Adopted Dog Monday!

What a great week - we have a lot of adoptions to celebrate!

Porter, an Aussie mix, found his family at the adoption event this weekend. They are going on vacation next week so he will hang out with foster mom for one more week before heading to his forever home. Congratulations, Porter (and Ann on not adopting her first foster!)!




Komo, a lab mix, is being adopted by his foster mom. She has realized that he is already home and wants to make it official. Congratulations, Komo!






Foster, a lab mix, found his forever home at the adoption event this weekend after more than 6 months in foster care. No one understood why this boy was not snatched up months ago, but we could not be more thrilled for him. Congratulations, Foster!




Lily, a senior poodle, has been in respite foster care for many months. She was too old and unhealthy to be put up for adoption. Lily's foster mom loves her and wants to make it official. Congratulations, Lily!





Max, a young Shih Tzu, was adopted this weekend. Congratulations, Max!







Cinja, an adult Shih Tzu, was adopted this week. Congratulations, Cinja!







Andy, a shepherd mix, was adopted this weekend. He is another black dog who has been in foster care for way too long! His new family includes a canine sister who was rescued from a neglectful situation. Andy is already hard at work teaching her how to be a dog. What a win-win situation. Congratulations, Andy!

Andy: Cat tested, kitty approved

Andy has moved to a new foster home where we have been able to learn how he does with cats -- and it turns out he thinks they are swell! He does like to chase them occassionally (all in good fun), but he also likes to snuggle up with them. You can read more about Andy's adventures at his new foster home on his foster mom's blog.

Andy: Guitar Hero!

Andy likes the emo songs best.

Andy, or Andypants (which is his very distinguished nickname), has turned into a rock star! Andy is a music aficionado and prefers to take the bass line. He also has a thing for drummers (since you're sitting, you want his head there on your knee right? And that wooden stick you're waving around is a toy, right?) and enjoys a good jam session on Guitar Hero. However, when not rocking out, Andy is content to take a nap. It's a busy life being a super fan, you know.

On top of being a great roadie, Andy is going to make a wonderful dog for his family. Andy loves everyone - kids and adults. Andy gets along with any other dog, too! He got to stay at one of our doggy daycare partners, Auntie Ruth's, for a couple days last week and had a blast! Big dogs, little dogs, 3 legged dogs, Andy played with them all.

Andy is fully house trained and crate trained. He's used to being crated for a full workday and also doesn't need a super long walk to tire him out. Playing in the back yard with you or another dog is fine for him! He rides well in the car and normally falls asleep. Andy rarely barks and will do anything for a treat.

Andy has been in foster care for over 3 months now, which surprises me since he is such a great dog, and is ready for his new family! Come and meet him at the Eden Prairie Petco this Saturday from 10-noon or email pethavendogs@yahoo.com

Photos courtesy of Sarah Beth Photography.

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Pet Haven has declared February as Black Dog and Cat Month. All month long we will be featuring our adoptable black dogs on the dog blog. We will also be working to educate people about "Black Dog Syndrome" and encourage everyone to take a 2nd look at black dogs when they are considering adoption.

Spread the word - special black dog adoption event!

Pet Haven currently has 16 large black dogs and one small black dog in foster care right now. In an effort to highlight our black beauties, we will be having a special black-dog-only adoption event on January 31st and we are making February Black Dog and Cat Adoption Month!!

Please spread the word that our black dogs will be meeting and greeting their adoring fans at the Richfield Petco from 10am to noon on Saturday, January 31st.

These are the black dogs currently in Pet Haven care. If someone strikes your fancy, don't wait until the 31st -- email pethavendogs@yahoo.com today to learn more about them.

Midnight is a 4-5 year old male black lab who was going to be put to sleep when his family could not afford the surgery to repair a torn ACL. Pet Haven stepped in and saved his life and it could not have happened to a nicer boy. Midnight is a love bug who is good with all the dogs, cats and kids in his foster home where he is recovering from surgery.




Missy is a 1.5 year old lab who came to us through an Iowa animal control facility. She was dumped at the home of a good samaritan. Missy is good with other dogs and very sweet with cats. She is also housetrained and crate-trained. All the hard stuff has been done, but she would still benefit from a basic obedience course.







