Rescuing dogs on the Olympic Peninsula since 2001

SPRING 2021 • WAGSEQUIMWA.COM • 360-460 -6258

Symbiotic Relationship: A Special Boy with Special Needs WAG’s Dog Training For years WAG has worked Program at CBCC to rescue abused, neglect- ed, and surrendered dogs. Since March of 2020 when the stay-at-home Volunteers work diligently order was administered for Washington to rehabilitate and socialize State, the doors were closed to all these dogs, showing them volunteers at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center (CBCC). Before the pandemic, love, and preparing them WAG went to the prison weekly to teach to move on to their forever and certify CBCC participants to train dogs home. Of course, we think and cats. It was a huge challenge to figure of all of these dogs as being out how to continue this important work very special. during this pandemic. But once in a while a truly Fortunately, we have a wonderful DOC employee, Tanja Cain, who has been “special” dog comes to us. coordinating and overseeing our program Or more specifically, a dog for years. She continues to supervise the with special needs. We have training and development of the dog and worked with dogs who have cat trainers. We will be forever grateful damaged or missing legs, hearing loss, heart conditions and many more for her commitment to keeping the programs going! serious medical conditions. We recently received great news that two Please meet Markey, one of those truly special dogs: he is a three year old, of our previous CBCC dog trainers were hundred pound Mastiff mix who is smart, loving, a huge cuddlebug, and released and now have dog training jobs in totally blind from birth. He was saved from a house fire and taken to a home the Seattle area. One of our trainers stated where he couldn’t stay. He came to WAG in January and has stolen everyone’s that the test he took to be accepted as a heart. Although he loves to bound around like a big puppy, he was recently trainer at this facility was easier than the diagnosed with a hip issue, so volunteers provide exercise in a safe way. tests we gave at CBCC. He was very thankful for the training he received from us, which It is amazing to watch him maneuver the play areas and his room. He gave him the ability to obtain a job that he seems to have a “radar” that can alert him to obstacles. He responds to the is passionate about. word “easy” as he gets close to something he may bump into He is also learning You may ask yourself “WAG does cats, voice recognition to “come” when called as well as “with me,” a way of having too?” Well, not exactly but we do partner him stay close and follow his person. He’s really catching on; he loves praise with Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR), and that piece of hot dog or cheese as a reward works wonders, too. located in Jefferson County, for the prison cat training program. CVAR supplies the Markey is waiting for a patient, loving home willing to give him the assistance cats, as well as their food, litter, harnesses, he needs to have a happy life. His adoptive family will get so much in return. toys and treats. They also handle the adop- He has a lot of love to give in a big, cuddly way. While not technically a lap tions. However, WAG handles a good dog, try telling that to him! portion of the transportation to and from All of us at WAG thank you for your ongoing support making it possible to the prison. Both dog and cat programs truly accomplish our mission of helping dogs, including those with special are a win-win for everyone involved. We are anxious to get back out to CBCC and needs, find their story’s happy ending. continue with this amazing program. For more information on Markey please see our website, www.wagseqiumwa.com, Facebook page, or Petfinder.

Ziva the Diva The past 5 months have been such an work from home during this time, so adventure with our Ziva girl. My hus- we have spent every single day in her band Adam and I feel incredibly lucky presence since adopting her. This has to have adopted such a loving little fluff been really great for bonding. She’s in the middle of a pandemic. She truly never far from my feet, and loves to was the highlight of our 2020, and has make cameos on video calls. turned our daily routine upside down! Ziva came to us with a lot of social Now that we have her, we can’t imagine anxiety and it took a long time for us a life without her. to gain her love and trust. We worked She quickly earned the nickname with a private trainer most of the fall “Ziva the Diva” due to her big person- who specializes in huskies, and this ality and talkative disposition—she’ll has helped overcome many challeng- let you know if you’re not doing what es. We’re still working on “stay” (she she wants in a timely manner! I’m only seems to know how to “go”) but confident she understands everything she knows quite a wide range of com- I’m saying by the look in her eyes, but mands now and really enjoys walking she’s less likely to act on a command if on a leash! There’s a coffee shop near she’s not in the mood. It’s a good thing our home where Ziva is a regular and she’s cute. I still can’t convince her the waits patiently for her treat. look forward to all the memories we groomer is a good thing. We thank WAG for taking such good will make with her by our side. My husband and I are fortunate to care of her before she came to us and –Adam, Krista and Ziva The Diva Loved but Neglected Dogs have a Bright Future Caleb, pictured right, is a 9-year-old Northwest Farm Terrier. When his owner passed away the family called WAG for help. Of course, we jumped into the WAG Wagon and drove to the rescue. When the family walked Caleb out to us, he looked like he was in pain and smelled horrific. He was almost bald and his skin was hot to the touch. We took him to Pacific Northwest Vet Hospital where Dr. Allen was able to examine him and care for his conditions with multiple antibiotics and anti-fungal medications. Caleb was able to go into a foster home immediately where he is thriving and improving slowly. Our second story is of six terrier/chihuahua/miniature pincher mixes. The owner’s health had declined, eventually leading to hospitalization. The family was unable to care for the dogs and contacted us. Dr. Dowell, from Dr. Pats Petcare in Forks, was able to transport them to Port Angeles for us to pick up. The condition of these dogs is heartbreaking. Sara and Coco are obese. In fact, Coco is barely able to walk and will have months of rehabili- tation and weight loss ahead of her. Sara will need surgery on her knees. Both dogs will be going to Jennifer Paul at Swim Doggie Swim for therapy. Tango, Chloe, Daisy and Cricket are all overweight and have started their diet and exercise regimes. We continue to urge you to check on older family members and neighbors who love their pets but may be neglecting their needs.

