 A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance
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Oliver
Week 1 ║ Week 2 ║ Week 3 ║ Week 4 ║ Week 5 ║ Week 6 ║ Week 7
Week 8 ║ Week 9 ║ Week 10 ║ Week 11 ║ Week 12 ║ Week 13
Week 14 ║ Week 15 ║ Week 16 ║ Week 17 ║ Week 18
ADOPTED!!!
Week 18
After the longest prison stay in HOPE Program history, Oliver
was paroled again on Sunday! We HOPE that he enjoys a lot of "lap time" with
his new family! This loveable lug will bring love and joy to those who love
him back! Enjoy your new home, Oliver! We'll miss you!
Week 17
It's just a waiting game now for Oliver. He continues
to work on his skills every week, he thoroughly enjoys his playtime with his
doggie pals and just adores his handler. He's the most popular boy on
the cell block because he's so incredibly friendly! Everyone just
loves this boy. He had an opportunity to meet some very special people
this week so we have all of our fingers, toes and paws crossed that this
will be the home he has been waiting for.
Week 16
Oliver continues to show everyone just how fabulous a 90
pounds, big lug of a dog can be. He is so pleasant to be around and
everyone who meets him can't get over his incredibly sweet disposition.
Despite his size, he s thoroughly convinced that he is a lap dog. When
it's TV time in the evening, he snuggles right up to his handler and settles
in for the newest episodes of his favorite shows. During the day, he
is all about playtime with his doggie friends. He and Razor and Cosmo
could play and tug and wrestle for hours! He looks out for Lily too
and is helping her to come out of her shell and discover the wonderful
surprises that are usually just out of sight in human pockets...bologna,
cheese, biscuits!! We've received a lot of phone calls and emails
about Oliver over the last couple of weeks, but just haven't found the
perfect match yet. If he looks like the boy for you, please be in
touch so you can meet this special boy!
Week 15
Oliver's handler says that everything is status quo. Oliver
loves playing with his new pack! His jumping on people is still improving!
This week he and Cosmo had a ball in the doggie yard! He and Cosmo love to
play tug, wrestle and just chase each other. They'll play for as long as
their handlers will allow them to do so! Oliver just stands and watches as
Cosmo tries to pull him on the rope [Cosmo is about 1/2 Oliver's size].
Oliver looks at Cosmo as if to say "is this all you can do?" Then he and
Cosmo have the times of their lives seeing who is better at tug-the-rope!
Both Oliver's and Cosmo's handlers really enjoy watching them romp and play
with each other!
Keep playing nice and working on your skills, Oliver!
Week 14
Oliver's handler is working on him with just getting back to
basics. Oliver is doing much better with walking on-leash than he ever did!
His handler is working on his recall, because that is what he feels Oliver
needs to focus on most right now. Oliver has settled in with the new
pack! He plays with and likes them all...although Razor is his new best
buddy this week! Oliver has also been very good about showing no resource
guarding with his toys!
One of the other handlers noted about Oliver that "as one hundred pound,
exuberant dogs go, Oliver is a good one---truly a tenderhearted fellow
beneath the fur and sinew." Paws crossed that someone truly sees your
potential, Oliver!
For information on adopting Oliver, please contact the
HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-701-1458. You can also fill out an application
online by clicking here.
Kizzie Luke Anna Mae Murphy Razor Lily Bailey Cosmo Cooper
UPDATE 2-5-09
Oliver just finished up his first week back at the big house. Sadly
for him, his forever home turned out to have a terribly different idea of
the definition of "forever" than we do. After just a few days, they
decided that they were no longer ready to make good on the lifetime
commitment that they promised to Oliver. In less than a week, Oliver
returned to his handler at the prison. He was welcomed back with lots
of ear scratches, tummy rubs and a few special treats from the mess hall.
It's very troubling for all of us when this happens. Despite our best screening efforts, people still manage to manipulate their way into getting what they want with little regard for the living creature who will suffer from their lack of commitment. People say that they're "just animals." But they're not "just animals." They're wonderful creatures that we're lucky enough to share our days with. Loving, trusting dogs who can't help but think the best of the people we entrust them to. Gentle souls who aren't capable of the sort of deception and self-centered motives to which humans are so often susceptible. Despite the disruption of Oliver's short-lived adoption, he has settled back into life at the jail with ease. He adores his new best friend, Cosmo, and is thoroughly enjoying the company of his handler once again. Please...if you are considering adopting one of our dear, canine friends, make sure that it is with the rest of their life in mind. It is so unfair to rip them from their current environments only to disrupt their lives again when convenience overtakes compassion. Oliver deserves the love of people who will keep him safe and truly make him a part of the family If that sounds like you, we encourage you to watch his progress over the next few weeks and submit an application.
