October is the American Humane Association’s “Adopt A Dog Month” month. The organization is encouraging people to adopt a shelter dog and experience the joy of saving an animal’s life.

Featured below are two stories of Orcas Island residents who adopted from an animal shelter.

Lexi, the active cattle dog

High strung and energetic, Lexi the heeler mix was a hard sell.

Even with her bright blue and brown eyes, potential adoptive families were put off by her liveliness.

That was until Sarah Wesen walked through the Orcas Animal Shelter doors.

“Lexi is the best dog we have ever had,” Wesen said. “She’s really, really smart and really gentle. And she’s able to be in my work environment.”

Wesen went to the shelter late last spring with her daughter Talhia, who wanted to see the kittens. She thought she would check out the dogs until her daughter was ready to go. And then she met Lexi.

“She was wired and out of control,” Wesen remembers. “But there was something I really liked.”

Lexi had been returned to the shelter multiple times. She was extremely high energy and prone to running away, clearing six-foot high fences, jumping up on people, and destroying furniture. For two months, Wesen went to the shelter for training sessions with Lexi, who is a mix of red heeler and possibly kelpie and English Bulldog. She spent one to two hours a day with the dog, who began to make progress. Wesen says the shelter staff was incredibly supportive and helped her with different training approaches. Wesen has had heelers before, so she knew what to expect.

“They are stubborn but very smart,” she said.

When a family came to look at Lexi for a possible adoption, Wesen thought, “Oh no! She’s mine.”

That’s when she knew that Lexi had found her forever home.

Wesen realized that with Lexi’s separation anxiety, she needed with be with her 24/7. She talked to her boss at Frontline Call Center, who agreed her new canine companion could accompany Wesen as long as the dog behaved.

“She’s been with me there ever since,” she said. “Clients love Lexi. She knows her rounds. All the desks have doggy treats … Now there are two other dogs in the office.”

Wesen’s family members are also shelter dog advocates. Her cousin is involved with rescuing Boxers and many of her relatives have adopted unwanted canines.

“Take the time to get to know them,” Wesen said. “That’s the #1 thing. With Lexi, she went nuts in the shelter. But out of there, she was the mellowest dog I have ever had.”

While Lexi has run away a few times, she always comes back within minutes. Wesen’s favorite quality in Lexi is her temperament.

“She is so gentle,” she said. “It makes it so you can interact. She is gentle with cats, kids, and birds.”

Charlie Bear Paw, Jimmy Grey Wolf

When Annie Stowell’s husband and dog passed away within a few months of each other, she was left with a hole in her heart.

Stowell knew she needed a companion, so she called Susan Weber, who runs a Dalmatian rescue from her home on Orcas.

“I wasn’t looking for a specific breed, I was looking for a spiritual connection,” Stowell said.

She always liked cattle dogs, and when Weber emailed her a photo of a dog about to be euthanized in the south, Stowell “immediately fell in love with him.” He was flown to Orcas soon after. Stowell named her new canine Charlie Bear Paw. While he doesn’t appear to have any Dalmation in him, he is definitely part cattle dog.

“I completely believe that we should adopt instead of purchase,” Stowell said. “I am all for adopting puppies and dogs that are homeless.”

She has always had a two-dog home, so Stowell eventually talked to Weber about adopting another rescue pooch. Jimmy Grey Wolf, who was also on doggy death row in the South, has settled into his new home since his recent arrival on Orcas.

“They both seem very appreciative that they live here,” Stowell said. “The cat takes walks with me and the dogs. They are all fast friends. The cat sleeps with Charlie on the bed.”

Stowell, who is a receptionist at Dr. Schuler’s veterinary office, says both dogs are well house-trained, eager to please, and very healthy.

“I couldn’t imagine either one of them not in my life,” she said. “It’s all thanks to Susan. She is a brilliant matchmaker with dogs and people … I probably wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning if they weren’t there staring at me to get up.”

Stowell is now best friends with Weber, and it’s all thanks to Charlie and Jimmy.

“Dogs bring people together too,” she said.

Contact info

To reach the Orcas Animal Protection Society, visit www.orcaspets.org or call 376-6777.

Contact Susan Weber at daldoglady@netzero.net.