A Sad Decision

Due to my health, I had to make the hard decision not to foster anymore. This latest flare up has brought all sorts of issues with it and the energy is not there. I do plan to try to foster in the future when a long remission hits me. But until then, I will volunteer and help out where I can. I was trying to push it, when my husband stepped in because he saw it was too much on me. It's not a decision that was made lightly, but one that needed to be made. I will find a way to convert the blog, hopefully in a way that can continue to help those huskies that need a home.

Sid playing with his new toy

For now, I will focus my energy on getting better, and of course, Sid. I hope to get to the point I can continue to foster soon, but I know I'm going to give myself at least through the holidays to get better.

Fostering is one of the most rewarding things I have done, and I encourage anyone who is debating on giving it a try to take the leap. I want to thank Husky Haven of Florida for both the opportunity to foster as well as the understanding in the change of situation with my health.

Full of Energy

As Bolt gets settled into the household routine, his energy is starting to make more of an appearance. He wants to play non stop, and Sid is going to be three in Oct. and tires a little quicker. Bolt would do great with a playmate or an active human. When not playing, he likes to cuddle. He thinks that he is a lap dog.

Sitting in his spot on the front porch

He can still be a little skittish and does not like to be startled. Certain movements or sounds will send him hiding. He will peek out and look for reassurance. Once he has it, he will come out and be himself. He has mouthed a few times, but he is eager to please, so with some work, that can most likely be broken. With patience and his eagerness to please, he has been easy to work with to train. Once he knows what we want from him, he does it.

Watching Simon

He has also adjusted to the cats being in charge. Occasionally, he's chased them in play, but hasn't been aggressive with them. He has run from them and has backed down from them on more then one occasion. He does like trying to get into cat food and the litter box, which is the biggest problem we are having with him and the cats. 

If you are interested in Bolt, all you have to do is fill out an application on Husky Haven of Florida's website.

Welcome Bolt!

This weekend, Bolt came to stay with us. He is a very sweet boy and somewhere between the age of 1 to 2. He has all the energy of a husky at that age and has kept Sid pretty pooped out. He was found as a stray, so not much is known. He can be a bit skittish at times and does not like to be surprised, but that does not detract from his sweetness. Last night, the family came over for dinner, and he did great with five extra people in the house. He made sure to hit everyone up for attention.

Bolt positioning for attention

He is still coming out of his shell, but he's showing enough of his personality to show that he is nothing but a big cuddle lover. Whenever my friend gets on the couch, Bolt immediately hops up and sprawls out on him. He regularly comes over for attention when I am sitting on the computer. He even likes to be brushed because it is a form of attention. Unlike Sid, he sits still and allows me to brush him.

He does love running through doors though. Even the child gate set up. He's pretty fast, but is slowly starting to listen when told to stay. Bolt is pretty smart and catching onto commands quickly. I will start working with him on some basic ones this week after he gets settled in more. He already knows a few commands, so hopefully, he will pick up on the others quickly.

Bolt emptying the toy box

As mentioned before, he does have a lot of energy. So much so, that he actually wore out Sid. After pooping Sid out, he found the toy box and one by one, took each toy out and played with it. He really seems to like toys. He was even playing with Sid and the toys at the same time. Some friendly games of tug. A few toys didn't survive and need to be repaired. He likes to pick a toy out of the box, run around in circles while squeaking it, then move onto the next.

There is still a lot to learn about Bolt, as he's only been here for the weekend. So far, he seems like a great dog, one that would benefit from a playful and loving home. He has been doing real good with the cats, ignoring or just watching them. He's not big on the crate, but behaves when left unattended out of the crate, so it's not a big deal.

Hello Bolt!

If you are interested in Bolt, you can get more information on him or fill out an application for adoption on Husky Haven of Florida's website. Right now they have a contest going on to raise money. If you would like to participate you can vote for Sidney or any other dog, or preorder the calendar that will come out of this contest.

Nova Gets a Home

When Nova first came to us, she had a lot of anxiety issues. She would almost seize up from them, yelping as if she were in pain. At one time, before a clean health check, it was even suspected she could be having seizures. It took time, help from a person more experienced in this and a lot of patience, but she came a long way. She became a confident dog, one who was excited about exploring on walks. She became playful. She still had a long way to go, but in the right environment, it isn't going to take long.

Chilling with Simon

Nova found the right environment. A couple, who have a husky with separation anxiety, was looking for a sister for their boy. They looked at Nova. After hearing all of the good and bad, they decided she was the right dog for them. The bad really is she needs a little extra love. She could not have found a better home.

