A couple weeks ago, I was with the One Love crew at Joyride Tacos following one of the Shelter Dog Training sessions. When I walked in, I spotted the cutest dog I have ever laid eyes on (sorry, Reggie & Hayley). It was Lucky.  He was a special guest at the outing that day since he isn’t a part of the Shelter Dog Program. Here is he at Joyride:

For months, I have seen Lucky’s face on the One Love Facebook page. I had (wrongfully) assumed that he was in a foster home since I knew he was one of the “adoptables” through the organization.  When I met Lucky, I started inquiring about his story.  I was told that he actually lives at a boarding facility. He has his own special room, so when he is done playing he has a space of his own to relax….while this is SO great, he still does not have a home or people to call his own.  They told me at one point Lucky had a roommate, and when the staff returned in the morning Lucky and his roomie had pushed their dog beds together that night to snuggle. I MEAN GET OUT OF HERE I MIGHT CRY WRITING THIS. Here is Lucky being quite the lover to a dalmatian friend:

This five-year-old, easy going gentleman is so relaxed. He was not phased at all by the commotion of tons of people, dogs etc. He just hung out and enjoyed life. Lucky is extremely well-behaved.  He goes on all sorts of outings with his friends at One Love. For you do-it-yourselfers…never go to Home Depot again. Lucky will accompany you:

Here he is at Old Navy:

And at PetSmart where he was the most well-behaved pup around:

I found enough of these photos to basically show Lucky enjoying life at any kind of public establishment. SO, if you are looking for the ultimate companion…..to enjoy happy hour with (I CAN’T HELP MYSELF…ONE MORE):

Lucky is the guy for you. While we were at Joyride, this adorable little girl walked outside…she had her eyes set on Lucky. She didn’t even glance at the other dogs on the patio (sorry, guys…). After politely asking if she could pet Lucky, and receiving a “yes of course” from the One Love volunteer…she began sweetly petting Lucky. She thanked the volunteers and went back inside.  Approximately 45 seconds later, she returned with her mom. They pet Lucky again for a bit and we all told them how great Lucky is. After a couple minutes they went back inside.  Two minutes later, the little girl was back. This time, with her dad.  They pet Lucky again. She LOVED him. Had there been adoption papers to sign on the spot, I feel confident that Lucky would have gone home that day to share a couch and bed with that sweet little girl forever.  BUT, alas….he is still available. And, the moral of the story is that he loves kids, does great in public, is house broken, neutered, up-to-date on shots, and even crate-trained. Also, his new family will get a free six-week group training class from Learning Pawsibilities to help with the transition, bonding etc.

The way I see it, there is no reason NOT to adopt Lucky. And gosh darn it, WE WANT TO FIND LUCKY THE PERFECT HOME THIS WEEK.

He’d love a spot on your couch….

He does not require a pool (the life jacket…. I LOVE HIM)….

He loves to snuggle so be prepared for some PDA:

And just a few more because I’m obsessed:

I am assuming by now you are also obsessed with Lucky. So, here’s the link to fill out an application to be Lucky’s new family: click here to love Lucky forever.

You never know who may be on the lookout for a new best friend, please share Lucky with your friends and family!

Yesterday, after it was decided that Vonnie would be this week’s Project PAL featured dog, I sent a message to Emily over at One Love to see if she could give some insider information about Vonnie.  She had the absolute cutest analogy to describe this pup.  Emily told me that Vonnie is a “little hostess”. She said that when they visit her, this courteous lady makes her rounds and visits each person. And then Emily continued by saying, “I’m sure if she could carry a tray of appetizers around and refresh drinks for visitors she would”.  Once I started imagining Vonnie as a little hostess, I immediately fell in love.

Vonnie is only about a year old and she has a real zest for life.  As she trots around greeting all her visitors, happiness literally bursts from her little body in the form of wiggles. Even just looking from looking at pictures of Vonnie (and watching videos), it is honestly hard not to have a smile on your face.

