FosterPuppies

Ups and Downs

2010-05-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

What a day! Sometimes, I feel like my whole day is about keeping the peace - whether it's between kids (my own), or dogs (my own), I just try to keep things even, calm and safe.

At this moment, little Chief and Charlie are playing like mad, chasing back and forth with no regard for furniture or people. Limits? Ummmm not at the moment.

In the car ride home from school, my boys were wild - which isn't the norm. I'm glad they're big enough for one to sit in the front seat. Otherwise, I would not have been able to maintain safety. But around every corner, one of them had a jab for the other, or had to say something really loud. I could not say one word that would contain them. So I let it go.

Sometimes, you just have to let it all go and let them learn for themselves - dogs or boys.

I spent a couple of hours today with some foster pups at the Shelter. These little bundles are Corgi mixes. The mom is the sweetest thing in the world (well, not as sweet as my foster mom...) And these 6 puppies are tiny and furry and cuddly and wonderful. I couldn't believe that to nurse, the mom stands up, tall (for a Corgi) and the pups roll over on their backs and gently suck. So different from Chief's litter!

I got some wonderful puppy kisses that brought back all kinds of memories.

Then I took Chief to his first official training class. He'd been going to puppy play group at UnLeashed for weeks. Finally, it was time for "sit" and "down" and "stay" and all the rest. The trainers are so awesome at UnLeashed. You get the basics and so much more. I learn a ton every time I go. Tonight, Chief tested out of Level 1! A huge accomplishment for my 5 month old, butt-head, energy ball disguised as a puppy.

I know these milestones are more for the humans than the dogs, but that means a lot! I put in my time and try to train this guy. If all I get out of it is a good dog and a certificate, I'm happy. He did amaze me though. I thought he'd be easily distracted by the other dogs and the birds in the barn. But he whipped himself into training mode and showed off for everyone.

This dog is different from the other dogs I've had. He's all or nothing. He's pushing the boundaries all the time, every minute. And if I give him an inch, he'll take the mile and keep it forever and ever and ever. So I'm on guard. But I'm on guard in a fun way.

In the past, I'd viewed dogs more like property than like companions. I'm not proud of this. I thought you were supposed to control your dogs (I'm sure I could rack up some hefty therapy bills trying to figure that out...). But since I've had kids, my attitudes have changed. Why spend time with kids or dogs unless you're going to have some fun?

So my new goal is to have more fun with my dogs. And just today, I discovered a low wall on our usual walk. I invited Charlie to jump up on it and walk along. Chief is too small. That made Charlie so proud and Chief so jealous. But they need that - they're different dogs! I can't wait to get Charlie to prance and jump over stuff on that wall. He'll have a blast. Yes, eventually Chief will master it too.

What did I learn today? What did I accomplish? What do I care? I had a great day doing nothing and doing everything for the humans and the dogs that I love.

House trained???

2010-03-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

How do you know when your puppy is house trained? Chief hasn't had an accident in the house for days, maybe even a week. But can I trust that? (now that I've said it out loud, I know tomorrow will be all about cleaning up messes...)

The last puppy we had, Floyd, just died in the fall at 14 years old. He was easy to train because we had another dog who showed him the ropes. I don't remember that he had accidents. But maybe that's selective memory on my part. I do, clearly recall that when he was about 6 years old, he lifted his leg on the coffee table one morning. I prefer to think that it was because that coffee table had seen better days and really needed to be removed from our house. Did my dog have the fashion sense that I lack?

I now leave the dogs alone in the house, with access to the backyard when I'm gone for an hour or two. And I don't crate either of them. So far so good - no accidents, nothing chewed to bits. But I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Chief is only 14 or 15 weeks old.

I took them both to the dog park today. We've been avoiding it lately because Charlie got scared by some dog. So whenever we'd go, Charlie would trot out of the dog park area and into the kids' playground. That wasn't too popular. But today, we went later, when there were only 2 or 3 dogs there. Charlie did fine, chasing his ball, lounging in the grass, rolling in the deer scents. Chief played with a Lab/Ridgeback mix. The best thing was that a Bloodhound reminded Chief how to respect his elders. Chief initially ran up to him, jumped on him, but backed down when he heard the warning growl. After that, Chief approached with a submissive posture and didn't get in her face. That's what he needs. Chief is dominant and Charlie lets him get his way. My challenge continues to be trying to find a balance between nature (one dog is dominant) and my idea of fairness (shouldn't the older dog set the rules?).

The greatest help I have is training classes. Unleashed! is awesome. Chief and I have been going to puppy play classes (with some training thrown in...) and Charlie and I have been going to Levels classes. I know, it's sort of dog-training-intensive, but maybe I'll get it right this time.

My next goal: post some photos of my dogs when they're not sleeping! It must seem like they're always at rest. Truly, this is the exception - but it's the only time I can capture them.

Chief and I are back!

2010-03-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a month since all of this puppy stuff ended. The laundry room and garage that they took over, will forever be the puppy area. And I can't do a load of wash or get into my car without thinking about every one of them. I am truly the luckiest person on earth (or at least in Petaluma) to have enjoyed their early days.

So what's been happening with them? Chief has settled in very well with our family. He loves loves loves Charlie and Charlie has decided that he didn't really like being an only dog. They don't sleep together, but they play hard and rough, stealing each others toys and then go out to lie in the sun on the deck.

Chief also likes the cat, Hunter. And Hunter doesn't seem to mind that Chief will drag him around by the scruff. But that behavior makes me crazy, so Chief has spent his share of time on the tie down...

I've been taking Chief to puppy play class. One evening, Emma, Bailey and Coco showed up! It was so incredible to see these 4 together again. I think they recognized each in other in the way that you do when you haven't seen your siblings in a while - Hey, dude, what's new? Really? Remember that time you escaped from the pen? Let's wrestle like we used to when we were little. Not that hard! You're hurting me, stop. What, there's a new toy, here, you take it first - a sight to see!

Emma seemed to recognize me and wanted to crawl into my lap. I couldn't believe it. I know they'd been used to my voice and my mannerisms and my pant legs. But it had been weeks. She's a sweet girl and I will pay her way through college for that!

I've heard from friends of other puppy sightings. Someone's been bringing their puppy to Arams. Another was spotted by the movie theater. I hope no one minds the attention these puppies will get forever from people who may seem like strangers to their current owners. You know if I see one of these little guys, I will shower them with love and kisses just like I did when they were here.

Emma and Bailey!

2010-03-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here's an update from one of the families who adopted 2 of the puppies!

Bailey and Emma are thriving and happy as can be. We took them into the vet the Tuesday after we brought them home because their incisions were opening up a bit. They got some shiny new staples and antibiotics and were given a clean bill of health. In fact you should feel very good about the job you did fostering all these little pups. Our vet, Dr Johnson at Washington Square Vet Clinic said these two were the healthiest pound pups she’d ever seen. She went so far as to say that they were healthier than a lot of pure breed pups she sees. You probably know how hard it can be to give dogs pills, and one of our last dogs could tell if there was a pill hidden in a treat and would find it and spit it out, but these two are funny. They will find the pill and spit it out but then pick it right up and eat it just as if it was part of the treat. Deanna has taught both of them to sit and they are getting pretty good at it. They have a house full of toys and they love them, but somehow that table leg tastes a bit better. They are both crate training really well. The second weekend we had them we took them all the way to Middletown for a quick visit at my Mom’s and they slept in their crate in the back seat the whole way up and back. Last night Bailey was sleepy but restless and off she went to lie down in their crate. They were doing pretty good with house training but back slid yesterday with all the rain. They aren’t too keen on rainy days yet. The joy they bring us outweighs any grief they cause and it’s been (almost) nothing but smiles the whole time.

Rest in Peace

2010-02-22T21:05:00.000-08:00

He had a good life, too short, but he was happy. Einstein was diagnosed with fluid on the brain. He started to exhibit behavior that indicated brain damage. Saturday afternoon, he was wrapped in a blanket, held close and had a gentle end.