Nova making nice with her new Mom

The meet was done in a park. They drove from the east coast with their boy in tow to see how the two would get along. As soon as Nova spotted him, she wanted to run over and greet him. The last few weeks she had been getting along better with Sid. And she loved their boy from the start. Then it was time to make friends with her soon to be humans. She showed off how cute she was and gave plenty of love.

Adoption days are always bitter sweet for me. I love seeing them going to a good home. But I always miss them. The day starts with both apprehension and excitement. I worry if the potential adopter is going to like the dog. I worry when there are introductions to existing pets. Let's face it, I'm a worrier. But when it all comes together, like it did on that day, it's the best feeling. It's nice to be part of the process of helping the dogs get ready for their new lives. A life where they will be cherished and loved.

Nova enjoying her new family

My next foster is ready for me, however, due to my health I need a week or so before I can bring a new foster in. I am also going through some medical issues with one of the cats. Once we are past these few issues, we will be bringing the new foster home, and I will be on here to share pictures. She is suppose to be a lover.

Our little Nova

It's been awhile since there was an update. It's been a rough Spring health wise, so I haven't been much up to writing. However, since the last update, Natasha has found her forever home. An update was recently posted on Husky Haven's Facebook page and she is doing wonderful in her new home. It's not uncommon to see updates of the adoptees posted, so feel free to follow them to see what's going on. They stay active with posts of events, fundraisers and the dogs that they rescue.

Nova playing with her toys

One of these wonderful dogs is Nova. She was adopted but turned back in. There was originally some speculation that she had a physical problem like seizures, but has since received a clean bill of health. As it turns out, Nova has some anxiety problems. This doesn't manifest itself in the destructive ways that people often hear about. She will upset herself and whimper like she's in pain. With comforting words and walking her around the area she is in, she comes out of it just fine. She was having attacks on a regular basis until she adjusted to being here. She has not had one since. Really, the change in the surroundings seemed to have triggered her anxiety. That and high energy. Real high energy.

Sid is a bit too high energy for her. She's usually good with all animals. Sid is the exception. He triggered an anxiety attack or two in her so she wasn't his biggest fan. We've been working with things and they are now getting a long through the gate. Walks alongside of each other really seem to be doing the trick.

Nova hanging out in her crate

She is eager to learn and please. She loves toys and walks. And completely ignores the cats. She would probably do best in a quieter home. And she still has a few pounds to lose, but with good food and her walks, she's shedding the extra weight pretty easily. She also shed a few pounds of fur. She loves being brushed. She loves anything that is attention. While she is happy laying in her bed minding her own business, she's even happier laying in a lap covering someone with kisses. She's been good with everyone she has met.

Loud noises and storms do not bother her. She's not thrilled with the vacuum, but doesn't make a big fuss about it. She just sits in her crate and waits for it to be over. So far, nothing on a walk has bothered her either. She greets people we meet, ignores loud noises coming from cars and walks amazing on a leash. She does love to stop and sniff everything though. But with a gentle tug, she will start walking again and ignore what she was investigating.

Nova, fur and toys... oh my!

She does need some confidence building, but it's pretty easy to do. Just reassure her that she's doing what is wanted of her and she's a happy dog. She doesn't ask for much. Just someone to play with, pet her, take her on walks and above all, love her. We are hoping to start getting her out to some events as they pop up, so be sure to come and say hi. Or arrange a meeting with Husky Haven if you think she would be your perfect companion.

Nova has come a long way since she's been here. She really just needs someone who is willing to work with her on her anxiety issues. She is a near perfect dog, and since the only thing that counts as the perfect dog is the one that owns you, she is just waiting for someone to come along and make her perfect.

Recovering Nicely

Natasha had her specialist appointment shortly before I had to go in for my procedure. It was nothing but great news. She is actually healing nicely on her own. Youth and the love and care she received when pulled from the pound has went a long way. It looks like she won't end up needing the surgery. For now, we are increasing her activity a little at a time and watching. Things will be treated as needed, but hopefully, we are out of the woods with the scariest parts of her injuries.

I'm napping, what do you want?

As she starts feeling better, more of her husky traits are coming out. She's talking a lot. She's obsessed with food, though well behaved at the dinner table. She is super sweet. And she knows that she's cute. If she does something wrong, she throws out those cute little eyes. A lot of what we are going through is just basic training. When she first came to us, I was absolutely sure she was under a year old. Her actions and teeth reminded me of what we just moved through with Sid. Guesses have been anywhere from 10 to 18 months. I'm going closer to the 10, but I'm not an expert. So she still has some puppy traits we are working with. There have been one or two accidents in the house, nothing major. We are training her to use the bells to notify us when she needs to go out. She really is well behaved over all though. She's not destructive. She doesn't get into too many things. Though she's still hoarding all of the toys. 

