Derek A1250979 @ WLA : his angel needs a little help...

Derek, a scared but sweet boy who needs your help!

This story is written by a woman who wants to help Derek but needs a rescue to pull him out of the shelter and assist in finding a permanent home. Derek is a sweet but very scared dog that isn't doing well in the shelter. Please help!

A1250979

 "My temporary name is Derek.  I am a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix, approximately 7 years old, and have been at the WLA Animal Shelter since September 18, 2011. 

For over 90 days I have been in the same kennel – across from the cat room -- hiding as far in the corner of the bedding cave as possible.  Around my 80thday of hiding in my kennel cave, a lady came to find her lost cat and stopped to see my picture on the front of my kennel.  Every few days she comes back to talk to me but I am too terrified to come out and meet her.  The noise in this shelter gives me anxiety and I am too scarred to find out what is going on around me.  Therefore, I just stay in my cave, hide from the noise, and stay invisible from all the people going by. 

 

So far it’s been working and aside from this lady no one ever sees me.  Near my kennel are two gates that slam all day long, which also frightens me.The woman who took an interest in me decided to bring some roast beef to see if she could get me to come out of my hiding place.  She throws the meat into my kennel, close to the bedding area, but I will only come out when she is not looking.  One of the shelter staff persons decided to help the lady get a look at me and came behind my kennel.  When I hear a staff person behind my kennel I know I have to get out.  When the lady saw me come out of the cave I tried to run back in and the gate hit me in nose.  I just curled up in the corner of the concrete run, closest to my cave, and trembled until she told the shelter man to open the gate and let me back into my hiding place.

One day, after many visits, another Shelter staff man decided to take me to the visiting area to meet the lady.  It was my first time out in the sunshine in over two months!  I was well behaved and did not pull on the rope leash or misbehave in any way.  The Shelter man noticed many good things about me and thought I would be a very nice dog who could live in an apartment with cats.  He made this assessment based on seeing me interact with a very small dog next to the visiting area.  I went up to smell he little dog and I did not display any aggression towards him.  I jumped up on the park bench and let everyone pet me.  I looked all around with interest through the fence to the parking area.  

Perhaps someone I know will come back to get me but I’m losing hope and am now very depressed, losing my desire to eat from constantly being scared.The next day the lady came again and they took me back to the visiting area.  Again, I was alert and well behaved but after a few minutes I had to go back to my hiding place.  The lady noticed that I have pressure sores on my elbows from laying on the concrete in my kennel, so she bought me a nice bed from Costco and makes sure that I still have my bed every time she comes to visit.The lady's husband is not sure that someone big like me should live in an apartment. 

I just wish someone would take me out of this shelter to some place quiet where I could heal emotionally.  I am so very scared at the shelter and too afraid to try and make friends.  I just want to be someplace warm and quiet with someone who will try and find out what a nice dog I am.Will someone please help me get out of here?"

by  BY JOAN STANDAFER

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Holiday message to readers! fa la la la

Best wishes this holiday season to all my friends and readers! I hope it is one filled with love and compassion.


Your support of shelter animals means the world to me.  Let's keep working together and make 2012 a better year for shelter animals.

PEACE to all.

xoxo, Lola McKnight

Chanel has already been through so much! After surviving her ordeal, I can't even imagine that this wonderful girl could be near death's door once again!  Chanel has been at the WLA shelter a very long time and the clock is winding down for her. Please help Chanel find a home and finally be out of harm's way!

Another update on Queenie... Returned to the shelter.

I hate to have this news to share, but Queenie was returned after 1 day due to one of the dog's that lived in the home didn't like her and started a fight. No dogs were hurt.  So, back to the drawing board. Please don't forget her, she really needs the help!  Thanks everyone for all your help in networking this great dog!!! 




IN HONOR OF BROWNIE WHOSE LIFE SADLY CAME TO AN END BECAUSE OF PNEUMONIA, WE ARE APPLYING THE $400 PLEDGED FOR BROWNIE TOWARDS A RESCUE FOR SWEET QUEENIE WHO IS SLOWLY WITHERING AWAY AT THE SHELTER.  KRIS AT NakashimaK@ballardspahr.com WILL TRACK PLEDGES.






