Featured Adoptable Dog: Jasmine!

Our volunteer and foster mom Julie sent us some useful information about her new foster dog, Jasmine!

Jasmine is a 65 pound St.Bernard mix who is estimated to be about 8 years old.  She has a beautiful face that beams love toward everyone she meets. Her deep, soulful eyes definitely have a way of pulling people in, and once she has them, she showers them with love.

TAGS rescued Jasmine from a shelter in Shelby, Tennessee. Apparently Jasmine was a stray before being at the shelter, but I feel like Jasmine is way too well behaved to have been a stray. I believe she was betrayed by her family and left behind for no reason, and I can only assume that her family regrets that decision. She is a perfect dog.

Jasmine is a social dog, amazing with anyone who wants to pet her and give her attention. If you so much as indicate that a tummy rub could be in her future, she will be on her back in a heartbeat. Even if you're just standing there with your hands by your side, you can expect Jasmine's head to nudge you for a few head scratches. But as much as she loves people, she  also loves other dogs and often wants to play.

She's adorable upside down and right-side up! 

More than anything else, Jasmine loves to hang out with you and make you happy. Since beginning her stay with us, she has learned how to go up and down the stairs, just to be with us. I’m so proud of her for wanting to learn, and her motivation is very endearing.

Jasmine is fully house trained and walks very well on a leash. She sits and listens well, and is classy like her name suggests! I would love to see Jasmine adopted by a family who has kids and another dog for Jasmine to play with. She is very young at heart and I believe she will continue to age well with youthful energy around her. However, because she is so easy going, calm and gentle, she could probably be happy in any home! But...she is a big girl so a roomy home might be nice!

Scrub-a-dub-dub, Jasmine's in the tub!
(at Clarington Dog Wash)

I really cannot say enough good things about this dog. She is a gentle , sweet, loving dog that wants to be loved forever. She really is a treasure and deserves a wonderful forever home of her very own!

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Since Jasmine is over the age of 7, she is considered to be a senior.
Therefore, her adoption fee has been reduced!
The regular adoption fee is $345 but the cost to adopt Jasmine is half of that!

Interested in adopting Jasmine or one of our other special seniors? 

Check out her bio and submit an adoption application online! You will be glad you did. 

In the Defence of Quincy

Last Saturday, I had my monthly PetSmart shift. I was at the Whitby location with another volunteer and two adoptable dogs, Colt and Quincy.

As usual, the dogs are what attracted customers over to the TAGS booth. Then, we humans took over, answering questions about the pets up for adoption, the adoption process and our need for more foster homes. It was a pretty standard shift, complete with lots of doggy eye-candy (I love seeing all of the different dogs and their owners walk through the door!)

Tell me there isn't some teddy bear in there. 

But this time, in addition to answering the standard questions, I spent a fair bit of my four hour shift defending Quincy, a 10-year old Bichon Frise/Mini Poodle mix who from some angles looks like he could also be mixed with teddy bear. Why would I feel the need to defend such a cutie? Well, Quincy no longer has any of his teeth, and as a result he shakes/rotates his head often and plays with his tongue. It's almost as if his tongue falls out of his mouth, and he tries to get it back in. I suppose at first glance, it is a bit distracting and "weird." I happen to find it very endearing, and found myself imagining that he was listening to a song no one else could hear and couldn't help but head bang along with it.

Nevertheless, I felt like Quincy was repeatedly, and unfairly, judged for this quality and this quality alone. It is normal for people to have questions, and of course, that is what we are there for, to answer questions about the adoptable pets. However, I felt like I rarely got the chance to talk about Quincy's good qualities so I wanted to share them now.

Quincy's qualities
Quincy is a normal dog who will make a fantastic pet when he finds his forever home. Yes, Quincy is a senior, but you would never know it if the lack of teeth didn't give it away. He enjoys playing with his foster siblings and has a youthful personality. When I took him for a pee break outside, he was peppy and eager to sniff everything - even though it was cold and wet outside.