Sweetie is a 2.5 year old lab mix who would love to find a home where she can be your one and only dog. She does get along with other dogs, but at home she would prefer to have all the attention for herself. She loves to play fetch, but she is also happy to settle down and snuggle up. She's a people-lover who is looking for some new people to love.




Kix is a 4 month old shepherd mix boy who came to us via Red Lake Rosie's Rescue in November. He came in with his littermates, Ozzy and Sierra who have since been adopted. Kix is the only one remaining. They appear to be shepherd mixes, but they are small puppies -- so whatever their mix, they have something small in there!





Ruby is a a black lab mix that we are estimating to be around 1 year old. She came to us from an animal control facility in Iowa, so we don't have a lot of background on her. Ruby is very sweet and shares her foster home with a husky sister. She can easily jump a 4' fence so she needs a 6' fence or a home where she will be taken out on leash.




Frankie is a 3 month old black lab mix. He was picked up running loose along with his littermates in northern Minnesota just before Thanksgiving. He came to use through Red Lake Rosie's Rescue along with his brother Forest (and Fletcher, who has been adopted).





Forest is a 3 month old black lab mix. He was picked up running loose along with his littermates in northern Minnesota just before Thanksgiving. He came to use through Red Lake Rosie's Rescue along with his brother Frankie (and Fletcher, who has been adopted).






Lacy is a 6 year old female Rottweiler mix. She has been through the Pet Haven program before and was returned this fall when her adoptive home did not work out. Once a Pet Haven dog, always a Pet Haven dog! Lacy believes that 84 lbs is not too big to be a lap dog! She would love an adoptive home where she can be the center of your attention.







Garth is a 5 year old male lab mix. He came to use from a shelter in Iowa. Garth is a rough and tumble player who enjoys the company of other dogs, but might not be the best match for an older dog who does not enjoy rough housing quite as much as Garth does.




Foster is a 10 month old male lab mix. He came to us from a shelter in Iowa. He's a big boy and we are thinking that he might be mixed with Newfoundland. Foster has a happy go lucky personality who would fit into almost any adoptive home willing to give him the attention and exercise that a puppy needs.




Komo (aka Dutch) is a 9 month old male lab mix. He came to use from a shelter in Iowa. He LOVES to play with other dogs and would love a doggy playmate in his adoptive home.










Dakota is a 7 year old female husky/shepherd mix. Dakota was an owner surrender. She is very smart and a star pupil in obedience. She has a tendency to get nervous around other dogs, but she could share her home with the right dog companion. Being a typical husky, she does need a secure fence.






Suzy is a 2 year old female collie/lab mix. She came to us from a shelter in rural Iowa. Suzy is house trained and crate trained and is used to being left alone for a full work day. At only 2 she is young and energetic and is looking for an active family to run and play with!





Daisy is a 2 year old female lab. She is shy as a result of an abusive background, but once she warms up to you she is an engaging, entertaining snuggler. Daisy is looking for a forever home without kids because their unpredictability makes her nervous.





Bailey is a 4 year old female springer spaniel/lab mix. She is an owner surrender due to divorce. Bailey loves to play fetch and is looking for an adoptive family with a good throwing arm.






Andy is a 2 year old male shepherd mix. Andy came to us from a shelter in Iowa. He was a bit of a wild child when he came into foster care, but after a few weeks of consistent boundaries, training and exercise he is a dream dog!





And one little guy!...

Bentley is a 4-5 year old poodle/pomeranian mix. His previous owner was not able to keep up with his energy needs so he came to Pet Haven to look for a new home. Bentley is a tennis ball FREAK and despite his small size he can fit a regular sized ball in his mouth. He loves to play fetch and just carry a ball around. He would love to find a forever family to toss the ball for him.

First adoption event of 2009 - Saturday, January 3

(Andy, a 1 year old shepherd mix, who is currently available for adoption.)

The Pet Haven Dog Division will be hosting our first adoption event of 2009 tomorrow, January 3, from 10am to noon at the Minnetonka Petco event. Thinking about adding a new family member in the new year? We have great dogs of all ages and sizes who would love to meet you!

Andy: Happy Howlidays

Happy Howlidays from Andy!

