They are, of course, cute dogs — long-hair chihuahua mixes. And they’re available for adoption.

If you’re not ready to adopt, we always need volunteer walkers. There is no better feeling in the world than ending the day by loving on a dog, making sure they’ve done business and had a treat or two, and then tucking them in for the night. Last night I walked one pup who has probably only been on a leash three times in her life. She was scared and so unsure of what to do. I spent about 20 minutes with her just getting used to the leash on her collar and walking as slowly as she wanted to go. At the end of that 20 minutes, I was getting kisses on the ear. Volunteers make a difference, and these two faces, and my much-loved ear, were the perfect reminder.

This week, it was Babs. I mean really, look at her!

She’s a 3-month-old lab/hound mix with the most beautiful coloring and playful disposition. I hope she’ll find a wonderful home soon.

Rest in Peace, T.J.

A few weeks ago, I met a sweet ol’ pittie named T.J. who was looking for a forever home. He was being fostered by a sweetheart named Cathy and her husband, as well as their three dogs. I took some pictures of him for his online profiles in the hopes that someone would see them, fall in the love with T.J. and adopt him. After losing our own T.J. just a few months ago, this T.J. had a special place in my heart before I even met him.

This T.J. was a gentle giant. There is no telling what went on in his life before Cathy came along. From the looks of his scissor-cut ears, it wasn’t pretty. But he still walked with a soft step and looked at Cathy and his four-legged housemates with a great and playful love.

I found out this morning that T.J. passed away earlier this week. Cathy was his forever home, and I’m so glad that he had her to show him what true puppy love is. And I’m thrilled to have been able to give her some photographs that will always show his sweet face, healthy spirit and goofy tongue sticking out.

Today, in T.J.’s memory, I encourage you to take a picture of someone you love. It doesn’t have to be technically perfect. Just capture a moment, a memory or a tongue sticking out. I hope that looking at it makes you smile.

She's a Survivor

Meet Harley.

We weren’t exactly in the market for a new dog. Two in the house was plenty. We definitely miss T.J., but I had gotten accustomed to two dogs in the house instead of three. Then we met her.

We don’t know much about her history, but we do know she’s very young to have gone through so much. We think she may have been dropped off or found as a stray out in Bastrop County. To make room at the Bastrop shelter and keep them safe from euthanasia, Austin Pets Alive! took Harley and several others in. She’s also a parvo survivor, thriving now, happy and healthy.

She loves her big brothers, Bugsy and Thunder. She’s doing great on the house-training thing. She can sit. If you’ll throw, she’ll fetch. She plays hard and sleeps hard.

Part of me thinks we’re crazy for adding a third dog to the family, but the rest of me already can’t imagine the house without her.

A Smile From Annie

I can’t believe I haven’t posted a photo of Annie yet. Annie is my current little sister with the Big Brother/Sister program at Austin Pets Alive!

She’s a shy beauty. Better on leash than any other dog at APA! right now (but maybe I’m biased). She’s very curious, always keeping her eyes and nose open to what’s around her. And she’s good with other dogs, at least those a bit smaller than her. I visited with her a few days ago, and she was sharing a pool and a pen with two scrappy little male dogs.

Annie is also good at reading your signals when you’re walking with her. If you stop, she’ll stop. If you sit, she’ll sit by your feet.

She’s going to make a great companion for someone.

Jonas

Some dogs aren’t so lucky.

Some dogs have behavioral differences and challenges. Many of them dealing with problems that stem from their past lives, which sadly, were filled with neglect and/or abuse. APA! simply didn’t have the resources or funds to help them reach their full potential once we rescued them – until now!

I have joined a brand new group within APA! that we are lovingly calling “Louie’s Team”. This team’s goals are to help recognize APA’s special-needs dogs early, find them specially trained foster homes when they need a break from the shelter environment, and raise money for the training and tools to turn some of these not so “good” dogs into great dogs!

Slinky

Our hope is that this team will help save many other dogs like Louie by getting them personalized training when needed. By ensuring that each Louie’s Team dog gets an individualized adoption plan, including specific training needs, we will in turn make happier dogs while they await their forever families. We hope to increase each deserving dog’s chance of finding their forever home sooner and ultimately make happier adopters!

I hope you’ll consider making a small donation to Louie’s Team to help us get this program off the ground. With your generosity, we’ll help dogs like Jonas, Slinky and Buttons reach their full potential and find their homes just like Louie. They’ll get everything they need to be good — no, GREAT — dogs!

She is a such a happy girl! She was tossing a little yellow bear around her pen, wagging her little nub of a tail, pressing her cheek against her pen for anyone and everyone to say hello. I hope she finds a great home soon. I can just picture her curled up at the foot of someone’s bed, on a big comfy bed of her very own.

Sweet Sheila