Shamrock Rescue Foundation Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter shamrockrescue.org

Second chances for those who need them most

Fanny was an old lady when her owner died. At 15, she still had plenty of life left – but no one in her owner’s family willing to live it with her. So Shamrock took Fanny in and found her a forever home where, nearly three years later, she is still going strong. We love the seniors like Fanny, and love to ensure that they live their golden years in luxury.

Your Donations At Work Thank you for supporting our mission to give second chances to those who need them most. The support of our generous donors has allowed us to save dogs who are in dire situations and provide medical treatments, food and shelter until forever homes are found. 100 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the rescue and care of the dogs. The pandemic was hard on all of us, and we know that when times get tough for people, they also get tough for animals. But thanks to our donors, we were able to place 41 dogs in the past year. We rescued 62 and cared for over 80. We thank everyone who has donated time, goods and money to help us help these most helpless souls.

As a rescue, we are often inundated with heartbreaking stories of neglect and abuse, which can be overwhelming. While we are unable to save them all, we are grateful for your support, which allows us to save those that we can and help them find the love of the happy homes that they deserve.

A heartfelt thank you.

Frosty, one of our favorite success stories. Page 6

Charice & Ron King | Founders

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Rescue Spotlight

Click the picture or go to shamrockrescue.org for more information

Name: Bogart Age: 1 year Breed: Great Pyrenees mix Gender: Male (neutered)

Name: Larry Age: 9 years Breed: Chow Gender: Male (neutered) Larry was adopted from the shelter in Palmdale, California, and returned the very next day. We dont’t know why but we figure it might have something to do with his being an escape artist. Larry is the sweetest, happiest boy, but something in him wants to leap tall fences. So his new home must include very high, solid walls with no way for him to get over them. That issue aside, Larry is the greatest pup with no bad behaviors. And we believe once he knows he has a home where he is loved and cherished, that wanderlust will ease and he will be happy to stay at home with his people. He’s a fairly young boy – about 2 years old – so also needs people who will give him mental and physical exercise with training and maybe a dog sport or two.

One of our adopters found Bogart running down the street in a not-so-great neighborhood, so she brought him home, bathed him, and settled him in. Unfortunately, her dog did not think too highly of sharing her space with another canine, so Bogart came to Shamrock to await a new home. Efforts to find his family brought no results – probably a good thing, as this boy was thin, matted, unneutered and not microchipped. He’s a youngster, probably not much older than a year. He does not appear to have had any training, but he does learn fast when praised for doing the right thing. He would do best in a home where he can have mental and physical stimulation – training, puzzle toys, dog sports and exercise.

Name: Aldo Age: 10 years Breed: Shepherd mix Gender: Male (neutered) Aldo was found on the streets and taken to a vet, the same vet Shamrock uses. The people who found him didn’t have anyplace for him to go, so he became a Shamrock. He’s a sweet boy who would probably do best as the only dog. He likes his walks but doesn’t need a whole lot of exercise – just someone to give him the love he’s been missing out on for what we think is likely a long time.

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Please Don’t ‘Alpha’ When I read this article, I knew I wanted to reprint it in our newsletter. Understanding the information it contains is key to having a happy, well-adjusted dog and getting the most out of your relationship. Please read, and please take it to heart. Thank you to Whole Dog Journal for allowing us to reprint it. – Maryanne Dell

Life with your dog shouldn’t resemble some sort of dystopian boot camp.

Mutual respect based on clear communication and kindness set the stage for cooperation and peace.

By Pat Miller, CBCC-CPDT-KA For over a decade, the scientific behavior community has been telling us that trying to be the human “alpha” is a seriously flawed approach to changing your dog’s behavior. Despite this, there is still a plethora of information online and in books that purports to teach you how to be an alpha to your dog.

Reading through some of that advice in preparation for writing this article, I feel physically chilled. I can’t imagine living in a home where I had to “demand respect” and “assert my dominance in everything I do” around my dog, to “make him get out of my way” if he’s lying in my path, or other equally absurd recommendations.

And I don’t think I’m alone; I don’t know many dog owners who want to live in some sort of canine detention center, where the dogs must be reminded at every turn that I’m the boss!