Since you haven't heard from this guy since the election (I know, we can't believe that he is still here, either!), Andy would like you to know that he is still available for adoption. Andy has now been in foster care for over a month and is totally ready to move into your home. Andy is completely housetrained and cratetrained. He gets along with any kind of dog and is fine with other dogs bossing him around - he doesn't need to be in charge, he lets other dogs take care of all that political stuff. Andy doesn't need a ton of exercise. If you have another dog, Andy would love to play but also settles down when told to. And if you don't have another dog, Andy would love to play with you! The only animal that Andy would also love to play with but isn't allowed to is a cat, so if you have one, Andy probably will not convert your cat into a dog lover. Andy is well behaved in the house and likes to keep tabs on where you are. Andy doesn't even really beg which is amazing because his two foster siblings have PhD's in the art of begging. When Andy is excited to see you (this can be anywhere from 1 minute to 6 hours since he saw you last) he does the "Andy dance" where he pinches up his eyes and grins and wriggles all over (beware of anything within tail-wagging range when he busts out his dance!).

Andy is also a very good observer dog. While his foster mom was wrapping some presents for some family members who are traveling out of town, Andy supervised and tried to hide the scotch tape. Decorations are going up around his foster home and the stockings are going to be out for his foster siblings. Poor Andy doesn't have one of his own so his foster parents are using the one for the foster dogs they have had over the holidays. We know that somewhere there's a family out there ready to get a stocking just for Andy and hang it up year after year after year until it's worn out from all the holidays Andy spent with them and he starts to turn gray.

If you are interested in meeting Andy and adding him to your family, please email pethavendog@yahoo.com If you can't adopt but would like to help Andy and many other foster dogs like him, please consider a donation to Pet Haven. You can find a link to donate here: http://pethavenmn.org/donate.php. Feel free to stop by our Petco events (upcoming one is 12/20 at the Richfield location!) to drop off a donation (Pet Haven always needs dog food, treats, toys, etc) and meet the stars of the Pet Haven blog, including Andy, and give them some scratches, they love it!

Big Black Dogs

Pet Haven has quite a few big black dogs right now. Black dogs are often overlooked for reasons which are hard for those of us who know these fabulous big black dogs to understand. And so, we present the top 10 reasons to adopt a big black dog:

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Black Dog (source)
#10: We cannot clash with your furniture or clothing (and some of you actually worry about that).
#9: We cannot clash with any collar you might choose either! Ditto for the bandanas. Accessorize us!
#8: Ease of vacuuming! You can quickly spot the areas of most urgent need.
#7: We hide the dirt well (doesn't mean we don't need that bath after a messy play but guests won't be able to see it so quickly).
#6: We make an excellent "backdrop" for a second lighter colored dog (if you choose to have one).
#5: Availability!!! We are available now at every shelter or rescue you can imagine, in every age bracket with no long waiting lists or difficult search.
#4: No annoying queries of "exactly what kind of dog is that anyhow?" People are content with "big black dog" and don't ask anymore questions.
#3: EXCELLENT night walk protection. The "bad guy" won't see us till its too late!
#2: Status symbol potential. Black pearls are the most costly you know......
#1: WE NEED YOU!

Are you convinced?
Here are the Pet Haven big black dogs currently in foster care:

Wilma is a 1 year old female black lab mix. She came to us from a shelter in rural Iowa. She is totally house trained and good in the house. She is enjoying the company of the resident dog in her foster home and is an "easy keeper." Wilma is just looking for someone to take her home and love her up.




Lacy is a 6 year old female Rottweiler mix. She has been through the Pet Haven program before and was returned this fall when her adoptive home did not work out. Once a Pet Haven dog, always a Pet Haven dog! Lacy believes that 84 lbs is not too big to be a lap dog! She would love an adoptive home where she can be the center of your attention.







Garth [no photo available yet!] is a 5 year old male lab mix. He came to use from a shelter in Iowa. Garth is a rough and tumble player who enjoys the company of other dogs, but might not be the best match for an older dog who does not enjoy rough housing quite as much as Garth does.


Foster is a 10 month old male lab mix. He came to us from a shelter in Iowa. He's a big boy and we are thinking that he might be mixed with Newfoundland. Foster has a happy go lucky personality who would fit into almost any adoptive home willing to give him the attention and exercise that a puppy needs.




