Posts
All Comments
As 2008 comes to a close I am reflecting on the past year's foster dogs. January started off with two beautiful springers, Sweetie and Jackson. Along with my own springer Buddy it was a houseful known as springer central. But not for long as both dogs were adopted quickly. Sweetie was from Rosie's Red Lake Rescue and now gets to spend long summer days lounging by the lake. Jackson lives with three young children and hunts muskrats in his very own
The year was filled with 15 foster dogs. There were beagles, spaniels, a Great Dane, and several lab mixes. The biggest challenge and triumph of the year came from a big black barky one-eyed dog named Shadow. I thought we would have her forever. A true testament to the power of hope Shadow was adopted after only 3 months and is now residing on the shores of Lake Superior.
Just as the year started we just adopted out Junior, a springer mix from Rosie's Red Lake. He was my first puppy and spoiled me because he was so easy. It has been a rewarding experience to be part of finding homes for these helpless dogs. I look forward to the new dogs I have yet to meet. And hopefully Suzy our lovely black lab mix will be finding her forever home soon.
Cookie, formerly known as Junior, has inspired a new holiday song. Quite an improvement on the original if you ask me. I'd take a puppy over hens and birds and swans and a partridge in a pear tree any day.
Little Sierra has been adopted! Sierra is one of several puppies we took in from Rosie's Red Lake Rescue in November (see Junior & Lauren, below, who were also from RRLR). She has two new kids of her own to keep her busy and build snowmen with this winter! Congratulations, Sierra!
Sadie, now Sasha, has found her family. She counts among her new family members a lab named Sadie, hence the name change. :) She also has two little girls to watch over. Congratulations, Sadie/Sasha!
Lauren has also found herself a family! They are traveling for the holidays, so Lauren will hang out with her foster mom for a little while longer and go to her new home after the holiday. Congratulations, Lauren!
Junior, now known as Cookie (because he looks like an Oreo), went home this week. He has two boys of his very own and a stay at home mom. Congratulations, Junior!
Drake went to a foster-with-intent home this weekend. He has a new fur sister, Zoe, who is an Olde English Bulldog. Cross your paws that this is it for Drake (with only 3 paws its a little hard for Drake to cross his own). Congratulations, Drake!
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! My name is Junior and I am a very smart 10 week old puppy. I already know how to use the computer. My foster mom uses the computer a lot, so I have been watching her carefully and taking notes.
I am thankful for my foster fur siblings (even if they are not so sure that they are thankful for me). I appreciate all of their patience when I bite their tails and steal their toys. Sometimes they tell me to back off and look pretty annoyed, but I know that deep down they love me (how could you not love me?).
Two students (left and center) work with foster dog Suzy under the guidance of Danielle (right).This fall several Pet Haven foster homes and their foster dogs were invited to work with some kids at Kenwood Trail Middle School in Lakeville. The program pairs dogs and kids with ADHD and teaches the kids the proper way to interact with dogs. The kids also work on teaching the dogs basic commands. The dogs adore their weekly visits and got just as much out of it as the kids involved. They absolutely loved going and working with the kids (extra attention and treats? yes please!) and the kids were frequently able to get the dogs to obey commands faster than their fosters.
Pet Haven dogs selected for the program participate weekly until they are adopted. Over the past 10 weeks Hector, Hank, Libby, Bailey, Ode and Suzy have participated in the program. The manners that they learned working with the kids contributed directly to the adoptions of Hank and Libby -- who both went to families with children. For that we would like to extend a huge thank you to the kids at Kenwood Trail Middle School!
The kids now have wonderful dog training skills and something to look forward to every week. Knowing that the dogs will be coming soon helps them to focus on the task at hand and finish their classwork. It has been a win-win situation for all involved! Many thanks to Danielle from The Canine Coach for facilitating the classes and getting Pet Haven involved.
*************************************************************
Junior wishes everyone a happy Friday and hopes you all have a productive weekend preparing for Thanksgiving. He has been checked over by our vet and is headed to his foster home today -- have fun, Junior!
Ode graduated from Level 1 obedience training at K9 Coach last night. She has done a wonderful job with sit, stay, stand, down, leave it and come. At home she plays fetch, bringing you her toy or ball, "give you five", go to bed, no kitty (leave the poor cat alone) and is working on beg (sitting up). I recently went back to work part time. I have left Ode at home with the other dogs for several hours at a time and I always find the house the way I left it. In fact, Ode has started picking up her own toys. This is no joke. I will see her playing with her teddy bear and later I will find it in her toy basket. Since I am the only human home, Ode must put it away herself. Now if I could just get the rest of my family to do this!
There's a new kid in town! Tuesday afternoon Pet Haven took in 7 new dogs from Rosie's Red Lake Rescue (the same place that rescued Ode originally). Pictured to the left is Junior, a springer spaniel/collie (we're guessing!) mix puppy and one of our new RRLR arrivals. Watch the blog for updates on Junior and the other new RRLR dogs. 
