[Ella'sMom]

Ok looking at this entire thread has made me want to go down to my local shelter and adopt a dog. I mean I really want to. I will never ever "buy" a dog again. I have tears in my eyes and wish I could take all of them into my home. Your photography is beautiful and veryyy moving.

[Dakota Spirit]

Originally Posted by digits mama

*****jumping up and down****** Yeay Dakota! Sell em girl get them babies some happy homes!

Thanks again for the support! I’ll do my best and hopefully something good’ll come out if it.

Originally Posted by Equest94

I agree. You have a very good eye for photography and those pictures really present the dogs nicely. I recommend that your shelter uses your talent for their ads.

Same with my dog Sabina. We got on he from a local SPCA. We would search online first to see who was adoptable and then decide if we should go check them out. Her picture was absolutely hideous! We passed her by online, but when we went to pay a visit we saw her and she was a beautiful and well built dog. Needless to say I fell inlove with her. lol

SPCA picture:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...002732-1-x.jpg

What she actual looks like:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...82007_0917.jpg

Thanks Equest. Yeah, while the lady was showing me how to work the program she used a new picture for one of the dog’s profiles. I was appalled at the how quality, badly angled image. You could barely even tell what the dog looked like!

Originally Posted by Ella'sMom

Ok looking at this entire thread has made me want to go down to my local shelter and adopt a dog. I mean I really want to. I will never ever "buy" a dog again. I have tears in my eyes and wish I could take all of them into my home. Your photography is beautiful and veryyy moving.

Thank you very much Ella. I’m glad that some of the emotion I feel while working there comes across in my pictures. I’ve had several other volunteers and workers ask me why I am always taking pictures. I just tell them that it makes the dogs more real for me – they have an identity that I won’t be able to forget, having proof in picture form. I think sometime shelter workers can become hardened and forget that this isn’t just a mass of dogs, but individual animals and beings. Photography helps me keep a grasp of that.


I took a TON of shots tonight – but as always here is a little sampling for now. The rest shall come later .

Names from left to right - Sampson (my buddy ), Bonny, Kramer, and Fiona.

[chul3l3ies1126]

Lovely... they are all so beautiful. Do you have any background info on them? Why and how they got there? Temperments? Also, if you don't mind me asking all these questions, how do you go about knowing when they are adoptable? Do they go through temperment testings, foster homes?

I have been wondering about all this ever since I started following this wonderful pic thread of yours. They all look so great, I would just love to know where they end up. Thanx DSpirit...
Nessa - Guera

[Max'sHuman]

You take beautiful pictures and looking at this thread is making me melt inside a little bit. I want to know what happens to these dogs too, because the pictures seem to tell a story about them...

[SammyDog]

Im sorry but it hard to find a decent shot on petfinder now. Most of the pictures are with there eyes closed with eye boogers and some slobber hanging from there mouth..

[Dakota Spirit]

Originally Posted by chul3l3ies1126

Lovely... they are all so beautiful. Do you have any background info on them? Why and how they got there? Temperaments? Also, if you don't mind me asking all these questions, how do you go about knowing when they are adoptable? Do they go through temperment testings, foster homes?

I have been wondering about all this ever since I started following this wonderful pic thread of yours. They all look so great, I would just love to know where they end up. Thanx DSpirit...
Nessa - Guera

I don't mind at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I'll go through this is sections, if that’s all right.

Sampson - LOVELY boy. Came into us as an owner surrender (they had no time...). He has basically no leash manners and can get pretty rowdy, but all in all is a very sweet boy. Loves to get pets and attention, just basically loves life. Sampson has been with us for about 2 months now and just recently found a foster home to take him in. He's estimated to be about 20 months old.

Bonny - I don't personally know Bonny yet as she is a new resident. Came in as a stray and is currently serving her 3 days in 'stray wait' just in case someone does come in looking for her. She was already spayed when we got her so maybe there is hope that someone is out there missing their dog. Bonnie was estimated to be about 8 years old. From what I've seen thus far she is a pretty sweet tempered little girl

Kramer - Same sort of deal as with Bonny. I unfortunately haven't gotten a chance to know him as of yet but he appears to be pretty easy going. He's estimated to be about 2 years old and is a very wise kind of spirit.