This sweet girl really breaks my heart. She was left at the shelter after a divorce. Queenie had always lived in a home with a family and through no fault of her own, she found herself at the shelter. She's been there for a long time now and her chances get slimmer over time. Please network this wonderful dog!

Adoption Events this Saturday 12.17 at Your Local Shelter in LA! Discounts!!!

Queenie ID A1250868: Urgent for Queenie, will she make it home for the holidays?

Queenie ID# (A1250868)

I was just a puppy when I became part of a family.  That was 5 years ago and I was so happy and then my world came to a crashing end.  The people that I loved so much decided to get a divorce and I no longer fit into their plans so they brought me to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter.  This was back on Sept. 17, 2011.  I miss them and still look for them but they are not coming back.  

I am a spayed Labrador retriever/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. The people who used to be my family described me as friendly with everyone including other dogs.  They said that I was "very nice and a smart dog".  

The volunteers at the shelter are now my best friends.  They agree that I am a very nice dog. They take me into the yard where I love to play especially with the larger size balls.  I know how to sit, shake and lay down and because I love treats, there's isn't much that I can't learn.  I need to work on focusing more but when I get out into the yard I forget myself and just enjoy being free again.  I get along just fine with the other dogs so that is a real plus for me and hey guess what?  I am housebroken! 

I need a home of my own and someone to love me again and let me show them what a good, loving dog I can be.  It wasn't my fault that I ended up at the shelter.  I would be such a great friend to some lucky person.  Please help me find a home!!

http://youtube/bBODg8kw7zc

West LA City Shelter, 310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

New videos on 5 GREAT WLA Shelter dogs!

UPDATE Brownie RIP. Brownie is hoping to be home for the holidays...A1266551

Update 12/19:  Brownie was sadly euthanized due to a serious case of pneumonia.  In Brownie's honor, the $400 collected for his rescue will now be applied to another wonderful dog at WLA whose status is urgent: Queenie A1250868.  

RIP Brownie :-(

This dog desperately needs a home for the holidays! He's a very nice dog that has some medical issues that could be managed with pain meds. He's really sweet and the volunteers are trying really hard to save him. Look at that face, it's enough to make you cry!  

Here is the plea going out from the WLA shelter New Hope coordinator:

A1266551 - Brownie, 6 year old, male, Chow Chow Mix.

Brownie came to the shelter as a stray after he was picked up by one of our Animal Control Officers.

After showing lameness in his hind legs, he was sent for X-Rays. Poor Brownie has quite a few things going on in his hind area that prevent him from getting around with ease. He has lumbar sacral spondylosis, bilateral mild hip displaysia and degenerative joint disease.

Brownie needs a great home where he can be an indoor dog, with a comfy bed and provided the pain management he needs to make life just a little more comfortable. Please help Brownie find that! A concrete kennel is no place for him.

If you would like further information please feel free to contact me. 

Samantha Westbrook

New Hope Coordinator / Baby Bottle Coordinator

West Los Angeles Animal Care Center
11361 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90064

Shelter: 213 485 0494/ 0495/ 0496

Cell: 213 7925811

ani.newhopewla@lacity.org

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7am - 4pm

Thursday 6.30am - 3.30pm

Network alert!! Patch IDA#1235135 still waiting at the WLA Shelter!

Patch is a sweet, gentle dog who has outstayed his welcome at the WLA Animal Shelter but as long as he is still alive THERE IS HOPE.  $500 towards an approved rescue has been pledged.  Additional pledges are needed and most welcome.  Mirja at MBishop355@aol.com will track pledges.  

Please contact Mirja if you have questions.

Patch is a 5 yr. old, neutered, white Pit Bull type dog who was brought to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter on July 27, 2011 as a stray.  He is a medium sized dog but he is clearly underweight weighing in at 56 lbs. when he first came to the shelter.