In an effort to say good-bye to this little character who touched all of our hearts, here's a list of great things about Einstein. All of my helpers are sad and learning one of the hard lessons of life. They've each contributed a little something:

Einey was my favorite. He was the nicest of the lot and he didn't bite.
I loved the way he pranced when he played.
His unusual head gave him an almost human appearance (if he were a cartoon human).
He liked to cuddle.
He didn't let his disability get in the way of his puppyhood.
He was cute.
Einstein was always ready to curl up in your arms and be held.
At night, I'd shine a light on the pile of pups, just to make sure. Einie's head would always pop up and his bug eyes would always find mine.
He learned his name within the first week.
We made his life great - that's all Einny ever knew. It's impossible to guess outcomes, so it only makes sense we'll try to help someone who won't make it. I think that's what makes me like to foster - knowing I tried.
Einstein was special.
Einny is in a better place now and we can all move forward.

Give your puppies an extra hug tonight, for Einstein.

Adopt these 2 puppies!

2010-02-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

I returned all of the shelter supplies today and discovered that there are 2 puppies still available for adoption! I can't believe it. But I know that you're all going to rush down to the Petaluma Animal Shelter tomorrow at noon when they open and have a bidding war over those little guys. They are awesome pups. Check out the photos. I was trying to get them to pose... but one stole Chief's leash and the other grabbed the camera. They need to get into their forever homes ASAP so that they can start learning some manners.

Seriously, adopting a dog, especially in the puppy stage is a big decision. We now have a 9 week old puppy and a 3 year old dog. They'll be with us long after my kids graduate from high school, maybe after they're out of college. That's a commitment. And a puppy has initial vet bills. The bills come back again as they get older and require more vet attention.

But if you're a dog person, you know that every penny spent on new slippers (because that great dog chewed yours up) is worth it. Already, Chief has completed our family in a way I hadn't expected. He and Charlie play and play. My sons are old enough to handle taking him outside for his business. They're contributing to his training and they'll be involved in his formal classes. My husband cradles him like a baby (and will continue that practice long after anyone else can hold him!). It's all working out.

So if you want a dose of puppy love in your life, grab one of these dogs!

Only 2 Dogs

2010-02-18T22:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been a restful few days. I've only had to deal with 2 dogs. Amazing! And just as time-consuming. Because now, I'm trying to acclimate Chief to our routine - house training, cat manners, playing with Charlie (our 3 year old dog), getting used to the crate. He's doing very well. Any transgression is really our fault for not watching his signals closely enough.

I've found a puppy play class for him that we'll start in a few weeks. Then we'll move on to training classes. I'm reading books and consulting websites about training. But mostly, we're just enjoying his exuberance. He brings out the playfulness in all of us.

I'm wondering how the other pups are doing. After spending all that time with them, I can't help but worry about their first nights away from their pack. As soon as we brought Chief up to the main part of our house, he ran back down to his laundry-room den to look for his siblings. He has Charlie to help him navigate life from puppyhood into dog-dom, but what about the others? Contact me and I'll post pictures and stories. Let's get these guys together sometime. Will they remember each other?

I know I'll never forget them.

The Big Day

2010-02-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, all 11 puppies could curl up in my lap. Last night, it was only one, Chief. He's ours. The family who'd wanted to adopt him decided that it just wasn't the right time for a puppy. I'm grateful that they could make that decision. Because now, we have a new dog! I'd been feeling pretty sad about saying good-bye to all the pups. But now that we get to keep one, it's so much easier. And the time is right for us to have another dog. Especially this one. He chose us from the start, I resisted because I had 11 other dogs to think about. But now I know this is right.

All the puppies were neutered or spayed yesterday. They did fine. They came home last night for some rest. But they didn't really want to rest. Every few hours I fed them a little, they played and then they finally crashed around 11. No one woke me up until 7:30. But then, they wolfed down a pile of food and I rewarded them with a romp in the backyard. They'd all been out there with me or with another pup, but never all of them at once. They swarmed through the ivy, they raced around the deck, they tried to intimidate the neighbor dogs. My dog would have no part of that many puppies. Now, they're asleep again, waiting for their big moment. I'll bring them to the shelter this morning so that they can go home with their families.

It's a big day for all of us.

Our last moments with the pups

2010-02-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday night. My husband is working late. One son has been away on a class trip all week; due home tomorrow. The pups will get their surgery tomorrow and go to their forever homes on Saturday. They may stay at the shelter tomorrow night. This could be their last night with us.

It's almost better that I don't know. And if you've been following, it's exactly the opposite of what I said about anticipation being part of the process! Part of me can't wait to not be responsible for 11 puppies. But most of me can't imagine life without them. Who will greet me with bright, shiny faces every morning? Who will vie for my lap after their morning feeding? How could anyone else possibly meet their needs, know every little thing about them?

And of course, they're ready for their new families. They need to stretch their legs and figure out what life is like without their siblings. They need to start doing their business outside which is only possible with some one-on-one attention. They need to stop being little baby puppies and move on to their next phase of puppyhood.

Tonight when I picked the pups up from the shelter I was reminded of my days in the library software world. We'd have a new software release yearly, and have to install it at all of the libraries. One year, we hit a critical mass of too few staff and too many customers. We had to work 4 weekends in a row to get all of the new software installed with minimal disruption to the customers. It was crazy and invigorating at the same time. We all got overtime pay, but that didn't compensate for working for an entire month with no time off.

At the same time, the staff grew closer. We did little things to keep ourselves going. For example, after each successful installation, we'd wring a bell, broadcasting it throughout the company. The resulting cheer varied depending on who was in the building. When the president of the company was there, he'd always respond with something entertaining which was not so easy for a quiet guy like him.

Tonight at the shelter, the atmosphere was the same. Everyone was helping to get the puppies vaccinated, or organizing the supplies for tomorrow's surgeries. It was electric. During a quiet moment, Jeff confessed that even on his busiest, craziest days, he goes home with a smile on his face because he knows that he's making a difference in the lives of animals and people. That's huge.

So here's my big thank you to everyone who helped raise these puppies!

The volunteers at the shelter were always ready to help load puppies into my car and tell me about the time they spent with the little guys. They'd stay as long as necessary to clean up the inevitable mess left by 11 dogs-to-be.

Renee, at the front desk always had a smile for me, whether I was dropping off or picking up. It's not easy to get 11 puppies through the door. I'd try to get them to the shelter before visiting hours, which meant that I left the door unlocked for a few minutes. That always resulted in someone coming in to renew a dog license or ask about a cat. Even though Renee had lots of work to do that had to be done before office hours, she took it in stride, shifted gears and helped who ever needed her.

Arte, the animal care technician was always ready to help me load pups, or distract them so that I could get in the play yard door with their food. She has a tough job, working behind the scenes as well as with the public trying to get animals adopted and at the same time, cleaning up after them and caring for their needs. She's always smiling and knows exactly what's happening with every animal at the shelter.

Jason and Andi are the Animal Control Officers. It's their job to go out on calls, rescue animals, file reports. But they do so much more than that. They basically do anything anyone else can't get to. That included puppy transport from my house to the shelter, garbage pick up at my house (those little buggers create a mess...). But more than all of that, they were always on hand to debrief with me about whatever was happening, offering suggestions about using shredded paper, or lavishing praise on my dog.

Jeff is the Animal Shelter manager. He's the one who got us into this adventure in the first place! What a great guy. He's full of energy and ideas, always trying to improve life for animals and people, but more than willing to help behind the front desk or clean up some poop. He helped us set up the enclosure at our house and transported puppies, food, bedding - whatever we needed.

And last, but not least, Kathy the shelter supervisor. This woman is a gem in the animal care world. We've talked every day for the past 6 weeks. Yes, most of our conversations center around puppy care (poop and food and behavior and schedules), but I've come to know Kathy as competent, compassionate and realistic. I could never have fostered these puppies without Kathy's support and daily pep talks. One of the first days, she came to the house to weigh the pups. It was quite a production, but of course, she did it all quickly and with such care. And now I know that the precious hour she took out of her day was never regained. She's responsible for so much at the shelter. I don't know when she sleeps. But these puppies are thriving because of her thoughtfulness and knowledge.

The puppies are asleep now. I have to stop myself from waking them to give me one last face licking. They're ready to move on.

Our Limitations

2010-02-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

I'm a pretty fortunate person to be in a position to foster these pups and help them grow up a little. I haven't done it alone - the shelter staff are amazing, my neighbors and friends have come through for me in numerous ways, my boss is tolerant of my tardiness - but even so, it's from a position of privilege that I'm able to 'give' for these animals.

