NEED A DOG?
W
hen you’re looking to adopt a
dog, you’re probably thinking
of a sweet, quiet dog that comes
right up to the cage and gives
you those big puppy eyes that
plead “take me home!”
But the shelter environment
isn’t necessarily conducive to
that, says Sasha Elliott, Green-
hill Humane Society’s commu-
nication and events manager.
She says Greenhill’s design, built in the ’50s, is outdated,
meaning the kennels are “all facing each other, which can
be extremely stressful for dogs that don’t know each other.”
This can mean that certain dogs may not share their
personalities very well in the shelter environment, making
them less attractive to potential adopters. That, and a
number of other factors, can lead to a dog’s spending a
very long time at the shelter before finding a forever home.
Take Tank, for example. This pit bull is 78 pounds of
love, and he’s been at Greenhill since November 2016.
He’s potty trained, nine years young, and loves short
walks and lounging in the sun while chewing tennis balls.
It’s his second stay there, Elliott says, because his first
adoptive family had to take him back due to unforeseen
circumstances.
In all, Tank has spent more than 500 days with
Greenhill, waiting for someone to adopt him.
When it comes to adopting animals, Elliott says there’s
a strong bias towards adopting younger dogs. Tank’s
medical issues (he has some allergies that require a few
medications) also make him less desirable in the eyes of
many adopters.
And there’s this: “For Tank we are looking for a family
where he would be the only animal. He has shown some
reactivity with dogs and has a bad history with cats.”
All these circumstances make Tank a tough sell. His
size and breed may be a factor as well. “I know there are
some rental agencies around town that have a size limit,”
Elliott says.
Many companies also refuse tenants with dogs of certain
breeds. Campus Connections Property Management, for
example, doesn’t allow pure breeds or mixes of Rottweiler,
German shepherd, Akita, pit bull or chow, according to
their pet policy.
So there are all sorts of barriers set up to stop Tank
from being adopted. But what’s it like to actually live with
him and love him?
Tim and Christina Bennett, his most recent foster
family, say he’s a star.
The Bennetts have fostered 20 dogs in the three years
they’ve worked with Greenhill, and Tank is high up among
their favorites. “He’s a sweetie, he really is,” Christina
says. “I hope someone picks him up. He doesn’t have any
bad behaviors, doesn’t jump up, doesn’t chew things up.”
Tim thinks he hasn’t been adopted because of his age,
but says Tank is young at heart. As for the ideal owner for
Tank, Tim describes that person as “someone like a young
professional who doesn’t have a lot of time to walk a dog
three miles. I mean, he only needs a half mile.”
Christina adds, “Anyone who doesn’t want to spend a
lot of time entertaining your dog, Tank is the dog. But he’s
very affectionate and wants to be with you.”
Not able to adopt right at the moment? Christina says
everyone should consider fostering. It fits their lifestyle
after retirement, she says. “We decided we wanted to travel
more, so I said we should foster. When we’re in town we
Tim
Verkler
Celebrating 20 years in Real Estate
1997-2017
Former Home Builder
“Tim was a pleasure to work with. Highest Recommendation!”
“We couldn’t be more pleased…”
“If you want an experienced and professional expert…”
Cell - 541-554-0910
timverkler@gmail.com
WWW.EUGENEPROPERTIES.NET
Consider taking in a hard-to-
adopt dog like Tank
BY KELLY KENOYER
can have a dog, and when we’re out of town we don’t have
a dog.” Greenhill provides all the supplies necessary for
caring for an animal, and all you supply is the love and the
occasional behavior report, Christina adds.
Tim agrees. “I kind of have a philosophy where I can
adopt one dog and help one dog, or I can foster dogs and
help a lot of dogs.”
If you’re looking to adopt, consider asking the shelter
staff this question: Who has been here the longest? You
might just find a gem. ■
Interested in adopting or fostering for Greenhill? Go to green-hill.org to
see adoptable animals, apply to volunteer, donate and more.
TANK
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eugeneweekly.com • July 27, 2017
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