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Today’s column features several adoptable dogs at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.  These dogs are long term shelter residents.  They are also great dogs with wonderful personalities who deserve to be adopted into loving forever homes. 

Imagine spending months on end in the confines of an animal shelter.  MCAS is one of the good ones, and their employees and volunteers work their butts off to care for the animals.  But at the end of the day, it’s still a shelter.  These dogs spend almost all their time locked in small indoor runs.  Outside play time depends on volunteers, so they may not get outside every day, and when they do, it’s usually only for fifteen minutes or so.  Their diet is somewhat irregular, because most of the food is donated, and thus what they eat can change from day to day.

It is mentally and physically hard on these dogs to spend long periods of time in a shelter environment.  So let’s get them OUT.

First there is Hershey. His ID number is A163773.

It is incomprehensible to me that Hershey didn’t get snapped up right away.  He is a beautiful chocolate Labrador Retriever, with the kind eyes and happy expression that characterizes the best of his breed.  I think many people see the gray on his muzzle and write him off as old.

He isn’t.  This is a dog in the prime of his life, with years of love and play ahead of him.  At about four years old, he is old enough to be past that demented lab puppy phase (if you’ve had a young lab, you know what I mean) and young enough to still have that boundless Labrador energy.  He is very social, and loves toys.  (It should be noted that he does not love cats.)

Now meet May. A158339.

My best guess is that May has some Doberman or greyhound in her background; she has that streamlined body shape.  May is, in adoption terminology, “middle aged”. What that means in the real world is that she’s around five or six years old.  Like Hershey, she is graying on the muzzle, but don’t let that fool you.  Darker coated dogs often gray early, and she also has some brindle markings that contribute to the graying look.  May is a lively girl who loves to play.  One of her more charming characteristics is that while she’s playing, periodically she runs over to check in with the humans.  She is a dog who wants human interaction and approval.

And then there’s Shelby Grace. A164890.

Shelby Grace is about five years old.  She’s a sweet dispositioned shepherd mix who loves people and gets along well with other dogs.  She is housebroken, and prefers to be an indoor dog.  She has had puppies in the not too distant past, and she deserves so much better than the life she’s had until now.  She has one of the kindest faces you’ll ever see.  Shelby Grace might be a little shy at first, but she warms up quickly.  She has the kind of personality that will bond to her person and be deeply loyal.  All she wants in return is love.

And finally, Joy. A156372.

I snuck Joy in just because she’s Hershey’s kennel buddy.  She’s only about a year old, and basically she’s a happy girl with plenty of playful energy.  She seems able to get along with other dogs easily.  Look at her pose for the camera!

MCAS is on highway 242, just east of Interstate 45, on the north side of the road.  (You’ll have to go past them and do a u-turn.)  You can also call them at 936-442-7738, but it’s a better idea to go see the animals in person.

Readers, I’m asking you to do me a favor.

Crosspost this column far and wide so that these dogs will be seen by lots of people.  Somewhere out there, each of them has a home waiting.  Let’s help them find their people!