Loki's Journey to a Forever Home

Loki, in July of this year, looking much healthier and happier than 5 months earlier.

Hello! My name is Loki. People say that I am a very handsome German Shepherd. We shepherds are a good-looking breed, but it’s true that I do stand out.

In February of 2023, I arrived at Blue Mountain Humane Society. While German Shepherds have both beauty and brains, genetics can deal us some health problems. In my case, a defect in my pancreas leaves me unable to digest my food. I enjoyed a happy puppyhood, but when I grew up, I began to lose weight no matter how much I was given to eat. My family became concerned and took me to the veterinarian, who recognized what I needed and prescribed special food and a medication that would replace what my pancreas could not produce. My family loved me, and they struggled to provide the veterinary care, expensive food, and dietary supplements that I needed. Eventually they were overwhelmed, and on a very tough day, I came into the care of Blue Mountain Humane Society.

I was not at my best in my early days at BMHS. I varied between feeling ravenous and feeling nauseated. I became severely dehydrated and needed fluids injected intravenously. In short, I was a mess, and I felt it. But everybody was kind and patient, and in time the humans were able to get me to where the special food and digestive supplements I needed could be kept down long enough that I could take on some nutrition. I gradually developed the energy to get up, move around a bit, and even go for short walks.

The animal care team at the shelter works very hard to provide the best care for every animal who arrives here. Recognizing that I would mend faster in a consistent home environment than amidst the hurley-burley of a busy shelter, they turned to the foster volunteer network, who open their homes and hearts to animals who are ill, injured, or too young to be safe at the shelter. The foster volunteer program is managed by Jolee Corr, the kind and capable person who provides the information and supplies they need to succeed.

A few months after coming to BMHS, Loki, while still underweight, was stablizing and improving.

As it happened, I had already made friends with Joe King, who comes to the shelter most days to make sure we dogs get daily exercise and playtime. Joe saw me struggling one day to stand up, and asked if I would like to come live with his family for a while. I thought that was a fine idea. Once Jolee felt I was stable enough to leave the shelter, Joe consulted with the other canines in his pack, who sniffed me out and gave their approval. With everyone in agreement, Joe lifted me into his truck, and I was taken to a house that had not only a large inviting yard, but comfy dog beds in almost every room so that my very thin frame would not have to rest on a hard floor.

Well, I must say, while my animal care staff friends at BMHS provided me with exceptional care, sleeping at night on my bed in a corner of the bedroom, where I could keep a watchful eye on the humans, was certainly a welcomed change. During the day, I had the run of the house, lively company to play with, and a large, fenced pasture to supervise. Once I was back on my paws, I quickly mastered the daily routines: patrolling for squirrels, barking at delivery trucks, and racing to trash talk the dogs on the other side of the backyard fence. I accompanied Joe or his wife when they drove around town – my duties being to act as co-pilot, and to guard the vehicle whenever they got out to perform some errand. We Shepherds do best when we have purpose, and I was pleased to find myself of use again.

Since nutrition is such an important part of my story, I should probably say a word about the cuisine chez Joe. My condition requires a particular diet, consistently prepared. It includes digestive enzymes that must be activated at a specific temperature and left to pre-digest my food for 30 minutes before serving. A chime would sound three times a day, and the humans would respond, preparing my food and putting it into the food chamber for safekeeping (I am an honorable dog, but I was so hungry at the time that I was not above counter-surfing). I observed that these humans had been well trained to respond to a bell, because when it rang, they would begin salivating and -- oh wait, it was me doing the salivating. But the humans were conditioned by the bell to serve my meal.

I had gone to Joe’s home weighing just 49 pounds, but soon I was gaining, on average, 3 pounds per week. My eyes brightened, my legs became stronger, and my fur resumed growing. I began to outrun the other dogs, and everybody admired my speed and fluid grace.

Loki playing fetch with Joe in June of this year.

All along, I had been making weekly trips to visit my friends at the shelter, where kind people were happy to see me, where every new pound was celebrated, and where the staff could resupply me with food and enzyme supplements. Now that I was clearly mending, it was time for me to get back into the world.

Joe and I began taking what he called field trips. Sometimes it would be a walk up and down Main Street, sometimes a visit to a dog-friendly tasting room or brewery. I now realize that Joe was doing this to get me seen by somebody who needed my company and protection. But at the time, I was just gratified to see how many people were happy to make the acquaintance of a good looking, well-mannered dog. In my case, two local businesses really stood out. At Five Dollar Ranch brewery, I soaked up attention (and a few tasty treats) on the patio. Five Dollar Ranch made me a minor media star when they featured me on their Facebook page as an adoptable dog! At Zerba Cellars, somebody observed my excellent deportment and told us that she had a friend who was experienced with German Shepherds, was looking for a good one, and would it be all right for that person to call Joe?

You can bet that my large ears perked up at this information! It was this moment at Zerba Cellars that led to me finding my permanent human and my forever home!

(Parenthetically, I encourage you to support each of these businesses. Joe tells me that they have helped other dogs in similar circumstances find their forever homes. And although I haven’t had a chance yet to sample their products, they smell delicious.)

Anyway, Joe and my prospective human spoke and arranged a meeting. Of course, I was on my best behavior. After a pleasant hour of chit-chat, the humans agreed that we should meet again after a couple of days. That happened twice, once at Joe’s house and once at what became my forever home. This person clearly understood intuitive and intelligent shepherds like me, so I left Joe’s home with my new forever human, eager to engage with my new responsibilities.

Today I’m a robust 83 pounds, and happily living in my forever home. I am loved and cared for, and I enjoy an important job looking out for my excellent family. As a bonus, I still get occasional visits with Joe and play dates with my friends in his dog pack. Yesterday I was mildly concerned when I overheard Joe and one of my new humans wondering if I was a little TOO robust, if you know what I mean.

When I’m in a reflective mood, I think about how the Walla Walla valley is a good place for dogs like me, because people here care about doing the right thing, and they look out for the well-being of creatures who depend on them. This community is in the Goldilocks zone: large enough to bring resources to bear on a problem, yet small enough to make the type of human connections that rallied to support me.

Well, that is my story. If it speaks to you, I hope you will consider becoming a foster parent, or supporting the shelter’s foster program. It is a powerful way to make a difference in the life of a creature in need.

-Loki

Loki waiting patiently during his feeding routine.