Help yourself

The one thing that surprised me is just how well she is with cats. Simon did his normal nice to meet you left hook upside the head he does to all new dogs and she didn't mind. She tries to chase them sometimes to play, but is not trying to hurt them. In fact, one night after I had given her dinner, the cat decided to finish off what she left behind. She laid next to Lolita and watched. Never made a move or a sound. She was so quiet, that Lolita didn't even realize she was there. When the cat noticed, the cat bolted down the hall. Natasha just curled back up. The cats are slowly getting use to her not being aggressive.

Even with the toy hoarding, there is no real resource aggression coming from her. If Sid goes into her crate to reclaim a toy, she lets him. They are doing very well together. As part of getting her more activity, we have been letting them spend time together supervised. They play. They cuddle. It's almost as if Sid found himself a girlfriend. Every now and again they want to wrestle the way huskies do and we have to step in and stop it until she's healed more, but for the most part, leaving them together seems to be doing wonders for both. They are both happiest when they can spend time together.

Sid captivated by Natasha's eyes

After we got the clearance, my husband and our friend took her to the dog wash and got all of the dead fleas and pound crud off of her. Now she is showing just how beautiful she really is. She has been extremely gentle during my recovery as well. She senses something is wrong and tries to rub up against where the incision was made, which causes accidental head butts, but I can't get mad. She's only trying to help. I love that both of them are doing their best to help me recover. It seems me and Natasha may have needed each other right now. 

Thank you to everyone who has helped in donating towards Natasha's visits and treatments. I will keep updates coming on her recovery. 

Natasha Thanks You And Has A Lot To Say

Natasha would like me to start this post by thanking everyone who participated in or got the word out about the fundraiser. It was a success! Over $1000 was raised to go towards her treatment. While her treatment will cost more then what was raised, in her opinion, it's a great start. And knowing that there are people who care gives her a little extra wag in that tail. If you missed the fundraiser and would still like to help Natasha, or any of the dogs that are in need of treatment, you can donate right off of Husky Haven's website.

Working on getting better

Natasha has a vet appointment early next week with a specialist so she can begin her treatment. This is great news. Each day she is getting stronger and more energetic. The sooner she can get back to being a pup, the better. Her and Sid are really getting anxious to play together. They spend time through the bars of a child gate or crate, but until she is better, she doesn't need a 55 pound crazy fur mass jumping on her.

My toys. MINE!

She is a very sweet and fun loving girl. She gets excited anytime someone looks in her direction. She eagerly runs to the side of anyone who she thinks she can get attention from. And with those eyes, it's pretty much anyone who sees her. She has also discovered she loves toys. She keeps them close to her in her crate.

Natasha is also very, very vocal. She will speak up if she's bored, tired, wants to play, uncomfortable, not happy, happy, you name it. It can take some getting use to, knowing if she's talking because she needs something or not. Dief could be vocal at times, but not like this. It's just another way her vibrant personality shows.

Sid is adjusting to the separation for the most part. But he still likes to make sure that I know he is very

That's not where the tissues go?

demanding of attention. The other night, when left alone for a few minutes while we were in the den with Natasha, he decided to decorate my living room for me. I think I'm becoming numb to husky antics. I laughed when I saw it. I laughed as I cleaned it up.

I hope that they get along well when they can finally play together. They get excited when they see each other at the gate. Sid has been lonely since Andrea got her forever home and he seems to like having Natasha in the home. There have been a few rough patches, such as Sid howling all night in his crate, that we haven't went through before with a foster. But he's never been kept from one before. Things are slowly falling into a routine. Hopefully, next week will bring good news. This girl could sure use a break.

I will get an update about her visit up asap. I too, have my long awaited appointment next week. Hopefully, I'll be up to making an update shortly after.

Welcome Home, Natasha

This morning, we got up, set up some crates and headed to Sarasota to meet Natasha's first guardian angel. Outside of a baseball complex set up for the Orioles, we met Natasha. I wasn't sure what to

Natasha enjoying a little attention

expect, since I knew she had a spine injury that requires surgery. She is happy, friendly, lovable and surprisingly active. However, she has not been hard to keep calm. We have a rather large crate from when Kony was with us, before we realized he didn't need one. About 5 of her can fit in it. We also set up a quiet area in the den with pillow and stuff for her.

She seems a little sore tonight, probably because of the car ride. As someone with a pain disorder, I'm pretty sore myself, so I can only imagine how she feels. She does have painkillers to help her stay comfortable. She does shift around a bit and every now and again, a shift comes with a whimper. But for the most part, it seems more discomfort then pain. It was obvious the care she received with her first angel has done wonders for her.

