Ahnung's story in photos ....

This past Monday, Kelly shared with you on our Adopted Monday blog posting that Ahnung was adopted ... YES, for third time I have "failed" at fostering (i.e. - adopted all 3 fosters!). I have conceded that I am simply not capable of fostering :) I think I should just focus my efforts on continuing to serve in my role as president of Pet Haven and stay out of the fostering world :)

I would like to challenge others, however, to consider fostering. Heck ... give it a shot! If you fail, then that's okay ... simply means another homeless dog has found a forever home! Maybe you'll even "fail" three times like me!! I now have 3 big black dogs at home :) [On a side note: Did you know that black dogs and cats get euthanized at high rates in shelters across the country --- a phenomenon known as Black Dog Syndrome. Pet Haven has lots of wonderful black dogs still waiting to be adopted. Please help us get the word out about these beautiful black dogs. Please consider adopting one of these black beauties!]

This Sunday morning Ahnung wanted me to share with you her story, so I share with you a video I put together. Many thanks to all of the incredible volunteers and supporters of Pet Haven and to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue -- together we can works towards a day when there will be no more homeless animals!

Marilou
marilou@pethavenmn.org

Update on dumpster puppy Vegas (formerly Charlie!)

One of the great rewards of the work we do in animal rescue is getting updates from adoptive homes. A few days ago we got an update on Vegas (formerly known as Charlie). Vegas was part of a litter of 5 black pups found in a dumpster in rural Iowa. We had no fosters for these puppies and put a plea out for help and had an overwhelming response. As a result of wanting to keep everyone up-to-date on how they were doing, the Pet Haven dog blog was created! Check out our very first blog entry and a photo of the cute pups! And if you scroll through our archive of April blog entries you will see several updates on the pups including this one.

Well... nine months later we received the following from Vegas' mom:

Just an update on Vegas (Charlie). As you can see in the picture he enjoyed New Year's Eve with his new crown. Vegas has been very busy. He attended beginning and intermediate training at Petsmart. He graduated and got most improved. He has learned to take long walks as long as he has his gentle leader on. He has gotten quite strong. He loves to go to the dog park in Eden Prairie and has made many new friends. He has quite the loud bark in him when he wants something from you, as I read about Dodger they have that in common. Vegas seeing the snow for the first time was great to watch. Still, everyday there is something new to him, and it is so fun to a part of that. Again, thanks for all you do in the animal community. Keep up the great work!!

Have a great New Year!

As an all-volunteer organization, these updates and the slobbery kisses are the best paychecks we can receive!

We are always in need of fosters ... if you would like to learn more about fostering visit our website or email us at volunteer@pethavenmn.org.

Decey: Loving life in foster care

Hello Again, my name is Decey. I am a 10-month-old German Sheppard – Hound mix. I am shy guy at first, but warm up to people really quickly. I moved into my foster home right before Christmas, it was a crazy time and I met lots of new people. I was such a good boy that Santa even brought me some new toys and a candy-cane bone.

I am having lots of fun with my foster brother and sister, Tobie and Riley. They are labs, Riley has a lot of energy and we love chasing each other around the yard. My foster parents also have a cat, I haven’t actually met him yet but I am very curious about him…if he would only come out of the basement…

My foster parents also have this strange invention called a TV which I have really taken a liking too. Sometimes they even let me sit on the sofa with them and watch football or Cops. I have to ask permission first though. We were really sad when the Vikings blew it in the playoffs.

I am learning a lot and know all the basic commands. I am even working on high-5, I am not so sure about that one yet though. I have also even gotten used to being in my kennel during the day while my foster parents are gone. I really love my foster home, but would really like a permanent family of my own and would love to meet you.

If you are interested in learning more about Decey, please email pethavendogs@yhaoo.com

Hank Update: New Year weight loss inspiration

Hank was adopted a couple of months ago and he has become one svelte beagle/basset mix! Hank's new mom reports that he is down to 40.5 pounds!

When Hank arrived in Pet Haven care in April of 2008, he tipped the scales at 60 lbs. Hank has undergone an extreme makeover in 8 months. Now he is fit and trim and able to keep up with the two boys in his forever home. Tape Hank's photo to your fridge for inspiration if you've resolved to lose weight in 2009!

Midnight: Saved from death, recovering from surgery

Midnight is a 4-5 year old male black lab who tore his ACL and his family was not able to afford the surgery to repair it. Because they were not able to relieve his suffering they were going to help him to the bridge. Midnight's foster, Kathy, and Pet Haven stepped in at the nick of time to save this sweet boy! He had his ACL repaired last week and he is recovering nicely in his foster home.

Midnight has lived with kids in the past and lives with kids in his foster home. He also lives with 3 dogs and 2 cats in his foster home and loves them all. He loves to carry around a stuffed animal "prize" in his mouth and show it off to everyone (you can see his favorite stuffie safely tucked underneath his paw in the photo above).

Midnight has 6-8 weeks of rehab and recovery ahead of him, so he will not be coming to our adoption events for a little while, but he is available for adoption if a family is willing to continue with his rehab and follow doctor's orders on his exercise and recovery. If you are interested in learning more about Midnight, please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com.

Midnight's vet bills top $1,000. It is because of the generosity of Pet Haven donors that we are able to say "yes" to helping dogs like Midnight. If you would like to donate to Pet Haven in honor of Midnight, please visit our website.

Puppy and Kitten Mills

Today is the first day of the 2009 legislative session in Minnesota, which means that the Pet Haven Advocacy team is gearing up to advocate for better animal welfare laws in Minnesota.

This weekend Pet Haven is hosting a Puppy and Kitten Mill Information session, check out the Pet Haven Advocacy Blog for more information. Keep an eye on the advocacy blog for updates throughout the legislative session.

Adopted Dog Monday!

We have a lot to celebrate this week!

Miss Bailey, a springer/lab mix, has landed in a foster-with-intent-to-adopt home. They spent some time with her before the holidays but couldn't bring her home until after they finished their holiday travels. Everyone who met Bailey and her new "foster" parents at our adoption event on Saturday has a great feeling about this match!






Lady, a yellow lab mix, has won the hears of her foster parents. They are adopting her! Congratulations, Lady!









Rae Ann, a hound mix, has found her new home with a Min Pin sibling and two boys of her very own. Everyone who met Rae Ann fell in love with this gentle girl and we are very excited for her. Congratulations, Rae Ann!







Drake, an American Bulldog, and his family stopped by our adoption event this weekend to make things official after fostering with intent to adopt for a couple of weeks. Check out this photo of Drake and his adorable canine sister, Zoey.






Ahnung was adopted this weekend by Marilou, President of Pet Haven. We have all enjoyed ribbing Marilou for "foster failing" (adopting your own foster dog) for the third time (she has only "fostered" three dogs). Ahnung is a lucky girl and we are glad that she is "staying in the Pet Haven family" and we will all get to see a lot more of her.



Gale, a female mixed breed from Rosie's Red Lake Rescue, never even made it onto our website. While out walking with her foster mom last week she met some neighbors who fell in love with this little girl. She now has a Boxer brother and a mom who works from home. She has come a long way from being abandoned in northern Minnesota with a litter of puppies!