Hike With Nick

Hello world!

Meet Nick, an adorable and super-sweet hound mix available for adoption from the Animal Protection Society of Durham. This past weekend, we took a hike at Eno River State Park and Nick really impressed me with his overall demeanor and self-control. There are many adjectives to describe Mr. Nicholas (he just seems so distinguished sometimes). I'll hit them all in turn.

Something smells great! (Note: He's a bit skinny, but working on it!)

Self-Control

Nick is an almost-perfect walker. The only time he pulled on the leash was when he wanted to meet some kids or another dog. He walked calmly along side us on the trail, stopping to sniff occasionally (he is a hound, after all). I was also super impressed with Nick's car behavior. He seemed a bit nervous on the ride to the trail (it was a new environment), but quickly settled down for a snooze in my back seat. He never tried to get in the front of the car, and didn't make a peep during either trip in the car. Check out how relaxed he was in the car!

Such a calm passenger!

Sweetness

Rub my belly, Lady!

Grade A Snuggler

Nick is a super cuddler, and would make a great couch potato! He is pure sugar, and loves everyone. He especially loves his belly rubs, and rolls around on his back in pure bliss as you pet him. He really likes to snuggle, and also give kisses!

Mwah!

Smart
Nick already knows how to sit, and walks great on a leash. He's super food motivated, so he would definitely be a star in obedience class. He just wants to please you, and I'm sure he would love to learn some new tricks!

Perfect Form

Nom Nom Nom

Adorable

How can you resist this face? Nick is so cute, I could barely stand it! He always had a great doggie smile on his face, and is just so eager to please and make his humans happy!

He knows he's cute!

Nick would make an awesome pet for a person, couple, or family. He would be really easy to train, and promises to reward you for adopting him with kisses, cuddles, and silly antics! If you are interested in meeting Nick or any other APS dog, visit apsofdurham.org for more info, or stop by the shelter!

I'll be waiting for you!

Hike with Murray

Hiya!

Just when I thought the dogs at APS had reached peak awesomeness.... I met Murray, a border collie mix who is up for adoption! (And has the cutest ear combination: one up, one down) All of the volunteers and staff had glowing reviews of him, so I knew that our hike would be an enjoyable one. Murray didn't disappoint.

Playing in the Eno

Murray loved everything on our hike, especially the Eno River. I think if it was a bit warmer and he could convince me to go in further, he would have swam around all day :) He was just so excited to romp around in the water and get muddy. He was especially attentive to all of the sticks, birds, and other things around the river - check out his cute little pointer stance below.

Squirrel!

Speaking of the point stance - Murray is definitely a mixed breed. Border collie is the best guess, but he's pretty big for a border collie (he has the build of an athletic lab) and definitely isn't as furry as a border collie, or as hyper! No matter what is in his pedigree, he is one heck of a dog.

I'm detecting hints of pine and chipmunk

He loved to sniff around - he was very attentive to everything on the ground, but was quick to focus when I whistled or called to him. That is probably because the boy is a world-class snuggler. In fact, he is my favorite kind of snuggler: a leaner. He leans right into you with his body and melts into the ground to demand belly rubs. It is adorable.

Classic Doggy Leaner

Murray especially appreciated stopping to get some quality cuddle time in. He loves people, and makes sure that you know it!

Puppy smiles

 Murray was also pretty brave on the footbridge over the Eno. He was a bit timid at first about it, and on our first time over let me walk beforehand (what a gentleman!) and, with words of encouragement, followed behind me. He will definitely look to his future human(s) to give him guidance. He is super attentive and really just wants to please you!

 In terms of leash walking, Murray's a catch. He does pull at times, but mostly he just trots along a little bit ahead of you, stopping for a sniff or a quick drink from the river. He seems very smart and driven by praise, so it should be easy to get him into tip-top walking shape.

I took him on a quasi run before we got into the car and he did pretty well, although he did try to cut in front of me a few times (probably to get me to pet him). I think he'd make a good jogging partner for someone.

