Greased Lightning Libby

Are you an energetic person who thinks that a canine companion would be the perfect addition to your active lifestyle? Libby might be the girl for you! Don't let her lounge lizard photo fool you -- Libby is a 1 year old busy girl who is always up for your next big adventure. She would love to be your new jogging partner, or be your standing date for the dog park. She's a sweetheart who is happy to snuggle after you both burn off some energy and she loves, loves, loves her people. Libby lives with two other dogs and a teenager in her foster home. She's a happy girl who gets along well with other dogs and would love a playful canine companion in her adoptive home.

Libby arrived in Pet Haven foster care with a sparse coat, but with some vet care and good food her fur is filling in. She should have a beautiful coat to keep her warm by the time winter rolls around. As her coat fills in...her speckles are coming out! She's an adorable white and orange girl. Libby came to us from a rural shelter, so we don't have much background information on her, but we believe she is an English Setter. She certainly fits the appearance and personality of a field Setter. She's a little peanut of a girl with a thin frame, gaining weight would require slowing down and Libby shows no signs of doing that any time soon!

If Libby sounds like the dog for you, please email dogs@pethavenmn.org to learn more about her.

Sam and Gunnar - new arrivals!

On Saturday Pet Haven had the good fortune of welcoming into our foster program Sam and Gunnar. Two more beautiful dogs and lives saved. Both came to us from a shelter in Iowa where both were unfortunately scheduled to be euthanized - both for different reasons, and both reasons highlighting and magnifying the harsh reality of the thousands of dogs and cats who aren't fortunate enough to be given a second chance. I continue to be amazed at the passion and dedication of volunteers and staff of rescue and shelters across the country. The resourcefulness, the passion and their commitment to be a voice and an advocate continues to touch my heart, time and time again. A reminder to me of how each and every one of us can make a difference.

Sam (brindle) is a 1 year old, energetic boy who began some obedience training at the shelter before he was transferred to us. They said he did great and is eager to please! And Gunnar is a four year old yellow lab whom we have been told has a heart murmur. We are having him checked out at our vet. On the ride to the Twin Cities after our meeting point in Albert Lea, MN, he fell asleep on the dog bed we set up in the back... if he had it his way though i think he would've squeezed his way to the passenger seat and gently placed all 85 pounds onto the lap of my transport buddy. For everyone's safety and company we opted to let him hang out in the back. It was tough though, because that sweet face kept doling out puppy kisses, and those eyes... those soulful eyes will just melt your heart.

Sam and Gunnar will both be up for adoption in about a week or so. Be sure to check our website, or if you're really anxious and want to learn more about either Sam or Gunnar send an email to dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Jake and Seeka

Jake and Seeka's foster mom tells people they are "All American" when someone asks about their breed mix. We are postulating that they are Cattle Dog/Sheltie mixes, but really it is anyone's guess. We do think that they will be about 50 lbs when they are done growing.

Jake and Seeka have been very busy learning to be good canine citizens in their foster home. They are at a great age where they are old enough to really be getting the hang of housetraining and sleep through the night, but they are also still full of puppy antics and goofy puppy moves.

Seeka (the puppy with more black in her coat) is smaller at about 17 pounds and more coordinated. Seeka is smart, sweet, quiet, and has no problem telling Jake when she's had enough, but generally is more submissive. Jake (the mostly white puppy) is a solid 20 pounds and clumsy, and is the troublemaker. He likes to play with the toilet paper and scheme up ways to escape the baby gates and go exploring throughout the house. His mischief must be very endearing though, because their foster reports that Jake is her favorite of the pair.

Jake and Seeka are looking for adoptive families that are ready to take on all the joys and challenges of raising a puppy. They will need vigorous daily exercise; as well continued training and socialization so that they continue to grow up as well-behaved dogs. In return you will get unconditional love and endless entertainment from one of these "All American" sweethearts.

Check out their bios to learn more about Jake and Seeka. If you have any questions about them, please email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Pet Haven Fall Benefit - Buy your tickets!

On Saturday, November 1st Pet Haven will be having their second annual Fall Benefit - a fun-filled evening which will include full-course dinner, silent auction, and a pet fashion show (presented by Lulu and Luigi) featuring dogs AND cats! Last year's event was a huge success with the event selling out and raising over $16,000 which went directly to our adoption and spay/neuter programs. Our fashion show will feature Pet Haven dogs and cats - some already in their forever homes, and others still waiting :) You will hear and be touched by some of the most incredible rescue stories as communities come together to make a difference in the lives of abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and cats, one life at a time.

