I could really use your help.
Up until now, pretty much every one of my fosters has belonged to a local rescue organization, like the Humane Society of Shenandoah County or Operation Paws for Homes.
With the current crew in my foster cottage, I am fostering for X-Port Paws. They are mainly a transport rescue organization. They save animals marked for euthanasia from shelters, find a receiving rescue, arrange for veterinary evaluation, care, and transport. It’s actually amazing how many lives they have saved, even though most of them they’ve never met in person.
When I wanted to save the dogs and puppies in my cottage from the euthanasia list at Memphis Animal Services, time was of the essence (we got Dani out with only hours to spare). I knew my local Humane Society didn’t have the resources for the medical care required (multiple dogs who need heartworm treatment, an amputation, one spay surgery, plus the risk always involved in pulling puppies). There wasn’t time to convince anyone at OPH to pull these animals, and it was unlikely they would since they are not rescue partners for Memphis, and they require extensive vetting and behavioral evaluation. I asked several other rescues, but no one could act quickly.
Only X-Port Paws was willing to trust my judgment that all of these dogs were worth saving, and also believed that I was capable of fostering them, seeing them through treatment, and finding homes for them (and also helping to raise the money they would need to pay for medical care).
So they stuck their necks out big time—and Nick and I did, too.
All of the dogs—Wishbone, Dani, Lima Bean—are very adoptable dogs, once we get them healthy. They are sweet, people-friendly, dog-friendly, well-mannered young dogs who will be wonderful family pets.
But now I need to start finding those families. I don’t have the reach of organizations like HSSC or OPH. I just have you. The dog-hearted people who follow my adventures in fostering, mostly from afar.
A smart Animal Control Officer and shelter director told me recently that, “It’s already a ‘no’ unless I ask.” His shelter is so supported by his community because of his willingness to ask for help. I’m taking a page out of his book and asking you, my dog-hearted community, for your help.
So, here goes.
If you don’t already follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, I’d really love it if you would. And then once you do, if you could share my dogs and puppies to your networks, that would go a long way to getting the word out about them.
I plan to have some local adoption events, but I’m also willing to adopt to people within a reasonable distance and/or send them to a receiving rescue who will be better equipped to place them.
I also need chicken-free food and treats for Diamond and Lima Bean, they both have allergy issues that present in persistent skin problems. Those items aren’t cheap, and I’ve put a few on my Amazon wishlist for anyone who wants to support this work we’re doing.
Meanwhile, I’m going to get to work raising funds. Lima Bean has finished nursing, so in a few weeks she could have her amputation and spay surgery—if we can raise the funds. Watch for my fundraisers (please share those too) or if you want to donate now, you can send your gifts to X-Port Paws. Here’s the link: https://xportpaws.org/donate. Be sure to tell them it’s for Cara’s Foster Cottage dogs.
Updates on everybody:
Wishbone is going through his heartworm treatment at the vet as I write this. I can’t wait to get my hands on that sweet boy tonight and bring him home. I know he’ll be miserable for a bit, but this is the moment when his real life can begin. We’ll have to keep him calm and crated for the next few weeks and monitor his activity after that, but he’s ready for a home.
Wishbone is a darling, sweet, gentle boy with a funny personality and such a loving personality. He’s crate and house trained, walks well on a leash, is neutered, up to date on shots, great with EVERYONE (of all ages), and shy about other dogs, but warms up quickly.
Dani was moved to another foster home while I was on shelter tour, and Tina, her new foster mom, fell in love with her and wouldn’t give her back! So, Dani will stay with her through her heartworm treatment and recovery, as we work to find her a home.
This is making things much easier for me in the foster cottage and means Lima Bean can move out of the kitchen and into my office area with the other dogs.
Diamond is still looking for a home of her own. I put a post up on Another Good Dog Facebook page that has lots of pictures, info about her, and some of her funny videos.
I do think she’d be a great TikTok star! Please share that post to your networks (I’m really asky today, aren’t I?).
Lima Bean is finished nursing, so as soon as we raise the funds for her spay/amputation surgery, the sooner we can get to treating her heartworms. She already has that soft cough indicative of heartworms, so I’m anxious to get this process started.
This dog is incredibly loving. She simply melts into every person she meets. Nancy was here (and fell for LB, of course) and struggled to get pictures because Lima Bean would not leave space between them.
Last ask (I promise!)—the Beanie Babies are almost ready to go home! That went fast, didn’t it?
Help me get the word out about these gorgeous pups. They are healthy little butterballs who, like their mom, LOVE people. I’m gonna guess they will be as big as their mom when they grow up, but anyone who follows this blog knows I’m almost always wrong. Please spread the word. Anyone interested in adopting them should reach out to me (cara@wwldo.org) for information.
Shew. That wasn’t easy. Thanks in advance – I’m so grateful for this community and the support you give us in our foster and rescue work.
Until Each One Has a Home,
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:
Chicken-free food and treats for Diamond and Lima Bean
probiotics
puppy food and puppy treats
High-quality treats and chew bone
Indestructible toys
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™ 