Play to help man’s best friend

Two very special dogs at the Valley Humane Society are searching for the perfect “furrever” family and community members can help by playing a simple game of Blackout Bingo.

Residents can play along through the end of the month for their chance to win special prizes while also helping two of man’s best friends find a new family.

Most dogs stay at the Pleasanton adoption center around nine days, according to staff, but Miles and Lady Valentina have been there almost four times as long. Both mixed-breed dogs are playful, friendly and housebroken but have struggled with “personality traits that keep them from showing well within the kennel environment” since arriving nearly two months ago, according to Valley Humane officials.

One-year-old Miles, a large blonde male with “an endearingly comical face and super snuggle power,” loves long walks but becomes nervous and anxious when kenneled, officials said. Lady Valentina, a “spunky” female around two years old with black fur and white markings, “sports a silly grin” and plays well with other dogs but also becomes excited in her kennel and barks loudly when viewed.

To increase the dogs’ odds of finding the perfect owner, the Valley Humane Society recently organized a game of Adoptable Pet Blackout Bingo.

Players choose a dog and download a game card filled with action items, marking off each one when it’s done. The items include actions like telling a friend, posting on Facebook or hanging an adoption flyer at work or school. Each filled card can be submitted for one of three drawings at the end of April for prizes like Valley Humane Society gear or pet store gift cards. Players may fill a card for each dog.

Participation in Adoptable Pet Blackout Bingo is free; to download a Blackout Bingo card, visit valleyhumane.org/adoption/bingo.