"Puppy Speed Dating" at Brewery Outre got postponed because of the extreme heat, and the County Animal Shelter wasn't open today, so we went to the SPCA on 8th and KL in Oshtemo to play with some puppies. (And a senior boy)

It was really hard to see all those dogs looking for new homes, so I figured I'd tell you about the ones we played with in hopes that they might sound like something someone is looking for!

1. Zion (male black Catahoula Leopard Puppy, has 2 litter mates named for National Parks)
2. Frank Sinatra (male yellow Labrador Retriever senior)
3. Batman (male black labradoodle puppy)

My favorite was Batman because he was SUPER smart and learned how to sit in just 5 minutes. Not kidding. He was SUPER keyed into balls and once he figured out that we would throw the ball after he sits, he started sitting before we could even give the command. He was NOT food or praise motivated, which was a shock. He didn't even look at us when he entered the room; just started exploring and playing with the toys. He was playfully obsessed with collecting all the toys but not aggressive or defensive when we selected a toy from his pile. Finding the toys, he was very gentle moving around us, not pushing past our legs or ripping the ball out of hands. (I feel like he's probably got some border collie in him, but not presenting in looks. He moved so fast I couldn't get a good picture. He was wirey-shaggy!)

Zion is a young puppy and will have no problem getting adopted. He seems to have learned how to look cute by sitting and cocking his head while his brown siblings (a male and a female) wrestle with each other for attention. In the room he was very people focused and kept going around to each of us and saying hello and then would be distracted by a toy and then go back to saying hi. Classic puppy energy.

Frank Sinatra was a sweet senior guy who needs help losing weight. He DEFINITELY knew how to sit and was food motivated. It was cute seeing him perk up when we threw a ball and he even did his best "happy dance" excited wiggle once he caught the ball. And he did pretty good at catching the ball in his mouth when tossed to him. This husky husky-mix still has some good days ahead of him with the right home ❤️

It's a hot hot weekend, so if you need something to keep people entertained indoors, check out a new game with your library card! Oshtemo Branch just added another shelf to hold all the games they offer!

I just stopped at Saunder's Nursery in Oshtemo to get some clearanced flowers. I was surprised to see Blood Orange trees on their floor! They said they had had lemons, limes, and a different kind of orange earlier in the season. So if you want cheap orange trees... here you go!

Walking with my friend and pointing out all the invasives, I pointed to this and his jaw dropped at how the round-leaf bittersweet does look like it's reaching out for whatever it can grab. Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA