Heartworm Positive Diagnosis

 My little foster failure was diagnosed with Heartworm. This is Florida where heartworm seems to be everywhere. 

Preventatives People!!!

Yes, Maggie was on preventatives from the time I got her. The Vet said she might have just been bitten before she came to the shelter. So the first test she got when entering the shelter was negative but now as the worm was growing it comes back positive. The fact that she did get her monthly preventatives probably stopped baby worms from developing. Heartworms take about 6 months to sexually mature and begin producing more worms. 

Now to kill that mama worm inside her heart. There were two choices. My vet does not recommend slow kill because as you're waiting for the worm to die, it's still causing damage. Heartworms can live unchecked for years. 

Maggie is barely 2 years old so I didn't want any more damage to her young heart. I opted for the fast kill heartworm treatment. This consists first of a month of Doxycycline to ensure there's not another infection going on. After that the dog gets 3 injections. First injection, then four weeks later 2 more injections 24 hours apart. 

During this time the dog has to be kept calm. No running around, no zoomies, no crazy rough housing with the other dogs in the house. 

Maggie had her first injection a week and a half ago. The vet did the injection in the side of the lower back. Maggie was a champ and stood just fine for it. Afterwards she just kind of wandered around the vet's office while I paid the bill. It was when I got her in the car that the crazies started. 

I always use a seat belt for my dog in the back seat where she can lay down if she wants.  It clips around the headrest then onto her harness. She got in the car without a problem but once we were on the road (20 mins from home) she started pacing on the back seat, whining, sitting down, getting up, pacing. Around and around. I tried soothing music, talking to her, and telling her it was ok. She was panting and appeared to almost be starting to panic. 

Then she tried to jump into the front seat. The seatbelt doesn't reach that far and she was just stuck dangling over the seat in her harness. Of course, this was where there was no place to pull over so I'm driving with one hand and trying to unhook her harness with the other. Luckily there was a traffic light and I was able to get the harness off and she could sit in the front. 

It didn't help. She was still stressing, moving, whining. Finally she jumped into the back seat again. We made it home safe. 

At home she was still panting, pacing and every time she'd lay down she'd be up again. I emailed my vet and he got right back to me. He said to give her time because she's probably stressed and in some pain of the shot. This injection went deep into the muscle so there could be some swelling involved. 

The next day she was much better. She's on Prednisone and I think that helps with inflammation. Still not herself and seemed sore on one side. (I offered her ice packs and lots of treats) The day after that she seemed more like herself. 

This is the hard part now... keeping her from running and playing. She's a crazy zoomie pup and runs laps around the yard every day. Now I take her out on a leash so she can't run. If she starts pulling I have to slow her down. I feel bad she doesn't understand. 

Sorry little Maggie, no fun for a few weeks. 

The meds cause the worm to die and break up. These floating worm pieces can be absorbed by the body. BUT! in the first few weeks they pose a danger for causing blood clots in the heart, lungs and brain. You have to keep that heart rate down and the dog calm. From what I've read, it's 4 to 6 weeks that you have to keep the pup calm. 

It's going to be a long. hot summer.... 

Her next series of 2 injections is on the 31st. I'm going to take someone with me to go to the vet so I can sit with her in the back seat and someone else can drive. I'll let you know how it goes.

More information can be found at The American Heartworm Society  

Foster Failure - Sweetie Pie

Fostering is rewarding. I think I've said that like a million times before. 

Still it's true. 

Until you fail. Then it's even better. 😉

Meet Sweetie-Pie. 

She was found as a stray somewhere in Florida. She was very pregnant. If a shelter is full sometimes they just have no room. If no one can step up and rescue the pup, pregnant or not, sometimes the dog is just put down. Its a sad ugly truth of our world. 

Very good mama

The rescue I work with got a call about a very sweet but very pregnant mixed breed pup. We said yes, let's arrange a transport. Then the night before she was supposed to make the long trip to our rescue, Sweetie Pie gave birth to 6 puppies. The transport drove up to check on her. Yes, the shelter thought she was done having pups. They put her on the transport and then.... two more puppies popped out on the ride. 

