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.
Muddy puppies will grow into dogs
Yesterday was a rainy, humid, day. But puppies don’t care about muddy feet, floors or food bowls – they just want to play! And so, against my wishes but in line with my instincts I let them out when the rain had let up a bit. They had a blast! They were rolling around with Chloe and chasing each other and basically getting into the best kind of puppy trouble – the dirty kind. And I noticed something, how much Chloe seems to really enjoy being a mama.
Now we’ve had a series of mamas and each has been different; Bella, our first, was a strict mama, her tag line would be “now cut it out all of you and behave!”. Sweetie, our mama from last year would have the tag line, “Here’s how to be in submission, and here, and here and here…now get me out of here!”. And Annie‘s would be, “Where’s my KONG? Where is it? Oh, you want to nurse – FINE, hurry up I have to find my KONG!!” But Chloe’s would be “Hi you guys! How are you? Wanna wrestle? OK! I love you all.” It is heartwarming and so sweet to watch. I can’t wait for a warm sunny day to get some video on it to share with all of you.
Puppy adoption interviews are going well. I’ve met some wonderful families full of love and eager to share it with a puppy. Watching them choose a puppy makes me wonder what is it exactly that we respond to in a puppy? Mostly I think it is looks and what those looks tell us about the kind of dog we hope it will be. But what most people don’t realize is that the description of the kind of dog the puppy will be is really just a story – an invention made up of what that puppy represents, how it reminds them of a past pet, or is the opposite of a past pet, that sort of thing. Most people don’t really chose based on temperament (though, with this group you can’t go wrong – with a mama like Chloe) or energy level match – though some do go into the process with those ideas in mind. But I tell you, I can tell a family that given their set of criteria one puppy would be better than another but most don’t listen once they have gotten their eyes on a pup – they just fall in love and the story line begins.
Chloe and pups preparing for adoption
As you probably know, we are a volunteer foster-dog family for an organization called H.E.L.P. (www.HelpingAnimals.org) in suburban Chicago. When dogs we foster are ready for adoption, they are listed individually on the leading pet adoption site, PetFinder.com, and on the H.E.L.P. site. In a few weeks, mama Chloe and her seven puppies will be ready for adoption to their forever families. Here are links to each of the dogs:
If you are interested in beginning the adoption application process, follow the links above for information.
These pups are chill and happy
The puppies are loving being outside. They are such a subdued group, very chill and happy. They love cuddling and are getting used to many different people as we’ve had a lot of visitors with their children. This is great help to me, so thank you everyone who has visited so far and if you’d like to visit drop me a line! Also, we’re taking applications now for the puppies so if you’re interested contact H.E.L.P. (Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets) at HelpingAnimals.org or by calling at 877-364-2286.
It is amazing how relaxed I am this time around. I think it is a combination of this group being quieter than the past groups, the mama, Chloe being healthy (no parasites, no illness, not overly skinny) and me hitting my stride. I will hit harder times shortly, as the pups turn 6 weeks they will get busier, but for now I keep thinking, “this is a breeze!” Yeah.
More puppy photos
The puppies enjoyed the outdoors twice today! It was lovely sitting outside on a warm and breezy spring day watching their little furry bodies romp in the grass. They all seem very comfortable outside and there is much less crying than there was with my litter last year – Sweetie‘s group. They would cry every time they were outside and usually one or two would spend the entire time trying to get back inside! But this group seems to love the outdoors – yet another reason to love this bunch of puppies!
Puppies first day outside
Today the puppies explored the outside world for the first time and loved it. Their resemblance to their mama’s personality is evident – these puppies are outgoing, happy, and friendly. Nice combination. Afterward they were all exhausted and crashed out. Then as I went it for the last time tonight and fed Chloe most of them woke up and were climbing out of their bed area to see what their mama was doing. I put some dry food into a few bowls and all of them were very interested. I always wonder how much of these first dry food meals actually make it into the puppies tummies…mostly they seem to just mouth the kibble and spit it out again. But everyone was very excited, with much tail wagging going on. And them, by a happy accident as two puppies were wrestling, they discovered that some of the bowls hold water! They lapped at it as they’ve learned to lap their formula.
I always love this time because it signals the move from formula and soaked kibble to just good ole dry kibble – making for a much easier to clean up meal time.
What is interesting this time around is that I’ve found myself SO much less stressed than usual. It took me awhile to remember my routine but now it is very doable and I find myself enjoying just sitting and looking at them more than I remember at 4 weeks with the other litters. I have let go of a lot of my perfectionism, as silly as that sounds. For example, I no longer change the papers immediately when a pup pees – now I wait till the papers are pretty well peed-upon and then change them. Don’t get me wrong – cleanliness is still a priority, but I don’t worry about things as much. And therefore I seem able to get a lot more done. That is a good reminder for me.
