Sweetest good-bye, rest and revamp...and a couple pup updates

Wanda got adopted a couple weeks ago by an absolutely delightful woman. She is going to be treated like a queen for the rest of her life and might even get to bring some cheer to patients in hospitals. She retained all her tricks, and house training that I gave her which is wonderful. She has lots of dog friends that visit so she will get to play all the time. It really is one of the best forever homes I have ever seen for an adult mutt from the streets, what a lucky gal! Nevertheless saying good bye to her was heart breaking, I don't know if its because we worked out all the kinks and she was so delightful to have around or just because she was so damn cute but it has been a little bit of a rough adjustment.

I decided to take a foster break and I planned on doing so till I get back from New York January 7th. I am going to New York to do an internship for running playgroups for rescue dogs! Very Exciting. So I took the last two weeks off from the foster scene. The first week was a relief, and the second week was some nice bonding time between Nikki and I, but by the third week...I was bored.

Tonight Nikki and I are having a playdate with one of the dogs that is social from the shelter, Dora. She is wonderful and I knew she was friendly, and housetrained so I brought her home so Nik had a playmate. It turned out pretty well.

I have been working now at Chicago Canine Rescue (Yes I got a for real paying job in the dog field!) for 3 weeks now and I love it! I get to help people find their match dogwise and increase the quality of life for the pups. (I'm even getting to do a little dog-to-dog socialization, which will hopefully turn into playgroups: Huzzah!).

 I have also been doing some behavioral work for Alive rescue. Its been very exciting, although sometimes nail biting, to try and brainstorm solutions for dogs with difficult emotional/behavioral problems, but I am surprised at how much I have learned in a year. I guess the millions of books, millions of hours observing and a years worth of running playgroups at Animal Care and Control will do that to you. I'm stuffed with doggie knowledge.

Anyways I will try to be better about updating...but I like to write when the mood strikes me, and of course when I actually have something to say....Happy holidays everyone....

Here's our sleep over buddy....and a couple other puppy updates.
Although the puppies have turned out to be quite large, they are all still at their adopted homes and their parents have nothing but great things to say about them.

                                                  Darling Dora

                                        Henry Jones

                                          Bandita now Bailey

They all go home...updates for some pups!

During the struggle with everyone telling me to keep Wanda and knowing the best thing for me is to stay open to other future foster possibilities I have come to appreciate the aftermath of the rescue process. Once dogs find their way to rescue its as if they each get their own little egg timer. What I mean to say is that even if it takes a year there is a home out there for them and giving them a good quality of life so that they are ready for the opportunity when it comes is some of my best work.

Drum Roll...
Wanda's getting adopted tomorrow. As I sit on the couch wondering how you celebrate the last night with a dog you have shared everyday with for three months, I am worried the potential adopter will decide she doesn't want Wanda.

I don't know if it was harder feeling helpless that Wanda had very little potential adopters or knowing she won't be on the couch next to me in 24hrs. I am proud of the my lack of what they call "foster failure" (keeping your foster pets). It seems to get harder and harder to just say good bye. I can't tell if that is actually true or if its just hard to give away 8 dogs in a month.

This is my first long term foster situation, 3 months isn't insanely long to foster but its definitely about three times longer than my previous longest foster (carter).

Wanda and I raised the puppies together. It took 8 days to teach her sit and two weeks to teach her paw, but she is just a delight and we get each other. My initial hope was someone close to use might scoop her up, but at this point I have to move past it. Thank goodness I have Nikki to stay with me forever and see me through all the sadness. Over all I am so happy for Wanda (who may be renamed Greta) its great to see a 2 year old dog who had puppies find her own forever home during Christmas time. The owner is a wonderful kind lady, just what I thought would be perfect for Wanda.

So here she is her last days. Along with some updated puppy photos, I only managed to weasel my way into 4/7 pups but its better than nothing! Warning puppies have turned out to be bigger than we thought! Samson's family has told me he's 17 pounds!

Diamond now bella look at how beautiful that big healthy girl is!

Captain Linus is Calendar Worthy at any moment.

Terese now Addison is a little princess...

Stanley is a beast but a gentle one!

Wanda hanging out, such a chill canine.

A fish called...Wait...a Dog called Wanda (Needs a home)

I think I got excited about all the page views when I had the puppies. I understand that it was exciting to check out my weekly pics, and now I am puppiless and back to my primary focus research and experience. I'm hoping I can keep a couple of you around to read my continued fun in the rescue world.

