Foster Updates!

Happy New Year's Eve!  I'm curious to know how everyone is spending it this year.  Are you heading out on the town for a First Night celebration?  Hanging out at a friend or family house party?  Hitting the clubs?  Or, perhaps you're like us this year, getting take-out Chinese food and enjoying a relaxing evening in with our furry babies.  Whatever you are planning, be safe and enjoy!

It's the last Monday Mischief of the year, so I've decided to share a few foster updates.  After all, there's nothing better than some puppy mischief to make you smile (although they aren't puppies anymore... they're all growing up so fast)!

First up is tiny-tot Maverick (on the left), who got into the Christmas spirit along with his big brother Zac.  Doesn't Mavie look like he's making a wish to Santa?  I just adore the bow on his head.

Belle spent her first Christmas in New Mexico, where she is "wintering" with her parents and two kitty siblings.  I can't wait for Spring when they return to New England!

 

Sweet Izzy's neighbors bought her a Christmas toy which she proudly carried around all day on Christmas eve.  Don't you love that "what?!?!" look?  The second shot was titled "Izzy is one happy snow puppy" by her Mom... snow always makes the Lapdogs smile too!

The Big White Shadow (as his Mom calls him), better known as Skipper, still enjoys lounging by the wood stove on a cold New England day.  Here he is happily sharing the heat with kitty sister Amelia.

We truly love getting updates and photos of our foster babies, and I hope you enjoy seeing them as well!  We got to foster several wonderful pups in 2012, which led to meeting many new friends who gave these precious babies their forever homes.  We greatly look forward to helping many more on their way to forever homes in 2013!

Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue

I was about to post my Monday Mischief posting when I realized that today has been reserved for a cause extremely close to my heart (and one I post about on a regular basis, of course): Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue

As you know, I am a huge advocate of dog rescue and you'll often hear me utter the words "Adopt, Don't Shop."  I'm not anti-breeder by any means and realize that for some folks, they want a purebred XYZ pup.   However, I am against pet stores, puppy mills and "backyard breeders."  There are far too many lives out there ending far too soon (and sadly, not all humanely) simply because people don't spay or neuter their pets.  I see photos and stories of far too many puppies and adult dogs who's "day is up" - yes, puppies are put down simply because a shelter somewhere felt they were there too long without being adopted.  

Three of my four children are shelter rescues.  Zeus, was somewhat of a "rescue," however it was friends of ours who had a liter of puppies.  He was originally given to another family who realized they weren't ready for a dog... we stepped in and took him at that point (just 7 weeks old).  About 8 months later, we decided Zeus' needed a canine companion and we adopted Lola from our local humane society.

Then, we failed at fostering... twice. Teutul, our Tennessee boy, was our first ever attempt at fostering and we failed pretty much immediately. Sophie (from Missouri) was our second failed foster... we like to think she chose us. 

I often get asked how we are able to foster dogs and let them go to their forever families.  While I'll never claim it's an easy thing to do - it is not - and it's certainly not something for everyone, it's what I can do to help save lives.  I've shed many tears and my heart breaks each time we have to send another foster baby off to their forever home, but I know it's the right thing to do.  By doing so, we are able to play a part in saving another life.  It certainly helps when the forever families stay in touch with us - they send photos, videos and sometimes we even get to have play dates with our fosters.  There's nothing quite like the feeling of seeing one of our foster babies so happy with their new family!  A couple of them actually remember us when we see them - and there's definitely nothing quite like having them very excited to see us, and showing how much they love their forever family at the same time.  That is the perfect situation! 

It certainly helps that our pack is well adjusted and has graciously welcomed their many foster brothers and sisters into our home...

For everyone who tells me they want to help, but don't think they could foster - and give up - a baby, I tell them there is so much more you can do to help a rescue.  Donate: financially or otherwise.  Shelters are often seeking things like old comforters, sheets & towels, paper towels, postage stamps, plastic bowls, toys, etc.  Volunteer: shelters need folks to help clean kennels, walk dogs, answer the phone, fundraise, man tables at adoption events, etc.  Spread the word: in a social media driven world, this is easier than ever - help spread the word about animals in need of foster homes and adoption by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, your blog, etc. 

If you're looking for a new furry companion, please consider a shelter dog.  Check out this website.  If you know me personally, of course you know to come to me to help in your search as well (I truly am that crazy dog lady... whenever anyone I know is looking for a dog, has a friend/relative who's looking or some dog related question, I get the email, Facebook message, etc. - and that's okay... I love helping match people to a perfect furbaby!).  Mr. Booth (better known as Boo or Boo Boo in our house) is still with us and looking for her forever home.  In fact, the rescue just reduced his adoption fee to help.  Of course, he is fitting in quite well here... almost too well as you can see by his "Lazy Sunday" picture with Lola.

Boo went on a little adventure to the feed store yesterday and picked out a couple of new toys... Sophie sure did kept a watchful eye on that tiny little squeaky bunny he brought home.

I hope you will consider joining me in Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue and do what you can to help shelter dogs.  Personally, I'd adopt them all if I could. :)  Thank you...

Foster Babies Galore

So far, our Monday hasn't been all that exciting.... so for Monday Mischief, we're sharing a few foster baby updates! 

First up is the two-colored-eyed handsome Skipper, who has grown to 67 pounds!  His Mom calls Skip her miniature pony and says he enjoys standing at the window barking at all those who pass by (he may have learned that from the Lapdogs... oops!).