He is a calm, easy going dog who is good on leash.  He comes when called and knows the sit command.  He is easy to collar and walks through the kennel without any difficulty. He is loves his treats and has a very gentle mouth.   He is an affectionate dog but sometimes seems lost in the shelter environment and becomes distracted almost as if remembering where he used to be when he had a home.  His ears are cropped close to the head so you have to wonder what kind of a home it was that Patch had and whether it was worthy of his love. 

Patch has been at the shelter for a long time so his days are clearly numbered.  He is a mild mannered, very easy to manage dog who would make a great companion for just about anyone.  He has so much love to give some lucky person.  He is a favorite of one of the volunteers who spends as much time with him as he can and who has nothing but positive comments to make about his behavior.

Please help Patch find his forever home.  This wonderful boy does not deserve to die in the shelter.  Please help Patch!

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Sandy A1219443 still waiting ! Please network!

PLEASE NETWORK THIS GREAT LITTLE STAFFIE WHO NEEDS A HOME OF HER OWN. $700 HAS BEEN RAISED TOWARDS HER RESCUE TO AN APPROVED RESCUE.   PLEDGES TOWARDS HER RESCUE WOULD BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.  CONTACT MIRJA AT MBISHOP355@AOL.COM.  THANKS.

PLEASE HELP NETWORK THIS GREAT DOG WHOSE TIME IS RUNNING OUT. $500 PLEDGED SO FAR TO AN APPROVED RESCUE.

Kane ID# A1165629

Kane is SWEET as sugar!

Kane is a beautiful 5 yr. old brown and white,  neutered pit bull terrier.  He was surrendered to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter on July 5, 2011 after his owner lost his home.  It wasn't Kane's behavior or anything about this wonderful boy that brought him to the animal shelter.  He just didn't have a home anymore. 

Kane is described by those who have worked with him as a "gentle giant."  He responds well to correction.  He walks extremely well on leash and shows no  aggression towards the other dogs when walking through the kennel.  He is a little shy at first but warms up quickly.  He knows sit and knows how to give his paw. He is not reactive towards other dogs but needs a little work on focusing.  He is housebroken.

Kane is available for the adult foster program and it is his hope that he will find a home again either in the foster program or a forever home.  He is a wonderful, gentle dog. Please help Kane find his forever home.   CONTACT MIRJA AT MBISHOP355@AOL.COM.

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Shadow is waiting in the shadows at WLA ID#A1253212

SHADOW IS MY NAME

ID#A1253212

This handsome boy's name is Shadow.  He is a 1 yr. 3 mo. old neutered black Labrador Retriever mix who has been at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter since Sept. 27, 2011.  He weighs in at a lean 58 lbs. and has a beautiful shiny black coat.

Black dogs have a tough time in animal shelters.  They are often the last dogs to be adopted and the first dogs to be put down because of weird superstitions that people may have against a "black" dog.  Of course, in reality, black dogs are as wonderful and precious as any dog would be.

Shadow is absolute proof of that.  He is so eager to please his person. He is easy to collar and walks well on leash including walking through the kennel.  He doesn't react to the other dogs barking at him as he passes by.  He is a great dog in both the small yard and the large play yard.  He likes to play ball but it is not his favorite thing to do. Most of all he likes to hang out with his person.  He recently passed the temperament testing done by K9 Connection.  He gets along with other dogs and has enjoyed playing in the yard with one of his shelter buddies. 

Shadow is a great dog who is eager to have his own bed, his own  home and most of all his own person.  He would make a loyal and loving companion for some lucky person. Please don't let the shelter be the last home for this beautiful, black dog named Shadow.

-Mirja Bishop

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Protect Freedom of Speech on the Internet Today!! 11/16/2011

http://americancensorship.org

Sandy, A#1219443 back at the shelter for no reason except for her breed.

Sandy is a 3 yr. old spayed Staffordshire Terrier who has been at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter since Oct. 9, 2011.  Sandy and her 10 puppies originally came to the shelter on June 4, 2011.

Sandy or momma as we lovingly called her was a good mom who cared for her pups until it was time to separate from them.  She cried and tried to reach them when they were put in a separate run.  She had to be moved to a different part of the shelter where she could not see them. Her pups were all adopted very quickly and it was our wish that Sandy too would find a good home. 

