Pets ban for Somerset cruelty pair with 69 animals

A Dorchester County Doggy Date Partnership Helps Shelter Dogs Put Their Best Paws Forward

The Paws Up! Walkabouts include car rides, visits to local parks and community hubs like Hutchinson Square and dog-friendly local businesses like Cuppa Manna in downtown Summerville, as well as Lowes, Petco and Home Depot off the city's Main Street corridor.

The group has had seven dog-walk dates sponsored by community donors so far since the initiative started on July 10.

Layman smiled as she described Platinum, one of the shelter's many pit bull terriers, and the pup cup whipped cream treat she got to have at Cuppa Manna. As much as the terrier enjoyed her snack, Layman said she loved getting cuddled by a 12-year-old customer even more.

Another of Layman's sponsored walk dates was with Karlo, a 1-year-old hound/Great Dane mix. She said the enthusiastic boy lit up the Home Dept sales floor as he sniffed industriously at displays and greeted customers with a tongue-lolling grin that elicited smiles in response.   

Platinum has been in shelter at PAWS since June 4, while Karlo has been kenneled there since June 23.

Boosting visibility 

The partnership with Paws Up! Boosts dogs' adoptability beyond visits to the PAWS shelter or adoption events such as the "Rides and Rescue" with Jax Wax Car Care on July 27.

"This partnership fell right in line with the doggy date program we already have, but the added exposure for the dogs is multifaceted," said Fullwood, a North Charleston resident who just celebrated her one-year anniversary as PAWS marketing director.

During the walking adventures, Layman and her staff expose the dogs to sights, sounds and scents, find out how well they walk on a leash, how they respond to people and children and get them used to riding in cars.

Once the dates are done, they share pictures, videos and detailed reports about each dog's characteristics with PAWS and its volunteers for posting on social media.

"All of that gives adopters a much better idea of what they're really like, which makes for a much better fit with their new homes when they're adopted," Fullwood said.

Charleston Animal Society Organizes Largest Adoption Event: Pick Me! SC

Prepare for an exhilarating celebration of love! From July 20th to 28th, join us as Pick Me! SC returns to shelters and Petco locations across the state. This monumental event brings together over 93 shelters, rescue organizations, and Petco Pet Care Centers, marking it as the largest annual statewide adoption event of dogs and cats in the country.

Fueling this nine-day extravaganza is Petco Love, in collaboration with BOBS from Skechers™. Pick Me! SC is proudly led by No Kill South Carolina 2024, an initiative of Charleston Animal Society.

"Our goal this year is to save 2,000 animals," shared Pearl Sutton, Chief Lifesaving Officer with No Kill South Carolina. "For the first time in the history of the event, every single county in the state of South Carolina is participating! Over the past six years, Pick Me! SC has saved more than 10,000 lives."

SOCIAL MEDIA STARS ARE BACK!

Leading the charge as Honorary Co-Chairs of Pick Me! SC are the dynamic social media duo @aguyandagolden, Johnathan Lower and his Golden Retriever Teddy. Lower expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We're thrilled to be part of this year's adoption event. If we can inspire just one family to visit their local shelter and adopt, it'll all be worthwhile."

Teddy, with over five million followers on social media, has captivated audiences with videos of his custom-built doghouse, amassing over 1 billion views!

FIND GREAT DEALS AT PETCO CARE CENTERS NEAR YOU

During the 10-day event, most shelters are offering free or low-cost adoptions. Petco Pet Care Centers across South Carolina are opening their doors to host shelters and rescue organizations, providing an unmatched opportunity to connect with potential adopters. Nearly every Petco location in the state is participating. For a complete list of shelters and Petco Pet Care Centers involved, visit PickMeSC.Org.

PREPARING ANIMALS WITH SPAY-NEUTER SERVICES

In addition to facilitating adoptions, Pick Me! SC performed lifesaving spay-neuter surgeries on 250 animals statewide, ensuring they are ready for adoption. Charleston Animal Society's Simon Greer Mobile Spay Neuter Clinic traveled the state in support of the event.

Wayne & Wanda: The Person I'm Dating Lets Her Out-of-control Dog Run Wild Off Leash, And It Drives Me Nuts

Wanda and Wayne:

I met someone through friends a month ago and we went on a series of increasingly interesting dates. We have a lot in common, including great chemistry, conversation and dogs — we each have middle-aged pups who we love and try to include in everything in our respective busy and active lives.

