The Latest in this Foster House

It’s always something when you have as many dogs as we have in the house. Let me catch you up on the latest.

First, the happy news that Darla was adopted. She’ll be living just a few miles up the road from me. She’s doing great and her new family is adjusting to the unique energy level a Catahoula, especially one as young and smart and fun as Darla, brings to a home. She’s enjoyed the ornamental pond in her new mom’s garden and enjoyed a romp with her another family member’s golden retriever. Luckily, her new family has a big piece of property and a plan for managing all that dog. She really hit the jackpot.

The puppies are one by one getting approved adopters. Being houndish puppies (my best guess, although I’m pretty sure there are probably a dozen different breeds in their DNA), they’ve required a few adjustments. Everyone is eating separately now to reduce the competitive eating urge and attempt to slow them down (adopters: you will want to purchase a slow-down or puzzle feeder!). We are also trying to get outside as much as possible, since clean up inside is a challenge as they grow and get more active.

They are the calmest litter I’ve fostered. They seem to have a ‘chill’ gene. Their energy does not last long—a few romps, a chase, a tumble, and then we’re scouting for food or looking for a lap to curl up in. Frankly, they are adorable. They can distract me from all manner of chores and work.

Several of them are already mastering ‘sit’. Food-motivated dogs are so easy to train!

Not sure puppies get much cuter…

A week ago, a friend asked me what was wrong with Maraschino’s eye. I looked closely at what she was noticing (she was snuggling him close outside in the sunshine) and was shocked to see what looked like cracked ice in the center of his right eye. Just faint lines you wouldn’t (and I didn’t) notice from a distance or inside in the chaos of those first few weeks in the puppy room.

Maraschino seems to see just fine and has been coming into his own of late—definitely all-in when it’s time to rumble with his littermates. The eye was never swollen, never had any discharge, nothing has seemed to be amiss.

Thanks to the gracious visit of Jan, a neighbor who is also a mobile vet (and canine acupuncturist!), we learned that those lines are likely scarring from an earlier trauma. These puppies were born in a yard in West Virginia, where their mom Cherry has spent her last four or more years tied up. It’s easy to imagine that he could have been injured in that setting, it’s hard to imagine how much pain he must have been in.

Jan said we can’t really know if the injury will compromise Maraschino’s vision in the future, or if any other issues will arise from it. When the adopter for this darling puppy was informed of the situation, she didn’t hesitate to say, of course, they still want to adopt Maraschino. She understands that rescuing means rescuing – and every puppy comes with potential health risks.

I’m so grateful for the dog-hearted people like Jan, and Maraschino’s adopter, who don’t see this scarred puppy as flawed or too risky, but worth rescuing, worth caring for, worth loving.

It occurs to me also, that’s exactly how dogs see people—worth loving, even when we are flawed or unworthy of that love (because we leave them tied up in a yard for years?).

It’s another reminder of the privilege it is to nurture these dogs, to be a part of their journey, even as they are such a rich part of mine.

Mama Cherry has moved in with the big dogs. She is getting healthier, although still working through some skin/ear/eye issues – all part of recovering from a life of neglect. She is a sweet dog, grateful for every touch. She especially enjoys wandering our back field on a leash, soaking in the smells, and making occasional tugs toward a bunny or squirrel (or a glimpse of one of my phantom barn cats). Her favorite way to spend the day is lounging on the futon while I write, snoring softly.

Only one of the puppies is still adoptable (but things change quickly when it comes to puppies!), and he’s my favorite! Tart is the smallest of this litter. He is a total doll baby that only wants to be in my lap. His eyes never leave me while I’m working in the pen or outside with the puppies or even at my desk. I can feel his silent, constant adoration at all times.

Tart is in the middle in terms of energy for this bunch, but often gets run right over by his larger siblings. He has beautiful markings, much like a rottweiler, but he won’t be a big dog (my guess) as he is just over five pounds at seven weeks of age. His fur is softer and slightly longer than his siblings and he is lighter-boned with a more compact build, as opposed to their elongated builds. It’s always interesting to see the wide variety within one litter of puppies, particularly scrumptious puppies like these! If you’d like to apply to adopt Tart, click here.

Stelaluna and Argus are still patiently waiting for their forever families. We don’t mind too much as they are both super easy fosters to have around (crate-trained, housebroken, quiet, get along with everyone, great on a leash). I’m hoping to get Argus in the big pool this week. He spends so much time in his tiny baby pool, it will be fun to see what he thinks of a ‘real’ pool!

Fostering is a wonderful experience. If you’ve ever considered it, please reach out. I’d be happy to answer questions or help you get started!

Until Each One Has a Home,

Cara

For information on me, my writing, and books, visit CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, and occasional foster cat updates (!) be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds.

If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs . Or its follow up that takes you to the shelters in the south One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.

I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

If you’d like to support the work we do (and save the rescue and me some money), shop our Amazon wishlist. Right now I have a real need for dog beds as we’ve had a series of bed-destroyers and are down to using towels for everyone (except the puppies – their beds are still fine).