 Sweetie Pie was emaciated. Every rib and hip bone clearly outlined over skin stretched thin. Her hair was thinning and she had several white marks on he black coat. We had no idea where they came from but didn't think she was treated too well before she was picked up as a stray.😭

Sweetie Pie and her 8 puppies were given a nice pen, a soft bed and good nutritious food three times a day. As the puppies grew they seemed to drain poor Sweetie of all nutrients as she just didn't put any weight on. Still thin as sticks. 

Off to the vet! The vet found a bacterial infection so at 5 weeks the vet didn't want her nursing any more. She had to go on medication. We supplemented the pups with puppy milk mixed in with soft puppy mush and kibble. These pups grew fat and healthy. Sweetie finally started putting on some much needed weight. 

As the pups reached 8 weeks and started to go to their furever homes, Sweetie would need to go to foster care. 

Unsure of this car ride

Guess who volunteered to be foster? 

So that's how Sweetie Pie became my foster. As she got more and more comfortable here, her real personality started to come out. Although her paperwork guessed her age at almost 4, she acts like a baby herself. 

We went to an adoption day. She did really good. Loved everyone and everyone loved her sweet personality. No one stepped up to adopt. 

The next event was planned as a big one. Hundreds of people would be there. I looked at Sweetie and knew if she met that many people she'd be adopted. 

I got a text asking if she would be at the event. I didn't answer. I could step up to adopt her myself. Should I? Am I ready for another dog? (I lost my LoveBug two years ago. My heart was broken)  But was I ready? The words went round and round in my head. 

The next day I decided to adopt. It was a tough decision. All the questions like; Am I ready? Should I? Is she too young for me? What should I do? Universe send me a sign! 💙💚💛💜💖

Please meet my Foster Failure; 

Maggie Mittens!  

(yes, we renamed her) 

Soul Mates - Author Talk

From the Author:

Working with Dog Rescue can be rewarding, but it can also break your heart. Anyone who's fostered and given up a dog to another home knows the pain and then they do it again because they know there's another dog out there that needs them. There is always another dog.

The story Soul Mates came from a writing challenge, but it was the love of dogs and experience in dog rescue that moved the story. So many foster dogs come in with emotional baggage, one can only wonder what happened to them. We can patch up the broken bones, give them any medications they need, but their heart takes longer to heal after its been broken by humans.

This story is fiction but I've seen dogs who come into rescue with clouds of fear and uncertainty in their eyes. They pancake to the floor when I reach out to pet them, or bark like crazy at the slightest noise. This is how they learned to protect themselves before they arrived on the rescue's doorstep. It breaks your heart every time. When they start to finally act like a dog again, wagging tail, playing with toys, you feel true joy.

So this book has some hard parts, that's true. One reviewer told me "I laughed, I cried, I loved this book." Another review said "it's about animal abuse!" I don't think that second reviewer read the whole book. If she did, she would have known that although the pup goes through some rough times, the dog is saved. Because that's the story of too many rescue dogs. They come in scared and wounded and rescue does their best to patch them up physically and emotionally.

That's what rescue and foster people do. They save dogs, help them heal, and then find them a good home.

See you in the pages...

Jeanne Donnelly is a New Jersey native and has been writing all her life. With an English/Creative Writing major, she's honed her skills with help from the New Jersey Romance Writers and Liberty State Fiction Writers. Both are great groups that support writers and their dreams.

Applying For a Rescue Dog - 5 Reasons Why You Didn't Hear Back

 

So, you made the decision. You want to adopt a rescue dog. You found the perfect pup and filled out the rescue's online application. And then....

Radio silence. You never hear back. 

Why? 

Here are 5 of the reasons your application might have failed. 

1.  Your application was incomplete. Did you fill out the whole thing with the correct information? Making a mistake on your phone or email might have made it impossible for them to reach you. Check your entries before hitting submit. 
2. You skipped sections. Other pets? Vet information? Who else lives in the house? 
3. You didn't read the animal's about me section. If the information on the pet says must have a fenced in yard and you don't well everything stops there. Or not good with cats and you have a cat? Rescuers are looking to make a perfect match so the animal gets a perfect furever home. 
4. You don't read the questions. Did it ask for 3 references and you only gave one? Really? If you can't supply at least 3 people who can vouch for your ability to own a pet then why should they trust you? 
5. The pets in your house are not up to date on vaccinations. A good rescue will call your vet to make sure you're taking good care of the pets in your care. Either now or ones you owned in the past. If you didn't keep on on basic pet care, your application will be passed over. 

