From time to time I’d like to feature some of the dogs that are in the L.A. shelter system. If a dog ends up at South L.A. shelter, it’s a pretty grim fate. There are just too many dogs and not enough people. Many well-tempered, healthy animals get euthanized because there just isn’t enough room to keep all of them. A dedicated South LA volunteer once told me that she witnessed over 50 dogs get turned into the shelter in ONE day! That’s a sobering reality. If you’ve never had a chance to go to the South LA shelter, I encourage you to visit. I won’t lie…it’s not easy to see all the animals crowded into cages, vying for your attention, but L.A. has a pet overpopulation problem and if we never experience the outcome of the problem we’ll never be motivated to act!
But I digress…this feature is about a dog, TIGER, that would have ended up at the South LA shelter but was fortuitous enough to be brought to the West LA shelter instead. Rumor has it that Tiger was left behind in the backyard when his owners abandoned their house in South Central. A caring neighbor knew he would not make it at the South LA and brought him to West LA as a stray. Tiger is a dog that more than likely would not have made it out of the South LA shelter. He’s a 2yr old Shar-pei/Pit bull mix and when I first met him in early December he was hardened, aloof and seemed to have no need for humans. I kept working with him and each time I took him out I could sense his hard shell cracking. I joked that he was definitely living up to his Shar-pei roots and I was bound and determined to find his inner goofy Pitty!
I’m proud to say that I’ve found it (or at least tapped the surface)! Tiger now looks at me with soft, eager eyes when I walk into the shelter, in hopes that it’s his turn to get out of his kennel. I can get a goofy smile out of him and have developed a connection where he wants to work and train. And this is only after a couple months of taking him out once, maybe twice a week. Just think what he could become if he were actually in a home! My favorite thing with Tiger is to see him play with dogs. Talk about a hard shell cracking! We’ve introduced him to several female dogs and he is a big, giant flirt! I’d say he’s a bit too macho (still needs to be neutered) to be with other male dogs right now and would advise against it unless the other dog is super soft and/or the adopter is very experienced. But I think Tiger would be perfectly happy just hanging out with a girlfriend or two.
While dogs generally have more time to find a home at West LA shelter, they don’t have forever. Please spread the word that Tiger is available for adoption. If you would like to meet him, feel free to email me at blackjacksbark@gmail.com and I can meet you at the shelter or you can go anytime the shelter is open. The address is 11361 West Pico Blvd. 90064.
The city website is LA ANIMAL SERVICES
TIGER
OUR VALENTINE TREAT! TIGER & OPHELIA