Tickets are selling much faster this year, so if you attended last year, and plan to join us again, don't procrastinate in purchasing your tickets! If you are new to Pet Haven, want to support homeless dogs and cats, AND have lots of fun, be sure to join us this year. You can learn more about Pet Haven by visiting our website.
You can also support us by donating items to our silent auction. Feel free to download additional information on sponsorship opportunities as well as our procurement form (for silent auction items!).
Many thanks to our Platinum sponsors Downtown Dogs and Chuck and Don's and to all of our sponsors.

To purchase tickets click here. If you have any questions or want additional information feel free to email Marilou at marilou@pethavenmn.org.

Pet Haven adoption event tomorrow (Saturday, 9/20)

The forecast indicates an absolutely gorgeous weekend, so why not stop by the Richfield Petco between 10 and Noon and meet some of our incredible dogs up for adoption?! We are also always in need of fosters (both short-term and long-term fosters), so if you're house feels a little empty, or you think you have room to take in a rescued dog, and help save a life, stop on by and learn more about Pet Haven and volunteering/fostering!

For those of us volunteering with Pet Haven, we have arrived here from a lot of different places, and a lot of different reasons .... the end result, however, is the same: we become a part of the Pet Haven community of animal loving people, and we learn that we truly can be a voice for abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. And we learn that we get back so much more than we give.

For a complete list of adoptable dogs visit our website.

For questions on volunteering email volunteer@pethavenmn.org.

Lovable Lola

Lola is quite the catch! Many labs love to play fetch, but Lola loves to play catch. She would love to show off her skills. Come toss her a ball or two at our adoption event on Saturday, 9/20. We will be at the Richfield Petco from 10 - Noon. Lola will be there along with many of her fellow foster dogs. They can't wait to meet you!

For a listing of all of our dogs available for adoption visit our website.

If you have any questions about adoptable dogs email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Banjo, the solar powered beagle!

Pet Haven has one of the cutest, most talented beagles in our foster program! He's looking for that special family or person to take him under their wing. He convinced his foster family to make a video of him so that he could show off how talented he is --- watch the video and you will be sure to fall in love with him, and you'll also understand why he's nicknamed the "solar powered beagle!".

To learn even more about him check out his bio. If you have questions email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Madison - our latest intake

Madison is our most recent intake (a 1 and a half year old absolutely gorgeous blue doberman). She has been cared for by a very loving family for the past year who has shared the following info:

"Madison came to us via a surrender at Companion Animal Hospital where my wife is a doctor. She came in with a broken femur, dislocated hip and a fractured jaw from a fall off a third story balcony. Several veterinarians from around town donated surgery time and supplies to mend her and we agreed to take her until she was totally healed. (physically and mentally) A year and some months later including two rounds of obedience school and lots of love she is one hundred percent better in both respects."

"She is extremely smart and listens with intent to carry out anything asked of her. She will kennel up with those words only and does it automatically if we put our coats on to leave the house or when she sees the lights going out for bedtime. She will go to either door, whichever is closest to let you know she needs to go outside. She has had only two accidents in the house, once when I turned on a new loud vacuum cleaner (she does not like vacuums) and once four months ago when we brought our newborn son home, one look at the new "puppy" and she couldn't help it."

"Madison loves to play and lets you know it every time she looks at you. She drops to her front haunches and wiggles her head waiting for the first move. I tend to throw her tennis ball(s) even in the house and if we go to the enclosed school yard I take a tennis racket to launch the balls. She is the most beautiful dog I have ever had the pleasure to watch run. Her stride no longer favors her injury and she actually leaps like a deer.

She is a great companion and is comfortable around children, adults (male and female) and dogs. Her only exposure to cats has been Claudius the Siamese half cat half jackal on the other side of the street and she pays no attention to him. She does like to bark at strangers that come to the door and in my neighborhood with all of the solicitors and politics this year it can be a little annoying. If I snap my finger and say no she stops immediately and now understands that the finger snap means there is something special to acknowledge. This has been a real glimpse of her potential and how smart she really is. We are going to miss her and whoever has the pleasure of having her in their life will be rewarded beyond words.

Love to Maddy and her next level of happiness in her knew life."

Maddy is not yet up on our website, however, will be shortly. In the meantime, if you are interested in putting in an application for Maddy email dogs@pethavenmn.org for more info.

Ode - the big puppy!

Ode is a puppy Pet Haven took in who had been a victim of horrific animal abuse - her ears intentionally burned. To read her full story visit our website. She continues to do extremely well in her loving foster home, and in about a month will be ready to take in applications :) Her foster mom recently provided an update: "Ode now weighs 31 1/2 pounds! Her paws are huge and I'm sure she will be a big girl. Ode now sits, lays down, stays (mostly) and high fives.