Despite being unable to defend himself, Quincy is polite and well-trained. He let other dogs approach him, and politely approached other dogs in return when we were out for our walk break. While he was exhibiting signs of nervousness in his crate (in the form of adorable squeaking noises) he didn't bark even once during the whole shift. He only seemed to do the tongue thing when he was in the crate or otherwise unoccupied: if distracted by a walk or a toy, you'd never know that he has such a habit.

Quincy showing off his (lack of) pearly whites. 

Where did his teeth go? 
When Quincy was found, he was wandering around a busy street. He was in very rough shape and all of his teeth were rotten and infected right into his gums, which was undoubtedly painful. The decision was made that he would be better off having them all removed. This was back in the summer, and Quincy has been doing great ever since. He doesn't seem to miss his teeth at all and is healthier for it.

(What) does he eat?

A common question I received on Saturday regarding Quincy was, funnily enough, not "what does he eat?" but instead, "Does he eat?" which I found to be quite amusing. Of course he eats! Quincy requires a diet of soft food and even then, it needs to be cut up into very small pieces. It's definitely more work than simply pouring kibble into a bowl. And sometimes Quincy gets bored of soft food, so his foster mom gives him small pieces of kibble that she has soaked in warm water. Putting the mixture through a blender is also a good idea to ensure that he will get his proper nutrients.

                                                                              

A Final Plea

I understand that it can be daunting to take on an animal with special needs, but I can assure you after spending some time with this guy that the pros outweigh the cons. I hope you will give Quincy, and other dogs you meet who may be a bit "different," a chance to be welcomed into your home. I believe without a doubt that Quincy would make a great pet. I hope he finds his forever home soon, where he can settle in and peacefully spend the rest of his days, head shakes and all. 

Featured Adoptable Dog: Bessie

Our volunteer & foster mom Annetta sent us some useful information about her new foster dog, Bessie.

Bessie’s a doll! Very, very sweet. She’s going to make an amazing pet for some lucky family.

Bessie is a sweetheart

Walking & Obedience

She’s already figured out walking on lead. She runs to us when called, and we’re working on sit/stay and house training. There have been only a couple of accidents in the house,  which is great considering she just came here and she's still a puppy.

She LOVES to play, play, play (what puppy doesn’t?) and is a toy fanatic. I picked up a large rhino stuffy (half her size), and she carries it all over the place. We’re working on teaching her what is okay to grab and drag around the house or yard and what she should leave alone.

Crate Training

We’re going through the normal crate training stuff—lots of barking and howling when she goes in at night. She's still not wanting to go completely in when her meals are put in there.

Bessie is an exuberant barker when she plays, so I have a bark collar (beep and vibration) on her when she gets too noisy, and she's a major counter surfer (bark collar works for that, too!).

She's an absolute doll of a pup—a sweet, exuberant, yet cuddly girl who loves playing with other dogs and people. She will definitely need  a family who has the time to give her lots of exercise, playtime, and love, love, love!

Featured Adoptable Dog: Izzy

Izzy arrived at The Animal Guardian Society in February from a Port Perry pound. We don't know much about her background from before that. All we know is that this long-legged puppy was very shy at first. She was intimidated by everyone except her foster mom. Eventually, she came out of her shell, showing her sweet, goofy side.

Izzy's Hobbies

Izzy at PetSmart, looking for adopters

Izzy is easily amused. Her elation at finding in her backyard a water bottle with a little bit of water in it was immeasurable. She was rolling it, biting it, then rolling it again—for about two hours! In the end, she went back in the house, exhausted like a kid after a big playdate. She also considers it her duty to carry big tree branches in her mouth during her walks.

The beagle in her is definitely apparent, as she likes to chase squirrels. And due to Izzy's long legs, paired with a high energy level, her foster mom says that Izzy would be very talented at agility if her new owners decided to try that.

Walks

Izzy sometimes pulls on her walks but is showing improvement every time, thanks to her foster mom's tireless efforts.

Friends

Sweet baby girl sleeping.

Izzy loves other dogs and is becoming more and more social with them. She goes up to other dogs during her walks to get to know them. She also has experience with cats, and she doesn't mind them at all. Izzy is very popular among children, and she lets them overload her with love like a cool pop star. We would still recommend that she be in a family with older kids due to her jumping habits.