You ask why they don't call or email and let you know why? 

One single dog or cat can have over 30 applications in a week or even a day.  Processing all these applications takes time and a lot of phone calls to vets and references. This doesn't take into account the time dealing with amount of dogs coming into rescue who need medical care or the fundraising needed to take care of them all.  

If the rescue stopped and answered every ap there would be no time left to process the other applications and find that perfect home for the pets in their care or provide proper attention to the new pets coming in. And there are always more dogs and cats needing to be rescued. Isn't that the goal? Finding a great furever home for every single dog or cat. 

Woof! Good dog!

When a Foster is Returned

 

There are a lot of reasons a foster dog can be returned. Let's face it, life is unpredictable. Things happen, things change.

 This is Carl's story. 

A great family came along and we did a meet and greet. Introduced the family and their dog to Carl and he was a perfect gentleman. Sweet as pie. After a bit I handed over the leash and his kibble and toys and gave him hugs and kisses goodbye. 

No joke. It was hard. When Carl first came he was shy and would flinch if I moved too quickly in his direction. When I tried to take him for a walk he would pancake to the floor in fear. A few  weeks later he remembered he was a dog and started running after squirrels in the back yard. Watching this transformation is magical. Seeing a scared pup come to life like that is one of the things that makes fostering rewarding. 

Then he came back. 

At the adopters house he started limping. They got him to the vet right away and the vet took x-rays. The x-rays showed his back leg had been previously broken. Maybe over a year ago and now the bone had grown back over the break but still didn't look good. The vet suggested amputation.  I raced to the rescue when I saw that report super scared they wanted to follow this vet's advice. 

I also called a very savvy vet tech I have in my family. She studied the x-ray and sadly said that might be in his future. Either way he was going to have severe arthritis some day due to the way the bone knitted together. 

I sent videos of Carl racing in the yard. This boy can run!  His leg is working. He doesn't seem to be in pain. 

The outcome? Holding pattern. 

Since he doesn't seem to be bothered by it right now, let him be. However is he adoptable at this point? Here's a dog that might cost you thousands in the future. Yikes! 

So right now, Carl remains at my house. Chasing squirrels and taking it day by day. Leg intact and we're praying he'll keep it and not have it rebreak or cause him pain. He does occasionally limp but then runs right back after the squirrel. I wish dogs could tell you what they feel, are they in  pain and how bad it is? 

If you're out there, dear readers, please send Carl some prayers. 

UPDATE! 

Carl has been adopted! The perfect family was found. These people had a daughter who was a vet tech and the woman's best friend was a veterinarian. Perfect. 

Have a happy life Carl! 

I Adopted Out a Dog Today

 I foster dogs. 

No, it's not easy. 

I adopted out a dog today. His name was Carl and he was the sweetest little boy. Carl was joy in every sense of the word. He loved snuggling on the couch, following me around no matter what room I went into (we did have a discussion on the bathroom but he didn't seem to understand my point of view) and chasing squirrels. 

I adopted out a dog today. He took a piece of my heart with him and now I can't seem to find my smile. 

I adopted out a dog today. My couch is empty and there's no reason to open the back door 20 times a day to play let dog in, let dog, out. 

I adopted out a dog today. There are tears in my eyes and a sadness around my shoulders. I miss his little face, his wagging tail and happy eyes. 

I adopted out a dog today. He's going to another home where he'll be loved and have another dog to play with. I'm happy  his furever home is a good one where they'll keep up on his vet visits, shower him with toys and feed him well. 

I adopted out a dog today. And now my home is open to save another life. Because that's what rescue is all about. Saving one more little life. 

Have a good life little one. 

Carl Update

Carl is doing great! He's such a sweetie and loves everyone. He came to me  already house trained and loves to cuddle up and watch TV.  