So naturally, the dogs had to meet. We set up a weekend hike, to be followed by dinner at her place. I realized pretty quickly her dog is pretty out of control and she doesn't seem to care. Her dog is never leashed and isn't exactly voice trained or obedient. When her dog sees other dogs, like mine when we met in the trailhead parking lot, she jogs at them curiously and even rambunctiously. I don't like that — my almost-always leashed and very obedient on-or-off leash dog definitely didn't like that. After some sniffing they got along fine. Over the course of the hike, though, very few people were cool with her dog and her attitude about the encounters — "She's sweet!" "Don't worry about her!" Etc. It's worrisome, annoying and exhausting to me, and I was embarrassed to be part of it. We still had dinner at her place, and the dogs got along fine but I was so disappointed about her attitude about having a loose dog that I dreaded the after-dinner dog walk and honestly just wanted to go home — though I did stay the night.

I put a lot of time and energy into training my dog, following the Muni's leash law, and watching out for my pup when she does run free on hikes and any other time really. It's always bothered me when I see unleashed dogs outside of a dog park. Usually nothing major comes of it as my dog follows my lead and ignores other dogs, but you just never know so I'm instantly on edge. I've seen fights. The owners are always worse. When I say something about getting control or leashing their dogs, they usually get defensive and turn into indignant jerks. I guess that's why their dogs act like jerks. My date doesn't get mean — she's totally blasé about the loose dog thing — and she didn't take any ownership of being in the wrong after a handful of people got upset when her dog ran up to theirs and didn't listen to her. No fights, nothing bad, but it stressed me, most of the other dogs and their owners out.

Well, I'm bummed — overall, this woman is great, sexy, smart and funny, and our month of dating and communicating was getting better. I was excited about a future that included adventures with our dogs. Now I feel like I don't want to be anywhere near them outside of her fenced yard. I never thought I'd be running into a deal-breaker like this, but here we are. I definitely don't think she or her dog will welcome a change as extreme as what I'm comfortable with. Please tell me I'm wrong.

Wanda says:

Before you roll over on this relationship, sit. Stay. Don't speak. Just listen up like a good obedient boy. You've met a fun, exciting, attractive woman, who up until now has checked all your boxes and has had you sincerely and excitedly anticipating future possibilities. But you want to bail because … her dog misbehaves?

I get it: Her dismissive and enabling behavior as a Dog Mom is off-putting and annoying. Maybe she's equally irritated at your uptight rule-following and by-the-books dog-rearing. Have you bothered to ask?

Like parenting, or financial planning, or any other big life issue where decisions and strategies must be weighed, there isn't a right or wrong way to care for a dog if the dog is safe, nonviolent and loved. There are just different ways.

If this is such a non-negotiable for you, sure, end it. But in a world where partners can cheat, lie, steal, scam, ghost or do any other number of terrible heart-breaking things, you're ready to walk because of … an unleashed dog? Maybe it's time to re-examine your own priorities and values.

Wayne says:

Doggone it! There's always something, right?

As a devoted and semi-strict Dog Dad who walks, runs and hikes the local trails with his leashed and harnessed pups, I'm practically having an anxiety attack reading your note. Loose dogs and their loose cannon owners aren't just annoying, they're dangerous. Sure, most encounters are harmless. But I've seen loose dogs attack other dogs and people, kill ptarmigan and squirrels, harass moose and cats, chase after and run in front of cars, bikes and skateboarders, and pretty much make entire neighborhoods and trail systems their bathrooms. We're trying to have a society here, people.

So yeah, I get it. And I'd totally understand if you don't roll over on this sticking point. But I'm also with Wanda — like finding the perfect pup, meeting a compatible partner with long-term potential is rare. So maybe approach this as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship, practice your communication and maybe even find some compromise. Talk about it on your next dog-less date, with an open mind, without blame or judgment, and see where it goes. Share your feelings and listen to hers. You'll never know where one another's head is really at on doggie discipline unless you discuss it. So talk it out before you decide whether to stay or run away.

[Wayne and Wanda: How honest is too honest in a budding romance?]

[My bestie is coming to visit, but she's invited herself to stay in my home, which is too tiny for visitors]

[Asking Eric: My husband's road rage is ruining our marriage]

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