when you share it, please mention that the dog in the photo is a shelter dog like so many other shelter dogs waiting for a home. If we can get even five percent of the pet buying public to see shelter dogs differently, to see how beautiful they are and how wonderful they are, and to consider shelter dogs as their first choice for a new family member, we can end the suffering of homeless pets in this country.
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Search this blog
Toronto area animal shelters
TAS South on facebook
My other blogs
Animal rescue blogs
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What's That?5 years ago
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Late Night Musings: Clearing the Shelters5 years ago
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Simon Loves the Snow!7 years ago
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What a golden handsome boy who has lots of energy to burn and lots of love to give. The right family/person will come and want Cajou in their lives we just got to be patient as they say "good things come to those who wait". May God bless you sweetheart.
what a lovely face and he is so happy playing in the snow. Hope he finds a home with lots of sticks and loving care to make up for his hard, lonely early life
I think Cajou has been adopted because I don't see him on the site. I really hope that he did.