These six puppies, each one named for members of the Brady Bunch, have taken wonderfully to their primary and secondary handlers (the prisoners) over the last few weeks.  Seeing how some of the prisoners have become emotionally connected with their puppies was incredibly moving.  After working with trainers like Nancy-Freedman Smith, the prisoners now know the basic skills needed to properly train a dog.  Likewise, the puppies have passed their AKC S.T.A.R. puppy test, and are now properly socialized and more than ready for adoption!  

As far as I know, the Brady Bunch puppies will be back at the ARL on Friday, ready and waiting to be adopted.  

Without further adieu, I give you Greater Portland’s rescue dogs.  Have a look and then get on over to the shelter to see how wonderful they are in person!

Taffy is a 10 year-old shih tzu mix who is an absolute sweetheart.  She had to wear a sweater when we went outside to play in the snow, it was just too cold for her! Gotta love that!

Abe is a 1 year-old corgi-beagle mix with beautiful markings and a fun, spunky spirit!  A woman who was interested in him came out with us to watch him play.  I was doing my best to try and highlight everything awesome about this dog!  Maybe she’ll come back for him… (!) 

I spoke with a friend yesterday who described one of my dog photographs as “soulful.”  After meeting and spending time with Queen, an 8 year-old pit bull mix, I believe she is certainly a soulful dog.  Plus, her ears are insanely cute!

Oh, Brutus!  I could have kicked the soccer ball with this 1 year-old bulldog mix all day long.  He has a total zest for life!  And that nose- way too cute!

No, this is not Abe- it’s his sister Winnie!  Just as spunky as her brother, but slightly faster, Winnie loved frolicking about in the snow!

Ever since photographing my friend’s dog, Hank, I have just had this certain fondness for any type of hound. When I heard Tutu, a 2 year-old redbone coon hound, howl in her cage, I was smitten.  She loved running about and digging in the snow.  It broke my heart to take this toy bone she found buried in the snow away from her when it was time to go back inside- see the second picture… What a sweetheart!

Orlo, a 2 year-old pit bull was another fun-loving, active pup!  When he lost interest in the soccer ball, he would come over and “check-in” with me, giving me kisses and high-fives (not really, but that’s what it kind of resembled…) Orlo shows his happy-go-lucky spirit in everything he does. 

I read this big guy’s name on his cage- Feisty- and thought to myself, “Oh, wow!  I’m totally in for it!”  Usually I take the dogs out by myself and I had no idea how I would handle a dog THIS BIG, named FEISTY, of all things.  Boy, was I wrong!  I meant to ask about the history behind his name, because Feisty is certainly anything but!  Oh, he was such a giant (literally!) sweetheart, who gave the biggest sighs when I scratched his ears. 

Brandi, the lab-mix puppy!  Oh this little bundle of joy certainly brought back memories of my Orvis when he was that size!  Who in the world doesn’t love a tiny black lab puppy?  

Benny, the 1-year old setter-retriever mix, has the most beautiful coat!  If I hadn’t gotten so hungry for lunch, I would have stayed for the entire afternoon to watch him hop, pounce and dig in the snow!

Remember, stop by the ARL to visit these amazing dogs in person- you will not regret it!

Lila is a Pit Bull/Lab mix who embodies a perfect combination of spunkiness and sweetness!  When you get down on her level, she will crawl all over you and give you lots of puppy kisses. 

Eddie is a 9 month-old Pointer mix who is totally ready to play!  Multiple times he crouched down, inviting me to play with him.  What I wouldn’t give to have Eddie play with Orvis for hours on end!

Pippy was also a fast, scrappy pup herself!  As a 1 year-old Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, she too was more than ready to get out and have some fun in the yard!

Gracie is a 10 year-old Retriever mix who is absolutely precious!  She certainly had no interest in the camera, but was more than happy to be scratched and rubbed.  Gracie happily curls up in a tiny ball when it’s time to go back into her pen- so cute! 

Who could not love a dog with the name, “Hamilton?”  A 5 year-old Boxer/St. Bernard mix, Hamilton is just looking for some love!  He’s very calm and will happily let you scratch his ears for hours. 

Dollar is a happy-go-lucky Pit Bull.  When Dollar gets excited his butt AND his tail both shake- it’s really too funny.  He’s a big fan of digging through the snow, but was semi-suspicious of the camera. 

What a fun German Shepherd!  Weaver was eager to get outside and explore.  Very attentive and in tune with what was going on around the shelter, you could tell Weaver is a smart one!

Please feel free to call the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland if you are interested in finding out more about these lovable animals- 207.854.9771.  Also, there are more dogs (and other fun animals!) available at their shelter.  The organization is good about keeping their website up to date, so please see if any of the available animals fit your wants/needs!

Nicky loves to run around and romp in the snow, but once he’s made her way around the yard a few times, he is content with being loved on for the rest of the afternoonElmo is a bit like his kennel neighbor, Nicky, but has a tad more energy.  He’s not shy and will love the opportunity to give you big, wet kisses!

Camera-shy, Dora, could dig, run, and play in the snow all day long!  And when you don’t have a giant camera in-hand, she is more than happy to be the recipient of your love. 

When I met Kai, I had visions of introducing him to Orvis and Michael . . . he is actually an Orvis with pointy ears. And a killer tugger and fetcher!

10 year-old Zoe, is as sweet as can be, and will gladly follow you around wherever you go, especially if you rub her ears. 

Matty must have eaten a camera in his time before coming to the shelter . . . he was surely hungry for mine!  No, Matty was an incredibly sweet dog with such a love for all things fun!

Malaka wasn’t too sure about the camera either, and when you put it down she would “shake” and let you rub on her.  Too precious!

Kia was also a tad bit camera-shy, but quickly overcame most of her fear when playing fetch.  She is super fast and would totally put Orvis to shame!

Please feel free to call the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland if you are interested in finding out more about these lovable animals- 207.854.9771.  Also, there are more dogs (and other fun animals!) available at their shelter.  The organization is good about keeping their website up to date, so please see if any of the available animals fit your wants/needs!