Holiday “Giving Trees” Help WAG Dogs

Paco (bottom) came to us in 2018 along with another dog named Lucy from the same home. Lucy was quickly adopted, she is a cute and fluffy. Paco is a 10 year old chihuahua with strong opinions on who he would tolerate and who he would not. Those that got to know and love Paco truly loved him. Many people said that he would never be adopted, his attitude was cranky in their eyes. WAG believes there is a home for every dog, we just need to be patient. This past Deb Bemm (left) along with Barb Brabant who is holding Markey (see cover story) accept a generous winter one of our emergency team volunteers fell head check from Cynthia Linden (center) inside her store, over heals in love and the feeling was mutual. With happy Best Friend Nutrition–The Natural Pet Market. tears we sent Paco to a lovely big forever home. He now has a big brother named Drake and a little sister named WAG received an outpouring of support for their annual Daisy (former WAG dog) and wonderful parents that let Holiday “Giving Trees” placed throughout the community him sleep under the covers. in December. The trees were decorated with handmade ornaments with a picture of a WAG dog on the front, and the dog’s wish list on the back. A donor could Dexter’s Recovery choose a favorite WAG dog, buy one of the items listed, Back in October 2020, we and bring the item and ornament to one of several received an emergency call drop-off locations. about a young shepherd pup- The trees were decorated with handmade ornaments py with a severely broken leg. and placed at Sound Community Bank, Kitsap Bank, We immediately fired up the and 1st Security Bank, both in Sequim and Port Angeles WAG Wagon and drove to branches. Best Friends Nutrition —Natural Pet Market, pick him up. Oh my what Sequim Middle School and Linda Allen’s children’s class at a big puppy! We were told Sequim Martial Arts School also collected items. Before by the owners that it was long brightly packaged gifts began to stack up: Dog toys, unknown how he broke his chew toys, treats, blankets, and more, all packaged with leg. Luckily we were able to love were spread beneath the trees. get him emergency orthope- “The response was heartwarming,” said WAG president, dic surgery at Blue Mountain Barb Brabant. “We are so grateful to our community for Animal Clinic with Dr. Wagnon who said it was a difficult their generous support, especially in this difficult year. surgery. Dexter has had a long road to recovery, and it’s They have given us carloads of toys, treats and wonderful been hard to keep a young energetic shepherd entertained. needed supplies that will last us well into the new year.” Fortunately, we made it to the finish line and Meagan, In addition to the Giving Trees, Quality Inn of Sequim with The Collared Scholar, is working on his training and Continued on back page preparing him for his forever home. WAG Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Welfare for Animals Guild PAID P.O. Box 3966 Olympic Mailing In Loving Sequim, WA 98382 Services Memory ECRWSS

Postal Customer

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Rosie, the girl everyone knew and loved. Rosie came to WAG in 2014 and a few days later she delivered 10 beautiful puppies. She was the most special girl. Her right front leg was atrophied from an untreated injury she sustained as a youngster but she never let it hold her back. She ran through life on her 3 good legs with joy and zest, always happy to see her people and dog friends. She never missed a chance for a belly rub! She was the star of WAG “Meet & Greet” events where everyone came to see Rosie–the ambassador for rescued dogs. She loved her car rides and getting treats from the drive- WITH GRATITUDE throughs around town. She loved her walks at Pioneer Park and WE ARE LIVING IN A CRAZY TIME DUE TO COVID 19 her neighborhood in Gardiner. It never occurred to her that she — it almost feels like an alternate reality! was disabled, a lesson we all can learn from a wise dog. She was But the Halfway Home Ranch and WAG operations diagnosed with Stage-4 lymphoma on New Years Eve and crossed have continued, almost without a hitch, and that is due over Rainbow Bridge on January 21, surrounded by people who to the volunteers who continue the daily operations at the Ranch. The skeleton crew loved her dearly. In those in-between weeks we cherished every has been amazing and such a joy to work with. minute of time with her, taking in all the wonderful things about Even if you are not able to work at the Ranch right now, her to hold close in memory. That is the legacy she leaves with I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting us: Make every minute count. WAG in all the ways that you do including — Chris & Terry Clark-Parks donating money and supplies, keeping us in your positive thoughts, promoting WAG’s mission Holiday Trees continued in the community, sharing our social media posts, making those lovely tags for the holiday Giving Trees – we are conducted a toy drive and donated a generous portion of the grateful for it all. proceeds to WAG. Best Friend Nutrition– Natural Pet Market This organization would not exist if it were not also donated a double helping of holiday funds to the WAG cause. for all of you. WAG would like to acknowledge and say a big thank you to We truly appreciate every single WAG volunteer and I know everyone who contributed to this amazing holiday event including that all of the dogs we care for do, too! the hosts of the Giving Trees, and all the generous people of – Andrea Marsden, Volunteer Coordinator Sequim, Port Angeles, and surrounding communities who support us during the holidays and throughout the year. You keep WAG WAG Board of Directors going strong! Barb Brabant, President • Deb Bemm, Vice President Paula Creasey, Secretary • Chris Clark, Treasurer Directors: Joy Brown, Nancy Mclaughlin, Nell Clausen, Linda James, Kathy Schock, Judy Stirton Since 2001 there have been nearly Mel Marshall, Ranch Manager ([email protected]) Claudia Carter, Administrative Assistant 2000 WAG adoptions and we’re proud to Andrea Marsden, Volunteer Coordinator, ([email protected]) report that over 80 dogs have been 360-460-6258 Newsletter design: adopted during this Covid-19 crisis! follow the dogs! Sheila McCann