 In Sept. the volunteers and staff were thrilled when a family came to the shelter to see her and decided to adopt her.  It was our hope with Sandy, as it is with all of our dogs,  that she find a good home with people who would love and care for her.  Sadly for Sandy that did not happen.  She was returned by the adoptive family because the landlord did not approve.  They described Sandy as friendly with everyone and a good dog which we all knew from her previous time at the shelter.  Sandy loves to play with her toys but more than anything she loves her people. She is good with other dogs and she is just a fun dog to be around as can be seen in this video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTM3zGss7Xc

Sandy is back again and again we hope that she finds that special person who will not only love and protect her but be committed to her so that can finally feel safe and secure in her forever home.  Please help Sandy find that special person.

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Charlie the low-rider Lab RETURNED!!! :-(

Charlie ID#A1247525

Oh no, poor Charlie is back at the shelter! Poor guy...


It may be that Charlie needs some training. Whoever is lucky enough to adopt this great guy needs to know that training will be involved. Most dogs don't come home all perfectly trained and it's only fair to assume that training is mandatory to have the dog that you want. No one wants an ill-behaved dog, right?!!! You can't blame Charlie that no one ever took the time to shape him into the best dog he can be, that's up to the guardian to make sure that happens!!


Did you know that when you adopt from the West LA shelter that you can bring your dog to some free training right there at the shelter!  West LA has a  great support system that will guide you through the first steps on the road to a LONG and successful relationship! For more info contact Charla at the WLA shelter!


Come meet Charlie at the shelter today.  He's waiting!

So cute! Little Laurel sleeping like a baby now!

Laurel having a good night's sleep!

Just had to post the latest on Laurel's journey to a safe haven. Laurel spent this weekend at adoption events with her new rescue org.  Ace of Hearts has weekly adoption events at Petco in West Hollywood on Doheny Blvd.  

Laurel is sleeping so soundly now that she's out of the shelter. I even hear there is a video of her snoring! Okay, not so lady-like but what the heck, she deserves a little R&R after what she's been through! 

Laurel is available through Ace of Hearts now!

Ring around the Rosie's (tail?) ID# A0811989

Rosie, the lovely senior girl waiting for you at the WLA shelter

A picture is worth a thousand words!  What else could one say about this picture of Rosie.  Rosie is a beautiful 9 yr. old spayed Labrador retriever mix who was surrendered to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter on Oct. 15, 2011.  For Rosie life as she knew it came to an abrupt halt.  She had a family once.  For years she belonged and felt loved and then suddenly the family was gone. 

Rosie is a sweet, gentle dog.  She is easy to walk through the kennel and does not react to the other dogs. She sits on command and is probably housebroken.  She has a very soft mouth when she takes treats.  She loves belly rubs and anyone who takes time to rub her tummy will be her lifelong friend. If you sit on a bench she will climb up and curl up next to you.  She just wants her own human companion.  Sometimes she wiggles her hindquarters from side to side she is so happy to have someone pay attention to her. 

Rosie's tail is quite amazing in its appearance and has to be seen rather than described.  The mystery deepens but it's a good reason to come and see this wonderful, senior dog who deserves a warm place to rest but who still has plenty of life left and would love to be best friends with humans who would commit to her and give her that forever home that she so much deserves.

Come meet the beautiful & sweet Rosie now! 

310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Shelter Updates!

Some good news to share with you all and a testament to the hard work of shelter volunteers and networkers who do an amazing job of finding rescues and homes for the animals who could possibly lose their life at the shelter through no fault of their own.

Katherine of K9 Connection with Babs in Malibu

• Laurel was rescued by Ace of Hearts rescue. She still needs a real home so if you are interested in this wonderful dog she is now available through www.aceofhearts.org
• Babs was rescued by K9 Connection!! She had participated in their dog training program working with at-risk teens. What a great girl! K9 Connection is raising funds for Babs' boarding until they can find her a foster or even better a permanent home.  www.k9connection.org.  Just click on the Babs fund to donate!  Also, Babs has been awarded "Pet of the Month" at the Malibu Vet's office where she is being boarded! Not surprising!! http://www.malibuvets.com/

Laurel is thrilled to be with Ace of Hearts!