Fiona - I've spent quite a bit of time with this girl and her sister (Bridgett) over the last few weeks. It’s been interesting to watch their personalities develop in a kennel environment. Both girls came in very shy, very submissive, and just generally overwhelmed. Then as a week or so passed they seemed to catch their footing and develop into more confident dogs. When we took the two out for a walk Fiona took to barking at a man some ways off standing by his truck - it was a surprise as we'd never heard a peep out of her! These past few days Bridgett has definitely developed into the dominate one. She generally keeps Fiona out of the front of the kennel (with growls and such) but it’s being working on it. Fiona has a very nice personality, absolutely LOVES attention. The first time I met her she climbed her big body right up into my lap! She and her sister are estimated at around 7 months old - and they both have a spark of that puppy energy and naughtiness that occasionally likes to come out.

As far as temperament testing goes - we do test all dogs before they are considered for adoption. I wouldn't call out test first rate and there are things I disagree with, but it’s a start and with a change in directors we are working towards improving out entire program. We also work with a lot of the breed rescues in out area. Not only do they have more experience with the breed but they have more time to work with individual dogs as well as do though background checks when adopting animals out. We are the biggest shelter in my state and take in many animals each day. Our animals do not have a set time of staying there, however. Like we don't have the old "You have one week to get adopted" policy. All of the dogs/other pets are kept as long as possible. We aren’t perfect, but I'm pretty happy with the shelter. For an open access organization - we're doing pretty well.


Thank you Max! I appreciate it very much.

Sammy - Yeah, there are some pretty bad ones on Petfinder as well. It doesn't really project a good image for those dogs.

Few more -

Unfortunately only one of these dogs has a name at the moment. That would be Tux - 2nd picture from the left.

If you're looking at the last picture and wondering what's off about it - it’s probably his left eye that is throwing you for a loop. That lovely APBT has a 'parti eye' (half brown, half blue) that adds an interesting characteristic to his face.

[sillylilykitty]

Still love seeing the pictures Dakota, you are a great photographer. Thanks for telling about the dogs personalities!

[Dakota Spirit]

Thanks very much Silly . No problem!

[chul3l3ies1126]

Thanks so much Dakotah S. It means alot. Hope to be hearing about this new beautiful batch soon when you have the time. They are all beautiful. I'm so curious about the "twin" yellow labs, and the one to the right of the labs looks so fluffy and cuddley. Oh, if only we could have them all. thanks again...
nessa - guera

[Dakota Spirit]

Well, at the moment I am only familiar with little Tux. The others are on stray wait/haven't had their behavior assessments so I haven't been able to work with them. I'll see on Monday though, and possibly post up their information then.

As for Tux: He's about 6 years old and listed as a Basset Hound/Chow mix (believe it or not ). Whomever decides the breeds for the shelter really isn't very good at it - but he does have a very basset like body with the coat (and I assume blue tongue - I swear they see that and automatically jump to Chow) of a Chow Chow. He's a really really sweet boy. We bathed him just the other day and he was an angel in the tub and with the hairdryer. My dream dog! Seriously...with all the crazies I end up washing its nice to take a break and get a sweet old man once in awhile ^^. I believe we got Tux as a stray though he appears well taken care of. People in my area (and most others I would assume) aren’t above dumping animals around the shelter OR better yet, bring in their dogs in bad conditions with the excuse that it was a stray. We won't dwell on that though, at least Tux is getting a new beginning!

Few more:

Names - Grace (adopted!), no name yet, Blue Eyes (original, no?), and Benji

[Inga]

Is no name a girl or boy? If a boy I think Theodor Which means "Gift from God" and if it is a female... Annelien which means "God favor" Either way a pit needs a blessed name. They are under loved and over feared. Look at the soul in that beautiful dogs eyes. I hope you have good placement rates with all of them. I just know first hand which breeds have the better and which have the worst chances of good homes and happy futures.

[Dakota Spirit]

Originally Posted by Inga

Is no name a girl or boy? If a boy I think Theodor Which means "Gift from God" and if it is a female... Annelien which means "God favor" Either way a pit needs a blessed name. They are under loved and over feared. Look at the soul in that beautiful dogs eyes. I hope you have good placement rates with all of them. I just know first hand which breeds have the better and which have the worst chances of good homes and happy futures.

Boy . I really like your ideas though...nice names like that suit the breed anyhow.

Actually...up until recently we weren't able to adopt out Pits . Our old director was very closed minded as far as growth in the programs went. Sooo, for awhile we had a sort of back door operation going. We'd work with APBT rescues to take our dogs, or other shelters that COULD adopt them out.