We all know there are girls who are either cute & social OR they are smart….but Vonnie is BOTH. (full package amiright!?) During her shelter enrichment time with the incredible One Love team, Vonnie learned “down” in just a matter of minutes.  They tell us she is very focused and food motivated! Guys, Vonnie is the coolest girl on the block right now and everyone is raving about her…

Because she is sponsored under the One Love Shelter Dog Program, Vonnie gets a free microchip AND post-adoption training. BTW, we were at the Shelter Dog Training class last week and heard (with our own two ears) one of the Shelter Dog Program alumni’s parents say that in just THREE classes they have a completely different dog.  THIS PROGRAM WORKS. Look, the One Love team (and Project PAL by transitive property) is not going to leave you high and dry if you step up to adopt and provide a loving home for one of the dogs in their Shelter Dog Program.  They are seriously the best, and give adopters (and fosters) SO much support. Their goal is not only to get the dogs at the shelter adopted, but help them STAY adopted.

Moral of the above tangent is, if Vonnie caught your eye, but you’re scared to take on a Shelter Dog….don’t be.  Adopting a pup who is sponsored by One Love’s Shelter Dog Program will instantly give you a community of people who love your dog and want to help.  Also, they know everything…so if you’re going to have someone on your (dog’s) team, you want it to be them. Trust me.

OK, so bringing this all full circle. Vonnie, one year old, polite, happy, goofy, delightful, etc. is available at MCACC WEST.  Her ID is A3810869.  If you have a pup already, bring him/her with you to the shelter to meet Vonnie that way you know everyone gets along prior to adopting.

This brindle beauty is listed as four years old, however her slow speed, quiet & laid back demeanor paired with her polite disposition lead us to believe she may be less suitable for plentyoffish.com and more fitting for ourtime.com.  Definition of OurTime.com = a dating website for folks over 50 looking for their life partners. That definition is exactly why we feel Tiger would fit in well there.

Let’s pretend this is your free week to communicate with potential matches on our online dog dating website. If you saw the following profile, you know you would hit Tiger up for a casual meet & greet. This girl is the exact opposite of a high maintenance girlfriend.  Tiger is low-key, not needy at all, and doesn’t beg for attention. However, if you feel like giving her love and perhaps a nice lower back rub, she will not deny you that wish.

Tiger also walks perfectly on a leash, so you don’t have to worry about mentally (and physically) preparing for a serious endurance/strength work out every time you hook up her leash. Speaking from experience (my foster literally has raw skin from pulling so hard on her leash) finding a dog who walks well on a leash is KEY. Additionally, Tiger is very gentle when taking treats. Want to share a noodle Lady & the Tramp style? Guess what………..CAN-DO with this striped lady.

Here’s the bottom line, Tiger’s not asking for the world.  She doesn’t need to disrupt your entire life by insisting on multiple activities per day. All she really wants and needs is a home to call her own, with people who value independence, love, and an easy-going companion.

JK JK JK.  Tiger actually DOES need a man and/or woman…since that’s really the only way she’s breaking out of MCACC East! But, she really would be the perfect companion for someone looking for a lower-energy pup.

Interested in meeting this refined gal? Her ID is A3738074 and again, she is at MCACC East.  She is sponsored by One Love under their Shelter Dog Program, so her post-adoption training AND her microchip are sponsored.  OH, and thanks to all you Pup Tees supporters, Tiger has a lovely calming collar & even received flea and tick treatment!! Keep spreading the word about our Pup Tees so we can continue supporting the Shelter Dog Program!!! Here is Tiger pictured below with Lindsey from One Love getting her new collar.

Alas, we have reached the time in the blog where we ask you to share Tiger with your friends and family.  We are pretty certain that someone out there has been keeping an eye out for a dog this wonderful! Let’s send her home THIS WEEK. Ready, set, SHARE.

Today, as I was brainstorming how I could appropriately depict our week 30 Project PAL, I went through and read all of the posts, notes, comments etc. that volunteers have shared about him.  I couldn’t help but think that Marchant’s situation is not much different than many of my friends’.

Let me explain. Marchant has an extensive list of good qualities: loving, goofy, evaluated as “dog social”, cute as a button, (you get the picture). BUT, even with all of the right things going for him, and the right team in his corner (One Love Pit Bull Foundation) Marchant has somehow been sitting at MCACC East Shelter since F-E-B-R-U-A-R-Y. adlkfjsalkfdja NOT ACCEPTABLE.