So when people thank me for my hard work, or comment on my commitment, it feels weird. Don't get me wrong, I love the praise (hmmm, therapy time needed to figure that one out...), but I realize that this is a mixture of selfish indulgence on my part and genuine donation of time, energy & love, no strings attached.

I keep thinking about my grandpa. He was a really smart guy who lived in the same house for his whole life in a small town in Wisconsin. He was a plumber, and local fix-it guy. He'd often forget to charge his customers, much to my grandma's annoyance, and eventually died because of complications from inhaling something toxic while fixing someone's old pipes for free. He set a good example for all of us - do what you love and everything will work out just fine.

My dad is cut from the same cloth. He still lives close to that little town. After every snowstorm, he's out plowing his drive, and anyone else's who can't do it for themselves. And I know he does more than that, which he never tells anyone about.

This isn't 'community service' for which you get credit and accolades. This is just human kindness. So I follow the tradition. I'm just doing my part.

But here's the difference. I don't seem to be able to help people. I didn't open my house to a family in need. I don't volunteer at COTS with any of their numerous successful programs. I'm not sure how I figured it out, but I discovered my limitations. I can work with animals, but not people. (It'll take some mighty expensive therapy to figure that one out! Or maybe I'll just spend a day petting the puppies and it will all become crystal clear.)

That's what makes this world work. We all do what we can, when we can, for whomever we can. Karma. Give a little, get a little.

Missy (Momster) is back at the shelter tonight. She was more than interested in her new family's cat; she wanted to eat it. They struggled with the decision. They love Missy. And they love their cat. But it's not morally right to replace one animal with another. They are a wonderful, loving family and they're doing the right thing. And now, we know for certain that Missy must be placed with a cat-less family.

It's hard to face our own limitations. But we all have them.

Of course I wanted to bring her home with me tonight. But Kathy (the voice of reason) convinced me that it wasn't fair to the puppies or Missy or myself.

As I tucked Missy into her new dorm-room at the shelter tonight, I envied her bed. She's warm and cozy and cared for. She's not scrounging for food from garbage cans, or sleeping under a bridge with one eye open. She's not getting mauled by her 11 puppies. She'll be more than just fine. She will find her forever family.

Catch-up time

2010-02-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

I've been unusually quiet since it's been unusually chaotic here. I can barely keep ahead of the pups latest tricks. Actually, I can't. Yesterday, I went out to the car, realized I forgot my keys, came back into the house. As I grabbed the keys from the kitchen counter, I spotted something brown and furry in the corner. An escapee. What? How did that happen. As soon as the others heard me in the kitchen, they stormed the baby gate. 10 puppies rushed through the house. Stunned, I fixed the hole in the fence, then ran up and down the stairs to retrieve one puppy at a time. It was crazy.

When I returned from my appointment, I surveyed the damage. They'd climbed through the stair rails onto a table, knocked off newspapers, bedding. They'd dumped some garbage. And since their perimeter had gotten bigger, they'd pooped at the edge. I spent the day cleaning, reinforcing the enclosure and taking the puppies outside for a break.

Most loved the backyard and our living room. They all had a turn at stealing my dog's toys and napping on his bed. He was fine with the whole scene as long as there weren't more than 2 little mongrels in his face.

On Saturday, all the pups spent the day at the shelter. They played in the outside pen. It was so fun to watch them run and tumble.

Then on Sunday, in the beautiful sunshine, the pups got to play at the park. We made a huge enclosure and let them go. We walked all of them on leashes. Or really, they walked around with leashes attached to people. It was important for them to have a good first experience on the leash - no pulling, lots of freedom. We were a spectacle that attracted a crowd. People got to hold a puppy and play. It was all very well supervised. The pups are in a stage where they're better one-on-one, or maybe two-on-one. All of them at once is just overwhelming to them as well as to people. And any negative experience could impact their future. With such a large space and constant supervision, we were able to give the puppies a fun afternoon. They slept well that night.

A few more days and they'll go to their new homes. I wasn't ready last week, but now I am. They need their families, some space and to start their training. They are all using newspapers now for their bathroom needs. I know many of them will respond to being outside more. But with 11, I can't possibly keep track of it all and be consistent. I'll miss them, of course, but they're ready.

Last Times

2010-02-05T22:12:00.000-08:00

If I had known last night was the last that Momster (Missy) would spend in our house, would I have done anything differently? Would I have given her an extra hug, fed her a dinner of steak and potatoes, covered her with my own comforter?

She got adopted today! At this very moment, she's curled up on a couch, surrounded by her new family. A shelter volunteer really bonded with her this week and has decided to foster her with the intent to adopt. I got to speak with the family this afternoon and tell them about all the little things that Missy loves: chew toys, warm blankets, leaning into you and wriggling her whole body in greeting.

I've said a lot of good-byes over the years (am I really that old?). And I can't decide if it's better to know in advance, or be taken by surprise. On the one hand, I agree with the fox in 'The Little Prince'. He says that if you're going to be tamed by someone, consistency is important so that the one to be tamed can anticipate the meeting. Part of the process is the anticipation. I contend that this is the same process in reverse when letting go. If you can anticipate the moment, you can savor the little things, you can hold onto the memory. I have a handful - the last time I saw my grandma, leaving a boyfriend at the port in Genoa, watching the taxi drive away with my friends from Tunis as I boarded the plane for home. I still hold these moments close and think about them.

But the abrupt departures are harder. Suddenly, I have to say good-bye in a room full of people. Momster and I had a moment to stare at each other and know that we couldn't have raised these 11 beasts without each other. She'll move on, probably already has. But I'll never forget the opportunity she's given me to help her through this time. She's a good girl with a bright future.

And I remember my handful of quick lasts - where was I when my grandpa died?, when did I nurse my babies for the last time?, when was Kiko's last romp in the woods?

And now, the puppies are calling. They've been fed, they have water, and a warm bed. Maybe they miss their mom too.

Robins

2010-02-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

The robins are back! Every year, our back yard is full of robins for 2 days. I mean, branch-sagging full. We must be in some migratory path. I first noticed them when I took a break one year at the end of January, beginning of February. I'd read about a woman who committed to sitting outside every day, rain or shine, for an hour. She had been feeling disconnected from nature and the seasons. So sometimes she sat for an hour in the morning with the paper and cup of tea, sometimes at night with friends, always in her little urban backyard. She noticed things she'd never noticed before.

I could never commit to an hour a day of anything (except maybe picking up puppy poop :), so I just tried to take some time in the afternoons to look out into the backyard. We have a creek running through our yard, so there's always something going on - deer, raccoons, even people. But when I noticed the robins, I got really excited and I bought some feeders. But 2 days later, the robins were gone. The Stellar Jays enjoyed their food. So I watched the pair of jays for the year. Then the robins came back. When I noticed them the 2nd time, I noticed that our Tulip Tree was starting to bud. 2 days later, the robins were gone, but I watched the tree bloom.

Now, when I notice the robins, I know spring is around the corner. Since moving to California from Wisconsin, I'd been looking for something to mark the seasons, the passage of time. Weather was such a big part of my life in the Midwest. When you live there, you have to know when a storm is coming - rain or snow. You have rituals around Memorial Day (the first cold swim in the lake) and Labor Day (back to school and the last official day of summer). But in California, it's possible to wear shorts in the middle of 'winter', then drive for a few hours to go skiing. I miss that ever-present reminder of where we are in the seasonal year.

I guess the return of the robins each year helps me mark time here.

And now I'll always remember that the robins came one year and the puppies left.

The Time is Now!

2010-02-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, people. There are only 3 adorable puppies left. Your perfect dog could be, right this minute, sound asleep in my laundry room. Act now. For a limited time only - puppies!

It's been interesting to see which puppies got chosen first. Someone wanted the biggest male. Another person wanted the fiesty female to go with her other fiesty dog. Someone wanted the runt. Everyone wanted a different puppy. So it's not that the rejects are left. The 3 remaining puppies are very good choices. Actually, I may be biased, but there's not a bad one in the bunch. Really. None of them is aggressive, none is shy, none is aloof. They're all good dogs.

When we picked our malamute from his litter, my husband had a specific color in mind. I just didn't want the biggest one. Turns out Floyd was perfect for us. Would any of them have been ok? Maybe. But I don't think so. I think you choose the dog and the dog chooses you in some kind of reciprocal unspoken agreement.

So come on down to the animal shelter. See if your heart doesn't melt when his eyes meet yours and his tail wags out of control.