Of course all the puppies got adopted the instant they hit adoptable age, but poor Wanda hasn't had any luck. Its rough for me because at the end of the day Wanda is my best work and the easiest dog I've ever dealt with. She is now fully house trained and has wonderful people/dog skills, but still no applications.
I understand she is 2 years old and a black dog, but I think its insane that this awesome dog has no interest. I heard everyone wants a puppy near the holidays but Wanda is just as cute as a puppy and SO MUCH less work. I am going to keep her here till she gets adopted or as long as I can because I don't want her to lose all the skills she's learned, and I know she was very sad at the shelter she really likes having companions human and otherwise (she even likes the cats!).

The question begs at my mind and springs out of the mouths of others "Why don't you keep her?" Believe me with a dog this low maintenance it is tempting but I don't think my foster journey is over. First of all, I am hoping to own a pit bull as my second dog. Second of all as my wonderful vet let told me, there aren't a lot of fosters like me out there and losing my home will be a determent to the community, so for now Wanda is going to be a long-term foster project (even thought there's not much to work on).

In other fun news my dog, Nikki, caught Giardia, which is another lovely parasite dogs can get. So many wonderful things come from dogs and their love of butts and each others poo. I thought after worms with the pups I was in the clear but the adventure never ends. Luckily dogs can have the infection but not the disease which is the cause so its just seven days of pills. None of this stopped me from the initial freak out of "Is my dog okay?" and "Am I going to catch this."

Nevertheless all is well and being medicated, including Wanda just in case. (I heart my new vet Tammy Schmidt at Broadway animal hospital  she is another dog rescuer and she donates tons of time to help homeless pets, finally a vet on my side!). Wanda takes the pills no problem but Nikki will pick them out of anything! So sometimes I get creative, cheese worked this morning but tonight I had to just hold her mouth shut which I hate. Sometimes she's too smart for her own good.

Some fun tips:
-Bully sticks are not worth the money they do not last long and cost so much more than regular rawhide. By the way these things are Steer pizzle that's exactly what it sounds like.
-Bones are cheapest in bulk at Menards. (I like to give my dogs, especially new ones a bone a day and it can   get quite expensive so I am always on the search to find the best price.)
-The Kong Genius is even cooler than the Kong I suggest buying one for any active dog that has figure out the Kong.
- The Kong Frisbee Extreme is still the longest lasting Frisbee I have found for my dog, even though it only lasts 3 months.

Here's a picture of Wanda to inspire you to spread the word for me and find this classy lady a home!

Forever homes for all! Puppies final rescue

I waited to write the blog today until all the pups were gone. I knew they would all go fast but they all went this week. The applications the rescue got made a pretty nice looking stack and I had many people over to pick out a pup. Picking a puppy is a really hard decision, I'm glad I never had to. I loved every single one of them so much in their own ways. Each day they became more and more their own dogs with unique and endearing personalities. It wasn't till I dropped the last one off  that I got sad, but after that I felt sunken.

I feel great about all the adopters (of course in the back of my mind I worry about them getting returned, but that seems unreasonable). I was treated so kindly by all of them and I could see how each house was preparing for their new best friend and how each puppy matched their new owner/family. I can only hope for the best. I asked each owner if they would send me a pic at 6 months and then at one year and they all seemed totally up to it HOORAY.

I will probably have more to say but for now I am a sad puppiless lump. I'm going to focus my energy on Wanda (the exe-mama) now and finding her a new home. I have final pics of the pups with their new owners to share...Thanks for joining me on my puppy adventure. There will always be more dogs for me to save but its been seeing all these page views for the pups!

Bandita (now Bailey) with her family off to the burbs (she has a puppy friend to play with which will make her so happy because she loves to wrestle).

Captain (now Linus) with our friends, they are just perfect for each other, and Captain will get all the cuddles and quiet time he desires. Since they are dear friends I'll get to see Linus for the rest of his life!!!!!

Henry Jones with his family, minus dad, with so many feet to lay on it will be hard for this lil rug to choose. 

Samson with an amazing couple who couldn't make be a better mom and dad for the bounciest funniest puppy I have ever met! They said they will send me x-mas cards HUZZAH!

Stanley with his buddy he's so lucky to have an active owner who will take him on lots of adventures. (Dog in the back is a super sweet visitor, the owners sister's dog who will be one of Stan's new playmates).

Terese had a long day and needed a nap but she knew just where to go, this new owner couldn't be more excited to own her, he laid down on the floor and let her kiss his face!

Diamond (now Bella) with one of her new family members (she has 4+!) she is in a lap and has lots of awesome toys and comfy beds, this is her diva dream.

Final Countdown-Hostile take over of bouncy puppies

As I write this Diamond is perched on my shoulder like a parent. It is bittersweet approaching the beginning of the end of my puppy experience. I go back and forth from: "I love these dogs and they are my children how can I say good bye?" and "If I step in poo/pee one more time I will have a total melt down, get them out of here!"

