Fostering: Sometimes you just feel like a Rock Star!

First, I wanted to start this post with an incredible video made by Emily, a volunteer at K9 Justice League (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite people.) This video sums up beautifully what rescue really means and I love that our foster, Elmer has little cameos throughout. Now back to my blog post :-)
One very cool and unintended consequence of all my fostering adventures is the huge boost to my self esteem. Seriously, I feel like a rock star. Having served in the military, I can tell you that it's that same sense of pride and accomplishment, the idea that you belong to something greater, that you are doing good.
There are times when I go to the dog park and people stop and ask if we're that fostering family. Some people recognize Relay from his Facebook page and stop us to say hello and thank us for what we are doing. When we meet up with other volunteers or hit up adoption events Relay gets a hero's welcome and we feel a great sense of camaraderie and friendship that comes so freely I am always humbled. 
This sense of community continues in the blogging world and throughout the vast array of social media. One of my posts got a shout out on the No Dog About It Blog post: Finding the Right Rescue and I immediately called up Jeff to tell him that I felt like the coolest person in the world. Every time we get a shout out on twitter, every like on FB, makes me feel like the world is cheering us on.
But you know what the greatest thing is? That validation that can only come from within. When a good dog just gives you a look that he is content, you know in your heart that where he came from may not have been great, but he is on his way to a happily ever after; and you are helping him there. When an adoptive family like Miss Ruby's send you email updates and photos and are so greatful that you helped make their family complete, I just feel so... 
Well, some of you know just how that feels. And I want to be able to share that feeling with everyone. Get involved in small or big ways; every bit counts. When you do, I promise you, you're going to feel great.

Read More

Foster Brotherly Love

Read More

Introducing...Elmer!

Ohhhhh, we have another hound in the house! You know I have a soft spot for beagles and this little man is just perfect. Elmer is our first foster with our new rescue group K9 Justice League. (So far this group is just terrific and I just feel like a super hero just volunteering for them :-) A North Carolina shelter dog he is about a year old, around 25 pounds, sweet as pie and just too cute.

Our initial take on him is that Elmer is very loving. It took him all of about 5 minutes at the house before he was up in Jeff's lap, snuggling like a pro. Very eager to please, curious, and friendly to both people and dogs he quickly won over Relay, Jeff, and I. Elmer is submissive with people and can be handled easily. He is very playful with Relay and shares toys and soft places to rest. He is just so easy going that I have no qualms about any potential home; he would do great with children and dogs. Crate trained and potty trained, he is working on his sit. I got him with a warning that he is a chewer, but so far we have not had any issues.

And now on to (a few too many) cute pictures!

I like to call this first set, hold the treat up, hold the treat down.

Like any good hound, Elmer is very food motivated. Here he is making sure that he has cleaned up all of his breakfast.

 

And again, like the typical hound, here he is sniffing everything. While Elmer explored the back yard, Relay just hung out and chewed a stick.

  

    

The boys play great together. Chasing, wrestling, playing tug of war, keep away, it's just really nice to see my pup have a buddy. I love this action shot of Relay's classic move: I'm going to put your face in my mouth.

Can you tell I'm excited to have Elmer? This foster is going to be a breeze ( I say jinxing myself.) Problem is, I can see us getting too attached to this one, so, someone please, adopt him soon!

Read More

The sign of a good breeder (Goodbye, Dude!)

Well that was short lived. Doodle, Dude for short, has left the building.

While his previous owner had rescued his shelties, Dude was a purchase from a breeder.

[Allow me to make a quick comment on this. While I am firmly planted in the "Adopt, Don't Shop" camp, I will make  a case for a responsible, respected, and ethical breeder. A good breeder has a passion for the breed, will take care to produce healthy, well adjusted dogs, and maintains a relationship with all of their pups. Having spoken to the breeder being referenced here, checked out his website, and understanding more about his operation, I am certain that this is a conscientious man with a good heart. Now, I wouldn't trade my $75 pound pup for the best bred $$$ dog he produces, I will appreciate what he is trying to do and give him extra bonus points for being involved in rescue himself, training service dogs, and running an established training and boarding facility.]

Now back to Dude. Once the breeder was aware of the situation Dude's owner found himself in, he immediately asked to have the Golden Doodle returned. The breeder is in a much better position to try to find a good home for Dude and from what I understand, there is a good chance that Dude will be trained as a rescue dog. I can't imagine this counter surfing pup as a seizure detection dog, but a good dog can be trained to do anything I suppose.

So, like Pink, this is a foster that I did not get a chance to see through to adoption, but I have no doubt will find the best home.

If you were interested in trying to adopt Dude from his breeder, please contact Tidewater K9 Academy.

Read More

Counter surfing... it's an art form

When writing about Dude last, I used the phrase "counter surf" and have found that a few people were unfamiliar with that term.

count·er surf·ing

The art or sport of putting ones paws up onto a kitchen counter to have a swipe at any unmanned food; an attempt to sneak a snack.

Now with Dude, he has this down to a science. I had been warned before he came to stay with us, but I was unprepared for the creativity of this sly dog. That spatula that needed cleaning, Dude made sure to help get me started. Jeff and I had a snack in the living room, as he was getting up with the intention of bringing the plate to the kitchen, a streak of white fur pasted first licking the plate before it went. 

Anyone have a super counter surfer at home?

Read More