Our adventures as a foster dog family
Adopting a dog is not something anyone should do on a whim. Yes, there are many times when you get that ‘feeling’ or ‘connection’ or ‘moment’ that tells you that this is the one.
But when you are a part of a family—human and canine (and feline)—adopting a dog has to be a family decision.
In this family, the opinions of the kids are important, but as far as the adoption decision, Continue reading “The Adoption Decision”
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”
Here is the post I thought I’d put up earlier this week before I left for the cabin to celebrate my birthday:
[Note: much has changed since then I will update you later this week!]
All of the puppies are now in their forever homes. So, it was time to pick up the really special dog I’ve been anxiously awaiting! Continue reading “Tito or Not to Tito”
The puppies are doing well. Growing plump and busy.
It is odd to be raising them in such isolation. Normally, by now, we would be having lots of visitors to help with socialization and even a few potential adopters would be stopping by to meet them. Until they get the all-clear from the vet next week, the rescue has not offered them to the people on the Puppy Waiting List (approved adopters who have been through the application process and are just waiting for the right puppy) or put them on the website. I expect them to be cleared on Monday, but I qualify my assumptions these days.
Below are the diary entries from this week. Continue reading “Diary of a Rescue Week Four: A Week of Growing Puppies”
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”
This last week has been a tough one. Just like my beautiful tulips that were bright and healthy a few days ago and now droop and struggle in the below freezing temperatures, the puppies’ story changed drastically this week.
Below are the entries from our week in rescue. If you’d like to read them in real-time, you can follow the daily diary on my Facebook page, Cara Sue Achterberg, writer.
Diary of a Rescue Day 15: Continue reading “Diary of a Rescue Week Three: A Tough Development”
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’ve realized that there is a correlation between how many dogs are in our house and the amount of stress in my life.
I’m pretty sure the stress brings the dogs, not the other way around. I tend to pile on the animals when I’m feeling stressed or uncertain. Their needs, their affection, the immediacy of their presence is calming for me.
Yes, the world feels upside down right now, but Continue reading “Combatting Quarantine Stress with Foster Dogs”
Are you feeling as unsettled as I am?
I waffle between let’s-just-get-through-this-and-it’ll-all-be-fine-(different-but-fine) to OMG-what-if-what-if-what-if. It really depends on how much news I’ve been reading.
Last Thursday, Nick and I took Fanny and our foster pup, Shenanigans, and Continue reading “There’s Never Been a Better Time to Foster”
And poof! He was gone.
I warned you we wouldn’t have Bo very long. They don’t make them much nicer. We had a fun week with him and packed in as much as we could, but on Sunday Bo left for his forever home.
It’s a great home with Continue reading “Fosterless”
Another Good Dog™ 