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We do it for all the smiling faces
Dog overpopulation is growing problem in the US and I'm trying to find my way to help.
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Quick tip: "Adopt Me" Bandanna (over the collar)
I have to say that Holly was looking pretty good in her bandanna. More importantly, the amount of attention this little thing brought to her was incredible. This is one simple thing that can make a world of difference.
How I did it and how it should be done are two different things.One I'm lazy. Two I'm cheap. Here is a link to actual instructions...
January 29, 2012
Holly over her first weekend
It has been a roller coaster. If it feels that way to me, it must be doubly so for the sweet Miss Holly.
Since Mt Trashmore we have knocked at least one walk a day. In addition to that there is plenty of yard time every few hours. She has been on her first lunch date, had trips to the dog park, went to a pet store, had her first bath... I'm...
January 27, 2012
Introducing... Holly!
Relay agrees Holly is as sweet as can be!
It was a bit of a surprise to take her yesterday, but these two just got along so well. Here's the video. They were just play play play and Holly just had the kindest personality. First impression was that she had an abundance of love and was very gentle.
When Rita walked off to get Holly's things, I saw...
January 26, 2012
Relay's story
Everyone loves my dog. He's good looking, well behaved, smart, has the puppy dog eyes, and when he is happy his whole body gyrates so fast that my family nick named him Wiggles. In just a few short months he has come such a long way.
The funniest part of his story is that I never wanted a dog. We never had one growing up, none of my friends had dogs,...
January 25, 2012
An Update: The Rescue Contenders
A few weeks into this, I'd have thought I'd be just a touch further along. Here's my update we are with our four rescue organizations.
ART: they have my application and I have gotten a call from Susan where we touched base. With my first foster, I was looking to keep the dog around the same size as Relay, but the bulk of the dogs they rescue are the ones in greatest need here in Norfolk, the poochies with a bad rap: pit bulls. I'll wait and see who they want me to look after, and I'm sure that I'll completely fall for the bright eyes and...
January 24, 2012
The Home Visit
Although I am a bit nervous, (the kind of nervous you get with a first date) I'm really looking forward to today's home visit.
The idea is that this is the rescues chance to look over my home, having reviewed my application and references, and meet my family and I as a last vetting. The way I look at it, it's my best opportunity to look into how the organization is run prior to accepting a poochie.
They want a kind, dependable home, with people who will help facilitate adoptions. I want an organization that is well run, supportive, and puts the...
January 23, 2012
Quick tip: My favorite homemade treat...Stock Cubes
My puppy loves ice cubes. Hands down the cheapest treat to give a dog. To bring that concept up a notch, this is my favorite homemade dog treat: Stock Cubes.
Here are the precise instructions, so make sure you pay close attention.
First, start off a scrap pile. After any roast chicken meal (here's my favorite) I put all the bones in a plastic...
January 21, 2012
SB 610, why it matters, and why Virginian dogs need our help.
Let me introduce SB 610. This bill's patron is Senator Richard Black (R) of Virginia's District 13. This is what worries me.
Under the new legislation, hunting dogs, working dogs, and show dogs would be reclassified as livestock. By doing so, these animals would fall under the Department of Agriculture, and "The Department occupies...
January 20, 2012
Book Review: Cesar Millan's How to Raise the Perfect Dog
Trying to be a better poochie parent, I took some time to do some research on pets. I figure while I wait on the next stage of my fostering project I would take the opportunity to review some of the material I have read.
Not overly familiar with his show, The Dog Whisperer, I had heard of Cesar Millan. His book, How to Raise the Perfect...
January 11, 2012
Revisiting ART and my foster commitment
Back in October I checked out Animal Rescue of Tidewater after some recommendations at the dog park, and checking out a few of their events over the year. We were put in touch with a wonderful woman named Susan who came over spent some time with Relay and answered all of our questions. Not only are they a worthy organization, they are run well, and...
January 10, 2012
Waiting...
Considering that I have been preparing this project for the last few months, now that I've begun to move with a purpose I'm frustrated that it should all come to a crawl.
I've applied to foster at the following rescues: Collie and Sheltie Rescue, Mid Atlantic Pug, Beagles to the Rescue, Hope for Life Rescue, the local animal controls and SPCA's....
January 9, 2012
When a rescue is not really a rescue
People who buy dogs from breeders or stores can have a hard time sorting out which are puppy mills. Adoption should be a simple decision to ensure that you aren't supporting any bad practices. Turns out there are good rescues and not so good rescues.
The Profiteers:
One of the first rescues I looked into was All American Dachshund Rescue. Any potential surrender had to pay to get their dog vetted prior to turn bringing the dog up to date on shots, get them fixed, etc. Dogs would only be accepted when a foster home was available....
January 8, 2012
Did I say Pug or Sheltie, I meant...
I meant to say that I should never take anything for granted.
Neither group has contacted me with respects to needing foster homes. Was it something I said? More likely there aren't any dogs to foster, but I can't help but feel a little cast aside, and more than a little naive to believe that I submit an application and the dog comes delivered the...
January 5, 2012
The Rescue Contenders
The process of finding the right rescue is proving to be less than straight forward. Many facilities I looked into where either not registered as not for profit or I fundamentally disagreed with their practices and policies. Registering with the animal control and SPCA in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake got me nowhere. Their fostering programs...
New Year and time to get some poochies into new homes!
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but I did set one goal in motion.
I want to foster dogs this year to help them find their forever homes.
Jeff (the hubby) and I have discussed this for a few months now and it is the best option for us as a family and the best way we can be proactive in helping keep pets out of shelters until they find...