I’m not going to go on and on; I just want to give some encouragement to anyone who has fallen prey to this sort of indoctrination. If you have been intimidated by an instructor into yanking on your dog’s leash, or told that your “softness”

Physical violence, in any form, won’t create a happy dog like Jitterbug. Try understanding your dog and using patience and empathy instead.

is the reason your dog is misbehaving, know this: These are outdated methods that are no longer recommended by today’s behavior experts.

WE CAN ALL JUST GET ALONG Today’s humane, successful and enjoyable approach utilizes methods that create a relationship with your dog based on mutual trust, love and respect. Real leadership looks like: • Showing and teaching. Use lure-shaping to teach your dog to lie down on cue, rather than pushing on her shoulders or pulling down on her

Originally published in Whole Dog Journal, April 2022, www.whole-dog-journal.com 4 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation | shamrockrescue.org

collar. Or “capture” the down by “marking” it with the click of a clicker or a verbal marker, such as the word “Yes!” and giving her a treat whenever she lies down on her own, until she understands this is a great way to win more rewards and starts offering the “down” more frequently. Then just add your cue!

• Understanding. Recognize that when your dog doesn’t do something you ask her to do, it’s because something is interfering with her ability to do so – she may be stressed, distracted, in pain or simply hasn’t learned the behavior as well as you thought.

• Empathizing. Comfort your dog when she is stressed, hurting or confused instead of insisting that she perform.

• Forgiving. If your dog did something that upset you, whether she soiled your carpet or

snapped at you when you picked up a shoe she had snagged, don’t hold it against her. Our dogs are doing their best to make sense of a human world that often makes no sense to them.

They are, however, really good at reading our body language, and if you stay angry about something your dog has done she’ll know you’re upset with her (and be stressed about it), but she won’t know why.

Do your dog a life-enhancing favor and eschew the use of force and intimidation in favor of cooperation and trust. In the end, your role as a benevolent leader rather than an alpha dictator will make life better for both of you.

Author Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT KA, is Whole Dog Journal’s Training Editor and author of many books on dog-friendly dog training.

Our Fabulous Fosters Our fosters are special people who open their hearts and homes to dogs in need.

These special people provide not only care and shelter, but love and a home. While these may not be permanent homes, they are safe havens for dogs who would not do well in a kennel environment.

Fosters give of their time, energy and often money.

They also give love — so much love — to creatures who often have never known it before. We are eternally grateful for all they do.

Our fosters allow dogs like Bear to live the life of a house dog, with access to toys and yards – things they cannot get in a shelter or boarding kennel.

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Frosty: Furry Good at 15

Frosty in 2009

Frosty today

By Maryanne Dell, Adoption Coordinator He was one mighty scared pup, this white dog whose leash was wrapped around a bush eight ways to Sunday back in 2009. He wouldn’t let us near him, so it took three of us two hours to untangle him and get him to my car and into a crate.

We christened him Frosty, took him to the kennel where we still board our rescue dogs, and tried to get him to realize we weren’t going to hurt him.

I spent five days ignoring him, reading as I sat in his kennel and tossed yummy food to him. At last, on day 5, he approached me, tail wagging just a little as he cautiously took a treat from my hand.

The ice broke.

Soon, I was his best friend. So was my thenrescue partner, Sharon. But he trusted no one else. We knew finding a home for this poor dog who had been – what? abandoned? dumped?

caught on that bush while exploring or running away? – wouldn’t be easy. It would be one of our toughest placements.

People want a dog who is ready, willing and able to jump on the couch and cuddle the day they bring him home. Few are willing (or able) to put in the hard work of helping a scared, uncertain dog learn to love the ones he’s with. Most of the people who met him weren’t willing to do that work.

Enter the Abrechts. Daughter Olivia saw Frosty online and decided he was the dog for them. Her mom, Patty, called me. When I told her all about his issues, she didn’t hesitate.

“OK,” she said. “We’ll take it slowly.”

Boy, did we ever. We made the Abrechts climb mountains for most of a month. Patty, Olivia, dad

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Andy and Olivia’s sister, Abbey, visited Frosty at the kennel, and we took him to their home, slowly building up his comfort level with them and helping them deal with a dog who wasn’t all about jumping into their laps.

comfort level with the family, had paid off.