So, as I was sitting here trying to think about how I would showcase Marchant it led me to the fact that Marchant is very similar to my friends.  You guys, I have some of the most beautiful, smart, cool, funny, and successful friends of all time and some of them are still single. It literally blows.my.mind. How is that even possible? NOW, that feeling right there is exactly how I feel about Marchant.  How is it that there isn’t a line out the door for both Marchant AND my friends??

Our friends at One Love have been pouring their hearts & souls into this little fella. Since he is in their Shelter Dog Program he has now attended TWO training classes outside of the shelter. Being a part of this training has helped boost Marchant’s confidence significantly.  At the most recent class, the volunteer who worked with Marchant said he was the “star as he worked on basic commands like sit, stay, come, and walking on a leash”. During the class, Marchant’s tail never stopped wagging. Marchant was even lucky enough to hang around for an exclusive human meeting after his training.  He was well-behaved during that time and it was reported that he “calmly solicited attention and petting from everyone (especially if they had pizza).”  Marchant was never vocal or jumpy during that time.

We’ll bring this full circle by reiterating that we just cannot figure out why Marchant has not been adopted yet.  This THREE year old, lab/pit mix has a lot of love to give. Thanks to the One Love team his post-adoption training is sponsored, along with his microchip. Basically, he is set up for success. Interested in Marchant? MARCH on over to MCACC East today to meet him see what I did there?. His ID is A3721532. Bring some hot dogs and you’ll be sure to have an instant amigo!

I was reading some of the notes and comments on Hialem and I am sitting here baffled that she has not been adopted yet. How is it possible that a dog this cute, calm, gentle, and friendly is still available at MCACC west?  The only thing I can think of is that maybe we are all pronouncing her name wrong and therefore, when ALL of the potential adopters are asking about her maybe the shelter doesn’t know which dog? IDK but guys, that is the only plausible reason I can come up with because she is literally perfect and there should be a line out the door to meet her. Also, I am trying to make myself feel better that I might be the only person struggling with pronunciation here….

Last Saturday, Hialem had a day foster outing with two of the One Love volunteers. From start to finish they were just RAVING about their experience with her. They took her out to the local farmers market and said she was calm and comfortable in the busy environment.  SO, if you are hoping to adopt a dog that you can take to a restaurant and sit on the patio…HIALEM could be the pup for you!

During her outing at the pet store, she gave ZERO cares about a cat lurking nearby…proof in the picture below thanks to Emily & Justin with One Love.
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One of the most endearing and precious characteristics of Hialem is her “awkward” face look:

Hialem is listed as dog friendly, kid friendly, easy to walk on a leash, well-mannered in the house, comfortable in public settings, good car-rider, and a great breed ambassador. She is a spry 7 years old.  Which, if you ask me is really the best age.  So, the time has come for Hialem to find her forever home and we need your help to do it.  She is at MCACC west and her ID is A3764121. Ready, set, ADOPT.

We cannot even begin to contain our excitement about this week’s featured dog…Mia. First of all, SHE IS SO CUTE….amiright or amiright? (I hope Vicki & Mel are reading this and know that I am referencing the book we just finished in our three-person book club).

Anyways, the first time we laid eyes on Mia it was before One Love had officially announced that they had added her to the Shelter Dog Program. SO, now that she has officially been given their Stamp of Approval, we are ready to blast her face out to the world. This girl could actually NOT be more adorable and I JUST WANT TO SNUGGLE HER we really want to help her find a dream home. She deserves it.

One Love co-founder, Katie, gave us a ton of details on Mia. Katie fell in love with Mia this past Saturday while Mia was on her day-foster outing. Her outing consisted of a group training class with other Shelter Dog Program members, and a lunch out at Joy Ride! We are told Mia is easy to retrieve from her kennel. She pulls a little on her leash (but not too hard). Pictured below is Mia showing One Love Board Member, Richard, the way back to her spot in the classroom. (we’re working on good leash walking! It was only class #1 AND you get FREE post-adoption training when you adopt her so you’re set!)

