adopters, fostering, litters, puppies

Foster Puppies: Quick Before They Escape!

Cara Sue Achterberg

The puppies are thriving and noisy and ever since getting their first taste of freedom in the puppy yard, all they want is “OUT!”

Or at least, that’s what I imagine they are saying as they yip-yip-yap all the live-long day whenever they are left in the puppy room. Thankfully, the weather has been nice and they’ve had plenty of time in the puppy yard. If only I could install my desk out there, we would be all set. As it is, I can’t leave them out there unsupervised.

Continue reading “Foster Puppies: Quick Before They Escape!” →
Breeds, dog rescue, fostering, litters, oph, poop, puppies

Put a Little More Puppy in Your Day

Cara Sue Achterberg

I think the reason people who foster a litter of puppies agree to do it again is the same reason people have more than one child. You forget.

You forget the mess. You forget the noise. You forget the smell. You forget the laundry and the work and endlessness of it.

All you remember is the joy and the cuteness and the love.

I asked for this. I could have stuck with full-grown dogs. But no, I needed puppies.

Continue reading “Put a Little More Puppy in Your Day” →
dog rescue, fosterdogs, fostering, hard to adopt, litters, Long Term Dog, puppies, shelters, transport

Coming Soon to a Foster Home Near You: Puppies!

Cara Sue Achterberg

I’m pretty sure Mia will be here indefinitely.

It may take some time for her people to find her. She’s incredibly special and so her people are likely special too. She’s ceaseless entertainment for Fanny (and for us), so we don’t mind waiting.

Continue reading “Coming Soon to a Foster Home Near You: Puppies!” →
Breeds, dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, Long Term Dog, Pit bull, training

Of Bite Addendums, Smart Dogs, and Transparency

Cara Sue Achterberg

Smart dogs are just harder to deal with—same goes for smart children. Mia still has no applications, but that’s not her fault. She isn’t a simple dog.

She is clever and energetic and totally in the game. She doesn’t miss a thing—my glance her way while working will bring her to her feet, she’ll nudge my hip as if to ask, “How can I help?”

Continue reading “Of Bite Addendums, Smart Dogs, and Transparency” →
dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, returned dogs, training, Uncategorized

Four-legged Happy

Cara Sue Achterberg

Do you want to know what happy looks like in a 45 pound package with four legs?

That would be Mia. This dog simply never has a bad day, or a dull moment, or an off-switch. Well, that’s not entirely true. She does sleep—in fact, when she does it is much like she lives—loud. The girl can snore.

Mama Mia is back with us and she is an entirely different dog than the dog who arrived here last April with ten puppies still nursing.

Continue reading “Four-legged Happy” →
adopters, Billie Jean, dog rescue, former foster dogs, fosterdogs, returned dogs

A Dog I Once Fostered…

Cara Sue Achterberg

Billie Jean is launched.

Gosh how I hope this time it sticks. I think it is a good match, but we never really know until she goes home.

I’m still awaiting word. I haven’t heard anything since a quick text from her adopter while they were driving home (four hours to northern New Jersey). She said Billie Jean, now Piper, was sleeping in the back seat most of the time, occasionally standing up and putting her head between the seats to give a few kisses.

Continue reading “A Dog I Once Fostered…” →
cats, dog books, dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, hard to adopt, no-kill, shelters, writing

Dog Parties and Talking Rescue

Cara Sue Achterberg

We had a dog party this weekend.

We often have multiple dogs – but that usually includes a litter of puppies which inflates our numbers. This time, it was all adult dogs, and quite a few personalities.

We had our neighbor’s dog Juno, who is one of Fanny’s best friends.

Continue reading “Dog Parties and Talking Rescue” →
Billie Jean, Breeds, former foster dogs, writing

Mutts are Survivors and Here’s Why

Cara Sue Achterberg

It’s been a quiet two weeks with Billie Jean here and me busy with book stuff, but I couldn’t let another week go by without a blog post for Another Good Dog. I’ve been writing this blog for 5 and a half years! That’s quite a habit. I promise I’ll give you the scoop on Billie J, plus an update on Daisy B, but first indulge me my musing about mutts….

Continue reading “Mutts are Survivors and Here’s Why” →
adopters, Behavioral Euthanasia, Billie Jean, dog rescue, foster dogs, oph, returned dogs, training

Our Beauty Queen Returns

Cara Sue Achterberg

Having Billie Jean back with us has been really fun. She has an energy that shimmers off her and an eagerness to please that is refreshing. Like most cattle dogs, she has a lot to say and a huge repertoire of sounds. She is great company and an entertaining guest.

117967718_10157686800362405_2395763771416965780_n

She is so much the dog I remember, but at the same time there is Continue reading “Our Beauty Queen Returns” →

adopters, Breeds, dog rescue, Fanny, former foster dogs, fostering, returned dogs, training

Judging By the Heart

Cara Sue Achterberg

It’s another quiet week at this foster house. We’re in between foster dogs, something that feels rare for us as the dogs have generally overlapped for years now.

Tito was adopted on Sunday by a couple of ‘old hippies’ (their words!). It seems like a really great fit. They are experienced pit bull people who don’t just want to adopt, but to ‘rescue.’

They understand that Tito is a work in progress and that any dog adopted into a new home will require a significant effort on their part. At the start of this pandemic, Tito had only ever lived on a logging chain 24/7. Since then he has been in two rescues, one foster home, and now a second adoptive home. They are committed to helping him feel safe and loved, while teaching him about life in his new home.

Continue reading “Judging By the Heart” →