Tag: fosterdogs

adopters, foster dogs, fostering dogs, hard to adopt, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, Long Term Dog, owner surrender

Why Would You Want a Puppy, When You Could Have This Great Dog?

Cara Achterberg

On our recent shelter tour, a director asked me, “Who would want to adopt a puppy?” (it was a rhetorical question so it wasn’t necessary, but I said, “Not me!”)

She went on to explain why she hustles puppies out the door to rescues, and only adopts out adult dogs.

Our little foster cottage is mostly quiet these days. That is unless Marley spots a squirrel daring to cross our property. Krimpet went home with an adopter after her spay surgery on Monday.

Continue reading “Why Would You Want a Puppy, When You Could Have This Great Dog?” →
dog rescue, Dogs with Issues, fosterdogs

My Husband is Pretty Great

Cara Achterberg

My husband is pretty great. If you’ve read my book, Another Good Dog, you probably already know that (and wonder why he’s still married to me).

He likes dogs. But not like I like dogs. Or at least not like I like fostering dogs. Right now we have two foster dogs (the puppies all went home-finally!!) living with us (plus Gracie Lou who is currently fostering in Maryland).

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adopters, dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, hard to adopt, heartworms, hound dogs, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, multiple dogs, puppies

The House of Bark

Cara Achterberg

I’m currently working in the house of bark.

It’s rarely like this, but for the next nine hours, until our temporary foster takes off for his new life, there doesn’t seem to be a way around it. I’m trying to breathe calmly and exude still energy, but nothing really helps with this particular combination of dog.

I’m fairly sure he’s a Husky mix because of his need to ‘talk’ all the time, his crazy smarts, and his style of play (chasing anything and everything but not bringing it back). At nine months, Steele is a bundle of energy and curiosity.

Continue reading “The House of Bark” →
adopters, dog rescue, fosterdogs, hound dogs, litters, mama dogs, puppies, worms

Down to the Wire with These Puppies

Cara Achterberg

We are getting down to the wire with these puppies, matching them with adopters, microchipping (tomorrow!), and I just slogged through the multi-day Safeguard deworming protocol (none of us enjoyed it). They’ll get their second set of vaccines and be ready to go home as early as December 30th.

Every day I grow more convinced that they are hound dogs. As a foster, I try very hard to dodge fostering hound dog puppies. Not because they aren’t cute, oh my gosh, they are. And not because they aren’t fun or sweet or snuggly – they’ve got that in spades. But because they are messy.

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adopters, dog rescue, fostering, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, puppies, training

Love is Not Enough When It Comes to Puppies

Cara Achterberg

Love is not enough. At least when it comes to puppies (maybe when it comes to anything…).

Raising a good dog means putting in the work when they are puppies. The genes and individuality of your puppy are out of your control, but there’s lots more that is within your control.

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adopters, Breeds, foster dogs, fostering dogs, hound dogs, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, puppies

How Big Will the Puppies Be?

Cara Achterberg

The Snack Cake Pups were born November 2, so they were five weeks old on Thursday. They are weighing in at between six to seven pounds. The question everyone asks (right after they ask what kind of puppies they are) is—how big will they be?

The answer to that question depends largely on the answer to the first question. And the only one who has the answer to that question is Krimpet, and she’s not been forthcoming with the information.

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distemper, dog rescue, Ehrlichia, fosterdogs, heartworms, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, pregnant dog, vaccines

So Much for My Dogless Cottage

Cara Achterberg

This cottage can’t stay dogless for long. It lasted all of five days, and then Melisa from the Humane Society messaged me- Could you foster a pregnant dog? She needs to get out of the shelter.

It’s not the best timing. We leave on shelter tour tomorrow. But how could I say no to helping a dog in my own community? So, of course, I said yes.

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Why I Foster

Cara Achterberg

I was interviewed this week by a reporter from our local paper about fostering dogs. It’s such a regular part of my life and community now, that I don’t really think of it as novel. It’s just what we do.

But her questions made me think about why I foster and what I get out of it.

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adopters, foster dogs, fostering, mama dogs

And the Fun Goes On and On

Cara Achterberg

So here’s the fun part…..

All of the puppies went home to wonderful adopters. And what lucky adopters they are, as these are some wonderful puppies!

Meanwhile, Argus left on a trial adoption.

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adopters, Breeds, dog rescue, fosterdogs, fostering, puppies

One Special Dog.

Cara Achterberg

Today is the first day of Stela’s real life. The life in which she will never have puppies again. She will never be thrown away again. Now we can find her a real family—one that will value this special dog.

And I mean it when I say special.

I keep telling people that she’s really special. And they all say, “But you think every dog is really special.”

Which I do.

But Stela?

Continue reading “One Special Dog.” →