Today, 13 years later, Frosty is still enjoying his family. Abbey long ago left home for college and a home of her own (with her own pup), and Olivia just left for another state. But we stay in touch.

Finally, one rainy night, we took Frosty to the Abrechts’ to stay. Half an hour after Abbey and Patty welcomed us, Andy and Olivia came home – and got the happiest welcome we had ever seen from Frosty.

A few weeks ago, I attended Frosty’s 15th birthday party. He’s looking older, his hearing is pretty much nonexistent, and his kidneys aren’t what they used to be, but he still loves his food.

And he still loves his family.

His tail whizzed around in circles – the sign of one really happy dog – and we all knew that the weeks of hard work, of fits and starts in Frosty’s

I couldn’t ask for a better life for this dog who has come full circle from his days of being scared of his own shadow.

Adoptions

Meet some of the dogs we have been fortunate to place in loving, forever homes.

Tate wandered the area for three weeks before being taken to the Palmdale, California, shelter.

He was going to be euthanized because the shelter thought he was suffering. We were able to save him and get him to our vet, where it turned out he had a nasty upper respiratory infection.

One reason we were able to get him was we had a foster lined up before he left the shelter. Today that foster is officially his person. From nearly dead to dearly loved – that’s Tate’s story.

We were alerted to Tenzie being in a Los Angeles shelter by our friends at the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America’s Rescue & Health Trust, which finds homes and help for needy Tibbies (one of Maryanne"s favorite breeds). We wasted no time getting this little man out of the shelter and to our vet, then into boarding. A longtime friend and Shamrock supporter saw him online and, when they met, it was love – and home – at first sight.

More on the next page >>

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Adoptions

>> From the previous page

Teddy came to Shamrock after being rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri and evaluated by National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado. He spent a few months with a foster, proving what a good boy he is, before his family found him. He’s living large in Santa Barbara, and we are thankful we were able to get him there.

When Chowder was with his foster, we discovered that he has seizures, but medication has made them manageable, and his new mom isn’t fazed by them at all. “You are so special and I’m so glad we found each other,” she wrote about him on a social media post. We agree wholeheartedly.

Angel, left, and Bailey were surrendered when their owner died. Their owner lived in Florida, and her family didn’t even know she had Angel. They brought the shih tzus to California, and Shamrock found homes for them. They weren’t super bonded, so we decided they could each go to their own homes. Now two families are happy to have little furry feet around the house.

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Teddy’s owner died, and he wound up in the Castaic, California, shelter. He looked so sad, and we’re not likely to turn down a Tibbie in need.

This little senior has survived a lot, including a splenectomy and losing half his body weight (which he needed to do), but he is thriving.

When we found out Avalon had an interested adopter but could only leave the shelter via a rescue, we met her potential mom at the shelter.

As soon as she saw Avalon, she said, “Yes.” Avalon is now Addie, a sweet, much loved pet and companion.

Anna came to us just before everything shut down in 2020. Thanks to the pandemic, we could only communicate with her foster electronically, but we knew Anna was thriving. When things opened up two years later, Anna’s foster mom told us she had fallen in love, and Anna was home.

Harley was in danger of being euthanized at a shelter when Shamrock stepped in. Although he doesn’t care for other dogs, he loves people, and he found himself a couple who decided they love him, too.

More on the next page >>

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Adoptions

>> From the previous page

Ava was in a San Diego shelter. When one of our chow friends found a woman who wanted to adopt her, the shelter was eager to work with her and Shamrock to get her out under Shamrock’s auspices. She was a foster for a while, but soon her foster mom realized she wanted to be known as simply “Mom.” Ava was home.

Lolly’s shelter picture broke our hearts. She looked destitute, like no one cared for her.

Certainly, no one cared enough to come get her. She became a Shamrock. Her foster family met another family who fell in love and made Lolly theirs. Check out her IG account: livingwithlollypoppins.

