'Babe' is Anything But Blue. This Big Dog is Ready to Adopt Now

Billings' featured Wet Nose Wednesday dog this week is named Babe, just like the Big, Blue Ox or the famous baseball player. And much like the legendary oversized cow, our dog this week is a big boy. He's also a total sweetheart.

Babe wants to be your adventure buddy. Credit Jaci Bjorne, TSM

From the Electric City to Billings.

Babe came to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter from a shelter in Great Falls about a week ago. YVAS works with various shelters around the state and nation to help dogs find loving homes. For example; some cities have higher populations of retired folks who might prefer adopting smaller dogs. Other towns have younger demographics that are more likely to adopt an active dog like Babe.

Look at that smile. Credit Jaci Bjorne, TSM

The shelter thinks Babe will find his forever home in the Magic City, and we agree. This dog would love spending time running around with you in Yellowstone County.

He loves toys. Credit Jaci Bjorne, TSM

A new best friend for all of your adventures.

Babe bounded through our studio doors this morning when he arrived with Derek Wulf, Humane Outreach Coordinator at Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. Babe is a very curious, active dog. A Malamute mix, he will probably do best with a human who can keep him busy with lots of exercise and playtime.

Can't adopt another pet? Consider being a foster parent.

YVAS is always looking for qualified individuals to act as foster parents for dogs or cats. They wrote,

The animals that are sent out to foster are all compromised in some way and are not yet considered “adoptable” whether they are underage or underweight, nursing, are semi-feral and need individualized socialization, or are recovering from an illness or medical procedure.

The average length of time a pet is in foster care is usually 2 - 6 weeks, but that can vary depending on the animal's needs. You can learn more about their foster program HERE. Browse all the animals currently up for adoption at the shelter HERE.

See Inside This Now Abandoned Prison in Illinois

Located just over 30 miles to the southwest of Chicago is the town of Joliet, Illinois. It's here that the abandoned remains of the Old Joliet Prison, with a history that spans more than 160 years, can be found. Once featured in several films, the structure has sat vacant and decaying for more than twenty years now. However, in 2018, the Joliet Historical Museum, reclaimed the property, in partnership with the city.

The Old Joliet Prison can be toured for a fee, with proceeds going to help preserve the site, and recently photographer Annie Chartrand captured images of what remains of the monolithic limestone structure that once housed thousands of inmates. Keep scrolling to experience the Old Joliet Prison through her lens including a look at what appears to be the prison hospital facility.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals