fostering – Page 4 – Another Good Dog™

Mama Dogs Get to Me

September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 Cara Achterberg

The mama dogs are always the ones that get to me. They’ve been through so much and it’s clear not just in the condition of their bodies, but in their eyes.

Grateful. That’s the word that emanates from them.

And Cherry is no different. She’s had a particularly hard journey. Her owners surrendered her to the shelter and said she didn’t belong to them —she was just a stray who had been tied in their yard for the last four years.

So much about that statement chills my soul.

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adopters, foster dogs, fostering, mama dogs

And the Fun Goes On and On

September 16, 2023 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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dog rescue, foster dogs, kittens, multiple dogs, poop, puppies, worms

One of Those Weeks

July 7, 2023 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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dog rescue, foster dogs, kittens, puppies

Puppies are the Perfect Panacea

June 23, 2023June 23, 2023 Cara Achterberg

Nick knows he should brace himself whenever I’m in a tough place emotionally.

It always means more animals.

This past week I pushed my IT band too far and now am paying for it with restricted activity and an aching hip.

Plus, the latest news on my latest manuscript was not good. My agent is once again asking for massive changes and my heart just isn’t in it. So physically and mentally, I’m feeling a little defeated.

Which is always a great time for puppies.

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dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, hound dogs, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, oph, puppies, training

The Stress Factor in (Foster) Dogs

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 Cara Achterberg

I don’t know what happened to my puppies before they arrive here with us. They may have come from a place of neglect or overwhelm or been strays with their mamas. Most likely they didn’t have good nutrition or prenatal care.

I can’t control what happened before, but I can have a say in what happens from here, and do my best to make up for lost time.

So I’m very intentional about fostering puppies. Beyond plenty of good food, a solid deworming schedule, and vaccinations, I try to give them daily enrichment in the form of new toys, new puppy room set up, new obstacles, plenty of attention, and lots of new experiences (vacuum cleaner, radio, dropping loud things nearby, etc.).

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barn cats, dog rescue, foster dogs, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, owner surrender

Dogs (and Cats) Come and Go

May 5, 2023 Cara Achterberg

Foster dogs come and go, but our place is rarely empty. After my last post, I realized I left a few plot lines hanging…I never told you what became of Roofus and Ladybug, or updated you on the barn cat/possum outcome. So before I tell you more about Argus and our newest foster, Marley, let me end the mystery.

Ladybug and Roofus have been relocated to another foster home. Not because they aren’t wonderful dogs or because I didn’t enjoy their hounddog charms, but because I care about my neighbors.

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adopters, dog rescue, foster dogs, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, oph

Forever Homes

April 28, 2023 Cara Achterberg

And just like that, the foster dog of dogs, is gone.

Having Gina here was such a treat. Both Nick and I agreed that if we didn’t already have three dogs, we would have seriously considered foster-failing.

So, it’s awesome that she got the perfect home, right here in the valley.

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dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, training

Moose Moves In

December 22, 2022January 6, 2023 Cara Achterberg

I’ve tried. Hard. For the sake of my family and our new home and the holidays and my husband’s patience.

I’ve tried not to foster.

The plan we made (and I agreed on) was once we were settled in our new house, put up a dog fence, and renovated the cottage, then I would start fostering again.

So, we’re here. Mostly settled.

And the dog fence went in last week.

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adopters, Breeds, foster dogs, foster-to-adopt, fostering, hard to adopt, Pit bull

Looking for Your Next Best Friend?

September 30, 2022 Cara Achterberg

Abby is still here. And it’s just not fair.

She’s no longer living on a chain (yay), but she is confined to one room much of her day. She can see the other dogs, hang out with our foster cat, and watch the activity out her window, but she’d much prefer to be with a person.