Local dog Marshmallow on a mission to spread positivity around Moose Jaw

After being surrendered to the Moose Jaw Humane Society this year, a local canine hero by the name of Marshmallow (now Ghost) has been spending time touring the Notorious City. During one of his most recent excursions, he stopped to visit residents at the Chateau St. Michael care home.

The purpose of his visits has been to assist the Moose Jaw Humane Society with its mission of spreading a little positivity around the city.

“Everybody loves him once they meet him,” said Dana Haukaas, the executive director of the Moose Jaw Humane Society. “I chose Marshmallow because he’s the perfect height and nobody has to bend over (to pet him). He’s got a big fluffy soft head, and he loves to be pet, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

It wasn’t long until Marshmallow got adopted by his new family, who is finishing up their move to a new acreage close to town where he’ll be able to roam freely with his new dog sister and two children.

“They were in the process of moving, so we just held on to him, partly because I wanted to take him to City Hall with me. He’s a great boy,” Haukaas said. This was the same day that Marshmallow visited Chateau St. Michael, along with a few other half-hour stops at the Crescent Park Villa, Capilano Court, Pioneer Lodge, and one local elementary school.

Marshmallow’s gig won’t have to come to an end, however, as his loving new family has agreed to let the Humane Society borrow him from time to time to partake in his social visits around town.

His future outings will take place on more of a spontaneous basis, as the Humane Society often responds to requests from the various care homes and schools in the city. One frequent stop is the Pioneer Lodge, which is handily close to the shelter.

The Humane Society also likes to visit elementary schools on a regular basis. “We try to talk to (the students) about being safe around dogs and cats, and how to be kind to dogs and cats,” Haukaas said.

Marshmallow has proven to be the perfect candidate for this gig, as most shelter dogs aren’t utilized for this type of assignment. Haukaas said most of the shelter’s animals get uncomfortable around people they don’t recognize, and the shelter won’t put them in situations that makes them nervous.

For the white, fluffy Great Pyrenees however, his breed is well-renowned for their gentle disposition and mild temperament around people. “He wasn’t nervous (to see) wheelchairs, canes, walkers – he didn’t care. He just walked up to everybody and let them love on him,” Haukaas said.

Marshmallow will be heading to his forever home on Dec. 1, and this coming January he will be turning two years old.

He will be in good hands too, of course. His new mom has plenty of experience working at and volunteering for the Humane Society and an animal clinic after that. “She’s got lots of animal experience,” Haukaas confirmed. “He will be well taken care of.”

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