Archive for the ‘fostering dogs’ Category
New mama – and pups – arrive early
WEEELLLLLL, Things don’t always go as you plan do they? Sometimes you need to roll with things, have loose hips, let yourself be moved by the world rather than trying to control everything. We had a good plan – new mama, named Angel, comes North to Chicago (from Southern Illinois) on Saturday, spends the day with a temporary foster and arrives Sunday afternoon after Chloe and her final five pups have gone to their new homes. Sort of stressful but doable.
Ha!
So, Michelle, our wonderful dog coordinator for Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets (H.E.L.P.) calls me on Saturday afternoon asking if we can take Angel early, on Saturday after I get off work. I think, ok, that’s doable.
New mama Angel and her 9 pups
Ha.
So as she is describing Angel’s heavy panting, rejecting food, and restlessness I say, “Ah, I think you need to come over here as soon as possible” And sure enough she was starting to have her pups on the ride over. We got her into the house and settled into a temporary room, as Chloe and pups are of course still in the puppy room, and she gets down to business. It seems clear that this is her first litter as she seemed a bit clueless in the beginning. But with Michelle’s and my help she got the bulk of the group (8 so far) delivered by 11:00 pm. But I fear she isn’t done. I am, however, heading to bed after this post and one final check. It figures, another large litter. But when I saw her I guessed 8-10.
We did have one scary moment – pup number 5 came out and it was clear in an instant that something was terribly wrong. He was opening his mouth and struggling to breathe but nothing (more…)
Two puppies have moved on
Well, two pups have left for their forever homes. I was sad to see them go and found myself trying to be busy to avoid feeling my feelings. They were the most active of the bunch, Lily and Tulip (now named Jubilee) and I will miss their presence in the puppy room. In two days the whole group will be gone and a new mama, scared, confused, and very pregnant will be here. Usually I take about a week to feel sad, cry as I clean the puppy room thoroughly, and enjoy my life. This time will be different and I wonder how I will attach to this new mama with Chloe still present in my heart?
 Lily |
 Tulip |
Winding down with Chloe and her pups
Well, this puppy group is finally ready to move on. I know it as I see them play more and more with each other and less with Chloe. They still try to nurse but their attempts are half hearted and easily redirected. For her part Chloe is continuing to show herself to be a sweet, loving mother. I will miss watching her mother these little guys. She is so gentle as she tells them to stop nursing, carefully biting their muzzles away growling under her breath. They respond by climbing on all over her, chewing her ears and tail and nuzzling up to her and drifting off to sleep. It is a wonderful, heartwarming thing to see.
calling in the puppies
They come to me now as I call them into the puppy room in the afternoon. I clap and say in a high pitched voice “Pup pup pup pup pup” and they come running. Last night after I walked into the puppy room and woke everyone up I put them outside to potty. Usually after dark I just let them pee in the room on the newspaper covered floor but I’m trying to get them ready to be house trained by their new families. They did great! First they were a bit disoriented but after a bit they all spread out to do their business. The adoptive families will have an easy time of training them I think.
Chloe’s puppies ready for their new homes
So the end of Chloe‘s group is upon us…the puppies have all been spoken for and I am so thrilled by our group of adoptive families. They are a special group and I feel like I’ve made some good friends in the process – I’m that comfortable with them! One family even watched the pups for me while I walked the dogs! Everyone’s willingness to be supportive of me has meant a lot too. So, to all of you I say thank you and LOVE your puppies forever. That will make my work worth it.
Now, deep breath, on to more puppies!
This will be the first time we’ve done a group of pups back to back and I must say that I’m feeling a little hint of anxiety about it. Chloe’s group has been SO easy and has gone so fast yet the last two weeks of every litter, weeks 6-8, are always SO much work. I literally fill two large garbage bags full of wet and poopy newspapers each DAY now. Two bags a day – think about it! It is crazy. Our garbage man must think we are so odd. So anyway, the end of the process is always so much work that I usually relish the quiet house, the clean puppy room and the grass growing back in the puppy yard, not to mention all my free time! I was looking forward to it, I must admit. But these things have a life and a process of their own. I have said “no” to taking on a litter before and I will again but this time I just sort of knew that another one was coming. I wasn’t surprised to see Michelle from H.E.L.P.‘s email saying that there were not one but two pregnant dogs needing a foster home. We can’t take more than one…can one of you? Let us know.
The puppies are piled up by the door crying to be let in so I must answer their calls…
New mama dog coming Sunday
new mama dog coming soon
ATTENTION EVERYONE!
We are getting some new puppies again!
Here is the new mama – seems we are having a run on Golden mixes. She looks like she’s going to deliver any day now. Keep yourself tuned in for more news on who the new little ones are going to be! And to think… the current litter isn’t leaving until the day this new mama comes…Sunday the 14th.
(Sorry to let you know this way Mike!!!)
Choosing the right dog
Choosing a puppy is such a difficult decision. And then add to that the difficulty of finding one you fall in love with and having the puppy not be available to you…that is a heart breaker. It is rough work, what I do, but to everyone out there searching for puppies and coming close but not getting one, it is even rougher. I am sorry. There are so many unwanted dogs out there it seems like this shouldn’t be an issue, yet it is. That is because people want the PUPPIES, the cute cuddly balls of fur that they can shape into the perfect pet for their family. That I understand completely. And it is wonderful how many people out there want to be part of the solution instead of the problem – by your decision to forgo a pet store puppy you are helping dogs everywhere. The more people who decide against using a pet store the fewer there will be in the business of selling dogs and the fewer puppy mills there will be. But it is a difficult process and my heart goes out to all the families I meet, even the ones I have to say “no” to for whatever reason.
Chloe wonders who her new family will be
If you are reading this and are thinking about rescuing a dog, think about a dog older than a baby. Especially if you have experience with dogs or are an active person looking for a playmate or are someone with some time to devote to a dog – think about an 8 month old puppy, or a dog a year or two old…or a 5 year old dog…or a senior. These are the dogs that really need rescuing, that are living their lives in shelters behind bars, that are waiting for a second chance. These are the ones that have been treated roughly or neglected, who only want to cuddle up and love someone. These are the ones that are “rough around the edges” – who haven’t been taught (yet) how to be good family members but who have it in them to learn. These are the ones who deserve the time and attention. They will repay you. Dogs rescued after having known how hard life can be never forget your kindness and you will see it in the way they look at you – the trust and gratitude and devotion are there in their eyes. These dogs never forget that you are the one who saved them.
Think about it.