In February 2021, Ruth and Elmer told us they “really, really want Henry.” Elmer even visited Henry, left, at his fosters’ home. Later that month, we all gathered at Ruth and Elmer’s home, and it became Henry’s home. Although a little shy at first, Henry fit right in very quickly. Three months later, we rescued Rudy, center. Henry and Ruth thought Rudy and Henry would do well together, and they were right. Rudy fit right in, just as Henry had. In September, Ruth alerted Shamrock to an Australian cattle dog at a shelter with a broken wrist. They offered to pay for his surgery and said they’d like to adopt him when he was well. Wyatt recuperated with the help of some wonderful fosters, and in April went to live with Elmer and Ruth. Wyatt and Elmer had an instant bond, and all three dogs are living their happily ever afters.

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Bjorn was found at a school in the San Gabriel Valley and taken in by the same group who saved Aldo (see Page 3). Shamrock took him in and found him a home in Hollywood. Like Lolly, he has his own Instagram account: the.mighty. bjorn. He spends his time at home in Hollywood and traveling with his dad.

Felix was at Orange County Animal Care.

Although cute as a button, he had had no interest, probably because he is an older dog. So he became a Shamrock. Laura at Crossroads Pet Resort, where many of our dogs stay, fell in love.

Before you knew it, he had a new home and a new name: Franklin.

Kismet was at the shelter in Barstow. She couldn’t walk and was in danger of euthanasia without a savior. Enter Shamrock. Neurological exams found nothing conclusive to explain her inability to use her back legs, but after a couple of months with a foster, she regained their use and found her home.

Koda was made available only to rescues because someone reported to the shelter that he had bitten someone. It was never proved, but nonetheless only a rescue could save him.

He was pretty rough around the edges, but that didn’t stop his humans from falling in love and adopting him.

More on the next page >>

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Adoptions

>> From the previous page

You might remember Parker from our last newsletter. His wonderful foster fell in love and asked if she could adopt him. Of course we said yes.His once broken jaw is healed, and we are glad he didn’t have to leave what had become his very happy home.

Stella was a mess when we met her, but now she is thriving. When we posted her on Facebook, one of our friends asked if she could adopt her.

We knew what a wonderful dog mom she is, and Stella quickly settled in, put on weight, grew hair, and found the love that had eluded her.

Sno Ball was another little, old, overlooked dog at Orange County Animal Care saved by Shamrock.

Our friends Andy and Lisa fostered him and soon realized they couldn’t give him up. Always happy for a great foster to fail at the job, we immediately agreed that Sno Ball wasn’t going anywhere but their backyard.

Snow Bear, left, and Tiger were together at the shelter, but we soon learned that they weren’t particular bonded. So we found them separate homes, both with young men looking for some full-time companionship. We’re happy to say that being apart didn’t bother them at all, and now they both have the forever homes they deserve.

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A King Forever

By Charice King, Vice President Some of you may have noticed that we now have a post office box address for Shamrock’s mail. Our home address has always been used for administrative purposes, but we went this route because a ring of the doorbell at least twice a week brought some sad, heartbroken person looking for their lost dog or someone else wanting to see the dogs we have available for adoption. Once, a young couple came to the door with a baby duck!

It’s called a lettuce “bed,” right?

“We Googled ‘duck rescue,’ and Shamrock came up,” they said. (We tried, and it didn’t. We think they likely searched for “animal rescue.”)

King King has found his home, along with a comfy spot on which to curl up and spend the nights.

One day a man and his adult son came to the house with the cutest white puppy – all squirmy and playful – they said they’d found on the street. We thought it might be a Jack Russell. I told them they needed to take him to Orange County Animal Care, the county shelter, where hopefully his owner could find him. They said they would.

A few days later, I checked the shelter’s website, and sure enough, there he was. He was available for adoption, and the staff had named him Romeo. He had a full dance card of potential adopters, So I was hopeful he would find a home.

Then another dog popped up, a white Siberian husky with blue eyes. Eight years old.

Miraculously, he had been at the shelter since June 2021! I could only imagine that he must be a great dog, since the shelter only keeps dogs when they have the space. Who knows how the

pandemic affected their volume? I kept scrolling to see what the dog’s name was.

King.

King! Well, I decided it must be fate. He spent his first night at our home sleeping in my raised lettuce bed. The second night he moved to a dog bed inside the house. The third night he found our couch. And that’s where he’s spent his nights ever since!