Next is the lovable, smart Izzy!  Her parents absolutely adore her and are having a blast teaching her all sorts of tricks.  We met up with them at the dog park last weekend, which is where the pic on the right was snapped (more to come soon from our fun filled day). 

Little Maverick is getting to be a big (little) boy... just check out his new "big boy" harness!  I just adore his super cute little pouty face (shhh... don't tell Tut, but I think Mavie is stealing his "I'm Sexy and I Know It" pose)!

His human sister made us a second update video a few weeks ago... isn't she awesome?  I love getting photos... and love, love, love videos!  (note Piggy makes an appearance as well... if you've followed along, I sent him home with Piggy and a blankie, both of which he took to bed with him every single night!)



Last, but certainly not least in today's update is the lovebug Belle!  Yes, yes... I still owe you an official Belle post from the week she spent with us... coming soon, promise!  In the meantime, it makes me so happy that we get to see her nearly every weekend at the race track! She's the perfect race pup and absolutely loves all of her fans!  Here she is watching the driver's meeting yesterday.

Thursday Smiles

Happy Dogs on Thursday / Thorsday / Thankful Thursday / Little Friday / whatever you're happy about today! 

If you missed our review of the Pet Portables Travel/Safety Kit - and Lola's amazing modeling skills - earlier this week, check it out here.  The kit got me wondering... what do you use when traveling with your dog(s) and do you have a safety kit in the event of an emergency that you can easily grab and go?  For day trips, I've used a canvas doctor's style bag from Planet Dog for years.  We typically don't take more than 2 dogs at a time to visit family, so the bag works perfectly for a food/water bowl, treats, toys, bones, a super long leash/tie out, etc.  Our pet first aid kit lives under the bathroom sink and no, I've never taken it with us.  While we tend to always have extra food, treats and bottled water on hand, I will admit that I've yet to put together an emergency kit that could be grabbed in seconds if we had to move out of the house quickly.  Now that I have the Pet Portables kit, I will certainly be taking the first aid kit along.  Next up... work on putting together a true emergency kit for the Lapdogs.

Now for the Thursday Smiles, aka a few foster updates!  Skipper's Mom posted this picture of her "miniature pony" on my Facebook wall over the weekend.  Isn't he handsome?  Skip's Mom says he has become a fan favorite at work and doggy daycare... I can see why!

Izzy has settled right in very nicely at her forever home.  She has been having fun playing with her doggy cousins (don't you just love how well she - and her airplane ears - sits in the picture on the right) and working on turning her Dad into a morning person.  The Lapdogs sent Izzy home with the bright orange Planet Dog bone on the left, as well as her snuggie.  We see that she is still loving the bone, but I'm wondering if the snuggie lives on?  I had to do minor surgery on it twice before she left... 

Little Mavie has been doing great and is a happy, healthy growing boy who loves playing with his brother Zac and doing the tricks he's learned.

Getting photos and updates on our fosters is always so wonderful and I appreciate them all so much... however Mavie's human sister took things one step further and created this awesome video update for us!

I can't tell you how much that video makes me smile... Enjoy the rest of your Thursday and give your pups an extra treat... or two!

Pitch or Skip?

I'm playing catch up with photos over here and boy do I have a gazillion quite a few adorable doggy shots to share.  Today it's all about Pitch (formerly known as Bentley) who was here at the Lapdog B&B for a couple weeks back in August.  Are you ready for some pouty cuteness?

Hangin' with Zeus...

Boy did he love those sticks...

Chillin' with Tut ... Wrestling with Sophie...

The last couple of shots of Pitch with Lola saying goodbye to her little buddy as he went off to his forever home...

 

Speaking of forever homes, Skipper's Mom has been sending me some absolutely adorable shots of the big boy.  And yes, he is getting big (if you click on his name you'll see via the puppy pics)!  The shot below on the left is from around Thanksgiving and the one on the right from December.  His Mom says he loves fire and always claims the front row near the woodstove or fireplace!

And here is Skipper in front of the Christmas tree and then enjoying a post Christmas vacation day on Plum Island.  Look how big he's gotten (did you scroll back to his puppy pics? here he is even tinier)!  Awww, love that boy!

It really does mean the world to me to get a photo and update in email or text from our fosters' forever families and Skipper's Mom always seems to know just when I need a little pick me up!

Speaking of special foster babies, I'll post some more pictures of Harper shortly.  We went to visit her on New Year's Eve, which was wonderful!  We all became so attached to her and vice-versa and it was great to visit her and see how much she is spoiled loved!  She got all wiggly and super excited when we got there and had tuns of puppy kisses for us... then she acted like a little kid showing us everything she has learned (stairs, running on the hardwood floors, zipping around the couch) and all around her new digs. 

Foster Updates

I always say that fostering is bittersweet, but the most rewarding part (after helping a pooch get to his or her forever home, of course) is getting photos and updates of our fosters from their families. 

I just received this photo of Sophie (formerly known as Sookie) from her family in Vermont.  I can't believe how tall she's gotten!

Sophie's Mom & Dad report that she loves to go hiking and when she's not running around with her brother Murphy, she's waiting for her Dad to sit down so she can jump up in his lap to watch TV.

Skipper's Mom also sent a couple of recent shots... and boy is he getting big quick!

Speaking of foster babies, you may recall that we got to steal babysit little miss Rosie for a week at the end of August when her Mom was on vacation.  I still need to upload those photos (yes, I'm behind... are you surprised?), but here's a couple to make you smile in the meantime...

I hope you've enjoyed my cuteness overload today as much as I have... I'm itching for another dose of foster puppy breath soon!