Category Archives: Vancouver SPCA
Posted by
Anny Chih on April 30, 2008 at 8:27 pm.
Before volunteering at the SPCA I thought that the only way you could tell one dog from another (if they were the same breed) was their colour patterns. I was wrong. If you put Dre, and a bunch of other Rottweilers in a line-up I could probably point out which one was Dre. How? Well, one way is just to look at their faces. Dre has a very curious look to him as if he’s seeing everything for the first time. The second way is just to look for the dog with the odd taste for grass and bird droppings. Yes, Dre is an oddball!
Dre’s hobbies include long walks on the green, burying his nose in dirt only to sneeze several times consecutively, and chewing on the odd blade of grass that satisfies his very acute sense of taste. Among his favourite foods are crusted bird droppings on street curbs and styrofoam. I’m sure he also likes regular dog food and doggie treats but I guess when you’re out and about you’ll take what you can get your paws on!
Although his taste for edible (and sometimes not so edible) foods may be unpredictable at times, Dre himself is beyond predictable. You can expect him to want to play with any dog that comes within 2 meters and run for any ball that falls within his line of vision. He doesn’t always know why you’re pulling him away from a piece of garbage you’re afraid he’s going to digest next so he’ll lie down in a silent protest. This isn’t a bad thing though because when he’s set his mind to protesting he forgets about whatever else was on his mind and then he’ll forget why he was protesting in the first place and continue following your direction all in a matter of 30 seconds or so.
Dre also loves to lie on your foot or against your leg and enjoys both the company and any tummy rubs that he can get. Some dogs lie on their side for tummy rubs and others give you a full frontal while using your toes as a headrest. Dre is of the latter breed. He is absolutely adorable albeit a tad daft but I’m willing to chalk that up to his lack of life experience – he’s still a puppy at 9 months.
Picture courtesy of Vancouver SPCA: www.spca.bc.ca
Posted by
Anny Chih on April 30, 2008 at 8:22 pm.
The Vancouver SPCA received a small handful of poodle miniature crosses this week. I got to walk one of them yesterday. His name is Astro.
Astro is just over a year old and light enough to carry with one arm but big enough to give a proper hug. Admittedly, Astro isn’t much of a walker. He’s more of a play in the backyard, watch the wheels go round and round (John Lennon reference) kind of dog. We got one block down before he began getting anxious about getting back to his kennel. Maybe he thought the other pups would take his chew toy? Who knows…
Astro does get excited when he thinks it’s time for play, wagging his tail in a typical doggy way and jumping up to the door when you come close so it’s not as if he’s anti-social. He just has some security issues so he needs someone who’s patient and willing to show him the ropes one block at a time. Astro would be a perfect match for someone who likes slow leisurely walks and has a porch where he can fully utilize his exceptional observational skills. He practiced by staring down every car that went by yesterday. 
Picture courtesy of Vancouver SPCA: www.spca.bc.ca
Posted by
Anny Chih on April 30, 2008 at 8:16 pm.
It’s strange to think that there are people out there who are afraid of Rottweilers. I’ve found that of all the dogs I’ve walked at the SPCA and even of all the dogs I’ve met in my life, Rottweilers are by far the sweetest, most obedient and cuddly breed! Today I got to walk Ginger, a 7 year old female Rottweiler who was found in a park as a stray. We walked for about 2 hours at a nice quick walking pace but I think she got tired towards the end. Either that or she knew that if we stopped she’d get more cuddles and tummy rubs! At one point when I said we should go (she was still lying down looking at me with the “I’m so loveable, please pet me some more” look), she pawed and rolled around until she and I got tangled in the leash and she nearly got me on the ground while she was happily trotting around my legs and rubbing her slobbery cheeks on my gloves. I do hope that she gets adopted soon because it would be such a shame to let any of that cuddliness go to waste!
(written for Dabbler.ca on Wednesday, April 23, 2008)
Picture courtesy of Vancouver SPCA: www.spca.bc.ca
Before volunteering at the SPCA I thought that the only way you could tell one dog from another (if they were the same breed) was their colour patterns. I was wrong. If you put Dre, and a bunch of other Rottweilers in a line-up I could probably point out which one was Dre. How? Well, one way is just to look at their faces. Dre has a very curious look to him as if he’s seeing everything for the first time. The second way is just to look for the dog with the odd taste for grass and bird droppings. Yes, Dre is an oddball!