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Gone to The Bridge “Just this side of heaven, there’s a place called The Rainbow Bridge ...”

By Maryanne Dell, Adoption Coordinator It’s where our beloved pets go when they die, as the legend says. There, they wait for us in beautiful fields, running and playing with their friends all day.

Pain is gone, blindness is gone, lameness is gone.

Gone, too, are memories of fear, mistreatment and abandonment.

Animals who died without owners, like so many who lose their lives in shelters, or pass while with a rescue, go there, too. And when it’s our turn, our muchmourned pets meet us at the bridge. Then they accompany us to heaven.

It’s a wonderful story; I hope you believe in it, as I do. Because, as Will Rogers said, “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

When you rescue senior dogs, or dogs with behavior problems, you sometimes keep them for what remains of their lives. Often, we stay in close touch with our adopters, and they let us know when their “kids” have moved on. We will always remember those who have gone ahead: Naomi She was one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever met. She was in a high-kill shelter in Los Angeles County, facing euthanasia.

Sometimes, animals are at this shelter for days before rescues find out about them. (It"s so much easier, since COVID, for animals to go unseen at shelters because few have open hours during which the public can walk through and look for a pet.) Such was the case with Naomi.

According to the shelter, she was “Overweight, now has a severe kennel cough, stiff hind end, likely arthritic, not eating, vomiting, depressed, difficulty moving ... must be pulled by 5/26/21.”

We couldn’t leave her there. We weren’t sure we would get her due to confusion concerning who was going to pull her from the shelter. But we did. One of our volunteers offered to pick her up and take her to our veterinarian. Sadly, she was not a healthy dog. She didn"t want to eat. She was losing weight.

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she came to the family.

nothing to show us what it could be. Until we did an ultrasound and saw the big tumor in her abdomen. It was wrapped around too many organs, making it inoperable. So we let her go.

Merry developed heart issues, which eventually were too much for her poor little body. On March 20, she went to the Bridge. We’ll miss your sweet little face and gentle demeanor, precious girl.

Every dog we lose hurts like crazy, but the realization that Naomi’s last days were likely full of discomfort, if not pain, was devastating.

How long had she sat in that shelter, alone, in pain, frightened, confused? Had her owners discovered that she likely had cancer and dumped her?

Reece

We’ll never know, but we do know this: Her life mattered, and she mattered to us, to the people who worked so hard to bring awareness of her to potential rescuers, and to all whom she touched during her very short time with us.

Merry She wore a little plaid coat in her shelter picture.

Something about dogs in shelters wearing sweaters, coats or jackets just melts me. And – another thing that melts me – she looked like my Jitterbug. Her name was Cora, but her owner changed it to Merry, because she was adopted just before Christmas in 2019.

She was sweet – one of those easygoing, always happy little dogs who cause no trouble and are just glad to be. She became best friends with Fanny and Dolly, two other little pups her mom adopted from us, and would hang out upstairs at home with Fanny. Dolly would join them when

She was the coolest Akita ever.

Akitas aren’t a breed we usually rescue, but Reece was special.

The rescue coordinator at Animal Friends of the Valley in Wildomar said they named her that “because she’s so sweet.” And she was. Although not fond of other dogs, she adored people and was everyone’s best friend.

She loved to chase balls, grab them and run with them, and seemed to grin when people would try to catch her. She did have one doggie friend – another brindle Akita like her, this one male – who came to daycare at the kennel where she was staying.

She had two great foster homes but only one serious adoption request in the 18 months we had her. Her second foster decided she wanted to adopt her, and we were in the process of making that happen when she started bleeding internally. Her foster called me, frantic and crying, from an emergency vet on a Sunday afternoon.

When the vet described what was going on, I said More on the next page >>

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>> From the previous page

Nearly everyone in the office was crying.

one word: “Hemangiosarcoma?” “I believe so,” he said. To confirm that, she would need abdominal surgery, which could result in causing the tumors in her spleen to burst, spreading cancer throughout her body. It’s a hideous cancer, and it wasn’t right to make her go through that. So, far too soon and at far too young an age – she was only about 6 – we said goodbye to the best Akita and one of the best girls I’ve ever known.