Even though Ode is big she is definitely a puppy. She loves to play fetch, be chased, terrorize the cats and run around. Tino and chase her around the yard and house all the time. She also loves her stuffed animals. My dogs like to kill them and tear them apart but not Ode. She shakes and throws them but doesn't destroy any of her toys. Luckily she is not a digger. We just had a house full of people and it got loud and crazy at times. Ode took it all in stride and enjoyed the extra hands that were willing to pet her.

It is funny what she is afraid of. Recently at the vet, Dr. Jim had placed an iron bulldog right inside the door. Ode raised all the hair on her back and started barking. It took a lot of coaxing to get her to approach it, just like the gargoyles at the ren fest. When we got home all my dogs surrounded Ode trying to get a sniff and again she raised her hair, frightened. She was fine after a few seconds."

Ode will be a special guest at our Fall Benefit (a special thanks to our Platinum sponsors: Downtown Dogs and Chuck and Don's). Be sure to attend this fun-filled event which will feature a pet fashion show presented by Lulu & Luigi.

In honor of Ode, artist Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts is donating 20% of all commissions and a portion of card sales to Pet Haven through 12/31/08. Jessie has also donated a portrait of Ode for the silent auction of our Fall Benefit. Please consider commissioning a portrait of your own best friend, and in the process help raise money for abandoned, abused and neglected animals!

Black Dog parade at Woofstock, 9/13

In an effort to increase the awareness and plight around black dogs in shelters and Black Dog Syndrome, Heather of Start Seeing Black Dogs is organizing a black dog walk as part of the march in the "Pooch Promenade" at Woofstock.

Meet at 10:30 at the Main Stage, 43rd and Upton on Saturday, 9/13. Bring your black dog and wear a black shirt!

This is a great opportunity to increase awareness around Black Dog Syndrome. Email Heather at info@startseeingblackdogs.com with questions. Help us get the word out about this and if you or any of your friends, colleagues, family have a black dog, be sure to come out and join in the march.

For once, let's give these beautiful black dogs a chance to shine!

Black dogs needing homes!

We currently have two very special black dogs (Suzy and Jasper) who are not only in Pet Haven's foster program, but they are being fostered at one of our doggie daycare partner facilities (Suzy at Downtown Dogs and Jasper at Pampered Pooch). Yes, they are being pampered and treated extremely well at doggie daycare, however, we would love to either get them adopted, or at the very least move them to a foster home.
Both Suzy and Jasper are wonderful dogs! Both get raving reviews/reports from daycare -- in fact, they are getting "A+'s" on their report cards! Suzy and Jasper are only two of many black dogs in our foster program. Check out our website to learn more about Mollie, Hector, and Dakota (Dakota is also being fostered in a doggie daycare, and we would love to get this sweet girl into a foster home!).

For more info on any of these sweet black dogs email dogs@pethavenmn.org. For more information about fostering visit our website or email volunteer@pethavenmn.org.

Black dogs are being euthanized at high rates in shelters across the country. Join us in being a voice for these big black dogs, and help us find them their forever homes!

Adoption event tomorrow - Saturday, 9/6

If you've been thinking about adding a new furry friend to your family, or you know someone that may be pondering it... we hope you'll consider stopping by our adoption event tomorrow, Saturday between 10 - noon. We will be at the Woodbury Petco.
You can be sure to meet lots of great dogs who have been patiently waiting for their forever home. Every dog we are able to place opens up a foster home and allows us to bring in another abandoned, abused or neglected dog!
We could also use more fosters, so if that's something you've been considering, please visit our website to learn more about fostering, and stop by our adoption event -- we would love to answer any questions you may have!!

Hank - Still Waiting

Hank is one of the sweetest beagles you could ever meet. He's been in Pet Haven's foster program for quite some time, and even though he's being a good sport about it all (since his foster family pampers him!), we really would love for him to find his forever home. Hank finding a forever home means a foster slot opening up, and another dog being saved!

Here's an update from Hank's foster mom: "Hank is still waiting for that wonderful forever home. He is being very patient. Sometimes I think TOO patient as he was trying to hide in Elanor's toys on the couch. But he is such a good boy and doesn't mistake any of her toys as dog toys. Which she is very grateful for. But he would like a spot on someone's couch that he could call his own. And he would love to share it with kids, adults other dogs and even cats as he loves everyone. He will be at the adoption on Saturday and on his most friendly behavior. So come meet Hank."
Click here to learn more about Hank.
Our adoption event this Saturday will be from 10 - Noon at the Woodbury Petco. Hank (and many of his doggie friends also hoping to find their forever homes!) will be there to dole out slobbery kisses.

Email dogs@pethavenmn.org if you have any questions about Hank or any of our adoptable dogs!