Archive for the ‘Annie’ Category
Bauer Plays Fetch Video
Annie’s puppy Donner was adopted by his forever family and renamed Bauer. Here is some very cute video of Bauer at 8 weeks old playing a game of fetch:
Feature Article
Elburn Herald photos by Sarah Rivers
There is a feature article in the current edition of the Elburn Herald, a local paper that has been publishing for more than 100 years. Susan O’Neill wrote the feature and Sarah Rivers took the photos. Fun!
Read Giving Puppies a Chance for Life
Update: The Elburn Herald is updating their website, so you can try this link also. Or just navigate from www.ElburnHerald.com
It’s a really good article, farily long too. We kind of weave through the story of our foster experiences as well as our own dogs. Enjoy – and submit your comments at the end of this post!
Puppy Report
A lot has happened, I hope I can remember it all. First of all, I called everyone who adopted puppies and heard back from everyone …and everyone had WONDERFUL things to say about their new family members! I was thrilled. Everyone seemed to be doing well and really falling in love with their new dog. Some families reported that potty training was nearly complete, others that it was still in full swing. Both of these extremes (and everything in between) are normal for puppies. They are small, and subsequently their bladders are small and therefore they need to pee frequently. Add to that the lessons they have to learn about holding it and indicating to us when they need to go and it makes sense that this first lesson is a difficult one for some pups.
The families with resident dogs reported that their puppies had inserted themselves into their pre-existing dog packs with confidence, some even trying out their dominance at this young age! (more…)
Saving Annie
Before we took in pregnant Annie (then named “Martha”) as a foster, she was rescued by the Fulton County Illinois Humane Society. We just received a note from a volunteer who cared for Martha while sheltered at the Humane Society of Fulton County, Pam K. …
Martha (aka Annie)
After reading all about Annie and her puppies I knew I had to let you know how much this story touched me. You see, I knew Annie when she was still “Martha” and so thin you could count every rib on her body. She was so thin but had this big belly. And she was so weak. We were worried she would have strength to deliver the puppies. I am a volunteer at Fulton County and do the Petfinder write ups. I was so thrilled when HELP rescued her. We knew she didn’t have much time before she gave birth and were so happy we were able to get her out of our shelter. A shelter is no place for newborn puppies with all the noise and the germs. We did try to build up her strength and gave her extra food. She did manage to put on a little weight but was still
Getting Back to Normal
The dust has settled and the smell of bleach is fading as we are deep into cleaning the house. Amazing how many things get put on hold while the puppies are here…cleaning being one of them. I haven’t heard from any of the puppy families, always a good sign. And I did hear from Annie’s new home and while there are some challenges, things seem to be going as expected. It is harder to place an adult dog, especially in a home with another adult dog, than it is to place a puppy. Puppies are all about adapting to their surroundings while adult dogs come with their “personalities” in place, making it a bit harder for them to adapt. But with clear and consistent leadership, they can do it.
Doggie Wishes and Muffled Cries
I came home after running around this morning and the house was quiet…no Annie peering expectantly from her crate, NEEDING me, only 4 puppies at the gate NEEDING me. It felt good. I miss Annie but I feel glad to be out from under the weight of her need. She is working hard in her new home – her world has been turned upside down and it will take her some time to get her bearings. But it is better for her there then in my basement wanting so much when I haven’t got it to give. I keep sending her warm feelings, doggy wishes, messages from my heart without words. I think about the feeling I had watching her run run run in the yard and send her that sense of exhilaration. I think about her warm eyes as she looked at me late at night when all the work was done and it was just the two of us and send her that tenderness. I think about the way she tried so hard to fit into my life and send her that determination. It is all I can do for her.
It is a relief though, to have that had work behind me.
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