I bring him to the studio every day to hang out and he greets people slowly, mostly waiting for them to come to him. I haven't tried him with kids, yet. He did meet a few younger teens at the Rescue Halloween party and did great with them.

He went dressed as an artist with a little beret. Adorable. 

So now we have an application for adoption on Sweet Carl and he does his first meet and greet tomorrow.  The family sounds great and they already have another rescue dog. Just a little younger than him but the other pup also has a squirrel chasing habit so they can go on the hunt together.  We'll see how it goes tomorrow.  

Hoping for a great furever home for this special boy. 

💙💙💙

Every time a foster dog leaves my house I cry. 

Then I do it again, knowing when the next one leaves I'll cry again. 

And so it goes....

New Foster Pup Today

Meet Carl. Just arrived in our home and so far so good. 

He came from a yard in Georgia with his mate and puppies. Kind of snarky with other dogs at the rescue hotel, but that place can be a bit chaotic with a bunch of dogs all barky and excited.  

Carl seems to listen well enough so far but he's only been here about a half hour. :) He's 3 years old and about 35 lbs. Vetted and ready for his new home. 

I'm heading out to work in a bit and thinking I'll bring him with me. It's a quiet day with no classes so he can just hang out. 

More on Carl's adventure into a new home coming soon.... 

To adopt Carl go to Fluff Animal Rescue & fill out an application. 

Must be near Pinellas County in Florida. 

Adopting out the Foster Pup.

 Today I let Petey go to his new home. 

No more little fuzzball running around, bringing me his little ball to throw or cuddling up beside me on the couch.  Petey has a new Mama now. 

This woman is a lot like the mama he had before. She's home all the time, likes to take walks and needs a cuddle buddy. 

It's a good match. 

Sweetie Petey deserves a mama who will love him and be home with him all the time. 

I'm going to miss the little fellow a lot. 

Sweetie Petey gets a Haircut

 Our little foster pup got all groomed up today. 

New Foster Dog

 This little boy lost his mom & is now our new Foster. 

A Lasa Apso, he's 12 years old and playful. He chases his ball & has a little stuffed toy. I can tell he was well loved during his 12 years. As he was friendly right from the start. 

We're just getting to know each other. He explored the house and the yard. He didn't come when I called but I just put the leash back on him and he came right along. Walks very well on a leash. He's been hanging by the sliding back door, quietly watching the door and I wonder if he's a bit depressed. 

When he first came in he growled a bit at our dog, but that ended quickly. Most dogs work at first to establish boundaries and once that's done they settle in. I don't think this little guy ever lived with another dog, so he needs to set his boundaries. We'll get past it as he gets used to the house. 

He's adorable. :)  We'll get him groomed & soon he'll be available for adoption. 

Adopted! This little boy got a new Home!

Zeek is adopted ! 

 This was one of the fastest fosters I've ever had.  Little Zeek found his forever home with one of the kindest ladies I've ever met. She was looking for a little buddy and wanted one who would get along with other people and dogs. 

At our meet and greet other neighbors came out to meet sweet Zeek and were all excited to have such a gentle little boy in their community. 

I love this match for a few reasons. Zeek is a very shy boy and seeks out love whenever he goes. He's a gentle soul who hasn't had the easiest life so far. I could see the small scars on his body where he might have had a fight. Yet, these things didn't make him mean. He only held love and hope in his heart and wanted to give that to everyone around him. For this reason he needed a calm environment. His new mom is home all the time so he'll get lots of love all day long. She has experience with little dogs so knows the ins and outs of taking care of them. She likes going for walks which is a great thing for dogs. Walking gives a dog a chance to uses all 5 senses and lets them get a taste of what's out there in the world in a safe way.  

Zeeks life will now be filled with lots of hugs and cuddles and walks around the neighborhood. There are friends and neighbors around him that will all show him the love his short life had been missing. 

Yeah, he got a good match & a furever home. Have a happy life little one. 

New Foster Pup!

 

This sweet pup came into rescue from a shelter a few hours away. About 12 lbs, Maybe 5 years old and he's the sweetest little boy ever!  He's slowly getting used to our home and is a bit shy. 

