7 minute read
Pet Place
DUKE, A MIRACLE ADOPTION
There is a perfect home for every dog! Duke, a 2-year old Chihuahua mix boy, waited to be adopted at the Loving All Animals shelter for several months. Duke greeted everyone with an angry bark. He loved to receive treats, but would quickly retreat, not permitting petting or other physical contact.
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Duke was relinquished to Loving All Animals by a woman living in the high desert who took in homeless dogs no one wanted. Some rescuers have trouble saying “No” and become overwhelmed when so many dogs are in need. The group of dogs housed with Duke in the high desert had little contact with people, and were occasionally left food. Four of them came to Loving All Animals, but Duke stood out in the group for having behavior issues. Weighing in at 19 pounds, he was bigger than the others and exhibited Alpha qualities. A vet exam indicated he was in relatively good health. However, he had no prior medical care and the organization arranged for him to be vaccinated, microchipped and neutered.
Loving All Animals’ wonderful volunteers sat calmly near Duke for extended times, helping him learn he could be safe with people. Behavior like Duke’s is a very treatable condition, but can take time and patience. Moving forward, Loving All Animals will soon implement behavior training classes that address a variety of canine behavior issues.
Meanwhile, Duke’s behavior kept prospective adopters at arms-length. The other three dogs from the high desert were soon adopted. Most people want to adopt a dog who happily greets them with a wagging tail. On April 26, 2021, things changed when Mary Ann Ilaria came for a meet and greet appointment with Duke. She arrived armed with treats and an open heart. Though not on perfect behavior, Duke seemed more receptive to this visitor. Dogs understand up to 1,000 words and they know our intent. He responded even more favorably when Mary Ann returned two days later to adopt him, permitting her to hold him for a happy adoption photo. It seemed like a miracle!
Mary Ann explains why she selected Duke in favor of dogs who were more sociable. “When I adopt a dog it’s because of a feeling I get when I first see them and then interact with them. It just has to feel right.” She was able to connect with this pup and see the sweet dog inside his protective exterior stance. Duke in turn felt her acceptance and compassion, which caused him to relax.
He is now “Doug”, much of his “Duke” behavior left behind. Weeks later, Mary Ann tells us about Duke’s transformation in her home. She reports, “Doug is very loving dog, he enjoys snuggling next to me on the couch when we watch television. He loves to be petted. He is so smart, he easily learned the commands OFF and COME. I knew he hadn’t had much love before, but he is the sweetest dog with me. He shares my pillow at night!”
Mary Ann had trouble putting on Doug’s harness so they could go for walks. Occasionally he would sit by the kitchen door and would revert to his old “barking at you” behavior when she approached the kitchen. Loving All Animals referred her to Sandy Miller, local dog trainer extraordinaire, who provides complimentary phone consults to rescue dogs adopted through Loving All Animals. Sandy suggested she purchase a harness that Doug can step into, rather than one that goes over his head while his human stands over him. Doug and Mary Ann now enjoy their walks. Sandy theorizes Doug was previously abused by someone who dashed towards him, and suggested Mary Ann proceed slowly into the kitchen and toss a couple treats. She said it may take a couple months of loving patience for Doug to overcome this reaction.
BY JANET McAFEE
Dogs transform when they are in the right home. We humans transform when we give a rescue dog a “second chance”. Though Doug is a “work in progress”, his future is bright as he brings love and joy into his new home. We celebrate another happy ending at Loving All Animals for a dog now named Doug and his happy new human Mom! Please check out Loving All Animals’ website, www. lovingallanimals.org and consider making a donation to help them continue helping homeless animals. We love adopters like Mary Ann who adopt a dog who needs them the most!
Here is a partial list of Inland Empire shelters and rescue groups where you can adopt a cat or dog. Please check their websites in advance for updates on adoption procedures during the quarantine.
COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS
– The county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to adopt. Email them the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@rivco.org, or schedule a virtual adoption appointment at www.rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public)
PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public)
ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private)
ADORABLE LITTLE BOY
Check out those adorable ears! This little 1-yr-old friendly fellow waits for a home at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter. They are located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, www.rcdas.org. This 12-lb pup is a Chihuahua/ Parson Russell Terrier blend, dog ID#A1623390. Call (760) 343-3644 for same day appointment.
MEET SMUDGE
GORGEOUS PRINT COAT ON THIS PRETTY CALICO GIRL! This lovely 1-yr-old kitty waits for a home at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, cat ID#A3812139. Go online at www. psanimalshelter.org and see Smudge and her other feline buddies. Complete the online application and they will call you for an appointment. Located at 4575 E. Mesquite, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718.
to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www. californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833. (Private)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA
VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat. This shelter has lots of big dogs and some cats. View some of their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private)
KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private)
FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at www.ForeverMeow.org, (760) 3356767. (Private)
PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private)
BFF4pets – Foster based rescue for dogs and cats located in La Quinta. Email them at rescues@bff4pets.com, (310) 431-7818 (Private)
LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private)
LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY – Large outdoor shelter for dogs and cats up Hwy 74, view animals at www.living-free.org, and call (951) 659-4687 for an appointment (Private)
MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private)
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL
SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public)
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL
SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter is now open for walk ins 7 days a week. Call (909) 3869280. View animals at www.sbcounty.gov/ acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).
DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue. com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)
