Category Archives: HSNB
Pomchi Puppies Marked Safe!
I know we can’t all take in every animal that is brought to us at the shelter, but in an ideal world we’d have a cadre of volunteers to follow up with those whose intake we had to deny for one reason or another, which is usually simply “space.” Of course, my fellow volunteer board members and I wish we had enough people to foster every animal, but barring that, I asked the staff several months ago to start documenting the “denied intakes.” I know it’s more work, but the data has been very useful to see, as usually we would only get reports of the animals we were able to take in. I periodically review the ones that we had to deny and will sometimes email the person who inquired to make sure that the resources we gave them were helpful. More times than not, it was insufficient. I then sometimes start to worry about what the disposition of the animals will be. Well, today was another success story! I found out that two pomchi (Pomeranian-Chihuahua) puppies needed to be rehomed because of a severe allergy in the family, and that they had originally come from an unhoused woman who was unable to take care of them. I always maintain that some unhoused people are fantastic pet parents, but newborn puppies have very special vaccination needs and costs, of course. The people who brought the puppies were wonderful and so grateful that Shea and I would take them at least for now, and we were all grateful that they were Parvo negative, as that can be deadly to puppies. With the herculean effort of the staff at HSNB and some of the board and other volunteers, we were able to process these gorgeous puppies, and at the last minute, one of our regular rescue partners, Underdog, which does nothing but fostering, came through! That was helpful because Shea and I already have 5 dogs at home, including three fosters, which includes a sort of high-maintenance senior right now. However, my heart panged when I heard that they were Pomchi’s because of the relationship I had with my own Pomchi Timber for so many years. That’s an incredible story in and of itself. Shea was so sweet with these babies in their papoose and would have gladly brought them home with us, but fortunately we had another volunteer step up.
Spay-Neuter Run
Shea and I got up at 5am, although I woke up at 3am and couldn’t go back to sleep. We took 3 kittens and 7 dogs, including two of our fosters, to get spayed and neutered at ASS o’clock. In case you’re counting and don’t see enough crates, two of the kittens were in a crate together! I’m glad Shea had the wherewithal to take these pictures while we loaded them in the car on the way back, although this does NOT capture three other dogs that we had on leash/seatbelts, including two fosters and a recent foster, Cookie, who I’m holding in one picture. To try to keep the animals calm, we sang xmas carols, but they were drugged up on the way back, so it probably didn’t help much. It’s exciting to think that all of these animals are now immediately available to be adopted, as this step is mandatory. Some of these animals already have applications in for permanent placement, which is exciting. Like all shelters, I imagine, HSNB is regularly looking for volunteers to bring animals to clinics to get them desexed (yes, that’s a word). I’m so grateful to so many people who have done this as I’ve been able to do a handful of times.
Photos with Santa 2025
Santa Tom and Shea and I get ready for Photos with Santa at Brickmania
Pet Chicken named Pecky at the Photos with Santa:
Frenchie Stella rolls over on a dime:
Watch out Mrs. Santa! Elfette is taking your man!
Vallejo Times Herald Article:
November 2025 Dogs
Last morning with foster Lana before her transfer to Muttville.
Jackson’s Paw
Today I noticed that I needed to help my foster Jackson. I tried to dig between his toes to see why he was not using one of his front legs as much. I thought maybe he slept on it wrong or had been rough-housing with one of the other dogs, but it persisted throughout the day. I picked out some extra hair and some old burs from under his foot, but I could not find anything new that should have been causing him pain. I saw what looked like a little red spot or scar on the top of one of his toes, but I thought to myself that surely he would not limp because of something on top. Well, after looking at it carefully, I saw a tiny beige splinter sticking straight up out of the top of the toe. I gently brushed over it with my finger. He squirmed, so it was obviously the source of pain. Without moving him, I asked Shea to bring me tweezers. I quickly and forcibly pulled it out. It was a foxtail of some kind and much deeper and longer than I imagined. He let out a loud but short yelp. Blood and pus emanated as it had become infected and swollen, but he almost immediately licked it and lay down to sleep on my lap because he was so relieved. The poor sweetheart hid the pain so well. I’m so glad I was able to feel and see what was causing it, because I would have taken him to the vet if it didn’t get better, of course, but I’m so glad to be able to treat him myself. I’ll also apply some antibiotic cream so it heals faster.
Six Dogs in November
Fosters Cookie, Perry, Jackson, Ella, and our Snoopy and Bonnie are in these photos, so we currently have six dogs at the house while we try to find homes for all of the fosters. We’ll probably get Jackson to Muttville soon, but it was hard for both him and Cookie to remain in the shelter, so I’m glad we were able to make room for them temporarily.
Meeting new Foster Dogs Cookie and Jackson
We took in two more fosters, one of which is a senior we need to groom (Shea already gave him a bath), and then he’ll be a great candidate for Muttville. Therefore, he’s likely to be here only a few weeks if someone wants to adopt him from HSNB. Cookie is the small cream terrier mix who reminds me of recent fosters Marshall and Lana. Jackson is a salt and pepper schnauzer that reminds me of my first dog growing up, named Sugar. Red foster Perry makes a cameo in these photos, too.
Millie, now adopted, Thriving
Foster Millie Updates at new Home
I love it when families who adopt my former fosters send me updates. Here are two cute videos of Millie in her new home.