When I picked him up from rescue he was trembling. On the car ride back he wanted to be in my lap. I made him comfortable on a blanket beside me and he settled down.  

When he met our dog, a basset/boxer mix, they did the butt sniff and then just ignored each other.  Mostly because our 8 year old dog doesn't want to be bothered with other dogs. 

So, no this little guy needs a name. Hopefully there will be a decision by tomorrow. I've got a list of names and read them off to him but get no reaction.

 

Problems with Dogs

 Hey! He's a good dog but.... 

Yeah, I hear that all the time.  Mostly because people don't know the basics of dog training or where to turn to for help.  

So you adopted that adorable dog. Cool. Now let's help him unpack. 

    He came with a past. Before this pup got to you he was somewhere else. Either with his mom and siblings or abandoned or maybe with a different adopter or a rescue. When he was there he learned their ways (not your way) and knew what was expected of him there. Now he comes to your house and doesn't even know where the bathroom is or if he'll be fed today.

   So what do you do? First thing on your list should be patience. He may not pick up on your clues the first time, or the second or even the tenth. But he'll get there if you give him time and patience. Be consistent. Use the same command every time. If you say "Go out!" a couple of time then "Go potty!" it could be confusing. Make sure the whole family knows the commands and what they mean. 

   Dogs are usually treat driven. BUT be smart about this. The dog gets the treat for good behavior. Make sure its a healthy treat and don't give too much. 

One of the first things you should teach your pup is to sit on command. That way they should sit when getting a treat. They'll soon know sit gets rewards.  Don't force their butt down but encourage the sit by repeating the command and slowly moving the treat backward over their head so they sit. Once that butt is down give lots of "GOOD BOYS!" and the treat. Repeat, repeat, repeat. 

Off topic I once had a Golden Retriever who went after the mailman. She raced out the door before I could grab her and raced toward him. Terrified the poor mailman jumped up onto the hood of the mail truck. I yelled the one command I knew she understood well, "DUSTY, SIT!" The dog dropped in her tracks, sat down and looked back at me.  This is a good example of how knowing the right command at the right time can help. :) 

    

Now about all that unpacking. Your dog might come with some quirks like they're jumpy when you move your feet or cower when you pull out the broom. This could be a sign that they were abused with that before they got to you. Solution? Go slow with them. Trust is earned and not automatic especially in dogs that have seen rougher times. 

   If your dog jumps every time you get up from the couch and move your feet then give them a warning. Say, "It's okay, good boy." as you get up. This alert them you're going to move and they won't be so startled. 

   If your dog panics at the broom or other item? Take them out of the room so they don't see it. Direct them to their bed or other safe place like the couch. My dog sits on the couch and watches me vacuum. It's all good. 

   Rescue dogs are the best but they just need time to learn what you want from them, where the bathroom is, what time they eat and what to expect from the household. 

Time and patience are the key to a happy dog and a happy family. 

   

To Foster or Not to Foster

I hooked up with another Animal Rescue. I go once a week to take care of the pups and work in their store. Cleaning, stocking, and, my favorite part, playing with the pups.

There's a little dog there named Bindi. Doxie mix, brindle like my Love Bug, and sweet and shy. Maybe a few years old, tossed in a shelter, very pregnant. She had the babies under the kind guidance and care of the wonderful people at the rescue. I soooo want to foster Bindi.

Right now I'm watching my daughter's cat while she tries to sell her house. Will the dog get along with the cat? Should I wait till after the cat goes to her new home?

Some foster dogs bring chaos. Some bring hugs. I don't think this little one would be a problem if she gets along with LoveBug.  LoveBug is pretty laid back. Eight years old, just wants to hang on the couch, maybe go for a couple of walks. Eat good food and score a couple of treats. Yep, that's LoveBug's ideal life.

Decisions, decisions.....
What do you think, LoveBug? Need a little sister?

Week 2 Rescue Dog - Love Bug

So, we brought home Love Bug about two weeks ago. Seven year old Bassett mix. She fit into our home just fine. Totally house trained, doesn't chew the furniture (knock wood!) and loves car rides.  Even when walking around the neighborhood, if someone gets out of their car she wants to jump right in!