Nevertheless, on Monday they will be 8 weeks old and on Tuesday they will get their final vet check up. Then starting Wednesday I start taking them to their new homes.

So far Bandita and Stanley are confirmed and approved to be adopted ad I have 2-3 people coming over this weekend to check out the rest. That still leaves some for you the public to adopt so I you have been hesitating its now or never. I have started paper training, encouraging them to go on the newspaper and not cover the entire room in gross, its slow moving but we've actually seen some progress.

I'm hoping I can get 4 or 5 out of my house by the end of next week and things will settle down around. It is a full time job cleaning up and keeping up with seven pups and its harder than I imagined sometimes, but I want to see it through till the end. I can't write a longer post because I am absolutely exhausted and have a lit bit of a cold, but here's some puppy magic for you:

                                              Captain- soon to be kicking it in boystown

Bandita- Soon to live in the burbs

Henry Jones- Still super mellow

Diamond- now nicknamed Dee, loves to sleep next to people and on laps

Samson- Sammy bear still a high energy goofball.

Stanley- Smartest/loudest/proudest

Terese- still a cuddle monster and very quiet compared to the others

6 weeks old, seven superpups

So now I am in the home stretch, in two weeks the puppies will be ready for their new homes. I thought the hardest part was behind me but that was absolutely not true. As heartbreaking as it was to deal with sick and frail puppies, Seven bouncy six week old pups is craziness.

All the pups have discovered they can make lots of noises, including howls and whines. They all have their teeth and want to chew anything and everything. They knock over food bowls water bowls and want to cling to my pants legs. They want to be around me constantly and they hate being in the puppy room more than Wanda does, it is really neat to see their instant interest in people. Some of them (Stanley/Samson) will run to me across a room or follow me around the room. I am gonna try to teach them their names and to sit. All the info I have read said they are trainable now so we will see.

They all love toys and play tug with me and each other. I bring them all into the kitchen or living room and block it off for some puppy play time once or twice a day. I am gonna try to stick some individual time in as well but we will see if I can find it.  They want to eat any exposed cords and get under and behind everything. People say raising one puppy is rough but I'd say it would be a piece of cake. Just cleaning up the constant pee and poo can get a little mind numbing. I change my socks 3x a day!

I was able to have my Family over the other day and my 7 year old niece met all the pups. I think its great that they were exposed to a child and cats early in life, as well as another adult dog and men. All these things will make them more well rounded in the real world. And I can't wait to seem them find their forever homes.

They are on the website and people can apply for them so spread the word, you won't find better rescue pups. Here's the link: http://chicagocaninerescue.com/dogs.html

And now for the reason I get so many page views lately ADORABLE PICS!!!

Bandita- Such a goon loves to tug!

Captain- the sweetest young pup, very gentle.

Diamond- Our little mini pup still under 5 lbs

Henry Jones- definitely handsome, and fairly low key.

Samson- Class Clown.

Stanley- The sensitive Jock

Terese- Convinced she will be a lap dog.

Wanda- Outside finally! Will be ready for a new home in two weeks as well.

5 week old puppy parade

I am really starting to see clear personalities and character in each of the puppies. The amount of pee and poo everywhere is intense and they have started chewing on everything including my hands and toes ouch!, sometimes overwhelming but totally worth it.

 Wanda and the pups hit another bout of to be expected sickness this week as they were given de-wormer. Its all passed now and nothing life-threatening just horror movie icky.

Now that they have all stabilized once again, I can finally say we are in the clear. Seven perfectly healthy puppies will need seven healthy rescue homes in 3 weeks. It looks like our friends that wanted one of the crew have chosen Captain, so only six homes left to find.

Everyday we bring out the puppies for an hour in the living room so they can socialize with us play with more toys/Nikki. It is adorable to watch them drag stuffed animals bigger than them around, and try to pick up tennis balls. I have to be on constant watch though because they have found a true love with cords and sticking their heads in places where they get stuck.

They all recognize me when I come to the door and a lot of them want out of the puppy room all the time. They also lick faces and noses which is neat cause they want to bite everywhere else but some how they know to be gentle with my face :). They can start being trained next week I'm sure that will be a fun thing to attempt.

Wanda can go on walks now, I can tell she is so happy to get out of the house and she does surprising well on the leash. I call her a magic dog because when dogs are aggressive at fences with her she walks over to them and does what seems to be nothing but somehow it makes them stop barking and either retreat or turn friendly. She's a bomb diffusing dog! I've never seen anything like it, very cool.

