My cottage is full of puppies! We went from a quiet space with just me and Nemo, to a bustling place with nonstop puppy wrestling (in two arenas), nonstop laundry, and nonstop cuteness!
First up is Sadie, a Dalmation mix puppy I am fostering for Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA. This is my second gig with them. I picked up Sadie from another foster who needed to move her (and also gave her red nail caps!).
Sadie is a delightful girl full-up with happy. She is enjoying playing with Nemo, the perfect playmate/babysitter for any puppy. He is gentle with her, and she keeps him running, which is helping with his fitness plan. The two run the playyard and snuggle on the couch together.
Sadie is about five months oldish and weighed 26 pounds on the day I picked her up. She’s probably put on a few more pounds since then. She is scheduled to be spayed on December 18, and after that, she’ll be available for adoption through RHSPCA.
The F Litter arrived last Friday night on a transport from Mississippi. Nick and I have laughed about whether or not they were truly going to be an ‘F’ Litter, thankfully, they have not lived up to that name. Felix, Finny, Freya, Faye, and Farrah are eight weeks old and being billed as ‘Feist mix’. After living with them for a week, I’m going to guess they might be more Jack Russell Terrier, but it’s truly anyone’s guess.
They range in weight from 4.5 pounds (Freya) to 7.5 pounds (Finn and Faye), so they will likely grow up to be small/medium dogs. Since none of us are privy to their parentage, that is, of course, our best guess.
They are busy, smart little cutie-pies who all love people. Hazel has been making sure they grow up respectful of kitties.
Here is a little about each:
Freya is the tiniest but also the fiercest. She wins nearly every toy battle and bosses her littermates all day long. She is an athlete who has scaled the puppy fence two times (only to be upset that she was then separated from her siblings). She is wicked smart and a determined little girl. Why is it that the tiny ones are always in charge?
Farrah has the build of a JRT, with stubby legs, a coarse coat, and an elongated body. She had eyebrows to die for, and is beyond cute. One of the smallest (only a pound heavier than Freya), she quickly attached herself to me and will let loose with not-stop crying if she catches a glimpse of me in the next room or hears me working on the laundry. Farrah loves to snuggle and is happiest in my arms.
Faye is one of the largest pups and has a big appetite, so I’ve been calling her Fatty Faye. She’s undeterred by my teasing. She is another snuggle muffin who can be a little timid when separated from her siblings. She might benefit from having a fursibling in her adoptive family.
Finn is outgoing and curious and VERY toy motivated. He loves his toys and as soon as something new appears in the pen, he claims it and eventually stockpiles all the toys in the sleeping crate. He is confident and independent and absurdly gorgeous. Finn is the largest pup, weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces at his last weigh-in.
Felix is a smart boy who is gentler than the others. He loves to be held and quickly learned to sit for treats and attention. He has an easy-going nature and will no-doubt be a fun dog to have around. He’s in the middle in terms of size/weight.
All of the F puppies are available through Operation Paws for Homes. If you live nearby or want to make a road trip, they would love a visit. If you’d like more information or would like to meet them in person, email me (fosterdogcottage@gmail.com).
And, I can’t close without mentioning my boy, Nemo. He is just a wonder. Nick and I took him out several times over the weekend and discovered that he LOVES kids (and they love him), gets along with every dog he meets (even the ones that growled at him), and is perfect in the car. I can’t say enough good about this boy, and I’m still scratching my head as to why he’s been in rescue so long.
I’ve written before about ‘adoption magic,’ and how sometimes dogs linger in rescue because their family isn’t ready for them yet, so I’m going to trust that’s what’s going on here. That said, please help me spread the word about this amazing dog. Let’s get him home for Christmas. Here’s a video of him with three little guys he snuggled with on one of our outings.
Here is a link to the last blog post, all about Nemo: Please share this link.
Cara
For information on 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’re on TikTok, you can find regular videos of my current fosters, dog news/tips, and more if you follow me there.
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.
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 crate covers(!), 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.
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