My daughter sent her a Bark Box as a welcome home gift! Yum!

Sunday we took her to the blessings of the pets. She was a little nervous with all the bigger dogs, but stood on the little table and let the minister say a prayer over her for health & to not be afraid of big dogs.

Although she can look bigger in pictures, Love Bug weighs on at about 34 lbs and is small in statue. Little bitty legs!
One issue? She's a chip monster! She loves Tostitos and don't let her hear the bag crinkle or she comes running.

Overall, Love Bug is fitting in just fine. She has her place on the couch and sits in the window waiting for us to come home.

Rescue an older dog. They're full of love.

Walk through a Shelter

Getting settled in a new state, creating a new business and a new home is stressful like an adventure. You go a little crazy trying to get everything done but eventually you get there and land where you'll be for a while. Settled. Or kind of settled.

When we listed our home in New Jersey for sale it took about 3 months to sell. Not bad since we listed it before the holidays (mistake) when the market naturally slumps anyway. We should have waited until spring when people are ready to buy.  During those three months I lost my little Shih Tzu, Gracie. Now almost 3 years later I still cry for her.

This week my daughters and sons in law took me to a local shelter. There were mostly big dogs and I needed something smaller. Then as I moved through the little halls of the SPCA I saw beautiful dogs that were just too big for me.

Then I turned the corner and found

Love Bug.

She was trembling. Sitting there looking up at us and shaking.

And there goes my heart.

Still, getting a dog is a big move. There was also a Chihuahua mix that was super friendly.  We asked to see both. I love Chihuahuas. They are such people dogs.
They moved us to a little fenced in yard with benches and we waited.
They brought out the little Chi first and she ran right to the men. She eventually got to me and I petted her and talked to her and she ran back to the men. I figured she must have been owned by a man. I sat on the ground and she came over to me then moved away. 
Then they brought out Willow. A Basset Hound mix, a real low rider. Willow walked over to me and crawled into my lap and laid down.
Then we left.

I had to think about this. I texted photos to my husband. I mentioned her to people at work. I thought about her sitting in that cage shaking with fear.

I called my daughters.

This is a photo of Willow's - now named Love Bug - Freedom ride.

Choosing a Dog Rescue

Dog rescue is just like everything else in life. There are places you fit and places maybe not so much.
I came from a rescue up in New Jersey that had the most amazingly giving and sacrificing people I've ever had the good fortune to get to know. They jumped up and ran to each dog in need. They gave up time, money and their hearts to these dogs and always went the extra mile. I loved each and every one of them for the goodness in their hearts and the kindness in their souls.
Then I moved 900 miles away.

So here I am in Florida and getting settled in to new digs. We have boxes of stuff everywhere and really can't find things because they're somewhere... here. 
I'm unpacking and all I can think about is fostering a dog again. Or maybe two.

I think about the shelters that are over crowded. About the dogs who sit in shelters confused and scared. I think about that space on my couch that could give them comfort and security even if its just a bridge to their furever life.

So now I'm on the search for a rescue like my rescue in New Jersey. That mystical group of people who give more then they take and then give some more.

So my rescue friends, where is that special rescue of love and sacrifice?

Not Fostering Now

I've fostered dogs for about 10 years now. Its been a crazy, wild ride and I wouldn't change one minute of it. Not the sad, sick pups I had to nurse back to health, not the wild, untrained dogs who gnawed on my table legs and not those who made me a foster failure.          ---->


Those days were full of fun and laughter and also some heartbreak. There were dogs I was happy to see move to their forever home and those that took a piece of my heart with them when they left.

Now I'm beginning a new life adventure and can't foster where I'm staying because of these two rambunctious beauties.

They are big, they are young, and they would probably squash any little dog that happened by. Not because they're mean, but big dogs play rough. They can push the couch 5 feet when they rock into it.
I'd hate to see them trample a little guy and due to an old shoulder injury I usually only do small dogs.

I miss fostering so much! I miss those sad little eyes looking up at me when they enter my house for the first time and I miss watching them transform into the happy-go-lucky pups they always should have been.

As soon as our house situation is settled I'm back into fostering. There are too many dogs out there who need me, you, us.

To Love a Dog