My Husband is Pretty Great

My husband is pretty great. If you’ve read my book, Another Good Dog, you probably already know that (and wonder why he’s still married to me).

He likes dogs. But not like I like dogs. Or at least not like I like fostering dogs. Right now we have two foster dogs (the puppies all went home-finally!!) living with us (plus Gracie Lou who is currently fostering in Maryland).

Marley is a young 8-year-old all-American dog who is blond, (one)blue-eyed, and weighs about forty pounds. She loves people (especially men), but she gets overexcited about other dogs to the point where she can’t stay out of their business.

This creates an issue with our dog Otis who doesn’t particularly care for dogs who are not Fanny Wiggles (his emotional support dog). If I slip up with the who’s out/who’s in schedule a fence fight ensues. No one gets hurt, but my heart races too fast and I say bad words.

Marley’s in-your-dog-faceness also creates an issue with Krimpet. Partly because we are still trying to keep her heartrate down as she goes through heartworm treatment and partly because Krimpet does not appreciate Marley’s enthusiasm and isn’t afraid to say so.

So every day, we practice crate-and-rotate. Anyone who has fostered or has a reactive dog knows that term well, but for the uninitiated, let me explain. Both dogs have crates and we take turns letting one or the other be loose. Although that plan is complicated by the fact that Marley can’t be allowed out while my dogs are outside (the foster cottage has a doggie door to the playyard that abuts our yard).

When I’m home, we split the time mostly fifty-fifty all day long, with Marley getting extra time out even when I’m not in the cottage because she can be trusted not to eat anything made of paper.

Next week I’m leaving on shelter tour. And there isn’t another foster home available for my girls. This means Nicholas will be managing all five dogs (our three plus two fosters), while working fulltime (remote except one day).

He’ll get in lots of steps tromping downstairs from his office, outside to my cottage to do the crate and rotate dance. He’ll have to babysit Krimpet when she’s out—keeping a watchful eye on her via the babycam. I will try to remove every possible ‘chew toy’ (pretty much everything but the furniture), but Krimpet’s beagle tendencies are hard to control and I expect at least one phone call that starts with, “That barky foster dog…” (she barks at him when she sees him).

So, you see, my husband is pretty great.

Would someone please come adopt these dogs?

(And if you happen to see Nick next week – please thank him for looking after all these dogs!)

Just in case you’ve forgotten their stats:

Marly is sweet girl ready to find the home of her dreams – someone to cuddle her, take her on long walks to explore all the smells, and give her plenty of toys to chew. She is seven years old and forty pounds. Her breed is a big question mark, but she has soft, fawn-colored fur, a curly tail, and one blue eye. She is housebroken, crate-trained, and walking well on a leash (with a front-leading harness). She loves everyone she meets, does great on car rides, and is eager for new adventures. She doesn’t have the patience for a home with children (she’s a mature lady a little set in her ways). She has a real desire to chase squirrels and follow scents, so she might do better in a home without cats.

Krimpet is a four-year-old darling dog who weighs 35 pounds and is happiest snuggled by your side. Her heritage is a mystery (and she’s not talking), as she was found as a stray, pregnant and heartworm positive. She had seven healthy puppies and is currently undergoing heartworm treatment. Soon she will be spayed and then ready for a family of her own. Krimpet is great with all ages. She is a curious, sweet, submissive dog with a short tail and a beautiful face. She walks well on a leash, is crate-trained, and housebroken.

Gracie Lou is a sweet 50-pound 5-year-old bull dog mix. She is up to date on all her shots, is spayed and is ready to be a part of your family! She needs an adopter who will spend time with her and would do best in a home with no cats where she is the only dog (or with a less dominant dog and a slow introduction). She will be your best friend and cuddle with you and give kisses all the time!

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.