When I left the office, crying myself, a woman I didn’t know asked me what was wrong. When I told her, she walked up to me and just hugged me. She was so kind – especially since we were in the middle of COVID. And my heart started to heal, just a little, thanks to her. I knew that Betty White would be OK. My heart – that would be another issue.

Betty White Her shelter picture broke my heart.

Those little eyes, staring up, hoping someone would explain how and why she ended up in this place. The shelter named her Betty, and we added the White to honor the actress who did so much for animals.

She was the sweetest, most easygoing dog ever.

Everybody in my vet’s office adored her. We knew finding a forever home for her would be the easiest thing ever. Until we got her blood work back.

Cindy Cinnabon She didn’t have a name. She was just another dog in a shelter whom no one seemed to want. So she became a Shamrock.

I decided to name her Cindy, and my friend who picked her up from the shelter for us decided, for a reason no one remembers, to start calling her Cindy Cinnabon as she drove her to our vet. It stuck.

A wonderful family who had previously adopted from us made her theirs, and Cindy immediately made herself at home. She loved those tiny, squeaky Kong tennis balls and would chase one forever if you let her. When they Her kidneys were in awful shape. They weren’t fostered another dog for us – a much younger, failing – they were so bad it’s a wonder she made rambunctious boy – Cindy made it clear that it out of the shelter. But she was happy. She was she had no desire to play with him. She had eating. I prayed for a miracle. And thought we standards, after all. had been granted one.

Everybody loved Cindy. Watching her chase Her kidney levels improved. We were hopeful that ball, pouncing on it with her little paws and that she had turned a corner. We rode a roller triumphantly prancing with it held high, was one coaster for a month as they dipped and rose, of the most joyous sights I’ve seen. and she continued to act as if nothing at all was wrong. Until she didn’t, and she broke my heart But joy can’t last forever, and Cindy’s little body again. finally said, Enough. She’s running around the Rainbow Bridge now, squeaking that little ball I have let too many dogs go to the Bridge at and prancing away. And our hearts have another too many vet clinics, and I have never seen the hole left by a joyous canine spirit. outpouring of love for an animal that I saw for Betty White. Everyone had to say goodbye.

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Finally, her home came. A woman in Colorado saw her picture when someone showed it to her, and she knew she and Josie were meant to be together. We were all set to drive to Arizona to meet her and send Josie on to her new life.

But, for some reason, it wasn’t to be. Five days before we were set to hit the road, Josie developed bloat, a deadly condition that can kill in just minutes. Although every effort was made to get her care as quickly as possible, it wasn’t possible, and in the blink of an eye, it seemed, she was gone. We are all devastated by this loss.

Scout was in a shelter in San Bernardino County and had so many people wanting him that the shelter had a drawing for him. And we got him.

The poor little guy – all 3.5 pounds of him – had a giant hernia on his butt. We were glad we had him because, we figured, most adopters might not have the resources to fix that. Thanks to our generous donors, we did, and after he was all fixed up, his wonderful fosters adopted him.

He gave them 10 months of joy, love and much laughter as he “scouted” out everything in their home. But his little body finally gave out, and not long before Christmas, we said goodbye.

Josie She was a backyard dog, neglected by her family and picked on by the other dogs.

When we took her away from that, she had scars from dog bites all over her head. She was so sad-looking, and so scared. But she was special.

It took us a long time to get her to come out of her shell, but when she did, she became a different dog. She loved everyone at Crossroads, the board and train facility where some Shamrocks stay until they find homes. And everyone at Crossroads loved her.

In Josie’s memory, please educate yourself about bloat and its signs. It can happen to any dog, although bigger, deep-chested dogs are more prone to it.

Thank you for helping We want to thank all of our donors for their generosity. We are so grateful for your support.

Most of the dogs we take in have issues. Some have behavioral issues, like Shane, the little chow who is scared to death of leashes, so we are having to work slowly with him to help him learn that they will never hurt him again. Others have medical problems that require extensive veterinary care.

We couldn’t help dogs like this without your help, Every dollar you donate goes straight to the dogs: to their medical care, food, boarding if needed, training and other needs. Other things we do, like producing this newsletter, are done for free because we believe in what we do.

