Midnight: On the mend!

Midnight, a 5 year old black lab, came to us with a torn ACL and in need of surgery. His fabulous foster family has been nursing him through his recovery from surgery since the end of 2008. He has not been able to attend our adoption event yet because slipping on the smooth store floor could compromise his recovery. So he is hanging out with his foster fam, soaking up the love. He enjoys the other dogs, cats and kids in his foster home. He's an easy dog and is very well-behaved.

Here's an update from his foster mom:

Midnight is happy go lucky and more content every day. He is adapting to the "pack" and falls right in line with them. He is walking about 50% better than when I first got him. He thinks he is cat sized and it's so funny to watch him trying to be a lap dog. Loves to get and give plenty of attention. He gets along with all 3 dogs and both cats. His sweet personality has won over the whole family! :)

Sarah, of Sarah Beth Photography, took a special trip out to Midnight's foster home to include him in our black dog photo shoots. Thanks for making a special trip, Sarah!

Since Midnight can't attend the adoption events, this post has some extra bonus footage in terms of the number of photos. Plus, I was having a hard time narrowing it down!

Midnight is ready to move to a forever home at any time. If you're interested in learning more about him, please 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.

So what's the deal with the black dog bias anyway?

At our adoption event this weekend I was talking to a couple who just happened to be in the store shopping. While they were petting one of our sweet black labs, Missy, the husband mentioned that they have a lab at home and if they were to adopt another dog they would definitely get a black lab. I told him that I thought this was great and mentioned that we were focusing on black dog adoptions this month. He was surprised to learn that black dogs have a hard time getting adopted, they just wanted a black lab in particular because they think are gorgeous dogs.

No one can say for certain why black dogs have a harder time getting adopted than other dogs, the reasons why someone chooses to adopt one dog over another are too subjective.

One theory is that black-coated dogs are harder to see in kennels and photos than dogs with other coat colors. At left is a photo of 3 puppies from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, I think that it is a pretty good illustration of how the face of a black dog can get "lost" in a photo more easily than dogs with lighter coats and distinctive markings. This little black pup even has the advantage of a white splash on its chest, all black dogs get "lost" even more easily.

Black coats are also more common than other coat colors and markings, which may lead people to think that it's "just another black dog." The dogs run together and they are not given the opportunity to let their individual personalities shine through.

Another theory is that there's a bias against black dogs as dangerous. Several breeds that have a reputation as being "dangerous", such as Rottweilers and Dobermans, have black coats. Black cats are seen as "bad luck" and this bias may extend to black dogs as well.

Whatever the reason, we at Pet Haven love black dogs. We are committed to showcasing our black dogs, raising their profiles and advocating for people to start seeing black dogs!

Interested in learning more?

Here are some news articles on black dog bias:
Black dog bias?
Black pups face doggie discrimination
Large, black dogs go unwanted
Dog discrimination?

Here are some websites raising awareness about black dog bias:
Start Seeing Black Dogs
Black Pearl Dogs


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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.

Missy: Foster Home Needed

Missy is a sweet black lab who charms everyone she meets. Some of her fans have started a blog for her: Missy's Life.

Missy has had a rough go of it recently. She came into Pet Haven several weeks ago and went to a foster home. She was an angel while they were home, but was very nervous being left alone. She was destructive and for her own safety we needed to move her into a different environment. Missy's foster home didn't have any other dogs and we are hopefully that she will be comfortable being left alone with another dog in the house. Her foster home did have a cat and she is very feline friendly!

Missy was also diagnosed with pneumonia shortly after arriving in Pet Haven care. She is on the mend (and not contagious), but she lost quite a bit of weight on a frame that did not have much to lose, so we are working on putting some weight back on her. Missy is more than happy to inhale any extra treats you throw her way.

Missy is currently hanging out at one of our boarding partners, All Seasons Canine Country Club. They are working on acclimating her to a crate.

If you have room in your heart and home as a foster or forever home, please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com

Adopted Dog Monday

We have some wonderful adoptions to celebrate this week -- including a couple of black dogs and Benne, a sweet pitbull, who has been with us for the better part of a year waiting for his forever home!

After 9 and a half months in foster care, and several years of without ever having a place to truly call home, Benne has been adopted! Benne is a ladies man, as he now lives in a house full of girls. Benne's foster mom transcribed Benne's version of events on the day of his adoption: http://melodyjkruzic.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/benne-got-adopted/




Judey now has a three-legged canine brother in her new home. Her new mom is also looking forward to getting out and walking with Judey so that she can finish getting back her girly figure after her last (and final!) pregnancy. Congratulations, Judey!






Foster has been adopted by a wonderful couple. Foster's new dad just retired and was looking for a buddy to hang out with during the day while his wife (Foster's new mom!) is at work. What more could a dog ask for than a favorite person to hang out with all day, every day? Congratulations, Foster!







Bungie was adopted out...sort of. :) Bungie has been adopted by his foster mom's mom -- he is staying in the family! He has several canine siblings to play with at his new house and of course he will get to see his foster mom anytime he wants! Congratulations, Bungie!








Bailey has found her forever home! Bailey has 2 lab siblings and very active adoptive parents who walk several miles a day. Bailey will love all of the exercise. Her new dad has a flexible schedule and works from home quite a bit -- on long work days, grandma offers doggy daycare services. Congratulations, Bailey!



Adoption Pending: Frankie and Forest, two black lab mix puppies, are being adopted by their foster family. Congratulations, boys!

Meet Black aka Mr. Gorgeous

Today at our dog adoption event, I had the chance to be surrounded by Pet Haven adoptable dogs, of all sizes, breeds, mixes, energy levels and personalities. Today, I also had the opportunity to meet "Black", an 8 month old lab/husky mix, who is being surrendered to Pet Haven because his loving guardian's home is being foreclosed on and they are unable to keep him. As I knelt down on the floor to pet Black and to get doggie kisses I engaged in a conversation with his guardian -- in seconds, it was apparent how much she loves him and spoke of him like a proud mama. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of how perfect he was ... I was hugging Black and noticing how soft his coat felt and how shiny it was and how it seemed like he had just had a bath (but no, that's how he always smells! ;-) For an 8 month old his energy level was surprisingly calm. He's great with other dogs, adults and kids of all ages.

Pet Haven is definitely feeling the effects of the economy and the increasing numbers of foreclosures as our intake coordinator shares with me today how her inbox is full of pleas for help. I engaged in conversation with Black's mom as we stepped outside to take some photos. My heart goes out to Black and his mom. I am glad Pet Haven can step in and help this sweet boy. I only wish I could make things better for Black's family. If I didn't already have a house filled with 3 beautiful big black dogs I would snag this dog :)

Black has just come into Pet Haven's foster program so he is not yet up on our website. His current mom can only keep him till 2/23 so we are needing a foster for him. He is crate trained, housebroken and has an incredibly sweet disposition -- great with dogs, adults and kids. Please help us give some comfort to Black's current mom as she makes one of the hardest decisions in her life. If you are able to foster Black, or are interested in putting an application in for Black please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com.

Adoption event tomorrow - Saturday, February 7th

Komo wants to know -- dude, are you coming tomorrow, or what?

Pet Haven Dog Adoption
Saturday, February 7th
10 am - Noon
Eden Prairie Petco

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of Sarah Beth Photography.
Komo is a 1 year old male lab mix who is available for adoption.

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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.

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.