There are only 3 left...

Moments

2010-02-01T19:55:00.002-08:00

Do you ever have those moments of serenity? Wishing you could freeze time and live out your days in this configuration of people and events and animals? I had one of those tonight. My family is pretty settled right now in their school/sports/work lives. I'm having an adventure that I never thought I'd get to have. It's good here.

But this is rare for me. I'm not a high energy person, but I'm always 'complicating' things, as my grandmother used to say. It took me a long time to understand what she meant and then to accept that this was a positive part of who I am. I'm the kind of person who's always looking at the next thing. I enjoy what I'm doing now, but I'm always trying to make it better. When my career involved a full-time paycheck, I managed the help desk for a software company. I was always looking for smarter ways to work without burning out everyone I worked with. It was fun because I never knew what the work day would bring. Then motherhood brought a different pace and much different rewards. I've learned to live more in the moment through my kids, while still planning the next thing.

These puppies have reminded me again about the immediacy of life. They have needs, right now, not in 10 minutes, right now, right now, please. I've let all kinds of things fall by the wayside - housework, knitting projects, yardwork, a letter from the City demanding that we cut down a tree. But I've kept up with work and the kids' school stuff and getting the boys to sports events and reading. I guess when the puppies are all adopted and in their homes, I'll have time to catch up with those other things.

It's been a good break to be forced to prioritize. It helps put it all into perspective.

As I think about my next thing, I have mental lists of projects (plant some flowers, clean the bathroom, hang some pictures, paint a wall). But I know from experience that when one door closes, another one opens.

And what's behind that new door is always more exciting than what's come before it.

Outside Time

2010-01-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

Today, we took Charlie and Momster to a fenced-in field. They had a blast! Momster had her nose to the ground or in the air the whole time. She leaped through the tall grass and her little stump of a tail was in constant motion. She was so happy to be off-leash and free.

Then it was the puppies' turn. I set up a pen on the grass and let them run around. We almost caused a few car accidents because it was such an attraction. There was interest in the 3 that are still available. Then Chief's new family came by! It was so great to see them and their new-ish dog, Jenny. That's going to be one happy family.

All the puppies like being on the lawn, smothering kids with licks and getting lots and lots of attention. A good day to be outside.

Too Tired to Sleep

2010-01-30T21:26:00.000-08:00

Little Emma was just too wound up to sleep. She was keeping everyone else awake with her insistence that they could surely play for just one more hour. So my husband brought her up to his comfy chair. Immediately, the puppy pile was silent. He held her close and stroked her forehead. She was asleep in minutes.

Tomorrow, the shelter is closed. I'll gather all my volunteers for a big play session and a thank you. I could never have done this alone. Hopefully the weather will be perfect and we can sit out on the lawn and watch the puppies experience grass.

Best Behavior

2010-01-30T19:31:00.000-08:00

The pups were on their best behavior today. Those adopted, spent the day at the animal shelter with their new families. The other 4 went to an adoption event at Petco. Einstein got adopted!

But now, they're crazy. They ate like fiends, checked out the new (clean!) garage, and are wrestling like mad. What is it about best behavior for a playdate, then meltdown for mom? All is well; I know they'll sleep like logs tonight.

I got to meet some of the new families. I'm glad to know them. It's not that I could keep all 11 puppies, or even one right now. But I would if I could. So, I want to know that they're all going to loving homes. I helped give them a start, now it's time to launch them into the world. Hopefully, I'll be ready by the end of the week. There will be tears.

I've always wanted to be a puppy raiser for Canine Companions, or Guide Dogs for the Blind. It's a great program in which you raise a puppy from 8 weeks to 18 months. You get lots of support and dog training classes. But after just 4 weeks with these little guys, I know I'd never be able to give up a dog I'd had for 18 months.

So we'll just have to figure out the next adventure. Or maybe it'll just fall into my lap like these 11 puppies did.

Winter illnesses

2010-01-29T21:27:00.001-08:00

My whole family is sick. My husband has pneumonia; my kids have bad colds; I've got some version of some gunky thing. But life goes on as it must with animals. I literally slogged through the day today, from one chore to the next. Good thing half the puppies visited the shelter. More adoptions! Tomorrow all 12 will be at the Petaluma Animal Shelter from noon -6. It would be so great if they all got adopted. They can't actually go home tomorrow; they still need their altering surgery. But all the paperwork can be completed.

When I took Charlie and Momster for their walk today, I realized how much she needs to get off the leash and run. When she first arrived, she was nursing often enough that exercise wasn't a priority for her. Now that her puppies don't need her much, she's ready to reclaim her life. We walked for an hour today and I think she could have done 2 more. Which makes me think that she's a young dog. Her breed tends to mellow out after 5 years old. She's not mellow. She's not wild either. She responds well to positive corrections. She pulls on the leash, but will come back to my side when she realizes that's what I want. She's very very good at waiting at the door, or the top of the stairs. 'Sit' isn't her favorite thing, but I think that position is uncomfortable for her while she's still producing milk. She'd like nothing better than to jump up on me. But if I move into her and say 'uh-uh', she responds. Someone's worked with her. She knows some things.

But she's not street-smart. She has a hard time staying on the sidewalk and would love to cross to the other side, then back, then back again, with her nose to the ground. Cars and trucks don't freak her out, but she will not walk across a metal grate.

I found a large fenced grassy area for tomorrow's play session. I can't wait to see the joy on her face when she can roam. She'll be a good dog for someone with a little energy and lots of love.

Play hard and sleep hard

2010-01-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

Today, the girls went to the shelter. It looks like 2 of the 4 are spoken for! Nice. The pups are so different when they're in a smaller group. They're able to play more with each other, eat more leisurely, and sleep in a smaller pile. When they get back home, they rush around the garage, then find their bed, then look for the food bowls. Once they establish that all is the same, they settle in for a nap. Then it's back to a sort of routine. Eat, play, sleep. They're eating more at each meal, playing longer and harder, and sleeping less. Fun!

Letting Go

2010-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

I dropped the boys off at the shelter today for some meet and greet time. I hung around because there were 2 families interested in adopting. One family had their eye on Chief. We talked, the puppies played and pooped. We talked some more.

Ever since we brought these little guys into our house, we've all wondered if we'd adopt one, and then which one it would be. Everyone is touched in a different way by different critters. Chief has grabbed our hearts in a way that the others haven't, yet. He'd fit well into our household. Two brown dogs.

But, I realized that he's not my dog. He's not the one for me. And since I know I'll be the main caregiver of our next dog, that dog really has to speak to me. There are so many dogs in need out there in the world. I'll find mine.

Anyway, this family will be great - kids, another dog - what more could Chief ask for. Well, maybe the prime spot on the couch for the Super Bowl! He's just that kind of dog.

And then when the pups came back home tonight, I heard that another family wants to adopt 2! Wow. I knew that they'd get adopted, but I had no idea it would happen quickly or how I'd react. I'm happy, of course. The shelter has a great screening system in place, so I know the pups will be adopted by good people. But I know 'adoption day' will be difficult.

All I have to do is walk into the room and 44 little paws come bounding toward me. 22 eyes are glued to me. 11 tails couldn't wag more. They're special and will always have a place in my heart.

Letting go.

Giving up

2010-01-24T22:28:00.001-08:00

I can finally admit that sometime last week, I was ready to give up. I just couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't pick up another pile of poop, let alone 11 piles. I couldn't let my ankles be bitten. I couldn't mix another batch of food. I just wanted to read my book and knit and prepare for my classes and cook dinner for my family. I didn't want to think about walking 2 dogs and paying attention to 11 puppies. I didn't want to ask my neighbors for anymore newspapers. I didn't want to ask the shelter staff for clean bedding and even more food. I wanted to quit.

I admitted to myself that this was really hard work - back breaking work. And now that the puppies had outgrown the sleep-a lot-stage, they were less cuddly and in need of a different kind of attention. More work. More food. More poop. More work. I knew that every 3 or 4 hours, I'd have to redo the whole thing - mix food, clean up poop, facilitate nursing in shifts, clean up some more, encourage playing with toys rather than my hands, more cleaning. The whole process took 45 minutes to an hour. Just the thought of doing it was more than I could handle.

