Pet of the Week: Tyler has languished in a kennel for too long

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Tyler

Updated: February 21, 2012 3:11PM

One of the saddest things that shelter workers see is a dog who arrives at the shelter as a puppy and then, for whatever reason, doesn’t get adopted.

Most puppies quickly find homes, but when they don’t, people shy away from them thinking that there must be a reason they are still there.

Tyler is one such dog.

He arrived at Orphans of the Storm as a puppy, and he has called kennel #5 home for two long years. Why has he languished there so long?

Tyler is not a cute little Yorkie-poo. He is not a yellow or white dog (they get adopted first). He is a pit bull mix and although he is not white, he is a dark brindle with white patches on his chest.

Like many pit bulls, Tyler is a lover – not a fighter. He loves people. Also like many pit bulls, Tyler is a strong dog. In fact, that’s why many overlooked him.

Any dog (beagle, lab or pit bull) shut up in a kennel will want to run and play when they finally get a chance. Tyler is no different, and because he had never been trained, he was difficult to control when people wanted to visit with him.

A large, strong, sweet-but-uncontrollable pit bull can be intimidating. Well, Tyler is uncontrollable no longer.

He has spent the last three weeks at Tops Training in Grayslake working on obedience skills. His progress is astounding (pit bulls are very intelligent and very eager to please).

His trainer evaluated him after his first two weeks of training and said that he loves Tyler’s personality. “Tyler has a wonderful spirit. (He) is not an aggressive dog. Because of his size and strength, he should go to a home with an adopter who is familiar with training methods.”

Tyler will remain at Tops Training for two more weeks, and then he will be ready for his new home. Two private training sessions with his new family will be paid for by Orphans of the Storm.

Orphans is determined to find the right home for Tyler. They also would like to find some generous people who might donate for the cost of his training. A new fund, called the Tyler Fund, will ensure that shelter dogs whose only fault is lack of leash skills will be able to get that training.

To inquire about Tyler or make a donation, call Orphans of the Storm at (847) 945-0235. To donate to the Tyler Fund call Orphans or call Tops Training at (847) 223-2822.

Orphans of the Storm, a local shelter for almost 100 years, is located just west of Interstate 294 and the town of Deerfield. Orphans of the Storm and their caring staff are dedicated to taking in stray dogs and cats, healing them, and finding them loving adoptive homes. They have almost 200 dogs and more than twice that many cats waiting for homes. The adoption fee is $90 and includes spay/neuter, distemper shot, worming, shampoo, collar and leash. For more information visit www.orphansofthestorm.org or call (847) 945-0235.

Pet of the Week is written by Pamela Kramer. You may also email any animal questions to me at Pamanimalrescue@gmx.com. If you adopted through Pet of the Week and want to let me know how your dog or cat is doing, please send me an email!

Remember: Adopt a dog or cat! There are tens of thousands of homeless animals in the Chicago area alone that are waiting for a loving home. Here are some of the places to visit when looking for a family addition.

Aid to Animals, Barrington (847) 458-6325; Adopt-a-Pet, www.adoptapet-il.org/; Animal Education and Rescue, Libertyville, http://www.aear.org/; Illinois Doberman Rescue, www.ildoberescue.com; German Shepherd Rescue, Skokie, (847) 677-0561; Evanston Animal Shelter, (847) 866-5080; Orphans of the Storm, Deerfield, (847) 945-0235; Placing Paws of Libertyville, www.placingpawsrescue.org; Save-a-Pet, Grayslake, (847) 740-7788; All pets: www.Petfinder.org; Bird Rescue, Northbrook, http://www.rescuethebirds.org/.