And speaking of that, Izzy loves to jump! She could jump over a four-foot fence without any problem. If you are interested in Izzy, you must have a fence that is maybe even higher than five feet and secure at the bottom, too. 

While she is a wonderful, lovable dog, Izzy has a little baggage, too. She still sometimes barks at men, but she is friendly toward men she already knows. She also suffers from separation anxiety, but as soon as she gets into her crate, she relaxes. The person who accepts both Izzy's goofy, fun side and her troubles will surely have a remarkable relationship with a loyal companion. 

"Okay. Now where is my dinner?"

Overall, her foster mom recommends that Izzy would do best in

... a physically active household

... a home with a high fence

... a home with another dog

If you think Izzy may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so you can meet her! More details about her can be found on our website.

If you want to see more photos of Izzy, click here to explore our Pinterest or Instagram photos!

Adopt Izzy!

Featured Adoptable Dog: Tucker

Tucker is a fun-loving, active dog who is always up for some playtime. He's been looking for a new home for a year now. Originally, TAGS rescued him from a high-kill shelter in Kentucky. He's an interesting mix—many people see spaniel, English springer spaniel, Australian shepherd or even Rottweiler in him. Tucker will make sure you won't forget him, not just by using his natural good looks but by showing off his goofy behaviour, as well. You just can't say no to him!

Tucker's Hobbies

Tucker's favourite pleasure is to play with and roll around in the garbage bags in the backyard. As much as his foster parents disapprove of this behaviour, Tucker always finds a way to sneak out to enjoy a session of filth and fun. That's what he calls it, as far as we know.

He has many toys, as well, that he likes to play with. Tucker is also a big fan of cuddling on the couch, where he can be close to people.

Tricks

He can "sit" and "lie down," and he is now learning to "stay."

Tucker gnawing on a bone.

Walks

He is getting very good at walking with the Gentle Leader. 

Friends

Tucker LOVES to be with people because he enjoys all the attention he can get. He gets along with other dogs well; however, sometimes he needs a little reminder about manners. Tucker likes children, but we would recommend he be in a home with older children, as he might accidentally knock the little ones down with his exuberance. 

Tucker is so handsome!

He doesn't particularly like thunder and lightning and usually hides somewhere until the storm goes away or wears a Thundershirt to help with his anxiety. 

Tucker loves to lie with his hind legs behind him, which his foster parents call "the rug." Overall, Tucker is a very active dog (but he has settled a bit lately) who requires a family that can put some time in with him and enforces clear rules and boundaries.

Tucker doing "the rug."

If you think Tucker may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so you can meet him! More details about him can be found on our website.
 

Tucker is a beautiful mix of several breeds.

Featured Adoptable Dog: Chaco

Chaco is a sweet giant with lots of love to give. He's been waiting for a forever home for nearly three years. He was found as a stray in Kentucky and was then placed in a pound. He was on death row when TAGS heard about him and rescued him. He knows that Canada will be the place where he will finally find a family who loves him unconditionally. 

Chaco's Hobbies

Chaco is the kind of dog who is quiet in the house when nothing is happening but will get super-excited if he detects that there is something going on. He likes to play with stuffed animals, squeaky toys and balls.

I want to play!

Tricks

Chaco knows how to "sit" and "stay."

Walks

An enthusiastic boy, Chaco tends to pull when on a walk, but his foster mom is working on his training him with a Gentle Leader. 

Friends

It's sunny!

Chaco is picky when it comes to choosing his buddies. He doesn't like busy, crowded dog parks, and he can be dominant with dogs that he doesn't yet know. But he does get along well with his foster siblings, Josie and Diesel.

His foster mom recommends for him a home with no other dogs, cats or small kids (ages 14+ would be preferable). As a high-energy dog, Chaco would be happiest as part of an active family. Please give Chaco a chance! He's got many wonderful qualities, but he often gets overlooked because of his fur colour (read more about black dog syndrome here) or his size.

If you think Chaco may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so you can meet him! More details about him can be found on our website.