So I did what I always do when I'm feeling overwhelmed - I hunkered down and got to work. I streamlined the whole operation. I started to train the little buggers not to bite me. I took my dog and the mom out for a walk every day that it wasn't raining and some days when it was. I started thinking about the future - when these pups would all be adopted into loving homes and I'd have my life back.

Kathy, at the shelter could tell that I was near the end. But neither of us wanted to say it out loud for fear that we'd create some unthinkable situation. She took the puppies to the shelter for some afternoon play sessions. She started asking me specific questions like, "do you need more bedding," rather than just saying, "what do you need?"

It all helped. I made it through. And one puppy has a family! She'll stay with the litter until she's old enough to be spayed, but she has a home! Wasn't that the goal?

When I agreed to try this crazy adventure, I knew I'd go through stages. Sort of like being in a foreign country for an extended period. There's initial euphoria when everything is new and rosy and quaint. Then reality sets in and you realize that these unfamiliar customs and modes are hard to get used to. Then when you're near the end of your stay, you get nostalgic for all of those things that had been annoying just a few weeks before. After college, I spent a year in Tunisia. It was fun and eye-opening and hard and exhausting and I'd do it again in a heart-beat.

I'm in the home stretch with these puppies. I already feel myself letting go. Well, maybe letting most of them go...

A break for me

2010-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

I took part of the day off from puppy care to join my son at Bouverie Nature Preserve today. He's part of a jr. docent program. As the kids started their training, the parents hiked. My group went to see the Peregrine falcon nest at the waterfall. On the way, we saw a newt, banana slugs, turkey vulture remains, water in the creek. Our docents were incredibly knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. The weather was great until the hail started! It was so restorative to be out in nature, looking at the moment.

David Bouverie bought the original land as a retreat and destination for his wealthy San Francisco friends. Eventually, part of his mission was to instill a love of nature in young people. Being on that property reminded me of my great aunt. By the time I knew Aunt Len, she had a well-established apple orchard and sheep farm in Wisconsin. We'd help her pick apples, make apple cider and set up for the annual art fair. She hosted family Christmas parties and welcomed us into her life whenever we wanted to drop by. There were always too many animals to remember, living in her barn, or even in her house. During lambing season, she always had a few orphans sharing her bedroom. A trip to Aunt Len's was always an adventure.

As I got older, I learned her story. Her father had bought the farm for her when her fiance left her. She was sort of banished from the family and their upper class affairs. But she went back to school to learn about agriculture and started a new life. She continued to play cello in a local quartet and hosted the art fair in the orchards. She was every kid's idea of what life was all about. A free spirit who worked hard and enjoyed herself.

As we picked apples or made cider, she'd tell us stories. We never knew what was true and what was imaginary. But it didn't matter. It was a magical place in a magical time with a magical woman.

So as I hold my little Einstein or play hard with Bitey, I can't help but feel Aunt Len smiling down at me, approving of this little adventure.

Puppies' Day Out

2010-01-21T21:34:00.000-08:00

The pups spent the day at the shelter, getting lots of attention from different folks. So good for them. They all ate, then crashed for a few hours. But now they're up again, hungry and ready to play. They're being a little rough with Einie, so he's helping me type.

The puppies don't all travel in one big group anymore (unless they're trying to get to the food bowls). Some pictures of their groups...

2010-01-20T21:44:00.000-08:00

They keep growing! How does that happen? They got new collars on Friday and some are already too tight. Their personalities are starting to become more recognizable too. Chief is big and lazy and happy. He'll wrestle with the bunch or curl up on your lap. I have a feeling he'd love to lie at your feet and watch a football game. Then there's Biter. She's feisty and full of energy all the time. She lunges for your pant leg, lunges for your face, unties your shoes. But blowing in her face, or redirecting her puppy teeth works well. She'll figure it out. Then there's Einstein, of course, the smartest dog that ever lived. I swear he already knows his name. He's a little needy or maybe it's just because we all think he's special, so we pick him up a lot and cuddle.

The little rascals have claimed the garage as their playground. We covered the floor in shredded paper and there are cardboard boxes for them to chew on and wrestle around. Tina at Knotty Dogs http://knottydogs.com/ heard about the litter and donated some special little puppy rope toys. Usually, she puts treats in the knots, but she made some small ones without treats. The puppies prance around with them, shake their heads, tug with each other. Or lie down for a good chew. They've also discovered tennis balls. Their eyes are tracking movement pretty well, so they can follow the ball across the floor.

These guys will probably be ready for adoption in 2 weeks. It will be so good for them to get the right home. They'll need lots of playtime and exercise. If you're interested, fill out an application at the Petaluma Animal Shelter:

http://www.petalumaanimalshelter.org/

Newspapers needed!

2010-01-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

Does anyone read the newspaper in print anymore? I could use some newspapers to line the puppy pen. Drop them off at my house or at the shelter please!!

http://www.petalumaanimalshelter.org/

If you have the old-fashioned shredded paper (not cross-cut), I could use that too.

Thanks in advance. Raising these puppies has become a huge community effort. I appreciate all the support and attention that they're getting.

Names

2010-01-17T21:48:00.000-08:00

We really wanted to take the pups outside today. But this cold rainy weather forced us to use our garage instead. They had a blast! Finally, they had the space to run and jump and wrestle. Again, we had lots of visitors to help us corral them and cuddle them. It also gave us a chance to watch their behavior and think about names.

The three males in my house want to give everyone a name from the Simpsons. Since I tend to use nicknames anyway, I don't care what the 'official' names of these guys are. Chocolate Charlie may be Charlie to the rest of the family, but I call him Charles Nelson Riley, Charles Barkley and Cha Cha depending on my mood and his behavior.

So here are a few of the names:

Mom is Marge (Momster to me)
The biggest male is Chief Wiggums (Anvil)
The next biggest male and the sleepiest is Homer (Fatty)
Bart is rambunctious
Professor Frink (Einstein or Einy)
One really tenacious girl got the name: Krusty
Selma has a raspy bark

They're eating more and pooping more! Of course.

I also went out to Big Dog Rescue today to get more food. They are an amazing animals rescue organization who work with the Animal Shelter. Our pups came to the shelter through this group. They've donated lots and lots for their care. In the first 5 minutes of walking through the door, I met an incredible Goldendoodle, an Australian Shepherd, 4 Italian Greyhound pups and 2 Chinese Crested hairless dogs. I was ready to take them all home. But...

Check them out at:
http://www.homelesshounds.us/

Birthdays

2010-01-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

What do you get a boy who's about to turn 12? A puppy! Or maybe 11 puppies?...

My son's birthday is next week. I can't figure out what to get him or when to shop. He reads, a lot, so I have a stack of books that I've been meaning to pass along to him. I'll wrap those. But he needs something cool and hip that he can brag about at school. Or does he?

I have to admit that I have no desire to adopt one of these puppies. And if a puppy became a birthday present for my son, it would become my responsibility - that's the nature of kids' busy lives - they don't have time to meet the needs of a dog. I know that every last one of these puppies will find a good home because they're cute and cuddly and wonderful. So why would I adopt one.

However, I could see adopting 2. They need each other. I can't imagine any of them being split up from their pack. They've done everything together since birth. How unnatural to break that union. But could we really be a 3-dog family?

Chocolate Charlie has been ours for 3 years. He came to us out of necessity. Kiko (my forever dog) had to be put down suddenly. Floyd, who'd been raised by Kiko, flipped out. He started howling when we left him alone. He escaped from the yard, headed to the park and caused mayhem at the playground. He was lonely and really needed a friend.

Dylan was going through a rough patch at school, so we thought we'd get him his own dog. We looked at all of the rescue sites online and went to an adoption day. He'd had his eye on a black lab who seemed great online, but had no interested in Dylan or any other human being when we met him in person. Dylan was devastated. He thought he'd made a commitment to adopt this dog who didn't actually care about him. Near tears, he kept looking at this 5 month old chocolate lab pup. So we took him for a walk. Chocolate Charlie couldn't take his eyes off of Dylan. They walked together, curled up together, love at first sight.

We took Charlie home. Dylan has been whispering his secrets to Charlie ever since. They sleep together, Dylan feeds him. It's a good thing. But in the end, it's up to me to walk the dog and train the dog. That's ok. A boy and his dog - nothing better.

So, what do I want in a new dog? A female; a breed that's not considered dangerous (I can't tolerate the perceptions people have of pit bulls and Dobermans...); a bit of a challenge; a playmate for Charlie; a dog that will become a therapy dog.

