BELVEDERE
Shih Tzu/Poodle Mix
I was once a lonely dog, spending most of my day in a kennel. My owner did love me, but just was a very busy person. He decided that it was best that I have an opportunity to find a new home. He tried to find someone to take me, but no one stepped up to the plate. He then felt it best to take me to the Durham County Animal Shelter.
Someone changed my name to Troy. I liked it pretty well. I had a pretty good time there, barking, chatting and making lots of friends in the runs near me. I really liked it when someone would take me for a walk.
Lots of people would come by each day and look at me and then walk away. But this one special day, I saw this Mommy person and little boy person walking down the corridor. I was so excited. Maybe they would stop and see me! The little boy came running up to my door. He knelt down to see me and I showed off by putting my backside up in the air and my face down near my paws (trying to look as cute and playful as possible). It was love at first sight! I was very sad when they walked away, but to my surprise, they wanted to play with me in the visiting room. I had so much fun, running from lap to lap and kissing them all over!
The next day they were here again, this time with another big boy! Oh, I was soo excited? Perhaps this will be my new family. All sorts of things were happening, I got a special check up with the nice doggie doctor, and then something not so nice happened- I went to sleep and the next thing I woke up pretty sore. I sure had a hard time lifting my leg to tinkle. I am still wondering what that was all about.
Later that day, someone came and took me from my run and there was my family! They were all so excited to see me and I was so excited to see them! I am going home! When I first got to my new home, I was a little nervous and paced a bit here and there. But now, I am living the live I dreamed of! I can play fetch with a tennis ball and even catch it in the air! I sleep on a warm soft bed with the big boy person and I have lots of good food and water all of the time! I like to show off by walking on my back legs, I go for runs with my Mommy person and I love to snuggle with anyone on the sofa.
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BUDDY
Border Collie Mix
I would like to introduce to you my buddy, Buddy. I am nominating Buddy as the 2009 Spokesdog because I think he exemplifies all the best characteristics of man's "best friend." He is friendly, loyal, gentle, playful, loves other dogs and people, and, true to the expression, he makes me want to be the person he thinks I am.
Buddy is about 7 years old and is a border collie/springer spaniel mix but I suspect that there is a slightly larger breed dog somewhere on Buddy's family tree. He loves to play with other dogs and a trip to the dog park is one of his favorite outings. While there, he likes to romp with his canine pals and run. And he loves to herd! (It's the border collie in him.)
Like so many dogs, Buddy is a former resident of the APS of Durham shelter. I first saw Buddy in January 2007 at the shelter and he stole my heart. Within the first 90 seconds of our get-acquainted meeting, he rolled over for a belly rub. I quickly learned that this is one of his favorite things.
He came home with me on March 1, 2007 and I consider myself to have gotten the better end of the deal. Thanks to Buddy, I have met neighbors and dogs, and made new friends. He is my best friend, personal trainer, and confidant. I am one lucky gal!
Buddy passed his Canine Good Citizenship test and we will begin Therapy Dog training this weekend. As a therapy dog, I think Buddy will enjoy helping children with reading and visiting residents in assisted living facilities.
I know Buddy would like me to thank the APS of Durham for the training opportunity it made available with our adoption. Buddy and I benefited from Sharon's gentle instruction. Also on his behalf, a big "hello and thank you!" to all of Buddy's canine and human friends and family.
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JENNA
Lab/Pit Bull Mix
Hi, my name is Jenna but you can call me Bean for short. I was adopted by my fantastic mom in August of 2006 from the Durham Animal Shelter. Despite my love of shredding Kleenex, I believe I am the APS dog of the year for ten very important reasons.
10.) I love all my canine friends. In fact, when I am at the dog park, it is my first priority to "kiss" all my friends (well in human terms lick them in the mouth) upon my arrival.
9.) I represent all of the pit bulls in the world and I therefore am not a fan of a certain football player.
8.) I spend my evenings sitting on the couch intently watching all of my heroes on the T.V. show Animal Cops. If I see an animal being mistreated, I do a head tilt because I just don't understand.