I got to lead playgroups this week at CACC it was really exiciting to be in charge and decide what kind of dogs to play together, all-in-all 21 dogs got out to play in just 2 hours. I heard recently a half hour playgroup is equivalent to a one and a half hour walk so it was a good day.

Here's the most recent shots of the crew, it is getting much harder to take pics because they are either really active or asleep...

Bandita with a stuffless

Captain near his favorite object

diamond relaxing for three whole seconds

Samson being hilarious he is the class clown for sure

Henry Jones so Wiggly I had to keep one hand on him

Stanley, very cuddly, my personal fav right now

Terese doesn't know she is about to be tussled

Week Four of Puppy Kingdom, the dog beat goes on...

I have a house full of happy/healthy puppies. There are some sniffles here and there but no one is sick and everyone is growing,  even if its at very different rates. I still have some puppies that are twice the size as others but as long as they are eating and growing I'm happy!

The puppies can see now, and are playing with each other Nikki, their mom and people. They are all eating a mixture of warm water and dry food along with Wanda's milk. They have become more active and more friendly. Their little personalities are getting bigger and bigger, every day is some sort of surprise. The only downside is the constant poo and pee clean up and I mean constant. We had some friends over to look at the puppies for possible adoption. They fell in love with all of them and I am overjoyed that one of these wonderful darlings will end up with someone I know!

Although the puppies have taken up much of my time, I still have been doing some other rescue dog work at on the side. One friend had a foster dog who was attacking the dogs she owned and I went to her house to brainstorm some options to get her house back in order. It was great to spend some time with a fellow dog lover. I also continue to take photos of dogs to help out a rescue and consulted on another foster dog who has extreme fearful anxiety.

 I have been working with Wanda our "teen mom" on her listening skills and tricks. She also has decided digging up rose bushes sounds good so I'm on that like white on rice. I feel bad that she has to stay limited to the house and front yard I think the extra energy is causing some digging and extra chewing behavior I try to take it easy on her most of the time.

I had two days of playgroup training last week  and it really helped me work on my skills. Not only do I understand dog communication better, but I feel more confident that I can handle dog fights and altercations that might occur doing play groups. Mostly we should let dogs work out their differences and teach each other how to play and act appropriately. We only need to step in when the dogs are unable to correct each other or are in danger of injuring each other. I know by now I am boring family and friends to death with this stuff but I find it sooooo interesting and exciting!!!

I love helping as much as I can and sharing all the tricks of the trade I've learned. I realize that someday these skills will have to culminate to something but for now I like feeling like a minor doggie superhero.

And now for the pics....we did some fun stuff with the pups this week, some were up to the challenge of a photo shoot some said no way jose!

Captain- 

Finally not the runt has gained weight and caught up to the activity level of his brothers and sisters.

Bandita

The most chill pup of the group mostly sleeps/eats/licks noses.

Diamond

The newest runt but totally healthy, this little girl is definitely a scrapper.

Samson

A bundle of energy, has all his teeth and is not afraid to try them out, such a rough and rowdy buddy! 

Henry Jones

Is long haired and full of life, absolutely loves dry food/water mush, has bunny soft fur.

Stanley

Loves to play, always walks right up to me whenever I'm in the room smart and friendly.

Terese

Once super bouncy, now more mellow and cuddly. Once awkward looking now ADORABLE.

Wanda (black) Nikki (brown)

Taking the smallest of play breaks.

Puppies lollipops and candy canes and more puppies

So all the drama over here has calmed down a bit. We still have some pups that need hand feeding to gain weight but the illness is almost a hundred percent gone and they are growing strong and looking happy and healthy.

We really have to lock Wanda (mama dog) in the room because she won't really go there on her own, she's a really social people dog and does not like to be away from me and Nikki.

The puppies are getting, messier, louder, and starting to eat gruel made from dry food and warm water. Its very exciting to see them grew and I hope hope hope hope the hard part is over. On the flip side, it's really rough imagining them leaving my house. I love them so much and the crazy thought has crossed my mind that I should buy a farm and keep them all as my pack! They all are developing quirks and their own personalities, I get little peeks and the adult dogs they will become. I am happy they will get exposure to my cats and dog, I have to make sure I have some children over so they get that experience as well. They are gonna be fantastic dogs, why wouldn't I want to keep them all?

On the other hand, I have had to pass by lots of opportunities to foster and help other dogs because the house has to stay disease free for the pups. There will always be more dogs and not enough people to help them.
I am committed to having them here at least till they are adoptable and hopefully vaccinated, so this is the long haul. Here's your puppy fix for the week!

Bandita

Captain

Diamond

Samson

Henry Jones

Stanley

Terese