Could one of these puppies satisfy my needs? Could the mom?

(Chocolate Charlie came to us from: http://www.lakecountyanimalservices.org/
we help them walk dogs whenever they're in Petaluma and it fits our schedule...)

Einstein

2010-01-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

All of the puppies look pretty much the same. They differ in size, but because there are so many of them, it's still hard to tell them apart.

Except for Einstein. He's definitely the runt and his little forehead protrudes . But he's not that far behind his next smallest sister on the scale. He's been steadily gaining weight - a good measure of progress. He plays, he's rough when he needs to be, he doesn't get picked on any more than anyone else. Yet, I wonder, I worry. I watch him for signs of anything abnormal. But what do I know from abnormal? I've never done this before.

Kathy (Animal Shelter wonder-woman) and I have discussed him at length. Is he eating? Yes. Is he getting pushed out of the feeding frenzy? No. Does he nurse? Yes, in fact, I let him nurse for both sessions while I switch out the others. Does he play? Like a wild man. So we stop worrying for a little while.

Then Kathy mentioned him to the vet, who said that there is a congenital condition that does present with a huge forehead. But he might not have it, Einstein might be just fine. If he's not, it's in his genes and there's nothing we can do about it, or it's not a result of anything we've done. Einstein might be just fine.

Yesterday, he was crying and whining so loudly, that I had to scoop him up and carry him around while I prepared his dinner. His siblings slept soundly, but he just couldn't be consoled. Finally, he fell asleep in the crook of my elbow as I mixed and poured with my left hand. It reminded me of the infant days with my boys - I got really good at doing things one-handed. Because, really, what do you do with a crying baby (puppy)? You pick him up, of course.

What is it about the runts? Wilbur was the runt that Fern rescued and we all grew to love. Is it something about 'against all odds we will survive'? Is it about rooting for the underdog? Is it about helping others who need so much?

My boys left a school situation in which most of the resources were allocated to those in desperate need. The right thing to do, of course. But over time, I grew to realize that my children were suffering because of it. As the resources dwindled (education cuts are in the news daily), there was just nothing left for the kids who were doing ok. But I contend that these kids are not ok. They're actually becoming another at-risk group because the resources are spread too thin. So we left.

We are fortunate to have choices. I home-schooled for a year, I researched the options and found a wonderful learning environment for my kids. But what if I had to choose between feeding Einstein and feeding one of the robust puppies. What if my choice determined how much he thrived.

We all want everyone to have equal access to the resources regardless of race or economic status or geography. But that's just not realistic. In this country of individuals, there are going to be differences. And we celebrate these differences. But is there a limit? If someone is 'too different' do we shut them out, do we determine their level of survival?

Of all the kitten litters we helped raise last summer, we only had 2 obvious runts. They both died. One wasn't eating or thriving in any way and had to be put down after 3 days in our care. I was absolutely devastated. How could this happen? What had I done? Well, actually, I'd done nothing. It was the law of nature at work. The other kitten was 10 oz. when he came with his 4 siblings. It was hard to help raise that many little guys. But little Divot (golf course rescue) ate well, gained weight, stood up to his siblings, loved to cuddle. He made it all the way through 4 weeks with us, through his neuter surgery, put up for adoption, then his eyelid started attaching to his eye. He had to be put down because of this congenital condition. It was absolutely the right thing to do. He was suffering and would have had a hard life. But... my heart broke. The last few nights he was with us, he slept on my bed. He was so considerate, giving me most of the pillow. That last night, he burrowed under the covers and curled up in the curve of my knee. It was a short life, but a good one.

And Einstein might be just fine.

Selfish

2010-01-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

I move through my day, meeting the needs of my family and these 11 puppies and their mother as if there aren't human beings buried beneath the rubble in Haiti. It's what has to be done. We must move forward and we have immediate needs. The puppies can't understand, but my children are old enough to know about this tragedy and devastation. As we talked about the situation, they got very uncomfortable at their inability to do anything immediately to save lives. They fidgeted in their chairs and finally had to get up and move around in order to work it out. I explained that the airport is damaged and the port is damaged and the roads are damaged, so that there's not much of a way to get help into the country or move supplies around if they make it through. And that many people in the government are still missing, so coordinating the efforts to be effective is very difficult. They felt helpless. I let them struggle, like a puppy trying to get to his mother.

Then I told them that former President Bill Clinton is working to help and he said that the best thing for us to do right now is to donate money. $5 or $10 dollars will make a huge difference. We've made our donation.

But we're also going to a hockey tournament and a basketball tournament and getting together with friends and feeding puppies. Because every puppy needs to eat and every person needs to smile.

Growing little dogs

2010-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

When the pups first arrived a week and a half ago, they were little. They fit into 2 large pet carriers. They could sleep in one 2' x 2' area, but preferred to pile on top of each other. They ate out of little cat dishes. They looked small. I could scoop one up with just one hand.

Now, they're miniature dogs. I need both hands when I pick them up in order to stabilize their round bellies. They sleep next to each other in a 4' x 4' space. They've graduated to dog bowls with high sides. They're growing!

I reconfigured the pen yesterday in order to give them more play space and to give me easier access for cleanup. I had so much fun, I decided to do it all over again today. I extended their pen so that they could have a designated eating area, and maybe pooping area. I know - they should not be expected to poop so close to their food. I'll work on that. But I think it's really important to get their pooping area far away from their bed area.

These are photos of the feeding process. First, we put down bowls of gruel. The puppies eat their fill. Then we lure mom onto the bed in the main enclosure and let her nurse half of the puppies. 10 to 15 minutes later, we make the switch. (It's so great to have all this help.) After the nursing session, the puppies play, bite ankles, curl up on laps, and finally crash.

Helpers

2010-01-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

I'm getting a ton of help with the pups. Neighborhood families are pitching in holding puppies, cleaning up, making food, saving their newspapers. It's been a great way to spend time together.

Good Dogs: born that way or not?

2010-01-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

Those puppies sure can produce a lot of waste! I'm wearing rubber gloves these days to clean up the enclosure. They're all pretty good at doing their business on the pee-pads or newspaper. The problem is that there are so many puppies, that someone inevitably steps in something nasty, then scampers on his merry way. Perhaps it's time for more space.

The puppies graduated to adult sized food bowls. They'd been using small cat bowls, but I had to refill them just to satisfy those little round bellies.

My neighbors helped with the feeding tonight. I got to hear the story of Oscar, their dog. They adopted him when he was 4 months old. He'd been in the shelter for 6 weeks. He's a black lab. How could a cute little black lab puppy not get snatched up quicker than that? Well, he was a very demanding dog. On their first meeting, he bit his future owner. She wrote him off, but couldn't quite get him out of her mind. After talking to a trainer, she gave it a shot.

They walked him morning, noon and night to help get some of his energy out. They took him to training classes twice a week for a year and a half. That's incredible commitment! And it shows. Oscar is a wonderful dog. He's full of personality and has his own agenda, but he's a good dog. And he wasn't just born that way.

How much time can you devote to a dog? How much effort can you put into making his life great, or forging the relationship? Everyone has their limits. Finding the dog that's right for you takes time. Shelters and rescue organizations can help match your requirements with dogs' personalities and known behaviors.

How big will these puppies get?

2010-01-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

I did a little research to figure out how big these puppies will be. The mom is a German Short Haired Pointer. The dad is some kind of hound. One of the calculators reported that a puppy that will grow to be 100 pounds, will gain 2.5 pounds a week after 4 weeks. Another said that as a general rule, the weight of a puppy at 2 months is 1/4 of its adult weight.

So extrapolating: If our pups weighed 4 or 5 pounds at 4 weeks, and if they gain 2 pounds per week from this weight until they're 8 weeks (2 months), then their adult weight will be 48 - 52 pounds!

Safety First

2010-01-11T21:56:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, my 5 year old buddy helped me with a feeding. He was great, petting the puppies while they waited, handing me bedding or newspapers. After they filled up on gruel, and returned to their clean enclosure, he really wanted to get in with them. We'd talked about sharp puppy teeth, nonexistent manners, claws, slurping tongues. He couldn't resist. As soon as he'd gotten comfy on their bed, they advanced. All I saw was his head. His torso was covered in puppy bodies. He was laughing so hard, he couldn't speak. I asked him if he was ok. He shook his head. I grabbed his arms and told him to stand up. The puppies were dripping off of him like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. After he caught his breath, he settled on the steps, outside of the pen with one calm puppy on his lap. He was fine with the whole situation, the puppies were fine too. But it reminded me that young children and puppies need lots of supervision.

