Zack: Move in ready

Zack is hanging out in foster care, waiting for his forever family to find him. He's seen some younger dogs come and go through foster homes and he's just waiting for a family to appreciate all that he has to offer with a couple more years of experience under his belt. He's still got pep in his step and is ready to run and play and walk and fetch. He's also a lover who will sit and soak up all the attention you have to lavish upon him. At the same time, he's old enough to know that dogs have it pretty in good life and he's not about to mess this gig up -- so he sticks around and listens well off-leash. He's totally trustworthy with free roam while you're gone and is and happy to hang out at home for a full work day. He knows that if you pull too hard on the leash, that your humans don't enjoy the walk as much -- so he walks like a gentleman without pulling too hard. He knows the difference between dog toys and shoes, and which ones are appropriate chew toys. He's learned all the hard lessons in a dog's life -- and he's got a full bag of obedience tricks that he would love to show off for you!

Zack does have one confession though (lest you think he sounds too perfect) -- he likes to play chase with the resident cat. Unfortunately for Zack, only one of them enjoys that game. He doesn't mean to cause any harm, it's just a game -- but any felines in his forever home should be willing to tolerate some antics.

If you would like to learn more about this easy-going guy, email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Dutch: Cute as a bug!

Dutch is ready for Halloween. Are you ready for Dutch? Just try and resist his big blue eyes!

Not only is he a willing participant when it comes to dressing up as a bee, he also loves to hunt for bugs in the yard. Sounds like some human boys I know! Estimated to be 1-2 years old, Dutch has a lot in common with human kids. He thrives on routine, love (his favorite is a big kiss on the head), positive training/reinforcement...and he will sleep better at night when he is given ample opportunity to burn off steam during the day! Sound like any kids you know?

Dutch has really lucked out with his foster home. His foster mom works at one of our doggy daycare partners -- so Dutch gets to go to work with her and play, play, play! This also means that she has gotten to observe him with all kinds of dogs and Dutch gets along fabulously with all of them. He would be a great 2nd dog if you have a pooch who needs a playmate.

If you've fallen victim to Dutch's big puppy dog eyes, email dogs@pethavenmn.org to find out more about him!

Andy, Foster and Butterscotch - new intakes!

Yesterday afternoon, a fellow volunteer and myself had the good fortune of welcoming 3 new dogs into our foster program: Andy (black lab/shepherd mix), Butterscotch (heinz 57 brindle mix) and Foster (young lab mix - possibly has some newfie in him!). All 3 arrived in a transport from Sioux City, Iowa. All 3 whose time was up at the Sioux city animal control and the harsh reality where most often the big black dogs are euthanized (to learn more about Black Dog Syndrome visit Start Seeing Black Dogs).
Pet Haven received a plea from Sioux City animal control to save these dogs.
Every time I participate in transporting and welcoming dogs into Pet Haven's foster program, I am reminded of how each and every one of us can make a difference. For many of us entrenched in animal rescue, it's heartbreaking for us to know we can't save them all - but for every dog we rescue and are able to provide that well-deserved second chance, it is without the doubt, the fuel that keeps the flame of hope alive.

Andy, Foster and Butterscotch are all beautiful dogs. After many hours of travel, and a close brush with death, they are now safe and will soon be going to foster homes or one of our doggie daycare partners.

It's a never ending cycle and we continue to need your help. If you are able to foster (or know anyone able to) please send an email to volunteer@pethavenmn.org. You can learn more about fostering on our website. Every new foster allows us to save one more life, and in return you will receive lots and lots of slobbery kisses and more tail wags than you could ever imagine!

Lacey - being pampered at Pampered Pooch!

If you are looking for a big loveable bear then Lacey is just for you! This gentle giant is being fostered at Pampered Pooched, one of Pet Haven's newest doggie daycare partners. Keith (co-owner of Pampered Pooch) falls in love with all of their foster dogs (their first foster dog was Jasper, who is as close to perfect as a dog can be!) - not a bad problem from our perspective! We are grateful for how much pampering our foster dogs get (Lacey even gets to sleep in a luxury suite ... Lately she's been spending her nights in Luxury Suite 1 so tune into their webcam at night to take a peak at Lacy while she dreams about chasing squirrels!). Keith also recently blogged about Lacy.

