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It’s official – we definitely have a toddler in the house. How can I tell? How about this?

Or this?

Or the fact that every trash can now resides upon a large piece of furniture, out of reach.

More evidence is that my husband and I regularly discuss poop and pee. I thought we’d finished having those conversations about nine years ago. Very proud to say our smart little girl is picking up on the we-pee-outside-not-inside rule very quickly. And she has yet to poop in the house – oh my, potty talk. And on my blog! Continue reading “The Mysteries of a Shelter Dog” →

Galina’s first weekend with us has been quite similar to having a visit from a busy toddler. She’s adorable and makes us speak in high pitched baby voices, but every time she’s left unattended (and sometimes when she’s not), she tends to put everything in her mouth. Sometimes that’s fine, maybe a little gross, but does no harm – like Ian’s dirty socks, a stuffed Rutters cow that belonged to no one, a paper with the high school course selection list, or a crouton that fell on the floor. Sometimes it’s not so fine – the remote control, the ottoman (yes!), the pill bottle of vitamins I set down for just a second, Grace’s favorite stuffy, or a wine cork (oh my God get that out of her mouth before she chokes).

We’re all learning to be more careful about what we leave lying around. I’m thinking this could play well for me in terms of allowing the natural consequences to deter unwanted behaviors. Maybe all mothers need a little busy beagle helper. Oh, you didn’t put your shoes in the cubby? I don’t know, maybe Galina has them? You took your snack out of the kitchen and left it on the couch? I wonder who would have eaten it? Couldn’t be troubled to hang up your favorite scarf? I might have an idea where it disappeared to….Of course, having watched her make off with papers, that old The-dog-ate-my-homework excuse could actually happen.

We’ve all begun to second guess what her true breeding is. The mischief-making does suggest beagle, but her diminished size, makes one wonder if there isn’t some smaller breed mixed in there, like Chihuahua or miniature dachshund. She is quite definitely a hound as she keeps her nose to the ground at all times and even has a little bitty baying bark. I see coonhound in there too, in her long legs and freckles.

She’s not giving any secrets away, but it’s evident she hasn’t always had good experiences with people. She cowers when we reach for her and freezes when we pet her, as if she’s afraid of our touch, yet she follows me from room to room, wagging her tail as I talk to her. Every sudden move or loud noise makes her jump. It took her nearly a day to finally relax and lay down. When she did it was in true hound dog fashion – sprawled out in the sun spotlight on the carpet. Continue reading “Galina’s First Weekend” →

We are setting off on a whole new animal adventure! We’ve become a foster home for dogs and puppies! These creatures are rescued from kill shelters in the south and ferried up north to find forever homes. For reasons I lack the knowledge or the resources to determine, animal shelters in rural parts of North Carolina and South Carolina can have up to a 90% kill rate. Perhaps people in those parts don’t believe in neutering their animals, or maybe there just aren’t enough homes to go around. At any rate, I’m not asking any questions, I’m simply offering a warm space and a happy family to shelter a dog until he finds his forever home.

Why foster, you ask? Good question. Here’s my short answer: Cause we want another dog, but we don’t want another dog.

Now here’s my long answer: I miss my dog. Lucy was the best dog a girl (or a family) could ever ask for. She graced our lives for 17 years. She ran with me, even training for a marathon, protecting me against aggressive dogs, friendly good ole boys, and even the occasional possum. She matched me stride for stride and never said no. (A feat I didn’t appreciate until I tried to run with our other dog, Gracie, who routinely yanked my arm, tripped me, and ran in terror, dragging me for the ride, from any dog or person who approached us!)

Lucy had perfect manners, never peeing in the house, stealing food off the counter, or chasing the cats. Perhaps her only fault was killing the occasional chicken that wandered into her territory. But who could blame her, she was a fox hound after all.

Lucy put up with untold indignities, helping to raise our three kids. She moved with us twice, learning her invisible fence territory in hours and always respecting it. Continue reading “Why Foster?” →