When I started fostering these puppies, I knew we'd have lots of visitors of all ages. I promised myself that I'd never leave children (no matter what age) alone with the puppies. There are just too many unknowns. The mom could suddenly decide to get territorial, a child could drop a puppy, a puppy could need more than a child could give. I see this as a learning experience for anyone who comes to visit, with safety at the forefront of every encounter.

Especially as the pups get bigger. They just hit a milestone. I can't scoop them up in one hand anymore. I did it last night - scooped up two whiners and held them close. But today, I need two hands to safely grasp those round bellies.

When I was 6 years old, we lived on 20 acres in the woods in Wisconsin. Our dog was a silver German Shepherd. He was the sweetest thing that ever lived and protective of his pack. One day the neighbor kids were over and we were coloring on the picnic table outside. Hans was lounging underneath, keeping watch over the brood. Those were the days in which older siblings were in charge and moms took care of other business. Well, our little neighbor slipped under the table and started to climb on Hans. He growled a warning, but this 4 year old didn't understand. Then his jaws opened and closed on her face. Afterward, I remember my parents talking in hushed voices about losing everything if there was a lawsuit. But those were different times and neighbors didn't sue each other, even if their kids' faces were altered forever. We were very lucky. After that, Hans didn't get to hang out with us so much. It was nobody's fault and everyone's fault. It's so important for kids to learn that dogs are not playthings and for adults to remember to be ever vigilant.

My dad still owns that land. He lives nearby, but I don't think he'll ever sell it. Not with Hans' grave under one of those trees.

Another great day

2010-01-10T21:27:00.001-08:00

I had 2 groups of awesome helpers today. We figured out some new logistics for feeding time that really shorten the time between waking the pups and getting the bowls of food in place.

Mom also got 2 walks this weekend. We took her to the local school where she was unlikely to encounter other dogs. Since we don't know anything about her, we need to be careful in terms of leash behavior, aggression toward dogs, kid friendliness. She was fine. More than fine. She walk well on the leash until she spots a bird or squirrel in the tree. Then she pulls a bit. But she didn't respond in any way to other dogs or skateboarders or ball throwing. She really just wanted to circle the perimeter of the school with her nose to the ground or in the air. She had a blast. Then she crashed when she got home. I think she slept better than she had in a long time.

The pups have grown in just one week. They're bigger and sturdier and more vocal and hungrier. For the last few days, we've had to bribe the mom to get into the enclosure with them and nurse. Even when we split the litter in half, she was reluctant to be with them. Tonight, after a non-nursing feeding, I was sitting on the floor covered in pups. They were playing or sleeping or trying to nestle into my elbow. Mom pranced by the door. When Kevin opened it for her, she gladly jumped in. She stood in the middle of the pups while they nursed for about 10 minutes. They were in milky bliss. Mom leaned into my leg for support, half closing her eyes. I think it was some relief to her too. Maybe she just needed to feel more comfortable in our house. All 11 puppies fell asleep in my lap.

First Light

2010-01-10T07:25:00.000-08:00

6:58 - I wake up an hour later than the puppies usually eat! But it's quiet, so I sneak into the kitchen, warm mom's food then warm the puppies' food. Mom's awake. I tiptoe downstairs to let her outside, grab the huge garbage bag to start the cleanup. I'm able to cover a few piles of poop before the puppies stir. This minimizes the mess.
7:05 - The process begins: set up the holding enclosure, let the puppies into that, replace soiled newspapers, wee-wee pads and bedding, put down clean bowls, fill with gruel, let the puppies back into the main enclosure. They all eat, dance around my feet, tug on my shoes. But I'm too tired to sit down. This feeding doesn't include nursing, so I escape.
7:13 - I let mom inside. Lots of crying and whining from the pups. She gobbles her delicious mixture and settles in for a good chew on a rawhide baseball. I escape upstairs.
7:20 - The cacophony subsides, most of the pups get comfy for another nap. But a few hang around the door, hoping to wheedle their way to mom. Sounds like children begging for candy.
7:21 - I start the water boiling, one cup of tea, lots of dog food. The dog food is barley, oats, carrots, peppers, dehydrated chicken, so I just add boiling water and wait for it to reconstitute. It smells like chicken pot pie.
7:22 - The whining gets louder. Mom decided to move from her bed to the top step so that she could keep an eye on me. This movement gets the attention of the pups. Are my kids actually sleeping through this? I ignore all whimpers.
7:27 - All quiet again. Time to drink some tea and boil more water for more dog food.

January 9, 2010 - later

2010-01-09T21:46:00.000-08:00

We had two groups of helpers today for 2 of the feedings. It was great. I was more relaxed about the whole process and the joy on the helpers’ faces was incredible. There really nothing like puppy kisses.

We made a logistical change that’s helped so much. We set up a temporary enclosure outside of the main pen so that the puppies can spill out into it when the door opens. Then I can sneak in and clean up the soiled newspapers, wee-wee pads, bedding and food bowls. Once the place is cleared, we put down fresh everything, including food and let the feeding frenzy begin! It’s fun to witness the change from whining, crying puppies to the slurp of food and relative silence.

Then we all sat down somewhere in the pen and when the puppies were finished eating or nursing, they’d find a lap. There was lots of talk about the puppies and what they should be named. Everyone tried to pick their favorite. In the end, we’d all have a lap full of sleeping puppies.

A great hour – puppies fed and sleeping happily, connecting with people over this most basic need.

I’m reminded of the first months of my children’s lives. I was in a fog, learning to take care of an infant, meeting their every need. People would come to visit and try to be helpful. Everyone had something to contribute. Some people just held the baby while I scurried around trying to accomplish something, anything other than baby-care. Then there were a few people who really understood. They never overstayed their welcome, they didn’t wake the sleeping baby, they did some of the undesirable tasks like cleaning the bathroom or washing the dishes. Same thing with these puppies. Some people have extra time for the mom, others rush to the puppies, others pick up some poop. Like my grandma used to say, “It takes all kinds to make the world go round.”

January 9, 2010

2010-01-09T21:45:00.000-08:00

A very busy last few days. The puppies and mom spent Thursday afternoon at the Animal Shelter. They all got checked out by the vet, then passed to a willing volunteer for playtime. They’ve all gained weight and have the appropriate puppy belly. I stayed home and cleaned! I emptied their enclosure and did a thorough scrub. I did enjoy the solitude.

That evening and the next day, mom was less willing to nurse the pups. But we used our tricks (tasty treats) to make that happen. After consulting with the shelter staff, we decided to continue to feed the gruel to the pups every 3 or 4 hours, but cut down their on nursings. Maybe that way, mom will be more willing. That worked nicely – the pups are able to settle themselves without nursing and get some sleep. Mom gets more time to relax.

Last night we finished a feeding at 10:30. That seemed too early for the last on of the day, but I didn’t really think I’d wake up at 1:20 or 2 for another round. We left them with lots of food to see what would happen. I didn’t wake up until 6am. Everything was quiet. And mom had spent the night outside of the enclosure. Wow. But inside was a mess. Not only did those little guys eat and slobber, but they pooped too. Up to this point, we’d done minimal poop cleanup. I guess we’re in a new phase. Then when mom heard that I was awake, she stirred, which caused the pups to wake up and walk right through the mess. Needless to say, I’ve already done one major cleaning job.

Today’s task: reconfigure the enclosure so that they can clamber at the door without tracking through the mess.

January 6, 2010

2010-01-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

And she sleeps. It’s been another long day in the life of a mother dog. But again, we learned a few things to make it all easier. We’re splitting the puppies to eat gruel or nurse, then switching them again so that they all benefit from mom’s milk. She’s much more willing to nurse 5 or 6 at a time. It’s not chaos. She actually lies down.

We also got the food right. It’s dehydrated and I was adding too much water. Mom gulped down a ton of food now that it’s the right consistency. The puppies just gobble and slurp, regardless of what’s in front of them. Tonight, I lined up their little dishes and they all munched away happily. The slurp/sucking was so loud.

