Tag: fosterdogs

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?

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dog rescue, foster dogs, kittens, multiple dogs, poop, puppies, worms

One of Those Weeks

Cara Achterberg

Fostering is a lot of work.

I won’t lie or paint a warm fuzzy picture of it being all unicorns and happy endings and lovely dogs who don’t poop indoors.

This past week has been one of those weeks. Nothing terrible happened and everyone is fine and on-their-way-to-being-healthy.

They are happy and engaged and exercised and gaining weight. (Pretty much every animal in this cottage except me, needs to gain weight.)

But I am pretty wiped out. It’s been non-stop.

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adopters, foster cats, foster dogs, kittens, litters, puppies

Surrounded by Kittens and Puppies

Cara Achterberg

Being surrounded by kittens and puppies while you work is good and bad.

Good…aren’t they adorable? And they’re right here anytime I need some inspiration or snuggle.

And bad…aren’t they adorable? And they’re right here anytime I need a distraction or a snuggle.

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dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, oph, owner surrender, puppies, shelters, Who Will Let the Dogs Out

I Remember Puppies Now…

Cara Achterberg

Puppies.

Ah, now I remember.

And I’m really glad I only have three as I get my puppy-raising legs back underneath me.

After several different set ups, I’ve settled on having a big area (3/4 of the room) for their awake time and a small area (1/4) for bed time, nap time, and get-them-out-of-the-way-so-I-can-clean-without-helpers time.

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