Week 13
Oliver had a very big week! First the Meet and Greet at Borders last
Saturday, and then to his new home on Friday! His handlers continued to work
on his leash training and no-jumping this week. Oliver was much, much better
at no-jumping (as seen at Borders), and he came a long way with his walking!
Sometimes he pulled a bit, but sometimes he didn't pull at all...another big
accomplishment for Oliver! His recall still needs some improvement. Oliver
knows his name, but if he's busy doing something (like playing), he won't
listen when you call him.
We're sure that your new parents will give you a lot of love and attention
in your forever home, Oliver! Be well, you loveable lug!
Week 12
Oliver’s handlers have been working on his jumping this week with the other
handlers, and Oliver’s doing better! He’s getting along fine with almost all
of the other dogs. Oliver had a big day on Saturday at the Meet and Greet at
Borders in Camp Hill! He decided his role was to be the official greeter
when the customers came in, and he did a great job...AND he was very good at
no-jumping! He loved all of the attention and pets that he got! He was very
gentle with everyone...including one very small person (Oliver was bigger
than he was)! When the boy’s mother stood him up in front of Oliver, he went
up, gave the little one a sniff and a big smooch! We discovered that Oliver
also is quite the lady’s man! He gravitated toward the women-folk and really
put on the charm! He was rewarded with a lot of oohs, aahs, and more pets!
Toward the end of the Meet and Greet, one of the charmed women-folk was
standing and offering Oliver a treat. He actually got up on the chair at our
table, and sat nice for her to get his reward! It really was something to
see! We hope that this loveable boy finds his forever home soon! Paws
crossed, Oliver!
Week 11
Oliver is still pulling a little while walking on-leash, but he is getting
much better! He also is getting much, much better around the other dogs! He
still has some things to improve on, but Oliver has really come a long way
since he first entered the program!
Oliver loves attention! He will get up on the bed and curl up with his
handlers every chance that he gets! He also loves to go out and play ball!
He waits until his handlers are ready to grab the ball, and then off he
goes! He doesn’t want to chase the ball, he wants his handlers to chase him!
What a silly boy! Is there someone out there willing to give Oliver
lots of hugs, and play fetch “his way”? Paws crossed, Oliver!
Week 10
Oliver is doing A LOT better at not pulling on-leash this week, and is
learning to understand how to act around Ozzy! Oliver is on medication for
his fur, and his coat is improving as a result!
Oliver and Mitzie had a ball this week! At first, he would chase her around,
and then she was "back at you", Oliver! The handlers loved watching little
Mitzie chase this loveable lug around the yard! Oliver can still get a
little rambunctious during playtime, but his handlers are working with him
so that he can learn to play nicely with the small and large dogs alike!
You go, Oliver! We're rooting for you!
Week
9
Oliver has come a long way since he first arrived. He has learned his
size, which is probably the most important thing, and he's learned
boundaries for what's acceptable to both people and dogs. He is
extremely well behaved in the house. He's been housetrained since
nearly day one, loves to spend quiet time in his crate and get enough
snuggle time in the evening watching television with his handlers.
This is one area in which he completely forgets his size and considers
himself to be a lap dog. Oliver is one of the sweetest, good natured
dogs we've ever come to know in this program. He loves to be petted
and will go t the ends of the earth to do whatever he thinks it is you want
him to do. He is a loyal and loving friend and anyone would be lucky
to call him a part of their family!
Week 8
Oliver’s no-pulling on leash is coming along great! Although he is improving
with his “stay” commands at a short distance, he still has some trouble from
bigger distances. His handlers are working to improve that as well! He is
also learning that it’s not always play time! When it IS play time,
Oliver does very well with the smaller dogs! He and Sadie had a ball playing
in the doggie yard the other day, before Sadie left the "big house" for her
forever home!
You're doing a great job with your skills, Oliver!
Week 7
Oliver is doing better not pulling while walking on-leash, although he still
tends to do that when he first goes out to the doggie yard. He has learned
to play very nicely with all of the little dogs! Ozzy is back in the
program, and the two of them get a “little nuts” when they see each other.
Oliver’s handlers realize that he is more the cause of the “nuttiness”, and
they are working hard to work to fix the problem so that he and Ozzy can
learn to co-exist more peacefully in their environment. Overall,
Oliver is making progress! You keep up the good work, big boy!
Week 6
Oliver
misses his friend, Tina, but he’s learning to play with the other dogs.