Mia enjoys chasing balls (if you didn’t think of this when you read that….we need to talk).

This sweet girl ❤ s splashing around in the kiddie pool and playing with toys. It’s totally possible that she might plow through a pile of stuffies if left unattended (hope you know how to sew…OR stick with Kongs).

Mia rode nicely in the car to and from her outings. During the training class she picked right up on “sit”, “stay”, “watch me”, and also walking.  We’re still working on “lay down” ;).  It was easy for her handlers to redirect her attention away from other dogs.

At lunch, Mia was parched so Lindsey ordered her a margarita Mia did great with all the commotion going on around her.  She got excited when other dogs were barking, but it was easy for her handler to get her attention to calm her down.

And then, she pretty much slept on Katie’s leg the whole time. (You guys, do you know what I would PAY to have a sweet dog sleep on my leg? A LOT. I love dogs so much it’s like they can sense my desperation. Whoops, this isn’t about me.)

SO, Mia is amazing and adorable and we want her to go to an equally as wonderful family. If you have a dog already, Mia does need a dog intro. She is interested in other dogs, but not aggressive. She is very gentle so she would be a lovely family member.  I’d like to end with a direct quote from Katie at One Love, “All in all she is a solid dog. I love her. Like a lot.”

Think you might love her too?  Let’s set up a time for you to meet her. Send us an email at projectpalaz@gmail.com. Her ID is A3763794 and she is at MCACC West.

Our Week 27 Project Pal featured pup had gone unnoticed at the MCACC Shelter for the past two months. Fortunately for her, the team at One Love AZ spotted her among the hundreds of dogs at the County Shelter.  This dog has been evaluated and is one of the recent sponsored dogs under the One Love AZ Shelter Dog Program!

So now, knowing that our friends at One Love (who also happen to know literally everything about dogs) have decided that this pup would be a GREAT member of a family, we have decided to help give her additional exposure to hopefully find her the perfect family.

Without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to Storm! Storm is four years old and is currently being cared for at MCACC East Shelter.  After doing a little bit of Facebook stalking on her yep, you read that correctly…I FB stalked a dog. That is what my life has come to. I dug up a little background story on her.  Turns out Storm was found on the freeway running through through the reservation.  It took a whole army of kindhearted people (who pulled over) to keep Storm and the other pup they found her with from crossing traffic on the freeway!

The gal who found them says they were able to put leashes on the two dogs easily and it was clear the dogs were used to being around people and are socialized. Storm shared food with the other dog nicely and they licked and kissed the gal who found them. Get this, Storm and the other dog fell asleep on the side of the freeway cuddled on top of one another while they waited for over an hour to be picked up. Here’s a pic of the two (on the side of the road)…

Turns out Storm’s friend/brother/boyfriend/companion was rescued recently, and now she is solo at the Shelter. When I asked our friends at One Love to tell us a little bit about her there was a general theme with their Storm experiences. They all emphasized how calm, gentle, sweet, and loving she is. We are told she has a good temperament and handles easily. Her spirit is great, and she is not reactive to dogs going around the play yard.

Also, get this. The notes when she was found said she cuddled with the other dog on the ride in to the county shelter. I mean, it just does not get any more precious than that!

The notes on Storm’s chart say “Total Love!! ❤ “, “Knows Sit!”, “great on leash, loves to sit in your lap!”.

Help us give Storm the opportunity to find her Forever Home.  All you have to do is share her.

Her animal ID is A3765676. If you want to meet her, let us know and we will hook you up with the One Love Team and they will help make the meet & greet easy for you!

Photo credit: TR Young Photography

We are switching things up a bit this week to give our followers an opportunity to meet a dog that is living in a foster home. Foster homes are so wonderful for shelter dogs for a lot of reasons, one being that it offers the opportunity to learn much more about the dog to give potential adopters a full picture of who the dog is, what he/she likes or dislikes, and how they interact with people, other dogs etc. With that being said, say hello to Champ!