When I’m home, I let mom out of the enclosure to roam the laundry room. She has a nice comfy bed, but prefers to sleep on the top step in case I happen to decide it’s time for her to enter the rest of the house. The only way to get her onto her bed is to give her a peanut butter filled Kong. She loved that! Again, I think that she’s been cared for in a loving home. She knows the smells and sounds of a home and they don’t freak her out. If she passes her vet check tomorrow, I think we’ll introduce her to our dog and let her spend more time upstairs. But we’ll strike a balance. She still needs to be with her pups. More than just feeding. There are 2 dominant puppies who need scolding from their mother.

Tonight, during the last feeding of the day, I sat down to receive my dose of puppy kisses. Petting those little guys, offering my lap for comfort made the day’s worries melt away. What’s more immediate than a crying puppy? And one who will easily settle in a warm embrace.

It’s good. And now it’s time for me to sleep.

January 5, 2010

2010-01-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

I’m exhausted. There, I said it. Yes, of course, I still love it, but I’m tired. Physically, my body aches.

What did I learn today? Well, mom (I have to find out what her name is) has been very happy spending time away from her pups. We set up an 8 ft by 4 ft space with a divider that she can hop over, but the puppies can’t. In her ‘princess quarters’ she has an elevated bed, food, water, room service. The puppies hang out in the other half. They, of course have food and water, but they also have poop and pee and 10 siblings to contend with. I can see why mom might prefer her half.

So after consulting with Kathy (the incredible resource at the animal shelter), I took down the dividing wall. Now, Mom has to do a little more work. This also gave me an opportunity to put everyone in one half, clear out the other half and clean, clean, clean. Fortunately, it’s a small space.

Once the puppies fell asleep, I let mom out of the enclosure to wander around the rest of the room with me. She’s really an awesome dog. She followed me around, nosed my pockets for treats, wagged her stub of a tail. She does get a full-body wag going, but only for something really tasty. Whoever adopts her, is getting one good dog.

I had a dentist appointment and then had to volunteer at my kids’ school, so I was gone for chunks of time. It worked out just fine. They all had food and warmth and comfort without making too much of a mess. It’s these first few days that routines are set and I get a feel for things. It was the same for each kitten litter we fostered. It took a few days to figure out if they really preferred a completely clean litter box, or if I could wait another hour to scoop. They’re all so different.

Kathy and her husband came over this afternoon to do a weight check and photo session. Good thing they all gained weight! And of course, they are runway model material. We put collars on the smallest ones so that we could sort of monitor their progress. Then we devised a plan to have the 2 groups nurse separately. Mom had been standing to nurse, thus discouraging long sessions. But with smaller bunches of pups (5 and 6 respectively), she can lie down and they can all get some nourishment without so much hassle.

Tonight, my son cradled mom’s head in his lap, feeding her treats while she nursed one batch. My other son held the other batch in his lap. Incredible. Every living being in that room was content. Even though I was replacing soiled blankets and newspapers, I could feel the love. These moments make it worth every puddle of pee that I’ve sat in (accidentally…)

I’m ready for another day!

January 4, 2010

2010-01-09T21:42:00.002-08:00

Lots of cleanup today. But I feel like I have a handle on how to swap out bedding while the puppies are eating, then change the newspapers and wee-wee pads when they stumble back to bed. And Mom is doing well. She’s eating a lot, resting a lot, nursing a bit. I have to trust that she knows what she’s doing. I placed puppies on her bed once today when I thought they could use a little more food. She took it all in stride.

I had my first volunteers today too. They were great! They took over the food prep, feeding and cleanup for one shift, while I picked my kids up from school. It was good for all of us. I have some appointments tomorrow – should be interesting since I’m pretty certain the puppies schedule will not coincide. Mom will have to take over and I guess there’ll be extra cleanup when I return.

All-in-all, a good day. I’m tired, but not as exhausted as they are. Eating, pooping and crying is hard work when you’re only 3 weeks old.

This evening, my whole family helped with the feeding process. At one point, my son was holding a pup, watching the feeding frenzy and said, “This rocks!” Even tho his brother had just accidentally planted his butt on a pile of puppy poo, I think he meant the whole scene. It is amazing. It does rock.

January 3, 2010

2010-01-09T21:42:00.001-08:00

Later: The dogs are all getting a high quality diet of organic, human grade food that includes dehydrated chicken. I add water and let it puff up. For the pups, I grind it in the blender first. A few of them actually slurp it up. But Mom loves that consistency more than the solid chunks. Lesson learned! They’ll all get the gruel version next time. And after each meal I provide for Mom, she nurses the pups. Valuable info to get us all through the night…

January 3, 2010

2010-01-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen 11 puppies in one place before? They’re so darn cute, it makes me feel like Santa visited all over again! They look like chocolate labs, with pushed in faces. The only resemblance to the mom is that they’re the color of her head and the big spot on her back. They are all little tanks, solid wiggly, crying bundles.

The mother is absolutely incredible. She’s endured lots of people handling her today, not to mention her puppies. But she was pretty happy to retreat to her bed where the puppies couldn’t reach her. And when I took her into the backyard, her nose went high into the air to catch whatever was on the wind. I can only imagine her story, but I don’t want to think about it. She wasn’t really keen on nursing her pups, so I hand fed her while she stood. They were on their tiptoes, leaning on their siblings sucking away. Now, she’s curled up around them and they are in milky heaven.

Yes, there’s poop and pee and puppy feet trailing their gruel everywhere. But it’s pretty cool.

We’ll take this week to settle in and then I’ll call for visitors! I want to get sort of a feeding/cleanup routine established. But it’ll probably be like raising a baby – just when you think you have it mastered, everything changes.

January 1, 2010

2010-01-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

I’m still in shock. Kathy from the shelter called to ask if we might be interested in fostering a mother dog and her 11 puppies. The puppies are 3 weeks old. Can we do this? I’m already thinking about the logistics – where will we put them? How will it work with our dog? How much will the mom need? Dirty bedding – more laundry? Kathy answers all of my questions – they’ll come over and check out our space, provide a configurable kennel, dog bedding, laundry service (for the dogs…), food, even volunteers to help clean up, walk the mom and socialize the pups. I have to think about this.

The boys are skeptical. They know what it’s like to take care of 5 3-week-old kittens. The first week is mostly cleanup. But then they remember the fun and quickly get on board.

My husband remains skeptical. He’s so practical, thinking about the time it will take just as the boys go back to school and sports schedules ramp up.

I waffle. I know I really want this opportunity. I like cats, but I’m absolutely a dog person. And I can’t stop thinking about Kiko. She was my first dog. I found her roaming the streets near work. As Animal Control loaded her into the truck, her eyes met mine and I was hooked. I visited her in the shelter, waiting to see if her family would claim her. It was clear that she’d recently weaned some pups. The day after she was found, 3 pups looking just like her were found by the side of the freeway. I think they were adopted within an hour of arriving at the shelter! But Kiko retreated farther and farther into the back corner of her kennel. When I’d bring her into the play yard for our visits, she’d lay her head on my lap while I stroked her velvety ears. Finally the 5 day waiting period was over and we could start our life together. It didn’t take her long to forget that she’d probably been a back-yard dog, dumped with her puppies when they weren’t useful anymore. We spent 14 years together, hiking, camping, reading by the fire. She helped us raise our 2^nd dog. She patiently waited for her walks when our 2 kids were small. She was a great friend.

I’m going to do this! Why not. A new year, new life, new opportunities, new friends.

December 31, 2009

2010-01-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

Birdie went to her new home today! She’s such a wonderful kitten; it was hard to give her up. But that’s what fostering is all about. You give what you can – time, attention, clean-up, food, more time and especially love – so that these helpless creatures have a chance to find their family.

Over the last 7 months, we’ve helped so many kittens. And in the process, we’ve all learned something about ourselves. My boys understand more about the circle of life (we lost 2 little guys) and they know that they’re able to give up something they’ve grown attached to. My husband has learned that he really does like to hang out with cats! Our own pets have learned to share us a little.

I’ve learned that as my kids get older and need me less for the little stuff, I still need something to take care of. Yes, we have our own menagerie (smaller by 2 in the past few months), but I also feel incredible joy in helping. I’ve volunteered in all kinds of situations over the years. But volunteering with animals is something different There’s immediate gratification. A pile of kittens in my lap is better than any therapy session I’ve ever been to!

And now kitten ‘season’ is over. I guess we’ll take a break.