I’ve just returned from a tour of shelters with Who Will Let the Dogs Out, and this time I came home with more than stories and connections; I brought back three new fosters!
Leo went home while I was away. He was adopted by a family local to me, so I should be able to keep tabs on him!
Huey was also adopted, so for the last week, the cottage has been empty except for Hazel. Apparently, she really enjoyed having all that space and quiet to herself because last night, after I tucked in all my new fosters, she promptly peed in my office. I’m hoping this was a single declarative statement. One and done. I know nothing about training cats.
It’s pretty clear already that Rose, one of my fosters, is not good with cats, and luckily, she’s the most responsible guest, so for the time being, I’ve been leaving her loose in the office, and Hazel has stayed in the kitchen.
Speaking of Rose, I’ll start with her. She is easy-peasy. She traveled quietly and calmly for 14 hours in the car. She was a perfect, quiet guest at the hotel with us, and (so far) she seems to be housebroken.
Rose is here as a temporary foster. She is heartworm positive and will complete her treatment with me before moving on to Pink Dog Rescue in Pennsylvania, who find her a forever family.
Rose was originally pulled from the euthanasia list at Memphis Animal Services. She was a staff favorite, and I fell in love with her smushy little mug. She weighs 45 pounds, but looks much smaller. She is a solid, low-riding bulldog shape. She loves everyone she meets and has a silly, curious personality. She has been a mom, and due to her small stature, I’d guess she was bred to make ‘micro pits’ or possibly puppies who could pass as Frenchies (at least long enough to pull a big price tag). That’s just speculation on my part. When foster comes with no story, I have to fill in the blanks.
Rose ticks all the boxes for dogs most often euthanized in a shelter: pit bull like, black (she’s actually more chocolate brown but looks black in pictures), and heartworm positive. We heard this again and again while touring shelters this week.
I was supposed to bring home Cherry. Cherry, if you remember, was also pulled from the euthanasia list at Memphis Animal Services. She had surgery to save her hind leg about a month ago, but about the same time I was leaving for my tour, we got word that she had broken her leg again, and the pins did not hold. She had to have that leg amputated.
So while she recovers in Memphis, Team Memphis asked if X-Port Paws and I might be willing to take Suri (short for Surrender) in her place. Suri is pretty much perfect, so it was an easy ask. She is spayed, heartworm negative, young, gorgeous, and sweet as can be. She walks beautifully on a leash, is crate-trained, house-trained (so far), gets along with everyone she meets. She is spotted all over (maybe some dalmatian in there?) and weighs 45 pounds, but that is all in the legs. I’m going to guess she’s a little heavier than that, but I’ll do official weigh-ins once everyone is settled here.
She’s basically a calmer, female version of Leo. Friendly, adorable, heart-stealing. She won’t be here long.
The last foster is just a puppy. We saved him from being sold out of the back of a pick up at the Ripley Flea Market. Loki looks a lot like many of the puppies I’ve fostered recently, but a little smaller. He was severely underweight, so maybe he’ll make up for lost time. For now, I can’t really guess what size dog he’ll be – maybe 45 pounds (seems to be my number for this pack).
Loki was a rockstar on the long drive. We were all bracing for a whining, puking, pooping puppy, but he was absolutely perfect. He continues to be a delight here. He loves to play with toys, is confident and friendly, and remarkably, seems to be crate-trained and house-trained already. He is available for adoption through X-Port Paws. If you’re interested in this doll-baby, reach out (fosterdogcottage@gmail.com).
Traveling to the shelters in the south sometimes feels like visiting a foreign country. Things are hard right now, everywhere. And yet, there were pockets of hope and we met so many heroes working for change. If you want to know more and see pictures/videos of our visits, check out our Facebook and TikTok pages.
All of my fosters are alive thanks to the efforts of X-Port Paws and Team Memphis Rescue and Support. I can’t say enough good about these two organizations that are saving so many lives every day. Please support the work they do.
Cara
For information on my writing and books, visit CaraWrites.com.
My newest book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues is a primer for those new to the cause, an invitation to get involved, and a source of inspiration for those already working tirelessly to save lives. With stories of successful shelters, innovative strategies, and the key ingredients for success—strong leadership, veterinary access, and community engagement—it’s a celebration of what’s working and a call to scale those solutions nationwide. Learn more and get your copy and/or send one to a shelter or rescue on our website. Also available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
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 it’s a 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 dog vitamins and probiotics (we have puppy), size large martingale collars, and Denta-life chews.
If you’d like to take a vacation with your whole pack, consider visiting one of our two dog-WELCOMING vacation rentals. Visit BringDogs.com to learn more.
Another Good Dog™ 