This five-year-old dream boat was rescued TWO YEARS AGO from MCACC and has been living in a home where he now gets to experience the finer things in life: walks, hikes, snow, life in the mountains, sunbathing, car rides, lounging on the couch, coffee dates, binge watching Chopped, etc. Champ is the perfect companion for you if you want a true partner in crime. He is always up for an outing, but really, as long as he gets to be with you, he’s a happy camper.

Champ does really well as an only dog. He is good with kiddos over 10 (he plays a little too rough for young children) and is happy to meet strangers with proper introductions!  This pup is up-to-date on shots, neutered, and is in good health!  He is kennel trained, house trained and already knows basic commands.  Champ is also working with a trainer to increase his skill level. One Love AZ has evaluated Champ and he is one of the “adoptable” dogs from their Foundation. They get to know their dogs very well and they work hard to make sure they find the best match for each dog. If One Love puts their stamp of approval on him you know he’s a sure bet!

While Champ may have the ideal set up for a foster home, it is still a “foster” home and ultimately a forever home is the goal.  SO, if you have been thinking about adopting, but find yourself a bit intimidated by the idea of bringing home a pup straight from the shelter, Champ could be the guy for you! His foster mom can tell you everything you need to know about him and set you up for success!

Interested in meeting Champ?  Click HERE  to fill out an adoption application.

For this week’s PAL, meet Daisy!! You know that girl who just seems to always be happy and their contagious energy and attitude puts everyone around them in a good mood? Well, that’s Daisy!! She is a happy-go-lucky two-year old pup who will make you laugh and put a smile on your face!

Daisy seems to always be down for a good time game of fetch. She LOVES to be active and enjoys being on the go. Daisy is an outdoor kinda girl, always looking for the next activity. I don’t know about you, but I wish I had that kind of energy and motivation to be active… the walk from the couch to the fridge during Shark Week counts as exercise, right? One of the best things about Daisy (besides those ears!!!) is that she loves attention from people and wants to soak up some lovin’ (read as: you can smother her with kisses, hugs, and pets, and she will LIKE IT <3. aka. the dream). Oh, and she really likes belly rubs, too!

If you’re an active person who can be the fun and dedicated owner that Daisy deserves, she is at MCACC West (2500 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix) and her ID# is A3740121. Daisy is good with kids but she must have a doggy intro if a potential adopter has another pup. Her adoption fee is $20 and includes spay, County license, and rabies certificate. Also, Daisy is part of One Love’s Shelter Dog program, which includes her post-adoption training and microchip!! Let’s help Daisy find her fur-ever home that includes endless tennis balls!

 

Here’s what blows my mind, we have featured a couple of dogs that look JUST like Oreo (Ariel & Nelson to be specific) and they were adopted immediately….why? Because they are SO cute, they are young, and they have awesome personalities. SO, if Oreo looks just like them and has similar traits, how is it that he has been at the shelter since March?

We have started to see his face show up on a lot of volunteers’ facebook pages, One Love AZ added him to their Shelter Dog Program, and now (a little late to the party, but we’ve arrived) Tristan has picked Oreo to promote this week on Project Pal!

Here’s what we know, Oreo is not showing well in the shelter (duh, have we ever talked about a dog sitting in that tiny kennel happy as a little clam?) so if potential adopters walk by him they are not seeing the real Oreo. We are told once away from the shelter Oreo is a quiet guy who really finds joy in the simple things.  He is calm in the car (actually sleeps…), he enjoys walks, going to Lowe’s to get supplies for your latest DIY project, and lounging under a shady tree. This two year old boy ❤ s water….streams, man-made lakes, plastic baby pools, you get the idea.

Oreo has a very approachable and kind demeanor.  During his day foster outing, a little boy went up to him at Lowe’s and Oreo was so sweet and just nudged the boy, which led to laughter and happiness that was contagious to all the patrons at the store.

Since Oreo was accepted into the Shelter Dog Program by One Love AZ, his post-adoption training is sponsored.  Soooooooo who’s the lucky family that is going to snag this precious pup? You might know them, so help us share Oreo’s face and get him a loving, forever home! He is at MCACC East Shelter and his ID is A3738295.