Sometimes I don’t know where my place is in this “rescue” world or even in this animal world. I’m caught between wanting to do more for homeless pets and wanting to hold back. Animal rescue work can easily become an obsession, deeply emotional. In this crazy rescue world, every dog lover has to do what …
Dog adoption
At a dog adoption event last month in West Fargo, N.D., a volunteer from the Bismarck, N.D., pound told me she was trying to place two dog-aggressive, pitbull-type dogs into foster homes or rescue groups. These dogs needed to get out of the pound fast or they would be “euthanized,” she said. She described both …
Since Cosmo got adopted, we are back to three animals at our house. It’s peaceful. Quiet. Simple. It’s not that Cosmo was a problem (far from it!). It’s just that I had two dogs requiring attention. Two dogs to walk. Two dogs to feed and let outside. I love the challenges of fostering, of training …
It takes more than a foster home to help a senior dog get adopted. Many volunteers work together to help everything fall into place. Cosmo has benefited from the help of these volunteers over the last 11 months or so. I would like to thank everyone who has helped him along the way. I can’t …
When someone volunteers to foster a dog, one of her first questions is always going to be, “Does this dog get along with other dogs?” Sometimes the answer to this question isn’t known because the dog hasn’t been given the chance to interact with other dogs under appropriate settings. The problem is, when a dog …
This is a big week for Cosmo. First of all, Cosmo turned 10 years old this month! Of course, he does not look or act his age, and I am sure he has several healthy, happy years ahead. But here is Cosmo’s biggest news: Cosmo has two approved applicants to adopt him, and maybe even a …
Note: Lila has been adopted! Yesterday I got to meet this beautiful pitbull up for adoption named Lila. Wow, what a nice dog! This lady did not have that crazy “Oh my God, I just met you, but I love you!” energy many pitbulls have. She quietly greeted me. Outside, she was happy to lick …
Most people have good intentions when it comes to caring for dogs, cats and other creatures. As expected, there were different opinions on whether or not dog shelters make it too difficult to adopt. I listened to these opinions. Most of us love dogs, so we help them in the ways we know how. For …
11/29/11 edit: Harvey has been adopted! After looking at this sweet face, how can you tell me you are not in love? I spent just a half-hour running around West Fargo with Harvey, but I began to convince myself I needed a second foster dog. Of course, I know better. But you could foster him! …
Do dog shelters make it too difficult to adopt a dog? Well, yes! Unfortunately, that means around 4 million pets are killed annually for a “lack of homes.”