And speaking of the car, he was a breeze to drive around. On the way to the park he was a bit hyped up, but stayed in the back and did not bother the driver! He just looked out the window and enjoyed the view. On the drive home, he was tired and relaxed, and laid right down in my back seat for a quick nap. He was so comfy it was hard to get him out of the car to go back to the shelter!

Such a happy passenger!

I really hope that Murray finds his furever home soon! He gets overlooked at the shelter for some reason, and I can't understand why! He will definitely make a fantastic pet. He's a bit mellow, but also tons of fun. He would love a person to snuggle with, play with, and just hang out with, especially (I suspect) if swimming or splashing is involved. If you think you could be that person, please visit apsofdurham.org or stop by the shelter and ask to hang out with Murray!

I'll be waiting!

Hike with Dexter

Hi Friends!

This is Dexter. Dexter is a young pitbull who is available for adoption at APS of Durham. He is very much not like a more famous fictional Dexter ya'll might watch on TV. This past weekend I had the pleasure of going on a hike with Dexter, along with a few of my human companions. Perhaps the most endearing and adorable thing about Dexter is his love of laps - if you have a lap, he's going to try to fit on to it.

Excuse me sir, your lap is a tad bit too small!

Another really sweet (and rare) thing about Dexter is how much he loves - loves - men. I could just picture him sitting back with the dudes watching the Sunday game or playing a game of ball on a summer's evening. He was gracious and happy to meet every person on the trail, but he had a particular soft spot for the bros. While walking on the trail he was constantly trying to nuzzle the males' hands in hopes of a treat. We see a lot of dogs at APS who are afraid of men, so it was nice to see a dog that really loved some masculine energy.

He has the most gorgeous and soft coat!

While walking on the trail, Dexter showed off his exuberance and love of life. You can tell that he would love to have a human to go on adventures with, or runs, since he does have a lot of energy. He also needs a bit of help learning not to pull on the leash (see video below), but he is so very food motivated and eager to please that it won't be hard to teach him the dos and don'ts of leash walking.

He is quite the gentleman when it comes to taking treats, and sits as pretty as a picture for as long as it will take to get some noms. He also is a fan of leaping in the air if you throw a treat - he isn't coordinated enough to catch it, but he sure does try to take flight in his attempt.

Such a gentle boy

I tried to get him to play around in the Eno River, but he wasn't having it - he either isn't that into water, or thought I was nuts because it was so cold and I wanted him to get in the water! Dexter would probably be up for anything that involves playing with you, or cuddling. He definitely loves to cuddle. He also loves to sniff around... he acts a little bit like a beagle in that regard (but less stubborn!).

Get in the water? Are you crazy?!

The cutest thing of all? On the way home, he fell asleep curled up on a lap and started snoring. I only wish I had audio. This boy deserves a loving home!

If you are looking for an active young dog who will love to do just about anything you want, check out Dexter at http://www.apsofdurham.org/dexter-2/ or stop by the animal shelter to say hello!

I'll be patiently waiting for you!

Hiking with Samantha

I'm a Leonberger mix!

Today I had the pleasure of taking Samantha, a pretty Leonberger mix, to Eno River State Park for a hike. Samantha has all of the markings of a Leonberger, but she is much smaller - she's a little bit bigger (and stouter) than a collie. I'm not just saying this because we share the same name - this dog is awesome. She has the perfect combination of playfulness and love that would make her a great companion for an active person or family.

Dog is my co-pilot

As you can see from the photo above, she needs a little work on her car manners, but she learns fast! Once she knew that the backseat was her place, she settled down, looked out the window, and enjoyed the ride.

Sitting nicely in her "place" in the backseat

Once we were on our hike, she showed off her leash walking skills - she walks calmly but at a quick pace, and only pulled when we saw a squirrel or another dog. According to the behavioral evaluation done on her at APS, she likes other dogs but needs some socialization to be the perfect canine buddy. She did make a new friend though, while playing in the river. Look at her playing with her new cocker spaniel friend!