      

Featured Adoptable Dog: Max

When meeting Max, most people have to fight their urge to take him home and cuddle him all day. I myself was wondering if he'd just escaped from Build-a-Bear. He's been in the TAGS program since February. His current family had to make a hard decision to surrender him. They wanted the best for him, as they realized that they won't be able to take care of him anymore, due to unexpected family troubles.

Max sees a potential "petting assistant" in every person who approaches him. He will lick your hand, wag his tail and melt your heart. Not necessarily in that order! And after each petting session, he expects a cookie. You can't blame him—if you are good at something, you should never do it for free. And he is mighty good at being your teddy bear that came to life!

Max's Hobbies

He likes to chew on ropes or sticks and is used to roaming free in a big backyard. His favourite treats are apples and carrots. 

Tricks

He knows how to "sit" and "wait," and he'll do these with extra eagerness if you have a treat at hand.

Walks

He walks well on a leash. He's a medium- to high-energy dog, so the more you can exercise with him, the better he will feel. 

Friends

He gets excited when meeting new dogs, and he gets along with all of them, thanks to his calm and friendly nature. Max is always trying to win cats' hearts, but they don't appreciate his efforts at playing. Max is also very good with children. 

Overall, he is a laid-back dog who will be happiest if you give him some belly rubs, treats and a nice walk outside. In exchange, he will always be there for you to cheer you up just by being cute and fluffy!

That's the spot!

He was falling asleep from all the rubbings!

If you think Max may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet him at our dog park! More details about him can be found on our website.

Featured Adoptable Dog: Boomer

Boomer doesn't mind the snow.

Never Lose Anything Again

Are you sometimes forgetful? You don't remember where you left your keys or wallet? We have an excellent candidate for keeping things in order for you: Boomer! Boomer believes that once you've touched something and left it in a different spot than usual, he has to make it his personal assignment to bring it back to you a.s.a.p. Just remember to close the lid on the laundry bin because with Boomer around, your clothes may never get to the washing machine!

Boomer came into TAGS care a year and a half ago from a Kentucky pound (just like Dixie, our January dog). We think that this handsome fellow had to spend his days as a guard dog before he was found him and put in the pound. Miraculously, he didn't end up having food- or toy-guarding issues; all he has is a little suspicion when meeting strangers. He will quickly overcome this feeling, though, once he realizes that you're one of the "good guys." In fact, if you know that you'll be meeting Boomer, don't even bother washing your face that morning. He will do it for you. He won't even be ashamed of cleaning your ears, nose or mouth. What can I say? He's a perfectionist!

In view of these qualities, he considers himself somewhat of a polymath who has already mastered "the boomerang skill" and cleaning skills and also has significant experience in interior design. He might change the order of the pillows on your couch so that it's more comfortable (for him to sit on, that is).

C'mon, throw it already!

Boomer's Hobbies

Boomer's energy level is medium to high, so he'll definitely appreciate a nice, tiring afternoon at the dog park, chasing the ball (remember, he's a retrieving champion). He won't put up a fight if another dog gets to the ball first but will stay alert and grab the ball the minute the other dog drops it.

Tricks

Boomer knows the basics like "sit" or "paw." He won't mind a treat here and there, either. If you adopt him, the adoption fee will include an eight-week follow-up workshop, in which you can both learn more. Once you have gained Boomer's trust, he is all about you and really just appreciates any attention you give him.

Walks

Yes, that's the spot!

He walks nicely even without the Gentle Leader. At the beginning of a walk, he might pull a little bit out of excitement, but he will quickly adapt to your pace after that. 

Friends

Boomer is quite the ladies' man! He prefers the company of female dogs but doesn't mind males, either. He used to have some issues with fellow alpha males, but ever since one of our volunteers, Nick Iordanis, started training and socializing him, his dominance issues have been quickly fading away. It all comes down to his suspicion of anyone he doesn't know. He was probably an abandoned guard dog who is, in fact, now eager to learn proper social skills to fit in.

We recommend that Boomer go into a cat- and child-free environment so that he'll be able to get your full attention—although he views older children as people who could possibly throw his ball, and anyone who can do that for him he will love forever.

Boomer is all played out!

If you think Boomer may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet him at our dog park!
Click on the icon below to like Boomer on Facebook: 

Watch Boomer fetching the ball in this video:

Featured Adoptable Dog: Dixie

Dixie is up for adoption!

