The Blog got Lost, but the Dogs Didn't

It's been a rough few weeks. Some days we feel normal, some days it is hard to get going. Working and living a dog-life I need to make sure I get an hour or two out of every day to sit with just one dog (or no dogs) and breathe a little. I'm not burnt-out, but I could get there quick without that hour or two a day to pretend I'm a normal twenty-something who gets home from work and watches some stupid girly TV show. (More some Disney movie for me).

In nutshells. Joyce was adopted to a lovely family here in Victoria, two houses away from the beach! She is one loved pooch already and they are super happy to have found her. I love matchmaking. Stan, Yvette, the Taiwanese rescuers, they deal mostly with the shitty end of rescue. I'm fortunately enough that I get to bring dogs to their forever homes, or I get to home-check, seeing a match start to unfold in front of my eyes. And I get to do a lot of it. Feel-good work :)

Joyce & New Family

We also had Zin, a little border collie mix (she was only 20 pounds, not going to get bigger than 30). A funny, busy, clown of a dog who didn't exhibit any "border collie" in her. So who knows what she was. She has since been adopted by my co-worker. I was teased that I would foster-fail her, but nah, I DEFINITELY don't need another young collie, and I most assuredly don't need one that doesn't even act like a border collie. Two young dogs are enough for me right now.

Zin @ the airport

Zin @ new home

Zin Running in the Park

Last weekend we did the Victoria bus run for Turtle Gardens, bringing 8 dogs into foster homes on the island. We brought: Wendy, Ashley, Piper, Pepper, Brodie, Morry, Django & Rhodes.

Puppies on a walk with their two foster mums.

Wendy and Piper have since been adopted. :) Wendy was an adorable, friendly, independent girl, and Piper a higher-energy diva. They have gone together and will be Pet Store embassadogs.

Ashley is in foster here in Victoria. She is a very-dog friendly, but very people-shy pup who will likely weigh 55-70 pounds full grown. She'll need a patient home willing to work slowly on bringing her out of her shell.

Ashley's an Avid Hiker too!

Brodie is a senior lab mix, the sweetest fellow you will meet. Loves to play short games of ball, and loves to soak up the sun outside. He might be older, but he so deserves somewhere to hang his hat and retire. He is maybe 55 pounds of gentleman.

Brodie from Foster Home

Morry is a sweet, tidbit shy maltese mix who has raised a litter of puppies. She is quiet, low-energy and would really just like a lap to snuggle on most of the time. She would make a great senior's dog, but because of her grooming needs, will need frequent spa days. She needs very little exercise a day.

Sweet Morry from Foster Home

Pepper is an active, animated Lab x Pitbull mix puppy (5-6 months) who likes to play fetch. She plays well with dogs she knows, but at times can be standoffish in her introductions to new dogs. Because she is likely a pittie mix, she needs someone dog-savvy, and/or willing to do lots of training with her in order for her to be the best dog she can be. She has good off-leash skills already and likes to stick by her person.

Pepper doing well off-leash in her foster home.

Rhodes is in foster care, but as of yet I haven't gotten a good photo update. He is working through some separation anxiety, but is very smart and loyal.

And then Django is in foster care with us. He is a large, 60 pound fluffy Lab x Karelian Bear dog mix who is super dog and people social. Someone has taught him to walk fairly nicely on a leash. He is medium energy, only needs about an hour of exercise a day. He likes to play, but settles nicely. Fantastic with kids. Inside he likes to follow you around, outside he is very independent. Housetrained, and okay in a crate, but also okay left loose in the house for a few hours. I have the feeling because he is bigger and black he might be here awhile, which is a real shame, since he's really an ideal, ready-made family dog.

And in the end, an update picture of Champ, who kept his name:

We have a couple of home-checks upcoming this week and a meet + greet for Sprout the puggle sometime soon as well (she's spent way too long in foster). For today, it's my Monday off, so some training with Shane, a leisurely walk, and some catching up with e-mails/cleaning/etc.