Berry’s Day Out

Since arriving here in my foster cottage, Berry has had a pretty sheltered life. We’ve journeyed all over the back roads around me at dawn and taken dozens of turns around our back pasture, but beyond that, his world has been pretty small.

Not anymore! If there was any doubt that Berry is a dog about town, it has all been shushed. My ‘shy’ guy spent this past Saturday greeting all kinds of people at the Farmer’s Market and in downtown Woodstock.

We even ventured into a few dog-friendly stores (and one political headquarters that had dog treats on hand).

He is such a gentle soul that he drew people to him. More than one person said they wished they could take them home but already had their dog quota.

Berry’s manners are incredible and the credit for that has to go to his previous foster, Val, who taught him everything he knows. Since coming here, he’s been hanging with Hazel, who has very few kind words for him, and spending his days lounging in the cottage kitchen chewing through every chew toy I’ve got. Thankfully, he’s too polite to get into the treats/food on counters and easily reachable shelves.

I’ve got the flimsiest of barricades up to keep him out of the puppy room (lots of stuff currently stored in there that I’d prefer he keep his long nose out of). He never challenges it, even though he could knock over that gate or nose the hamper out of the way with the lightest of nudges. The boy has manners!

I’d really love for him to find his people soon. I’m headed out to visit shelters again, so his terribly unexciting days in the cottage with me will get pretty lonely when it’s just Hazel (and Diamond in the next room), interrupted by walks with Nick.

If you or anyone you know is looking for a perfectly mannered pup who is a dream on the leash (and has the long legs to go for miles), let me know. Berry is about 15 months old and pretty low-energy. He likes treats and is smart and eager to please, so training shouldn’t be hard (which is why I have no excuse for not expanding his repertoire except the fact that I am profoundly busy).

Berry is long-legged and lean, with a soft blond coat and a shepherd’s face (except his silly floppy ears). He weighs just 45 pounds, is crate-trained, house-trained, and generally quiet (although when he hears our neighbor’s dogs barking, he’ll let out a magnificent howl). He’s neutered, utd on shots, microchipped, yada, yada. Ready to go home, if only he had a home to go to.

Please help spread the word about this wonderful dog who is ready to start his real life. If you want an easy dog, Berry is your guy. Apply to adopt him through Operation Paws for Homes.

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.

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. We are currently in need of chicken-free, high-quality food and treats for Diamond and chew toys for Berry. Oh, and large bed cover replacements (any size – we can cut the memory foam pieces I have to fit).

Many of the pictures on my blog are taken by photographer Nancy Slattery. If you’d like to connect with Nancy to take gorgeous pictures of your pup (or your family), contact: nancyslat@gmail.com.