Month: October 2023

dog rescue, foster dogs, heartworms, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, pregnant dog

Mystery Solved

Cara Achterberg

One mystery is solved – Krimpet is definitely pregnant. The mystery now is when is she due?

At her vet check that confirmed the pregnancy, the vet put her at about 45 days along (gestation period for a dog is between 57-65 days). Counting backwards that means she either got pregnant the day she entered the shelter (almost seven weeks ago or got pregnant at the shelter. I’m going to hope the vet’s off by a few days and she got pregnant shortly before entering the shelter.

Continue reading “Mystery Solved” →
cats, former foster dogs, fosterdogs, pregnant dog, puppies

The Gangs All Here

Cara Achterberg

Assimilating three dogs takes patience.

Once upon a time, in my early days of fostering, I would rush it. No, actually, I just wouldn’t think about it. Foster dog arrived and we let it loose in the house. I look back on that now and am amazed it didn’t result in anything worse than ruined carpets.

I have three canine guests in the cottage with me. Two are fosters and one is a previous foster puppy who is hanging out with us while his family is traveling. I rarely get to see my puppy fosters all grown up, so this is a treat.

Continue reading “The Gangs All Here” →
distemper, dog rescue, Ehrlichia, fosterdogs, heartworms, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, pregnant dog, vaccines

So Much for My Dogless Cottage

Cara Achterberg

This cottage can’t stay dogless for long. It lasted all of five days, and then Melisa from the Humane Society messaged me- Could you foster a pregnant dog? She needs to get out of the shelter.

It’s not the best timing. We leave on shelter tour tomorrow. But how could I say no to helping a dog in my own community? So, of course, I said yes.

Continue reading “So Much for My Dogless Cottage” →
Uncategorized

Why I Foster

Cara Achterberg

I was interviewed this week by a reporter from our local paper about fostering dogs. It’s such a regular part of my life and community now, that I don’t really think of it as novel. It’s just what we do.

But her questions made me think about why I foster and what I get out of it.

Continue reading “Why I Foster” →