heartworm – Another Good Dog™

Have I gotten myself in over my head? This is the question that rolled across my mind early this morning when I couldn’t sleep.

The last time I had this many dogs in the foster cottage, I was overwhelmed.

In fact, it was also four dogs and four puppies. Of course, those were basically feral dogs and worm-riddled puppies, so the physical work was overwhelming. After the seventh or eighth poopified crate, I’d come pretty close to quitting this whole foster gig.

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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

January 5, 2024 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.

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

Fostering Dogs, Cats, and Possums?

March 24, 2023 Cara Achterberg

For those who don’t have a program:

We are currently fostering Ladybug and Rufus, two sweet hound dogs who were abandoned on a farm and ultimately rescued by the Humane Society of Shenandoah County.

Rufus Goofus and Ladybug are an adorable pair together but available to be adopted separately.

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dog rescue, fostering, heartworms, shelters, writing

A Little Help from My Friends

June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 Cara Achterberg

Hey friends, today’s post is a little different.

I am in serious crunchtime trying to get word out about my book, 100 Dogs & Counting, which releases on July 7. I received word that the actual books made it to the Simon&Schuster warehouse for distribution this week, so I can finally let out the breath I’ve been holding, and work like crazy to get review copies out.

This means every spare second (besides this one) I have is being spent writing articles, pitching reviewers, and preparing launch events (alas, all online).

There isn’t time for fostering, although the foster who should have been adopted by us or out the door by now, has had his stay with us extended because he tested positive for Heartworm. (Readers of this blog are familiar with my record on best-laid-plans.)

This morning, I drove Tito Continue reading “A Little Help from My Friends” →

dog rescue, Dogs with Issues, foster fail, fosterdogs, fostering, heartworms

A Sick Foster Dog Changes Everything

May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 Cara Achterberg

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” →

dog rescue, fostering, heartworms, hookworms, litters, poop, puppies

Hookworms & Heartworms: Lots of Healing Happening Here

April 21, 2020 Cara Achterberg

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” →

dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, hookworms, puppies, Spay and Neuter, worms

The Reality of Rescue Hits This Foster Home Hard

April 14, 2020 Cara Achterberg

Health is sacred. We are all realizing this as we struggle together against a virus we can’t see.

I’m also realizing this as I care for our foster dogs this week. Siobhan is handling heartworm treatment beautifully so far, but I will not say she is out of the woods because I am still learning the hard way that we cannot take anything for granted when it comes to these amazing, yet fragile animals.