URGENT! Laurel A1247737 has LESS than 24 hours... loves people.

Laurel - ID#A1247737

URGENT!!

This wonderful dog named Laurel will be killed on Monday at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter if we can't find a rescue or adoptive home for her. Please help!

Laurel is a 5 yr. old spayed female, black and white American Staffordshire Terrier who has been at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter since Sept. 6, 2011. Laurel is a sweet young female who was found wandering the streets of South L.A. She was dirty and skinny and had had pups recently. It was thought that she may have been used for breeding and then simply thrown away. She was found "just hanging around someone's workplace". She was happy to have someone pay attention to her and be nice to her. She made herself at home and was ready to stay. She is described as "very friendly" and "not happy" which is no big surprise. She is very people friendly and loyal and when taken into the playyard she preferred to stay with the people looking for attention and companionship. In her run she wiggled her bottom and wagged her tail whenever anyone stopped by to see her. She is a sweet, wonderful dog who needs a chance to live and to be loved.


She is available now at the West LA Shelter on Pico Blvd.

Babs A1079163 deserves a break!!!

FANTASTIC BABS!!

A#1079163

Life isn't fair!!!  Those words were never more true than they are for Babs, a 4 yr. old brown and white spayed Staffordshire Terrier.  Babs never bit anyone, she didn't run away, she didn't destroy the furniture, she didn't eat the cat. She was a great family member!  She was loyal and loving towards her family and other dogs.  She had her favorite toys to play with and she had a family who loved her. Life was good!

But life isn't always fair and the life that Babs loved came to an abrupt end in Sept. 2010 when Babs's owners lost their home.  They relinquished her to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter.  The people and home that she had loved so much were gone but Babs did not give up.  Dogs have amazing resilience. With tail wagging and a big smile on her face Babs greeted everyone who passed by her run.  

The weeks flew by.  People looked but no one stopped.  No one wanted her.  The end of her time at the shelter was fast approaching when after 6 months of waiting a miracle happened and she was adopted.  The story should have ended there but again as I said before "life is not fair."

In June 2011, Babs's new family moved. Apparently she did not fit into their plans so back to the shelter she came. The wait for a home started all over again.   

Since being at the shelter, Babs has become a valuable member of K9 Connection.  She is working with high-risk kids while she is  a shelter resident.

Babs in action at K9 Connection!

It is now October 2011 and Babs is still waiting.  For Babs, life indeed has not been fair.  She's a beautiful, smart, happy dog who loves to play and who loves people.  Even though she is not an aggressive dog, she has lunged at a few dogs during her K9 outings.  The K9 Connection staff who know Babs so well have commented that the stress from being in the shelter is taking its toll on Babs.  Their suggestion is that when she is adopted, a one dog house would be best for a "low level handler" but if adopted by an intermediate handler, they could handle this "kink" just fine.  They further believe that with a normal life, some rest, confidence and good handling this behavior would resolve quickly.

Please consider Babs as your new family member! She deserves a break!

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

HERE COMES CHARLIE, THE LOW RIDER!!!

A#1247525  ADOPTED!!!

Put together a yellow Labrador Retriever and a Basset Hound and what do you get???  You get Charlie!  Charlie was found as a stray on Sept. 5, 2011 and has been at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter since that date. He is about one year old and has been neutered.

Charlie makes you smile!  He has the face and body of a Lab and the legs of a Basset Hound.  He is a high energy dog whose greatest joy in life is to play with a ball or any toy that he can find.  Charlie loves people and he expresses himself like any other Lab. through his beautiful light brown eyes.  Charlie is the kind of dog that you look at twice to make sure that you really saw what you saw. He is an amazing dog.

Charlie is a strong dog and will need appropriate handling. He will also need some training to be the best dog he can be.  For example, when walking through the shelter Charlie does react to the other dogs who are barking and jumping as he passes by. It's hard to tell if he has real "issues" with other dogs or if it's the environment.  Shelter life is stressful for the dogs in so many ways.  However, Charlie is still young and has a lot of potential!