Be my friend!

Samantha was even great with the small kid that was also playing in the river - she basically just left her alone and didn't try to chase her at all. We spent quite a lot of time playing in the river, and she loved it. Check out the video of her playing below.

There is also a video of her walking down the trail, to show off her awesome leash walking skills.

Another great thing about Samantha is how gentle she is, and how much she wants praise for doing good. She takes treats very nicely, and loves to sit if there is even a hint of a treat or a cuddle on offer. She will be a great dog to train because she is so attentive!

She has the most gorgeous, hypnotic eyes.

Why yes, I would love a treat.

Slurrrrp... Check out that tongue action.

Samantha is also very athletic and adventurous. We found a cool little cabin in the woods to check out. Shortly after taking the picture below, we were walking around the house and she decided it was a great idea to leap out the window. Good thing she was on a long leash and I'm not prone to heart attacks!

Checking out the sights.

She wasn't even scared of the rickety cable bridge over the river!

If you are looking for an affectionate and playful dog to add to your pack, Samantha is the one for you! She would be a good agility dog or hiking partner and will follow you on whatever adventures (water involved or otherwise) that you want to take her on!

I'll be at the shelter, looking out for my furever family!

If you are interested in adopting Samantha or any other APS dog, visit apsofdurham.org for more info, or leave a comment with questions.

Hiking with Martha

Beautiful Ms. Martha

This past Sunday I took Martha, a cute pit bull, for a hike at Eno River State Park. The day was dreary and a bit rainy, but we had tons of fun! I was a little hesitant at first to take her out for the day, because in the kennel she was a ball of energy (so much so that I thought other volunteers must be lying about what a great walker she is). Once she was on the leash and out of the kennel though, she really shined - in fact, the word that describes her best is zen. This dog is such a lady on the leash! She never pulls, just saunters along next to you, occasionally stopping to give something a good sniff.

Once we were in the car, I steeled myself for any rambunctious behavior that would distract me from driving, but she settled right down on the seat and didn't bother me once. Look at what a little lady she is in the car:

"Hey Girl! Shouldn't you be paying attention to the road?!"

She loved sticking her head out the window - the girl knows a great opportunity for a sniff when she sees one!

Once at Eno River State Park, we headed off for a hike by the river. Martha was very calm on the leash and polite to the hikers we saw - if she sensed any hesitance on their part, she would very quietly lay down and wait for them to pass. The only complaint I had was that she walked a little too calmly, but that's really my problem (I have a fast walk) and less her problem. In other words, she was a dream... Just check out the video of her leash manners below (and the perfect "sit" at the end)!!

`

After walking for awhile and taking in the sights, we stopped for a brief respite on a bridge over a creek. While sitting, Martha showed off her cuddle skills, as well as her playfulness. Although the shelter estimates that she is between 2 and 3 years old, she definitely still has a bit of puppy in her. She is just really really good at keeping it under wraps until it is time to play. She has perfected the art of the head nuzzle that so many pits seem to do - you really can't ignore that head!

"Hey Human Beans! Shouldn't there be less water-watching and more puppy petting?"

She can be a little bit mouthy, but she's working on it - she just wants to play!

Martha kept up on about 4 miles of hiking. She met a new dog friend and didn't get antsy when he started barking at her. In fact, she was quite polite. I would urge anyone who visits at the shelter with her to ask to take her on a walk and to the pen for some playtime - she really will shine! It may take her a little bit to warm up to you (she was a teeny bit skittish when we first began our hike, due to the combination of new people and new surroundings), but she handles her shyness well and perks up very quickly!

There's no place like Durham!

If you are looking for the perfect combination of calm and playful to add to your pack, Martha is your gal and she will reward your companionship with face-licks, goofy antics, and zen energy.

"I'll be waiting for you to fall in love with me!"

For more information about Martha and all of the other shelter pets, visit the Animal Protection Society website or leave a comment for me!