by Gigi McWhirter
Ruff Lives is a new program developed by the Valley Humane Society of Casa Grande (VHS) in conjunction with the CoreCivic Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy.
Ruff Lives is a canine version of “Tough Love” — or “Ruff Love” as I like to call it.
According to VHS Shelter Manager Crystal Fox, 10 dogs will participate in the Ruff Lives project. They were picked because they have behavioral issues that currently make them difficult to place in a loving home environment.
Each dog will have two inmates to care for and train them. The dogs will remain with their assigned handlers for eight weeks.
These dogs can be adopted even while training. VHS has created a journal on their social media pages so you can follow the canine’s progress and find out how to make one your own.
The intent is for the dogs to learn basic commands, overcome fears and learn to trust people. The final goal is to have each dog receive the AKC Good Citizen Certification and to have them all adopted so they can go straight into your arms and not back into the shelter.
Here is a quick introduction of the first pack of Ruff Lives participants:
Sonja was found, with pups, on the streets of Mexico. She is fearful and should go to a home where she is the only animal.
Lola is a feral mom dog.
Garth was in a hoarding situation. He is fearful and unsocialized.
Waikiki was born at VHS and was adopted. She was ignored by her adopters and was returned to the shelter. She is fearful of men.
Vera came to the shelter as a feral pup. She, too, was adopted and then returned. The adopters did nothing to develop her. She likes other dogs but is fearful of people.
Winnie was trapped in a building with her two sisters. She is fearful.
Grady was an owner surrender. He is a biter.
Nell doesn’t like people.
Johnny was found in a backyard where he had no human contact. It took agents three hours to catch this fearful boy.
Thriller is a distemper survivor. He is about 10 months old and does not like white men.
Pictures of the dogs can be found on the Valley Humane Society Facebook page.
Orange is the New Bark. Adopt. Don’t Shop. Happy Tails to You!