7.) My trade mark move with my paw called "it's all good" is a stellar move that I have perfected when working hard for treats. The move also works out quite well when I have been a little naughty and I want to make sure my mom knows that everything is "all good" so I need not get in trouble.
6.) The "magic C" shape that I sleep in keeps my mom warm and safe at night.
5.) I frequently duel vacuum cleaners in hopes of preventing them from scaring any of my aforementioned canine friends.
4.) I am a phenomenal watch dog at night. If any critter including rabbits, dogs, or flies has the nerve to come in my backyard, I will stare at them intently with one paw held in the air.
3.) I get my daily exercise by chasing moths out of my house and doing the running deer hop.
2.) Due to my Scooby Doo looks, I am extremely photogenic. In fact, I think I would look fantastic on posters and billboards.
1.) Lastly, I am just gosh darn adorable and I know my mom and best buddy Bailey could not live without me!
So pretty, pretty please give your vote to me.
Love,
Jenna "Bean" Miller
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NILLA
Beagle Mix
Nilla is a loyal and loving pet who would be a fantastic Spokesdog for the 2009 Animal Walk. Nilla is special because of her humble beginnings. She and her siblings were found on the side of Guess Road in North Durham when they were small puppies. North Paw Animal Hospital rescued them and cared for them until they were healthy enough to be adopted. Nilla and her siblings were the cutest Beagle mix puppies that I had ever seen, so my husband and I decided to surprise our children with one of the puppies. Three years later we still adore our smart, good-natured "Nilla wafer!"
Nilla is also special because she is very intelligent. Her tricks include sitting, sitting up, and waiting patiently for the command to eat her treats and meals. She also goes to bed when we tell her that it's time! When she looks at you with those big brown eyes, that extreme overbite and the "V" shape on her forehead, you know that the wheels are turning in that little head! She seems to be saying "Thank you for adopting me!"
The final reason that Nilla is so special is that she is a part of our family. We all love her and take turns taking her for walks in our neighborhood. She is sweet, loyal, loving, and gentle. We're proud to call our amazing pet, "Nilla Hill." I'm sure that the city of Durham and the Animal Protection Society would be very proud to have Nilla as a Spokesdog for the Animal Walk, 2009. Nilla would be very happy to help raise money for the animal shelter so that other pets can also have opportunities to find good, loving homes. Nilla is blessed to be a part of our family, but we are also blessed to have her!
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ROXI
Chihuahua/Papillon Mix
Roxi should be the Spokesdog for the Animal Protection Society (APS) of Durham because she was she adopted from the APS of Durham, adores people, is good with cats and dogs, and garners attention, thus begging the question "where did you get her?" In addition, she has already done some unofficial Spokesdog work for the APS.
Roxi, a Chihuahua-Papillon mix, was surrendered to the APS of Durham in July, 2008. She was just 6 months old. By the time she was released for adoption, at least three families wanted her. The APS of Durham operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, so I arrived at the shelter a few hours early to secure my place in line. Roxi was well worth the wait!
This sweet, fawn-like dog adores people. Roxi will greet them with an enthusiastic wag of her fluffy, donut-shaped tail. She loves to snuggle into people's arms and is delighted when children pick her up. Roxi behaves well with cats and dogs. She gets along with our other dog and greets friendly ones that she meets on walks. Roxi has a natural instinct to be polite around cats (she lives with two). She will sniff them, but keep a respectful distance if they are nervous.
Out little dog garners attention with her charming personality and pretty, trillium-shaped face. She has intelligent golden-brown eyes and fur the color of milk and chocolate. Her white snout is topped off with a nose resembling a dollop of caramel. The attention she gets often sparks complementary comments or conversations that lead to the question "where did you get her?"
In conclusion, Roxi would make an excellent Spokesdog for the APS. She represents a successful dog adoption and gets noticed by the public for her personality and adorable looks. She does well with cats and dogs and has experience promoting the APS. When people ask the question "where did you get her?" I am always proud to say "the Animal Protection Society of Durham!"
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