A Puppy Just for You

It’s been a week with these little mice puppies, and while they have gotten bigger, they’re still tiny.

At seven weeks, the smallest (Chrystanthemum) is 2 pounds, four ounces and the largest (Gus Gus and Norman) are 3 pounds, 13 ounces. Which, if you trust a puppy growth calculator means they will grow to be 16 pounds and 27 pounds.

So, they’ll be small dogs when they grow up, which is why I’m kind of surprised, and not, that they don’t have adopters yet. This is typically a slow time of year for adoptions. But because these puppies will grow to be small dogs, I did think they’d have a better chance than most of finding a family quickly.

That said, if I’ve got to have puppies older than eight weeks hanging out with me for a bit, at least they are little, and so are their poops. They are also good little poopers at using their puppy pads.

Plus, they’re too little to jump or climb out of the inside or outside pen. And, well, you can’t get past the fact that they are ADORABLE.

Still, they do chain me to my property to a certain degree (there are very few pet sitters out there who want to take care of eight tiny puppies, their mama, and my three challenging dogs, plus Hazel and the barn cats).

My other serious concern is how to give them enough attention and enrichment. With eight, it proves a challenge. But I’m doing the best I can, and so far, these little darlings seem to be just as easy-going and non-demanding as their mom.

Hopefully, as the summer wanes, the people who were waiting until after vacations will be ready to adopt a puppy.

As a litter, compared to other puppies I’ve fostered their age, they are all very calm and lower-energy. No one is screaming all day or climbing the fences or fighting over toys. Here are a few pictures and words for each of these little sweetie pies:

Norman the Doorman: gorgeous, sleek, solid, smart, laid-back, confident

Gus Gus: funny, hungry, independent, toy-lover, outgoing, friendly, treat-motivated

Stuart-Little: miniature chocolate lab, balanced, clever, curious, affectionate, easy-going, patient

Ralph: gentle, calm, people-oriented, sweet, quiet, affectionate, devoted

Noisy Nora: brave, friendly, confident, curious, independent, leader

Chrysanthemum: angelic, tiny, fuzzy, gorgeous, quiet, lovable, unassuming

Maisy Mouse: even-keeled, sweet, friendly, independent, gentle, calm

Angelina Ballerina: feisty, fun, tiny, curious, treat-motivated, brave, sassy

They really are a nice bunch of puppies, and I’m not just saying that. They are spoiling me. Like everyone, I do wonder what is in their DNA, but whatever it is, it is sweet.

A few clues (besides their small stature): some have tails that curl back over themselves (like a pug, although I see no pug in those faces) and none have dew claws. Their coats range from super short (Norman) to fuzzy (Ralph and Chrysanthemum) and everywhere in between. I’m just calling them West Virginia Brown Dogs and also itty-bitties, sweetie-pies, and the Littles.

Their mama, Mrs. Frisby, is steadily gaining weight. She spends her days sleeping and seems exhausted. Now that she is no longer nursing, she is being treated for Ehrlichia and Lymes, so that is also taking its toll on her system. She remains the sweetest, calmest dog who gets along with Hazel (foster cat) and also my dog, Fanny.

If you’d like to come meet them and help socialize them, I’d be truly grateful. Email me (cara.achterberg@ophrescue.org) or message me on Facebook (Cara Achterberg) to set up a time to visit.

If you’re interested in possibly adopting one of these cutiepies, visit www.ophrescue.org for more information and to apply.

THANK YOU beyond thank you to the people who sent supplies for this litter – we’ve gotten dry food, canned food, Dyne (supplement), Salmon Oil, toys, collars and even a puppy scale and a dog scale! It has made everything easier.

And please don’t forget the two senior dogs I’ve fostered/advocated for who are still waiting for homes of their own:

Marley is forty pounds, 8 years old, housetrained, crate-trained, and loves everyone she meets. She has some Husky in her, so is prone to chase cats. She is spayed, utd on shots and preventatives. She is smart, affectionate, funny, and has more energy than you’d expect from a pup her age, so I would guess she has a lot of life left to live. She’s available for adoption through the Humane Society of Shenandoah County.

Gracie Lou is somewhere between 6 and 8 years old. Because she spent the first part of her life on a chain and was left to drown when a flood overtook her property, no one has ever gotten a real history on her. Since then, she has spent the last three years in rescue or foster care. She is about fifty pounds of pure love. While she likes cats, her enthusiasm for them and her size would likely be dangerous for them. She loves people and is hit/miss with other dogs, as she never really learned how to socialize with them. What she’d really like is a couch to call her own and a person to love. She is available for adoption through Saving Webster Dogs.

Hazel, the perfect foster cat and puppy trainer, is also looking for a forever home. She is available for adoption through the Humane Society of Shenandoah County. She is spayed, very affectionate and outgoing, and prefers to be an only cat.

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. If you’d like to see dogs I’m connected to who are available for adoption in Shenandoah County, visit Shenandoah County Adoptable Dogs on Facebook.

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. You can support our work by donating items and/or bidding during our fall online auction.

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.