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Take a Humane Society Dog on a Date for Valentine’s

Chewy has partnered with shelters across the country for Valentine’s Day foster field trips. Here is Yamaha from Broward County Animal Care enjoying a date in Florida. (Photo: Courtesy Chewy)

A few unlucky singles are in need of a date this Valentine’s day. They’re not too picky about who takes them out, as long as their date doesn’t mind a bit of drool (who wouldn’t drool over you?), the occasional woof (at least it’s not a cat call), and a bit of puppy love. And, listen, we at the Flyer aren’t going to recommend just any old single; we’re only gonna recommend the cream of the crop — and that would be the pups at the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County. 

For this Valentine’s Day, singles, couples, and dog-lovers can take an adoptable pup out for a date away from the shelter as part of Chewy’s Dogs Date Out. Chewy, an online pet food and supplies retailer, has partnered with shelters like the Humane Society across the country for these Valentine’s Day foster field trips. To make the dates go smoothly, each registrant will receive a Chewy Date Kit, including Valentine’s-themed toys, treats, a leash, blanket, portable water bottle, an “Adopt Me” bandana, and a poop bag dispenser (for those first date jitters). 

The 10 Memphis dogs who will be going on dates have “great behavior skills,” says Destini Johnson, the Humane Society’s events & marketing manager, and a break from the shelter will provide much-needed socialization, enrichment, and a bit of peace. Plus, it’ll boost their chances of finding a forever home, whether with their dates or just by the nature of being out and about.

(Photo: Courtesy Chewy)

For that reason, those who sign up will also receive a list of dog-friendly places they can visit to make the most of their day. Some examples Johnson gives include Shelby Farms Park, Wise Acre Brewery, City & State, and Crosstown Concourse. 

So far, five of the 10 spots have been claimed, so sign up here. Each registrant will pick up their date after a brief tutorial at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 14th, and each pup will need to be returned by 4 p.m. And if you can’t take a dog out on date but still need a reason to visit the shelter, the Humane Society has set up a kissing booth in the lobby. “It’s very Valentine’s-themed,” Johnson says. 

“Outside of it being Valentine’s Day, this opportunity to foster a dog for a day is a thing that we already do,” Johnson adds. “People are able to come on a random Tuesday or random Thursday and do a foster field trip. … We’re really trying to incorporate opportunities for socialization.” (You can find out more about volunteering and fostering here.)

The Humane Society will also host its annual The Fast & The Furriest 5K on March 15th. The race is dog-friendly and St. Patrick’s Day-themed. Register here.

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News The Fly-By

MEMernet: Camo, Fly Mud Island, and Mutants

Posted to Nextdoor by Roger Williams

Memphis on the internet.

Camo

Nextdoor user Roger Williams asked for name recommendations for the tricky-to-spot dog in the above photo. Some of the top names were “Pebbles,” “Camo,” “Waldo,” and “Rocky.” 

Fly Mud Island

Posted to Facebook by Kenneth B Keim

Change has always been in the mix for Mud Island, as proven by a photo shared to the Memphis In Pictures, Places And People Facebook group last week. 

As it enters a new phase with the Baron Von Opperbean immersive experience, it’s fun to remember the island was once home to an airstrip. It was used, largely, by business travelers who would land and take a pontoon ferryboat across Wolf River Harbor to Downtown destinations. 

Mutants

Posted to Facebook by Memphis Memes 901

Memphis summertime headed back into familiar “excessive heat” territory this week. It also opened up the human buffet for our beloved mosquitos. Let the grousing commence. 

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Saturday is “Senior Day” at Memphis Humane Society

As if owning a pet wasn’t sweet enough, the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County is going to make pet ownership even sweeter — especially for seniors.

November is Adopt a Senior Dog Month and to mark the occasion, the Humane Society will hold a Pets and Pastries Open House from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 10, at its facility at 935 Farm Road in Shelby Farms.

Not only will free pastry items be available, there will be a special price for senior dogs. And for senior humans, it is an opportunity to get a senior dog for free.

Any dog five years or older is considered a “senior.” During November, the adoption fee for a senior dog will be $50.

“We participate in a program called Pets for the Elderly which pays $50 towards adoptions by anyone over 60 years old, so this month, anyone over 60 who adopts a senior dog will get their pet without having to pay an adoption fee,” said Ginger Morgan, president of the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.

Morgan said even if someone is not interested in adopting a senior dog, Saturday will be an excellent time to visit the organization and sample a free pastry item. The free pastry is actually part of National Animal Shelter Appreciation week which began Sunday and runs through Saturday.

For more info, visit the Memphis Humane Society website.

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News The Fly-By

Dog Day

Bumpus Harley-Davidson on Whitten Road may be known for its motorcycles, but last weekend, it was all about dogs, not hogs.

As part of the fifth annual Dogs Deserve Better Chain Off, a small group of people spent Sunday chained to telephone poles and doghouses in front of the dealership. The event, which is held around July 4th each year nationwide, strives to bring attention to what organizers call the inhumane and unethical practice of chaining dogs.

“We’re trying to bring attention to a national problem,” said Ona Cooper, a representative of Animal World, a free monthly publication. “We want people to start thinking about this.”

The state recently passed an anti-chaining law, which went into effect July 1st. The law states that any person who knowingly ties, tethers, or restrains a dog in a manner that is inhumane, detrimental, or injurious to the dog’s welfare and prevents a dog from getting adequate access to food, water, or shelter commits an offense.

The Memphis City Council will also consider a citywide version of the state law July 10th. If approved, that ordinance will take effect September 4th.

At the protest, one woman tied herself to a telephone pole with a heavy chain used to tow cars. After linking the end of a towing hook to the chain to create a dangerous loop, she attached the chain to a collar around her neck and explained that she’d once found a dog tethered that way.

Overturned food and water bowls surrounded a doghouse and the chained humans. Cooper said this was to re-create situations in which dogs have been found.

Dogs Deserve Better says that chaining is detrimental to the welfare of dogs because they are pack animals. In the absence of other canines, humans become the dog’s pack, but a chained dog is essentially “rejected” from its pack. It then becomes very territorial, and according to Dogs Deserve Better, a chained dog is more than twice as likely to bite someone.

“People are tired of [chaining],” said Cooper. “What we’re doing will bring awareness now and legislation later. It’s time for things to change.”