Recently though, at the last volunteer dinner it was announced (by the NEW director) that we are breaking in a new program for these dogs. They are going to try to get at least two out a month (it’s not a lot I know, but coming from 0...that’s 24 dogs that won't die) + whatever other dogs we can get off into other organizations and rescues. Background checks/Temp. Tests/etc. will be involved. I have high hopes that this is only the beginning.

[Inga]

Wonderful! As much as I love the breed I do understand the position of Shelters that are afraid of the liability of putting some of these dogs back out on the streets. Mostly because of the "type" of people that come to adopt them. We were always able to pick people out as they came through the door as to what dogs they would ask about. Sadly, it was with great accuracy. Does your shelter do any background checks on people? Vet references or anything? Ours no longer does. As I have mentioned there are a huge amount of unhappy people since this new Director here. I have seen dogs adopted from there showing up at homes during my rescue project. Some have already died at the hands of these homes and they have been allowed to adopt from there again. This man no longer has a Do NOT ADOPT list. He claims that to the best of his knowledge he has never adopted an animal to a bad home. I wish I could take the body of a dog that starved to death and lay it on his desk and say... "Can you see it now?" I know I would be arrested. It is not worth it. It is the saddest thing in the world of animal care when the people in the positions to do something for the animals care only about money. It seems that it is happening more and more. I am so happy your new Director has a positive outlook!

[Dakota Spirit]

-nods- I don't think I've have very few people ask me about the Pits that weren't the stereotypical folks you'd expect. At those times, I was almost glad they would never get their hands on an APBT from our shelter.

We 'sorta' do background checks in that the new perspective owners have to fill out all their current vet info/landlords/past pets, that sort of deal. There is of course, the possibility of lies but with the amount of people that think we just hand out dogs for free - I don't think it crosses their mind that they may be rejected for something. I wish we could do more extensive checks, but the shelter is so understaffed. As far as the Pits go though, I think the program will be stepped up for their new homes. Back when we had to get the dogs out through other means one of the volunteers would go and do house checks for the dogs. I imagine she will continue the same - she's a die hard APBT advocate.

Ugh, I remember reading about your new director. That is just the worst situation - the person in power screwing everything up. I'm glad there are people like you involved though, maybe with enough support you guys can turn that shelter back around.

[Dakota Spirit]

Alrighty, I still have a ton of pictures to share (both new and old) but I wanted this particular one to be on its own. The reason why being that this dog displays EXACTLY why all shelter workers do what they do - why they are compelled to go in and deal with the irate owners day after day. I'm not an overly emotional person, but this picture holds a lot of meaning for me. Perhaps more so then any other photograph I've taken.

He's just skin and bones, but still retains that sweet personality. No viciousness, no growling - granted he WAS a bit weary of me...but still curious. Still willing.

Warning now - the picture really isn't overly graphic but I understand some people just can't deal with that sort of thing. If that’s the case, I'd advise skipping this one.

[Inga]

DS, Once again, I appreciate the dogs eyes. Sadly, I see that all the time and I am always amazed at how wonderful the dogs temperaments are. We came upon a mama dog that had had puppies frozen dead puppies. She was skin and bones and one eye was so damaged she was blind out of it. She smelled so bad of infection. We took her. The dog had probably never been in a car before, we were all strangers and there was some loud talking with angry tones (once in the car and away from the home) She was the most loving, gentle dog. People might not be so forgiving in the same situation. I can't wait to see some more of your photos.

[digits mama]

Hopefully on to a better life. What a beautiful dog. Your right, the eyes can tell you everything.

[Chicalen1]

This is Trixie I got her today she is almost 2 years old and is a sweetie.



Amanda

[digits mama]

A SUCCESS STORY! YeaY Chicalen!

[Dakota Spirit]

Inga - You are so right. Its amazing how some of these dogs still come through with trusting personalities. Sometimes I wonder if they really do understand that certain people are helping rather then hurting them.

digit - I hope so too. Though I think anything will be better then his pervious life.

Chi - Thanks for rescuing. She is a lovely girl .

And, since I'm really behind on picture posting, I've gonna have to flood a few posts I think. I'm sure you won't mind

Names from left to right:

No name (adopted!), Howie, no name (adopted!), Sarah, Blue Eyes, no name, Stella, and Val.

Heh...and no. I didn't choose the name 'Blue Eyes' for that dog.