We are extremely grateful for our doggie day partners who provide us with a complimentary foster slot all year round: Pampered Pooch, Downtown Dogs and Auntie Ruth. Because of the support and partnership of doggie daycares we are able to rescue and re-home one more dog.

If you would like to learn more about Lacey (she will be up on our web soon) or any of our dogs visit our website. For specific questions email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Pet Haven adoption event tomorrow (Saturday, 10/4)

(Eeyore , a Cocker Spaniel, currently available for adoption)

The weather is getting chillier -- dogs are great footwarmers!
Come out to the Minnetonka Petco on Saturday morning from 10am - noon to meet some of the cutest, smartest, sweetest footwarmers around. All of our dogs in foster care are waiting patiently for their forever family to walk into their lives. They would love to meet you!

Adoption events are also a great place to learn more about volunteering with Pet Haven. If you've been kicking around the idea of fostering -- or getting involved in another way -- come on out and meet our volunteers and find out what we are all about. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Not able to adopt right now? Schedule too packed for regular volunteering?
Our dogs never turn down ear scratches or a little extra TLC -- so if you can spare a few minutes, stop by and show them some love.

You can learn about all of our dogs in foster care on our website.

Vote Jasper!

Jasper is really making his case this election year to be voted the sweetest dog ever! Jasper comes to Pet Haven from a shelter where he was saved from euthanization several times because the workers there thought he was too nice to be let go of. Luckily for this guy, Pet Haven stepped in and he has been living the high life!

Jasper started on his campaign for Sweetest Dog Ever 2008 when he was boarded at Pampered Pooch Playground while waiting for a foster home to open up. He got to play all day long with other dogs of all sizes and hang out with the workers there. Everyone, of course, fell in love with him.

Jasper moved on to stump for his cause in his foster home. Jasper has been there for about 2 weeks and his foster parents are completely convinced that he is the sweetest, easiest, most easy going foster they have ever had!

Jasper would like everyone considering him as a candidate to know a couple of important details about his life. He is a black lab mix and only weighs about 38-40 pounds. He is cratetrained, housetrained, and knows some obedience but could use an obedience class with his new family. Jasper gets along well with all other dogs, male and female, and enjoys playing with other dogs. He walks well on a leash and is a perfect car passenger. Jasper rarely makes any noise at all. He is used to a fenced in yard here and loves it because then he has room to romp around with his foster brother and sister. Jasper loves everyone he meets, and wriggles right up to you when he meets a new person - if you scratch his neck (he has a white spot on his neck that is the perfect location!) he is your friend for life!

Jasper loves eating his high quality food and foster dad loves that it means there isn't a lot in the poop pick up department for him!

If you are interested in meeting Jasper, please fill out an adoption application or email dogs@pethavenmn.org and it won't take long for him to convince you that he really is the sweetest dog ever!

I'm Jasper, and I approved this message. -- Jasper

Mandy - Burning Calories with Kisses

Mandy has a very serious question to ask -- how many calories can you burn off licking your human? Mandy loves to kiss her foster dad and nibble on his ear -- and Mandy's foster mom loves to take photos of these hilarious moments.

If Mandy could kiss her way to better health I am sure she would be svelte in no time. Unfortunately for Mandy, kissing doesn't burn calories fast enough and she is not the one in charge of her exercise routine. You see, Mandy is carrying around a couple of extra pounds -- truly just a few, but on a small dog that's a lot of extra weight. So her foster mom has her on a d-i-e-t (don't tell Mandy) and gets her out walking every day. Foster mom thought that perhaps some cute new workout clothes would inspire Mandy to get out there and get going, but instead Mandy was just sorely disappointed (and a little bit shocked) to learn that you do not lose weight by just wearing exercise clothes while you lounge on the couch.

So Mandy has pulled out her final stop -- the "if I can't see you, you can't see me and this whole exercise thing just isn't going to happen" move. Mandy is sad to report that it's not working. So the walks continue and Mandy is learning how to walk nicely on a leash without weaving all over the place. On the upside, all that extra meandering is burning off extra calories!

If you need some extra loving in your life from a little Jack Russel Terrier and are committed to continuing her exercise program, please email dogs@pethavenmn.org to learn more about Mandy.