Our adventures as a foster dog family
I’m pretty sure my neighbors know what kind of dogs we have squirreled away in our foster cottage.
Rufus and Bug sing lovely songs periodically that make me smile. I’m not even sure what gets them started or what they are singing about. The serenades rarely last long and sometimes happen shortly after I’ve left them, but sometimes two hours later.
Rescuing animals can be is overwhelming.
I know that first hand, as does anyone in the rescue world. It’s part and parcel to the whole rescue mentality – you want to help and you can easily over-extend. You can’t bear for animals to suffer.
And sadly, lately, that proclivity to take on more and more has led to rescues turning into hoarding cases.
Two different situations came through my world this weekend that I could do nothing about, but a local wannabe rescuer’s overwhelm did spill into my world, or to be exact, my not-quite-finished foster cottage.
Continue reading “When the Rescuer Needs Rescue”
Hey friends, today’s post is a little different.
I am in serious crunchtime trying to get word out about my book, 100 Dogs & Counting, which releases on July 7. I received word that the actual books made it to the Simon&Schuster warehouse for distribution this week, so I can finally let out the breath I’ve been holding, and work like crazy to get review copies out.
This means every spare second (besides this one) I have is being spent writing articles, pitching reviewers, and preparing launch events (alas, all online).
There isn’t time for fostering, although the foster who should have been adopted by us or out the door by now, has had his stay with us extended because he tested positive for Heartworm. (Readers of this blog are familiar with my record on best-laid-plans.)
This morning, I drove Tito Continue reading “A Little Help from My Friends”
You know what they say about plans?
Okay, I think that is actually assumptions.
And maybe I was naively assuming our plan would work.
When our newest foster dog, Tito (OPH Lieutenant Howl) arrived last week, two things became instantly clear: Continue reading “A Sick Foster Dog Changes Everything”
I’m breathing a little easier now. I no longer walk into the puppy room holding my breath. Instead, I hold my nose!
Last Friday, the pups finally breached the side of the box, so we moved them to bigger digs and they are enjoying having plenty of room to play and poop.
The Broadway Babes are busy, happy, messy pups! Their biggest fault is Continue reading “Hookworms & Heartworms: Lots of Healing Happening Here”
If you have to stay in your home for a month, it’s not a bad thing to be stuck home with puppies.
Caring for this little family is a wonderful distraction; it gives me a purpose and is defining the days that have begun to blur together – is it Tuesday or Friday?
Mia, for her part, is Continue reading “Quarantined with Puppies: Saving Lives in Uncertain Times”
I just dropped off Dixie for her spay surgery and 4Dx test. She stood shaking beside me on the passenger side floor for the entire drive.
I tried to explain to her that this was for the best and that it would move her a step closer to her new life – the one that won’t include puppies or horrible people who don’t take her to the vet when she breaks her leg (or who possibly broke that leg in the first place).
If her heartworm test comes back negative, Continue reading “We All Need a Sanctuary”
So, I’ve made a decision. And the puppies have been very helpful in my decision-making process.
All kinds of people have been visiting, trooping into our house, sitting on a couch or floor with a puppy in their lap. For me, a solitary writer, this is a welcome break. The puppies also love it and need the socialization.
But the dogs in this house find visitors stressful. I had hoped that Oreo’s calm happy state would rub off on Frankie and Gracie, but it seems to be the reverse. As more people come to visit, Oreo is more stressed. He’s been a perfect gentleman, but it’s clear he would prefer a quieter home.
I think if the other two didn’t react to a new car in the driveway as a potential terrorist attack, he wouldn’t raise an eyebrow. Unlike my other two, I’m pretty sure Oreo would adjust to this if I asked him too, but I don’t want to ask him to.
It’s not fair to Oreo. Which has led me to this conclusion: Continue reading “He Deserves Better”
My heart is so full this morning that tears seem to turn up on my face without warning.
Sunday night was the official ‘end’ of my tour, although there are still a bunch of events this month and I’m hoping to get more opportunities to talk about the book, its purpose, shelter dogs and how we can all make a difference. (So feel free to toss my name/contact in any direction you want!)
My last event was sponsored by an awesome person, Karen Johnson and Paws Go. She designs and sells fabulous t-shirts and gives away much of what she makes to dog-related causes. During August and September that cause was OPH.
Sunday night, Karen hosted a book signing for me at Nectar Wine & Coffee Bar in Alexandria, an adorable little spot with great VA wine selections and amazing food. Rooney came to sign along with me (thanks Lauren!).
The generosity and kindness of so many overwhelmed me as I drove home from Nectar through the growing darkness. Not only Continue reading “My Heart and House is Full”
I got a new foster dog.
And he’s not a puppy.
And he’s not a mama (obviously).
He’s Gomer Pyle… Continue reading “A Foreigner in a Foreign Land”
Another Good Dog™ 