Fostering . It's rewarding and fun.

Fostering a dog is rewarding. It's fun. It helps a dog who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

As a foster home based rescue, we rely on the kindness of our foster families to provide a home for our dogs while they await that perfect forever home. If you choose to open your heart and your home to one of our deserving dogs, we provide the food, the medical care, the toys, other supplies as needed (food and water bowls, a crate, Gentle Leader or walking harness). All you need to contribute is the time and the love.

If you crave some canine companionship but are not ready to make the long-term commitment of adoption, fostering is the perfect way to have a dog in your life. Pet Haven screens carefully to make sure the dog you have loved and cared for goes into an excellent forever home.

We have started a new blog devoted just to dogs in need of a foster home, either dogs we would like to bring into our program, or Pet Haven dogs who are being boarded or otherwise need to find a different foster home. Each day will bring a story of a dog that just might be the dog you have been waiting to bring into your life! Click here to visit our fostering blog.

Pictured above is Missy, a year old Black Lab mix; at right is Punkin. She is a 14-16 week old puppy who just arrived from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue yesterday. Both girls need a foster home. If you are interested in learning more about them, or any of our other dogs, email us at pethavendogs@yahoo.com.

Happy Valentines to all!

A couple months ago, Pet Haven started partnering with The Lab - a program of the St. Paul Public schools where youth are inspired, encouraged and empowered to discover, understand and share their voices and the truth of their lives. Ahnung, a dog originally rescued by Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue has become a "regular" visitor at the school, spending time one-on-one with the kids, or participating in group presentations. Ahnung has become an active volunteer (and ambassador for Pet Haven) as she works with youth, sharing her story, and helping heal wounded spirits.


The week before Valentines, Ahnung brought a couple Pet Haven volunteers with her to assist in an art project where kids made Valentine's cards for Karen to let her know how much they appreciated the work she does on behalf of the animals. That morning, Ahnung also pushed her "mom" aside, got on the computer, and wrote a poem for the kids and gave everyone their own special copy. One of the young boys in the group said, "we should send Ahnung's poem to Karen too" -- so we did.



Ahnung hung out (and took a couple naps ;-) as the kids collaged and had fun making Valentine cards for a woman who has dedicated her life to helping abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and cats up at Red Lake.



At the end of the class period, each kid proudly turned in their work of art, smiled and on their way out of the room, got down on the floor to give Ahnung a hug and went off to eat lunch!

Happy Valentines Day to all from Ahnung and the youth of The Lab!

Suzy: A 3 Heart Night

On Wednesday night, Suzy was part of her future dad's surprise proposal to the woman who has been in love with her since last summer. Suzy sat quietly next to Adam's side as he popped the question. Sarah said "YES!" and Adam slipped the most gorgeous ring on Sarah's finger. He also slipped a leash into her hand. Along with promising to marry Sarah, Adam also promised to provide a loving home for Suzy - another surprise for Sarah. Suzy gave Sarah a Valentine to seal the deal. I am not sure which surprise Sarah was most excited about - a husband to be or a new dog? One thing is for certain, Sarah could not be more excited to move forward in life with both of them by her side.

Sarah and Adam are now vacationing on a warm beach until the end of the month. But on their return, Suzy will be going to her forever home with her favorite girl, and her favorite girl's favorite guy. There's a wedding to plan after all and Suzy has to put her paw print on all the decisions. Wouldn't she make the best flower girl? Dreams do come true.

Here's a note to Suzy's foster from Sarah the morning after the big moment:

I can not even begin to express my excitement and outstanding joy to be officially adopting Suzy. I have wanted to do this since the first time I brought her home with me and she is SO loved by us. She made for a perfect engagement and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful (and extremely well-planned) proposal. Thank you so much for helping Adam make an incredible memory. We have a wonderful story to share for years and we are really looking forward to having Suzy be the first member of our family. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Can't wait to see her when we get back!!! I just can't get over how everything has come together....I can't stop smiling! Thank you again, for making it so special! ALSO - the VALENTINE from Suzy is so sweet and brought tears to my eyes.

I think anyone can see the Sarah-Suzy bond in their New Year's Eve photo. :)


Congratulations to Sarah, Adam and Suzy! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!


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Disclaimer: Pet Haven does not allow dogs to be given as surprise gifts. Suzy was not a surprise - the only surprise was the timing and her inclusion in the proposal. Sarah has been co-fostering Suzy for several months and was planning to adopt her this spring. All family members must meet a foster dog or cat before an adoption can be finalized.

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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.

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!