I love it when my communities/worlds collide. Mei organized this major dog walk on Mare Island which crossed paths with a major picnic that the Vallejo Gay Network has every year. I brought our two fosters who got a lot of serious attention with their “Adopt Me” vests. It was a little stressful with the four dogs, but we had a wonderful time.
More pictures we took at the picnic:
Pictures others took:
First emergency grooming of the day for HSNB yesterday was for an elderly male Pomeranian mix. “Pommy” was sweet and patient, but hopefully he’ll be a great candidate for Muttville. He meets the age requirements and he gets along very well with other dogs. Shea graciously agreed to wash him as that’s his department. I’m the one that clips and puts the dog hair into compost. Here are the before and after pictures:
When we returned “Pommy” to HSNB they said, “we have another one for ya.” We met “Moppy” who was in even worse shape than the first one today. This female Maltipoo was very scared in her crate, having arrived just hours earlier. However, she was very patient with Shea’s thorough bath and my long trim. She wasn’t super fond of the buzzer, so I mostly clipped her manually with scissors. The difference in her appearance is really profound with this one. Like Pommy she had hundreds of burrs (it’s the season). She’s a fraction of the size she appeared to be with all the matted fur. She was so dirty, matted and covered in burrs that she was probably out on the streets for a while. I sure hope she is claimed by someone. Otherwise, she’ll hopefully eventually be adopted. She’s got quite a bubbly personality when she’s not in a kennel.
So there’s an update on the foster situation at our household. The puppies were a full-time job and full of love, but I could not work and take care of my own two dogs with everything they required. Shea worked very hard to keep up with their laundry needs, but we have too much going on for a young puppy schedule. They are back at the shelter, but other Board members and staff and I are working on better ways to get the puppies outdoor time that does not put them at any risk for Parvo while they await a second vaccination. The other good news is that someone is fostering their two brothers. I got to see them today, and they seemed to remember me. They are just as joyous as ever. If anyone has the time to foster ANY animals at the shelter, remember that HSNB will pay their medical bills, provide food and supplies, and there is no obligation if the animals don’t ultimately fit with your schedule or family.
Since I was at the shelter giving a tour to a prospective new board member of HSNB today anyway, I inquired about fostering any adult small dog that was not thriving. After a little time together, I brought home this little shy girl, Penny, who is super fond of Jake. I thought she looked uncannily like my Snoopy, at least until they were standing next to each other. She is opening up at her own pace, but was extremely nervous, kennelled with the other dogs at the shelter. I think she’ll do much better in a home situation again since she was surrendered. To my pleasant surprise, she jumped up on my lap within minutes of arriving at the house and stayed in place for at least a half hour. Hopefully Jake will come visit her soon, which I’m sure will thrill her as she adjusts.
We made it through the first night with our fosters. Here are more pictures and video of Bryce (brown) and Clark (gray) enjoying the lovely weather. Their two brothers, who remain in the shelter, are Denali and Bryce. The naming convention comes from national parks!
I’m fostering two of these four puppies. One of them needs medications for his injured eye and I asked to take the skinniest of them all (sometimes known as the “runt”). I wish we had other foster parents who might consider taking the two healthier puppies and/or interested parties who wish to foster to adopt all of them eventually. These dogs are not old enough to mingle with other dogs because they still await a second Parvo shot. It is important that they get some fresh air and exercise, which is much harder to do within the shelter, given all of the competing priorities.
The plan is to foster two of the four puppies that were recently brought to the HSNB shelter for a few months before we go on vacation and get ready for the big move back to the house under renovation. At that point they will be old enough to get their most important shots and can mingle with other dogs. Usually, I try to foster more special behavioral or physical needs dogs. The alternative for these guys would sadly be staying inside for the next few months without much exercise. This is not ideal for growing puppies, obviously.
I hope people remember that fostering is an option for cats and dogs to improve these animals’ lives and also assist local shelters from exhausting finite resources like we have at HSNB.
This teacher in Oakley on the left, adopted these two littermates. She’s here with her friend, Erin. Shea and I had the pleasure of fostering these two brother chihuahua mixes for four months.
I know they will be well-loved, and we are so thrilled that they are being adopted together! That was part of the challenge, but this woman has a great yard and patio for them to enjoy as their new home. I know they will be great company for her and continue to be company for each other the rest of their lives!
We stopped by Glen Cove Waterfront Park last full day with Calvin and Hobbes to have some beach time with Snoopy and Bonnie. It was a gorgeous day, and I’m glad they got to feel the sand in their toes!
I took a picture of this ship passing by because I c
Calvin and Hobbes did very well at Benicia Library’s Cuddle Club yesterday! They met two other dogs—a super sweet and gentle husky named Georgia (in the picture below), and Barney, another small dog they played with among the children there.
Here are some other videos taken by others at the Cuddle Club that day:
Sweet Georgia the husky:
My friend Bobbie and her daughter have taken our foster Jonah and he seems to be doing well with his new foster brother Ollie!