Dixie is a beautiful 1.5-year-old Labrador retriever mix. She came into The Animal Guardian Society's care a year ago from a Kentucky pound when she was only a puppy. 

Her arrival to Canada was adventurous! We laugh at this story now, but it wasn't so hilarious when it happened. She has always been a shy girl who doesn't trust people right away. Her travel from the States must have been frightening for her, because when the volunteers arrived at the dog park with her, she ran away the minute she found out that her collar was not tight enough! If you've been to our dog park, you probably know that there is a huge, open field behind it. That's where she ran, and she wouldn't come out to the calls of our volunteers (her having a new name made it even harder!). It was late at night and everybody was afraid that she would meet coyotes out there and get attacked. 

Dixie with former TAGS dog, Dusty.

For three days, we couldn't catch her, but our TAGS volunteers always made sure she had enough food and water by the fence. The other reason she stayed close to the area was Bart, another TAGS dog, who she made friends with. Our volunteers decided to put food out for Dixie that was "enhanced" with some Gravol, in the hope of making her drowsy enough to finally be caught. It was a great plan, except that Bart somehow managed to reach it and eat the whole thing by himself. He passed out right away! Eventually, an animal trap and a whole chicken was used to catch Dixie, and ever since, she's been safe and sound at her foster home!

She is still a timid dog, so you'll need some time to get close to her, but once she warms up, you'll see what a lovable dog she is.

Dixie's Hobbies

Dixie is not the biggest fan of the ball but likes to run after it if another dog is chasing it. She is social and active with other dogs. If the pack is up to something mischievous, count Dixie in!

Dixie trivia: She has extra dew claws on her rear legs!

Also, she would never miss an opportunity to show the local squirrels who is boss!

Tricks

She knows how to sit and stay and come when called. She is crate-trained as well. Dixie is an easily trainable dog, despite not being food driven. When she wants your attention, she will put her paw on your knee.

Walks

The gentle leader is the best choice for Dixie's daily walks so that she won't escape the collar like the furry little Houdini she was on her first day. She needs her walks at least twice a day, but spending some time at the dog park will tire her out the most.

Friends

She is very friendly with every dog she meets. Due to her good-natured personality, other dogs like her right away, too. She also gets along with cats. 

Dixie is very social—here with her foster sister.

  

If you think you'd like Dixie, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet her at our dog park!

When she meets a new dog, she likes to sniff from behind first. 

Like Dixie on Facebook!

Featured Dog: Azriel

Dogs come to TAGS from local shelters, shelters in the U.S., and owners who can no longer keep their dog. Azriel and her brother and sister were rescued by TAGS in September from a shelter in Kentucky. Due to the large animal overpopulation problem in the U.S. and space constraints in the shelters, nearly 50% of shelter animals are euthanized there each year. Azriel and her siblings were saved just in the nick of time from becoming part of this dismal statistic.  

Before: Azriel, her brother and sister in their Kentucky shelter

Though scared and skin-and-bones at first, these pups were at regular weight in no time with some good food and love from their TAGS foster parents. In the months since their journey from Kentucky, Azriel's siblings have been placed into a loving forever home (adopted together), leaving Azriel, the last of the sibling trio, still among our adoptables.

Now: Azriel

Azriel, or Zee-Zee, is a real sweetheart of a pup. She is smart and playful, looking up to her humans to follow their requests as closely as possible. She is still a young dog, and as such, she has been responding quickly to basic obedience training and is very eager to learn. While she is happy to receive treats, a pat on the head is just as effective a "treat" for Zee-Zee.  

Azriel doing one of her favourite things—getting treats

She is well socialized with other dogs and shy around cats. Although she is sometimes timid in new environments, she quickly adapts and is soon asking for cuddles and pets. A very gentle dog, Azriel walks well on her leash and is great in the car. She loves people, dogs, playtime and car rides—in other words, all things "dog." 

Want more info on Azriel? Check out a short video about her and her favourite things:

Does Azriel sound like a perfect fit for your family? If so, fill out an adoption application and contact us in order to get your adoption process started.