Please help Charlie find his forever home.  Not only is he a loving, people-oriented dog but he will be a source of conversation wherever he goes. He is quite a unique boy and he deserves a home of his own.  Please help Charlie, the low rider Lab/Basset Hound! -- Mirja Bishop

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Sweet Sui A0921322 wonders why...

Sui ID#A0921322

There's a sadness in Sui's brown eyes as she gazes at you through the bars of her run.  Sui is a 9 yr. old black brindle and white spayed Pit Bull Terrier. 

Sui remembers when she was at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter 3 years ago. She was adopted by a family and it was everyone's hope that this would be the forever home that she longed for. Unfortunately for Sui it did not turn out that way. She was returned to the shelter by her owners on August 4, 2011.  No reason was given. She didn't do anything wrong. Perhaps they just didn't want an older dog.  Sadly this happens much too often!

Sui is a sweet, gentle dog who walks well on leash.  She delights in playing in the plastic swimming pool that is set up in the yard.  She walks in it, sits in it and lies down in it.  It brings a smile to everyone's face as they watch her run around the yard with the energy of a young dog and then take a flying leap into the pool. The look of sheer joy on her face is hard to miss. 

Sui thought that she had her forever home but life dealt her a nasty blow and so here she is back at the shelter again, 3 yrs. older and probably 10 lbs. heavier. She's a good dog.  She was always a good dog.  She didn't do anything wrong.  She needs the love and commitment from a special person who will see what a truly special dog she is.

Please help Sui.  She needs a forever home for the remaining years of her life. She's a happy dog who loves life and will bring some lucky person great joy. -- Mirja Bishop

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Sandy (A1219443)

Here is the lovely Sandy in action. Isn't she the sweetest. She is available for adoption right now at the West LA Shelter.

"STARR" - BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL - A Happy Ending Tail!

I just had to post this one! My good friend and colleague Mirja who has been writing up most of the pleas for the dogs depicted on this site, wrote this one about Starr, a nice dog who was literally on death row at the shelter.  Starr was a great dog that just wasn't attracting any attention so her hours were now numbered.  Talk about drama!  When networking shelter dogs, we sometimes don't know what will happen until the last possible moment...

Starr

The original plea

Starr is a beautiful 4 yr. old spayed Korean Jindo who was found as a stray and who has called the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter her home since July 1, 2011.  Time is running out for this sweet girl with the lush, soft gold and tan coat.  

For reasons that are hard to understand she is largely ignored at the shelter.  She sits at the front of her run looking quietly at everyone who passes by.  She doesn't jump, she doesn't bark, she just sits and stares perhaps resigning herself to the fact that no one will ever want her and yet Starr is a sweet dog who deserves a home and the love of a special person.

Starr walks well on leash.  She knows her commands and sits, goes down and gives her paw without hesitation.  She has a gentle mouth and loves her treats.  She would rather be close to her person than chase a ball or run around but that could well be because shelter life has taken the spirit out of her.

Please help this special dog find her forever home before time runs out for her.  Please don't let her die at the shelter.

Addendum:  Whoever said miracles don't happen will change their mind when they read the ending to this story. After working on this story today Oct. 13, 2011,  I emailed K, my favorite A.C.T., at the shelter to ask her if she knew how Starr was with other dogs.  I was anxious to start networking her feeling fairly certain that her time at the shelter was almost up.  K emailed me back that a woman had come to the shelter today and was interested in Starr but wanted to check with her husband.  How often do people say they will come back and then never do?

K put a memo in the computer but then she learned that Starr was to be euthanized today!  Thanks to K's notice, Starr was  given until the end of the day.  If the people did not return today she would be euthanized.  But the stars aligned for Starr and they did return.  Starr was adopted!!!  Thank you K for making this miracle happen.  Without her intervention Starr would have been euthanized before the people could return.  Oh my goodness!!!! -- Mirja

I just love a happy ending. :-) Best of luck Starr!!!