If you’d like to help: DONATE ONLINE: shamrockrescue.org PAYPAL: shamrockrf@gmail.com DONATE BY MAIL: Shamrock Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 10072, Santa Ana, CA 92711 MORE INFO:

714-270-4187 | shamrockrf@gmail.com

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Don’t Touch! (without asking first) Here’s how to say hi to a dog – especially one you don’t know – so everyone stays safe and comfortable.

By Maryanne Dell, Adoption Coordinator I was looking for a photo that would show how to properly meet a dog for the first time – something many people do incorrectly – and nearly all of the images I saw were wrong.

They showed people bending over dogs, putting their face in the dog’s face, standing or crouching directly in front of the dog, staring at the dog ... If you’d like a dog you meet to consider you rude, obnoxious, frightening and inconsiderate, by all means, do any or all of these things.

According to multiple sources, children are the age group most commonly bitten by dogs. Kids do as they’re (not) taught, so if they aren’t taught how to properly approach a strange dog, they are likely to do it incorrectly. The result can often be a serious bite.

People are quick to blame the dog side of that equation, but why? Who is supposedly the smarter species? We’re quick to say we are, but we often aren’t very bright when it comes to understanding how other species see the world.

We like to assume animals operate the same way we do. They should know we mean well, right?

Wrong. And that’s why a lot of bites happen.

Not all dogs love all people. But nearly all dogs are experts at reading body language. Use that to your (and your kids’) advantage when meeting a dog for the first time.

DO • Ask the owner if you can meet their dog. If they say no, respect that. Move on.

DO: After receiving the owner’s permission, squat next to the dog and, if he seems comfortable in your presence, pet his neck, back or chest.

• Stand still, with a relaxed posture. Let the dog approach you. If he chooses to maintain his distance, respect that and leave him alone.

• Do not make direct eye contact or stare at the dog. Staring is seen as threatening and can make a dog nervous. Watch the dog out of the corner of your eye.

• If the dog approaches you, speak softly and calmly. You needn’t keep up a steady stream of conversation, but an occasional “Hi, Buddy,” substituting the dog’s name for “Buddy,” or “Good dog” helps to tell him you aren’t a threat.

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• If the dog is clearly eager to get better acquainted – her tail is wagging loosely or in a circle, her mouth, eyes and body are relaxed – squat to the side of the dog with your side to her, avoiding that potentially threatening stance of being directly in front of her.

• After squatting down, offer a relaxed fist or upside-down hand to the dog, under or in front of her nose. Just keep your hand quiet and let the dog sniff so she can learn about you. Dogs do most of their observing through their noses, so this is an excellent way to say, “Let’s get acquainted.”

• Offer a treat from the palm of your flattened hand in front of the dog’s muzzle. Continue without making eye contact. Soft, calm words are fine – again, just don’t overdo them.

DON’T: While squatting next to the dog is good, facing her directly isn’t. Neither is looming over her. Both can be viewed as threatening to a dog.

DON’T

• Stare at the dog. This is threatening and could also be seen as challenging the dog. They read our body language, not our minds.

• Ignore the owner when he tells you his dog is in training or doesn’t want to meet for some other reason.

• Insist the dog “perform.” Even the best-trained pup won’t be able to focus on tricks or training if she’s uncomfortable.

• Rush up to the dog, crying, screaming, cooing or yelling. All of this can be seen as threatening.

Move calmly and quietly and keep your voice the same.

Dogs are wonderful creatures and truly many of our best friends. In their way, they are masters at communicating what they feel. And, unlike people, they don’t lie about those feelings. While your dog may absolutely love staring into your eyes, giving you kisses and rolling over for belly rubs, not every dog will feel the same way. That’s especially true if he doesn’t know you.

• Loom over the dog. You’re invading her space.

Let her choose how close to get to you.

• Ignore body language. If the dog moves away from you, he isn’t interested in meeting. It’s nothing personal – he just isn’t ready to meet someone new. Don’t force the issue. If his tail is tucked between his hind legs, he is frightened or concerned.

So fight that urge to run up and hug every dog you see, as difficult as that may be. Respect the dog’s feelings. Pay attention to them and know that you are successrully communicating with a different species. Isn’t that pretty terrific?

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