Because of his size, it might take a little while for them to truly be a
pack, but his handlers are working to make it happen! He’s doing much
better with his leash manners! Although he still pulls, he has made great
strides since entering the program! Oliver also still gets very excited when
he sees one of his human playmates. He thinks that it’s playtime and tends
to jump up on them. His handlers are working to curb his enthusiasm in that
department and teach him to keep all four paws on the ground when saying
hello! You’re learning, Oliver. We’re rooting for you!
Oliver also
went on a very special field trip this week. Oliver headed out for a
visit with some wonderful kids so we could see how he handled himself around
the younger variety of humans. He was an A+ student and did an
incredible job with Morgan and Jake. They each walked him on the
leash, took toys from his mouth, gave him treats, ran him through his
commands and played with him. He was so gentle and careful and was
every bit the wonderful boy we knew he was! He was also an excellent
passenger in the car...once the trainer got out! He really wanted to
ride in the passenger seat and once he got there, he was just as well
behaved as anyone could hope for. This gentle giant deserves a
wonderful home where he can show off all of his newly learned skills!
Week 5
Oliver and Tina had a ball this week. The two of them can play
together for hours on end and never tire of each other's company.
Oliver is also beginning to master the art of playing with small dogs.
He and Sadie had some wonderful off-leash play sessions together.
Oliver is such a sweet boy. He is just a lovable puppy in a giant
body. This week he was practicing his "wait" command. He was
getting really good at it by the end of the week so his handlers decided to
up the ante. Each day when they went to play together in the big yard,
Oliver's assignment was to sit and wait nicely for his favorite soccer ball.
He did extremely well and had so much fun when he was given his reward.
He would run around the yard playing with the soccer ball as if it was the
best toy he'd ever received. He's an adorable boy who has been through
so much. We're really hoping to help him find a home for the holidays
where he can start fresh and have the life he's always deserved.
Week 4
Oliver got to play with a new friend this week - Sadie!! Oliver has
been practicing his self control over the last few weeks and learning to
behave appropriately around other dogs. Due to his painful past, he
had trouble at the beginning believing that the pack was full of friends not
foes. That's is often a side effect from a life on a chain. But,
Oliver is coming along nicely and learning to play safely with his new
doggie friends. He already plays very nicely with Tina, but they're
roughly the same size. He has had to learn a new way of playing with
the smaller kids and he shined this week while playing with Sadie. He
loves to play when he's outside and has become quite a snuggle-bug when he's
inside. He loves to curl up on the bed and watch television with his
handlers. This week, his homework will be leash manners. Good
luck, Oliver. You're doing great!!
Week 3
To look at Oliver, you might think he's be a rambunctious, tough cookie and
you wouldn't be more wrong! Oliver is an old soul and it's been
absolutely wonderful getting to know him. He is a quiet boy who loves
his crate and his "house." He likes to run and has just discovered toy
balls this week and LOVES them! Because of his terrible past, he's
still learning that safety and kindness are now everyday things that he can
always rely on. When he received his first toys, he wanted to keep
them all to himself for fear that if he gave them up he'd never get them
back. Thanks to the patience and consistent training of his handlers,
he is now learning that giving up a toy always results in getting a nice
treat - AND - he always gets the toy back, too!! This type of positive
training is essential for a dog like Oliver who needs to be built up again
after being completely broke down by his former owners. He really
enjoys spending time with people and everyone comments on what a gentle
giant he is. He gets along with all of his handlers, both regular and
new. His trust level builds with ach passing day which makes it a joy
to work with him and help him learn. He's also taking a daily
supplement for his coat which has done wonders for him!! He's shiny
and soft and wonderful to hug and snuggle. We are all smitten with
this sweet boy and just know that you will be too!
Week 2
Oliver had a wonderful week. This boy is definitely one to watch.
e has such a gentle demeanor and a genuine love for people. Despite
his very difficult past, he doesn't hold a grudge and is still willing to
see the best in people and offer the benefit of the doubt. He gave
agility a try this week and had a pretty good time doing it. He
especially liked walking over the hurdles. He'll move on to jumping
later, but he was an absolute star at the walking part! What a doll!!
Week 1
After just a few days, Oliver settled right into the routine at the prison.
He is already housebroken and is calm and settled in his crate. He's
already beginning to learn some of the basics of his obedience training and
we have high hopes for this boy. He's not a huge fan of the other dogs
so far, but his handlers are doing a lot of practice with him so that he can
learn to enjoy being part of the pack - or at least ignore them!
UPDATE
- 10/22/08
Oliver headed to the big house today. He's a
sweet boy who had a terrible start to life. He came to us as a stray,
but judging from the condition that he was in, his life had not been easy.
But, everything gets better from here. His foster mom says he is just
a dear soul and she's excited for him to get a fresh start in the HOPE
Program. Stay tuned for his progress!
Hounds of Prison Education
A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance