Spotlight On...

....Jamie Johansen!

How long have you been with APB?
Over a year, since December 2005

Why did you sign up to work with the group?
I had been considering getting a second dog, and I heard that APB was looking for more fosters. I thought it would be a great way to find out how that would work out, without adopting one yet. And as an added bonus I would be saving a dog! So, I started fostering and found out how wonderful everyone at APB is and I’m hooked. I have now adopted another dog, and have one foster dog at a time. THREE dogs! And I thought I just wanted two.

What kinds of things do you do with APB?
Foster mom, home checks and transports occasionally

What's your favorite kind of dog, and would it be your favorite kind of dog to foster?
I am partial to cattle dogs/blue heelers, Australian shepherds, Weims, or any dog with great ears! I’m a sucker for a puppy too. The newest addition to the family is a Pomeranian mix, quite a surprise! I’ve really enjoyed fostering all breeds of dogs so far. Pitbull mixes, border collies, australian shepherds, random mutt mixes, large dogs, small dogs, all good!

What's your most memorable foster/volunteer experience?
I had never had experience with pitbulls before coming to APB – but my first foster was a pitty mix puppy. I was a little worried about how she would act, especially coming in from a shelter because all I had heard growing up was that pitbulls could be nasty. And guess what, she was the sweetest thing ever! I even adopted her to one of my sisters! With a little training and love I think any dog can make a great addition to your family! And don’t fall into breed stereotypes!

If you should share one doggie lesson with folks, what would it be?
I had not realized how many dogs in need there really were before I joined APB. It was astounding. I knew that shelters were full, and I always encouraged friends and family to adopt rather than buy a dog, but didn’t know the scope of how many dogs really needed rescuing and how many were euthanized every week – just in the Lansing area! I would say that being a volunteer has been an eye opening experience! A family member mentioned breeding so that she could get a lab puppy, she was sure that you couldn’t rescue a puppy for some reason. SO, armed with all my new knowledge I convinced her that there were plenty of puppies around, and sent her pictures of every puppy or lab that was in local shelters or in need of rescue. FLOODED with all these emails, she’s now realized that breeding is not the way to go and will be looking for a rescue puppy when the time is right. YAY! I guess my one lesson would be to ADOPT and RESCUE the dogs we already have and not to encourage breeding.

Editor's Note - Jamie is also a celebrity! Her photo of Tanner, July's dog of the month, won 2nd place in a Lansing State Journal cutest pet photo contest!

Previous Spotlights:
Jamie Kowal
Lisa Bates
Kim Reed
Dawn Sparks
Amanda Collins


	....Jamie Johansen! How long have you been with APB? Over a year, since December 2005 Why did you sign up to work with the group? I had been considering getting a second dog, and I heard that APB was looking for more fosters. I thought it would be a great way to find out how that would work out, without adopting one yet. And as an added bonus I would be saving a dog! So, I started fostering and found out how wonderful everyone at APB is and I’m hooked. I have now adopted another dog, and have one foster dog at a time. THREE dogs! And I thought I just wanted two. What kinds of things do you do with APB? Foster mom, home checks and transports occasionally What's your favorite kind of dog, and would it be your favorite kind of dog to foster? I am partial to cattle dogs/blue heelers, Australian shepherds, Weims, or any dog with great ears! I’m a sucker for a puppy too. The newest addition to the family is a Pomeranian mix, quite a surprise! I’ve really enjoyed fostering all breeds of dogs so far. Pitbull mixes, border collies, australian shepherds, random mutt mixes, large dogs, small dogs, all good! What's your most memorable foster/volunteer experience? I had never had experience with pitbulls before coming to APB – but my first foster was a pitty mix puppy. I was a little worried about how she would act, especially coming in from a shelter because all I had heard growing up was that pitbulls could be nasty. And guess what, she was the sweetest thing ever! I even adopted her to one of my sisters! With a little training and love I think any dog can make a great addition to your family! And don’t fall into breed stereotypes! If you should share one doggie lesson with folks, what would it be? I had not realized how many dogs in need there really were before I joined APB. It was astounding. I knew that shelters were full, and I always encouraged friends and family to adopt rather than buy a dog, but didn’t know the scope of how many dogs really needed rescuing and how many were euthanized every week – just in the Lansing area! I would say that being a volunteer has been an eye opening experience! A family member mentioned breeding so that she could get a lab puppy, she was sure that you couldn’t rescue a puppy for some reason. SO, armed with all my new knowledge I convinced her that there were plenty of puppies around, and sent her pictures of every puppy or lab that was in local shelters or in need of rescue. FLOODED with all these emails, she’s now realized that breeding is not the way to go and will be looking for a rescue puppy when the time is right. YAY! I guess my one lesson would be to ADOPT and RESCUE the dogs we already have and not to encourage breeding. Editor's Note - Jamie is also a celebrity! Her photo of Tanner, July's dog of the month, won 2nd place in a Lansing State Journal cutest pet photo contest! Previous Spotlights: Jamie Kowal Lisa Bates Kim Reed Dawn Sparks Amanda Collins