Valiant’s family is working hard to bring out the best in him. Here’s what they wrote last week:

“Our family came to visit Valiant four separate times in February 2020. While we had concerns, based on what we had heard with how he was with other dogs and children…we talked in depth as a family about the pros & cons…but in the end, we all agreed that there was something that we all saw in him, that we knew, with love and time, that we could hopefully bring to the forefront. We brought him home on March 4th, and we have worked with him every day…on his manners, on not taking off and running away at the first chance when the door opens (which happened 4 times), as well as being nice to other dogs, cats and people he doesn’t know. He’s learning to play with 3 little dogs, that belong to our oldest daughter and her boyfriend. He responds well to verbal cues, in both English and German, and we’re teaching him sign language also. He loves going for rides in cars and trucks and gives us great snuggles. He LOVES his tennis balls, playing in water at home and running in the ocean.

While we have only had him for a few short months, and we know we still have work ahead of us, he is SO smart and has improved so much already, and his trust and respect of us has started to grow as well. Valiant is almost 3 years old and while he has had a lot happen in his life before us, he has made great strides so far and we expect that by this time next year…with continued love, patience and time, we will have an even more amazing dog than we already have!”

Alfred says, ”I was walking down the main street of Cannon Beach and stopped to view a poster in a window. It was a poster of about a dozen dog faces posted by the Clatsop County Animal Shelter. One of the faces looked a lot like a favorite dog we owned 25 years ago, Oscar. We lost our last dog, Moses, to old age about 1.5 years ago and I was having “dog withdrawal symptoms.” My wife not so much. She was enjoying the freedom of not having a dog to care for. We live in Yamhill County but I made the trip to Warrenton anyhow to view a prospective new family dog. It turned out that “Alex” was not going to be an ideal fit. I liked Alex and he liked me but he was quite young with high energy in need of a lot of training and I felt that my wife would not approve. However I was shown another dog, just taken in, named Max. Max also reminded me of Oscar in many ways and was much more docile than Alex. About a week later I persuaded my wife to drive with me to see Max. We were given the opportunity to walk him and my wife, while still not pleased to take in another dog, did agree to let me have Max. The emphasis here is that he was to be MY dog and she was washing her hands of any responsibility. It was a quiet drive home with Max. Miracles do happen! By the end of the same day, Max, through force of his charming personality, had my wife wrapped around his little claw! Turns out that Max is a ladies’ man and my wife is now as glad to have Max as I am.

I want to thank Clatsop County Animal Shelter for the opportunity to obtain Max. I was impressed with the operation of the shelter. Clean, bright facility with cheerful staff and volunteers…a pleasure to work with. And clearly, the posting of portraits in store front windows worked for us and Max. If you are in search of a new home companion please give Clatsop County Animal Shelter a serious consideration. And even if you are not in need of a companion consider supporting CCAS with your donation of funds or time. They are good people doing good work running a needed service on a limited budget.”