Tag: dog

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Why Fostering Dogs is Good For You (and your family)

Cara Achterberg

As I type this, I can hear puppies yipping and tumbling into puppy pen fences. I’m sure they are teeing up the next big mess (I’ve already stripped and cleaned the pen twice today and it isn’t 9am yet).

Behind me, Nemo is gnawing on a Benebone while Sadie is snuggled in a blanket beside him. It’s chilly in here. My mini-splits are no match for the bitter air. It’s been a cold December.

Having the fosters underfoot in my office/foster cottage as I work is good and bad. I’m debating about whether to move inside our house for an interview I have to record with a podcaster in an hour.

The interview is all about fostering. She sent me a list of questions ahead of time. Most podcasters do this, but hers were particularly good. I want to share a couple with you. This podcast is called Dog Fostering 101 (Everything I Wish I Knew When I Began Fostering), and Jackie’s mission is to offer guidance and inspiration in the hopes of encouraging more people to foster (or keep fostering).

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My Cottage is FULL of Adoptable Puppies (and one Amazing Dog)

Cara Achterberg

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!).

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Pretty Darn Perfect Dog

Cara Achterberg

Nemo has been here with me for a few weeks, and to be honest, I’m flummoxed as to why he has lingered so long in foster care. He’s pretty darn perfect. Even if he only has three legs.

He is solidly house-trained, crate-trained, quiet, sweet, very cuddly, and friendly. He is happy to simply chew on a chewbone while I get my work done. I’m comfortable having a zoom call or even recording a podcast, because I know he won’t interrupt me.

Beyond all that, he is simply a sunny guy. Happy all the time. For the last week, since Loki left (yes! He was adopted!), he’s been all alone for long stretches, especially for the three days I was gone for Thanksgiving.

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Cheat Sheet of Current Cottage Dogs!

Cara Achterberg

The cast of foster dogs in this cottage is always changing. Here is a cheat sheet of who’s adoptable, who got adopted, and who is just passing through.

LOKI

STATUS: ADOPTABLE!

This uber puppy has been with us since I brought him home as a stowaway on our shelter tour two weeks ago. He is A-Mazing! (I know you’re already saying, “but Cara, you say that about every puppy!”)

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Refilling the Foster Dog Cottage!

Cara Achterberg

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!

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Two Goodbyes

Cara Achterberg

Last week I lost two dogs.

They are both in a better place, and I know it was time, so gratefulness filled my heart more than sadness.

If you’ve been following this blog since before the Foster Cottage, you have likely gotten to know Gracie.

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That Old Adoption Magic…

Cara Achterberg

I’ve been fostering for over ten years now, and more than 300 dogs and puppies (and a few cats and kittens) have come through our home. So, by now, I shouldn’t be surprised at the adoption magic.

When I picked up my puppies at the airport in May, I noticed Pinto Bean right away and thought – ‘he’ll be the first to go’. With his dramatic eye makeup, funny nose, and gorgeous coloring, surely he’d be in high demand from adopters.

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Rescue Rollercoaster

Cara Achterberg

Have I told you recently that rescue is a rollercoaster?

Earlier this week, I was feeling quite panicked. It seemed like none of the five dogs I am currently fostering was ever going to leave. None of them had any interest or applications.

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Overly Adoptable Puppies

Cara Achterberg

Who is looking to adopt? Have I got some overly adoptable puppies and dogs for you!

Having SO many foster dogs at one time is only doable because this bunch is SO amazing.

Truly.

I know I’m a puppy pusher, but I am not exaggerating this time. All five of these dogs are ones I would keep if I could.

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Pretty Perfect Puppies Still Here!

Cara Achterberg

I’ve fostered a lot of puppies. But never this long. I look at them sometimes and wonder if they’ll still be here at Christmas.

puppies

I know they won’t be. Eventually, they will find homes. I’m certain.

I suppose the best part (from a potential adopter’s point of view) is that out of necessity, they are now crate-trained, more-or-less housebroken (except when I get busy and forget how long it’s been since they went out), and sleeping through the night with no accidents.

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