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.

Update on Geordie the dumpster pup!

Back on April 15, 2008 Pet Haven got a plea to help a litter of 5 black pups found in a rural Iowa - left in a box by the dumpster! With the overwhelming response we received in our effort to find fosters for these pups, we decided to start a Pet Haven dog blog so that their progress could be followed!

This beautiful litter of 5 black pups marked the birth of the Pet Haven dog blog!!

And yesterday, we received an update on one of the pups... Geordie (formerly Calcifur):

"I thought you all might enjoy another Geordie (formerly known as Calcifur) update! We are so happy with him. His training is going along well - he learns best playing frisbee, though he's happy to learn with dog food kibble as well. He's very smart, affectionate, and enthusiastic. He still climbs in bed every morning to get his snuggles. He and Angus have been become great buddies - playing together and sleeping together during the day but Geordie is very respectful of his older brother thanks to Angus' teaching. He and Angus did lots of swimming in the river this summer - he loves the water. He's a big boy - 60 lb the last time we had him at the vet, but pretty slender in build. He loves walks and riding in the car - and getting his picture taken! Whenever I get out the camera he comes over and sits in front of me, though we didn't teach him that! He's still into chewing whatever he can get his mouth onto, but he is so graceful with his lips! He can peel flat magnets off the refrigerator and pulls select, single books off the bookshelves to chew on and seems to prefer the oldest and dustiest books, for some reason (we've had to put the bookshelves off limits, of course). He is such a sweet boy, though we've had to do a lot of explaining about how the cats are not toys! But he is working on remembering that and listens when we say, "leave it" when he goes after the cats. Geordie is such a treasured member of our family - we feel so lucky to have found him. We can't believe he's over 7 months already - the time has gone so quickly!

Thank you so very much for helping us to find Geordie!"


To view earlier posts click on the following links:
- Pups arrive
- Update on the pups
- Calcifur and Wyatt

Pet Haven adoption event tomorrow (Saturday, 10/18)

(Foster, a 10 month old Newfoundland mix, currently available for adoption)

Our foster dogs are resting up for another big adoption event on Saturday. They are looking forward to greeting any and all adoring fans who come out to meet them at the Richfield Petco on Saturday morning between 10am and noon.

Pictured above is Foster, one of our latest intakes. He will be making his Pet Haven adoption event debut on Saturday. Who can resist a big goofy puppy? Stop by and ask him to show off his newest "trick" -- sit!

You can learn about all of our dogs available for adoption on our webpage.

Little Ann: Looking for a little love!

This weekend 2 Pet Haven volunteers spent some time volunteering with Rosie's Red Lake Rescue in northern Minnesota. They met many wonderful dogs waiting for loving homes, including Little Ann. She was one of two dogs that they were able to bring back with them and into the Pet Haven program. Little Ann is hanging out with a temporary foster right now, but she's looking for a regular foster home where she can hang her leash until she is adopted.

Little Ann is little over 1 year old and weighs about 45 lbs. She's great with other dogs. She's still getting used to life in the big city. She needs a foster who will take the time to get her out and about and introduce her to new sights and sounds so that she can become comfortable with the hustle and bustle of the city. Little Ann would love a foster home with another dog and a fenced in yard, but she's flexible if you have time to give her the love and attention that she wants and deserves!

If you are interested in fostering Little Ann or another dog in need, please fill out a volunteer application and email it to us at Volunteer@PetHavenMN.org.

Foster Homes Needed!

Pet Haven is always in need of more foster homes, but in light of the current economic climate, the need is greater than ever. Every day we get multiple requests from families who are no longer able to care for their dog. These dogs have done nothing wrong and are the innocent victims of their family's misfortune. We can only help as many dogs as we have foster homes available!

Fostering a Pet Haven dog can be done at no cost to the foster home. All Pet Haven dogs arrive at their foster homes fully vetted with a collar, leash, gentle leader or harness for walking (if needed). Dog food, toys, blankets and treats are donated to Pet Haven and distributed to foster homes. Pet Haven covers the cost of any additional veterinary care required by the foster dog while in foster care. All you need to provide as a foster home are love and attention.

Pet Haven works hard to match up foster dogs and foster homes to try and ensure a positive experience for all involved. We work with you to identify a foster dog who will fit in well with all family members -- kids, dogs, cats and other pets. We also try to match the energy level and personality of the dog to the foster family. Do you have a young resident dog who loves to play, play, play? We can easily find you a foster dog who loves to do the same! Do you have a senior dog who does not tolerate young whippersnapper puppies? We can hook your family up with a mellow older dog who is happy to just hang out. Do you have a resident cat that does not want to be pestered by a dog? We will try to match you with a dog who has been there, done that with cats and won't bug your resident feline. Do you have kids? We will make sure you get a foster dog who has been kid tested.

Foster homes will tell you that fostering is one of the most rewarding things that they have ever done. Check out our dog foster information page to read testimonials from current Pet Haven fosters. You can also find answers to all of our most frequently asked questions about fostering on our dog foster information page.

Already convinced? Fill out a volunteer application and email it to us at Volunteer@PetHavenMN.org.

Ode loves her new bear!

Ode came into Pet Haven's foster program in late July 2008 after she was rescued by Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. This sweet puppy was the victim of horrific abuse, yet has shown us how incredibly resilient, loving and brave she is -- to read her story visit the Pet Haven website. At our last adoption event, Ode apparently was given a stuffed bear, and foster mom Mary shares: "Ode got a bear at the last adoption event. It has become her favorite toy."
Ode is thriving in her foster home and is currently going through Obedience I training at Canine Coach. Her training can be a little exhausting, so she has to take lots of naps to recuperate and prepare herself for her next session.

Ode is going to be a special guest at Pet Haven's Fall Benefit on Saturday, November 1st. We hope you consider to join us for the event and meet Ode and other Pet Haven dogs and cats!

Gunnar: Gunning for your heart, of course!

Gunnar is a 7 year old yellow lab who came to Pet Haven through animal control. During examination by the vet staff at the shelter they detected a heart murmur. Unfortunately, this meant that Gunnar was unadoptable through the shelter. Fortunately, Pet Haven was able to step in and save this sweetheart's life. Gunnar was brought into foster care and is currently undergoing some diagnostic tests so that we fully understand the extent of his heart murmur.

What we know at this point is that Gunnar is happy and in good health right now. It will be important to keep Gunnar at a healthy weight so that his heart does not expend extra energy hauling around weight that Gunnar does not need anyway. He will never be a jogging partner, but regular exercise will be important for Gunnar. The heart, like any other muscle, needs to be kept well-conditioned for optimal health and this will be especially important for Gunnar.

Pet Haven is very fortunate that we are able to say "yes" to helping dogs like Gunnar with some extra medical needs on a regular basis. We are able to do this because of the generosity of our donors who provide us with the funds necessary to pay for extraordinary care such as Gunnar's diagnostic work. If you are interested in making a donation to help Gunnar and other dogs like him, please visit our donation page. If you would like to adopt Gunnar, please email dogs@pethavenmn.org.