Tyson got adopted last week by an awesome family with 2 kids, and despite the fact that we said we were going to take a break from fostering, we have a new foster. She's a 10-month-old pit bull mix named Dixie. She's super sweet.

Blog-a-thon coming soon!

I'm very excited to announce that on July 28 I will be participating in a Blogathon to raise money for Second Chance for Pets, the rescue group I volunteer and foster for. I will be staying up for 24 hours straight and updating this blog every 30 minutes. The address to the blog is http://2ndchance4pets.livejournal.com

Please consider sponsoring me. Every donation - no matter how large or how small - will help provide vet care (spaying/neutering, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, microchips, flea and tick prevention), food, toys, bedding, etc. for homeless pets that desperately need our help. Since I work directly with the rescue group, I will know exactly where donations are going and I will get to meet many of the pets that they are benefiting.

Click here to sponsor me!!!

Tyson

He's such a special dog!

Tyson update

Well, Tyson the wonderdog is still with us. It's been almost 2 months now. We've had a few interested potential adopters, but nothing has worked out so far. It stinks that a dog with such a flawless temperament hasn't been adopted yet. Oh well....the right family will come along! Until then, we're blessed to have Tyson in our home. Bella and Remy get along with him beautifully, and I'm sure they'll be sad to see him go. We'll all be sad to see him go. When Tyson leaves, Brent and I will probably take a month-long (maybe longer) break from fostering. I hate forsaking dogs in need, but we really do need a break every once in a while to maintain our sanity!








Quick Norris update: He had surgery on his front leg a couple of months ago. He was on total bed rest for 6 whole weeks. Poor guy. He just got a clean bill of health, so he came over yesterday for a play date. Look how big he's gotten! He weighs 52 lbs., but he has a lot of 6-weeks-of-inactivity fat to shed.

I'm officially attached.

It's going to be VERY hard to let this one go!



Don't get me wrong - all of our fosters are great, and I've loved them all. I just don't get attached to all of them to the point where I want to keep them. I think it's better that way. Tyson is really pulling on my heartstrings, though. He's an incredibly special boy. I miss him already, and he's not even gone yet.

Breeders...ugh!

I hate trying to talk people I know out of buying from breeders. It seems like such a circular argument, and I rarely ever "win."

Them: "But I want a purebred dog! Nothing but a purebred!"
Me: "There are thousands of purebred dogs in shelters all over the country. Petfinder.com is a great resource for finding the perfect dog for your family."

Them: "But I want a dog that is registered, so that I know for sure it's purebred!"
Me: "Registration papers do not make a dog more lovable, more trainable, or inherently more valuable than a dog (purebred or mutt) without registration papers."

Them: "But I want to know where my dog came from!"
Me: "Unless you're buying from a breeder who temperament tests, health tests (for genetic disorders, not just an ordinary yearly vet check-up), and who works and shows their dogs, you really have no idea 'where they came from' because their breeding is nothing more than a crapshoot, a 'cross our fingers and hope this turns out well' deal."

Them: "But there is a reason why the dogs are in shelters or rescue groups!"
Me: "And those reasons rarely have anything to do with the dog. People give up their pets for all kinds of stupid reasons: allergies, couldn't be bothered to train them, moved somewhere were dogs weren't allowed, didn't have time for the dog when they had a baby, etc."

Them: "But I want to be sure that my dog has never been abused, so it won't 'snap' on me someday!"
Me: "A stable dog will not just 'snap,' no matter what it's gone through in its life. Look at my Remy. He was neglected and abused for the first 13 months of his life, and I've never know a dog more trusting and sweet than he is. Reputable rescue groups thoroughly temperament test their dogs and only adopt out the best of the best. I'd be happy to help you find such a rescue group."

Them: "BUT BUT BUT! I WANT A PUPPY FROM A BREEDER, AND I WANT IT NOW! *WHINE WHINE WHINE*"
Me: *sad*

Tyson's potential adopter is coming to look at him tomorrow. If all goes well, Tyson will be adopted by the middle of next week! The sooner the better, because I'm getting pretty attached to him!