Komo (aka Dutch) is a 9 month old male lab mix. He came to use from a shelter in Iowa. He LOVES to play with other dogs and would love a doggy playmate in his adoptive home.










Dakota is a 7 year old female husky/shepherd mix. Dakota was an owner surrender. She is very smart and a star pupil in obedience. She has a tendency to get nervous around other dogs, but she could share her home with the right dog companion. Being a typical husky, she does need a secure fence.






Suzy is a 2 year old female collie/lab mix. She came to us from a shelter in rural Iowa. Suzy is house trained and crate trained and is used to being left alone for a full work day. At only 2 she is young and energetic and is looking for an active family to run and play with!





Daisy is a 2 year old female lab. She is shy as a result of an abusive background, but once she warms up to you she is an engaging, entertaining snuggler. Daisy is looking for a forever home without kids because their unpredictability makes her nervous.





Bailey is a 4 year old female springer spaniel/lab mix. She is an owner surrender due to divorce. Bailey loves to play fetch and is looking for an adoptive family with a good throwing arm.






Andy is a 2 year old male shepherd mix. Andy came to us from a shelter in Iowa. He was a bit of a wild child when he came into foster care, but after a few weeks of consistent boundaries, training and exercise he is a dream dog!





If you are interested in learning more about any of these fabulous dogs, email pethavendogs@yahoo.com.

Happy Election Day, Andy!

Pet Haven would like to introduce one of the newest strong candidates for dog adoption, Andy. He wanted his foster home to let the public know a little about him. Andy is from Iowa where he was picked up by animal control on the side of the highway where he was waiting with a companion dog who had be hit by a car (the other dog survived -- and what a show of loyalty by Andy!). Andy came into Pet Haven at the beginning of October and hung out at Auntie Ruth's for a little while. His foster family picked him up last week and it was soon after that Andy decided that he would welcome the challenge to become the best candidate for dog adoption with Pet Haven.

Andy is a 1-2 year old black mostly German Shepherd mix. He loves people and gets along well with other dogs, even if they want to boss him around. Andy has learned how to walk beautifully on a leash wearing a Gentle Leader and has already picked up several commands. He does need to gain some weight, but he also loves food, so it's a perfect combo! Andy is crated at night and during the day for full 8 hours.

Andy is of course campaigning for all big black dogs, long walks, a fenced in yard, extra treats, and all day petting. He has recently become very supportive of obedience training and has taken it upon himself to be a personal shadow/foot warmer for anyone who gives him attention.

Here are some things his supporters and even some non-fans of his had to say about him:

"Andy is a super nice boy. In just a few short days he went from a bouncing stray to a home-ready dog. I would love to see Andy with a family that knew something about German Shepherds and have had some dog experience. I believe Andy when he says he could be the star of his obedience class!" -- Jenny J., foster mom

"Andy didn't even know me the first time we met and he sat for me and we became friends. His family will be very lucky." --Amy D.

"Andy is a nice dog, even though he runs too fast for me to wrestle with him. He has continually shown that he listens more to 'sit' and 'leave it' which is really showing me up. Andy doesn't even get into things or countersurf. I just try to ignore him all the time." -- Cinder, bossy resident dog and Andy non-supporter

"I love Andy!!!" -- Sawyer, resident dog and Andy backer

Go vote and then email pethavendogs@yahoo.com if you would like to learn more about Andy.

Andy: Another awesome big black dog

Andy is another fabulous big black dog -- one of our favorite kind of foster dogs here at Pet Haven (we say that about every type of dog -- don't tell them!). Our best guess is that he is a lab/shepherd mix and around 1 year old.

Andy came to us from an animal control facility. He was picked up as a stray. His canine companion, a female pit mix, was hit and killed by a car on the interstate. Andy stayed by her body until the authorities got there to pick them up. Andy's show of loyalty brings tears to my eyes. Any family would be blessed to have such a devoted canine companion.

Andy is currently hanging out at Auntie Ruth's, one of our great boarding partners. He is having fun playing with the other dogs at his doggy daycare. He made his adoption event debut on Saturday and while it was clear that he needs some work on walking nicely on a leash, he loved meeting and greeting all the people and other dogs.

If you are interested in adopting Andy, please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com.