Sid and Natasha sniffing each other out

We have let her and Sid meet, with her in the crate. They seem ok. There is barking and growling, but tail wagging is accompanying it. It seems to be more a play thing. Sid is a bit jealous of the attention she is getting, but this is normal for the first day or two of a new foster. And the fact that he can't play with her, is probably only making it worse. Though he does seem to enjoy another dog being in the house. He actually ate tonight, which hasn't happened on a regular basis since Andrea was adopted.

Fundraiser for Natasha

She has also had the first encounter with the cats. She either ignores them or wants to sniff them. She does not appear to be aggressive towards them though, which will be helpful in keeping her calm.

I am sure as she gets settled we will learn more about her. She has vet appointments and a surgery to be scheduled. The treatment will not be cheap. Husky Haven is doing their best to raise money for her treatment as well as the treatment of a few other dogs who are having health issues, from heart worms to seizures. They don't turn away the hard cases. If you would like to help with Natasha's surgery, there is a fundraiser set up. There are other ways to donate too. Natasha is a very sweet dog. She deserves a shot at a life of being a normal dog. To be able to run and play. I am already seeing a lot of Diefenbaker personality traits in her. This dog is so full of life, love and intelligence. She's happiest when near a person. I'm sure her road to recovery isn't going to be super short, but it will be worth it. And she has a lot of people pulling for her, ready to step up and help in whatever way they can.

Incoming!

On my last post, I mentioned that I was going to take time off of fostering to take care of some medical issues unless if something came up. Something came up. Natasha was recently pulled from the Miami area. She has some injuries and is in need of treatment. She also needs a quiet place to stay during that treatment. We have a set up to provide that, so we agreed.

Natasha getting sprung from the pound

It seems she will be spending most of her time in a crate for a bit. We have four, including one rather sizable one. I figured with strategic placements around the house, we can give her a place to rest as well as not feel exiled from everyone in the home. This includes making use of the one in the living room.

Sid was pretty good with Andrea during her recovery, though we did keep them apart as a precaution, so I'm not too worried about if they cross paths. This weekend, my parents got a 4 month old pup, and Sid was also very gentle with him. He is also more gentle with me on bad days. I think he can help provide the environment that she will need.

As far as her injuries, it appears she has an issue with her spine and road rash. I am not aware of the extent of the spinal injury at the moment, however, I am told that she is staying in the crate because of her injuries. She is being well behaved about it and alerting when she needs to be taken out.

Right now, they are trying to raise funds for her treatment, as well as the treatment of another dog who is heart worm positive. If you would like to help, they have a fundraiser set up. If you would like to follow her progress, you can visit their Facebook page, as well as follow updates that will be posted here.

I really hope that when she comes to the area, we can help her get back to a vibrant young dog. I am sure it will take time. But she deserves the chance. I am just glad there have been the handful of angels that have pulled her, fostered her, got her medical care and generally been there for her. I'm sure there will be many more along her journey to recovery.

Happy New Home, Andrea!

Here we are, coming up on the one year mark of entering the fostering experience. It's been a very rewarding experience, for both myself and Sid. Andrea, was by far the most rewarding of all of the fosters though. When she came to us this summer, she looked like she had a pretty rough go of it. When she went to her new home on Dec. 30th, she looked like a happy dog should. Her new home comes complete with a little boy to play with. Andrea loves kids, so I'm expecting this to be a great match.

Grats Andrea and family. Sid will miss you!

It will be another month or so before I take in my next foster. I have a small procedure coming up, and it may be best to wait until I heal to bring a second dog into the home. However, if the need arises or Sid gets too lonely, the hiatus will end early. 

Sid on foster vacation

Sid is both loving and hating the only dog syndrome. He cries at the tv when other dogs are on tv because he wants to play. But he likes the extra attention and treats/toys that I could not bring out with a second dog due to fights. Sid isn't great at sharing all of his toys. Most he is fine with, but there are the select few he doesn't want another dog to play with. So those get put away when the fosters come in. 

When I started out last year, I really was not sure if I could do this. I was not sure if I could handle giving up a dog I cared for. The first few were pretty short stays, so there wasn't a lot of time to get super attached. By the time Andrea, came to us, I thought I was prepared for the long term foster to come my way. The day she got adopted, I was both happy and sad. I had both tears and a smile when I walked away from handing over her leash.

Even with the touch of sadness that comes with saying goodbye, I have no regrets. I would not change any of the experiences. And I am looking forward to my recovery so I can bring the next dog in. If someone who is reading this is debating on fostering, all I can say is give it a try. Fostering has given me so much. A playmate for Sid. Introduced me to some of the nicest people I could hope to meet. A bonding experience with my husband and family. And most importantly, the opportunity to help a breed I love. 

Andrea's Update

Hi everyone! Andrea here. My foster mommy hasn't been feeling great, so took a break from the blog. Being the sweet girl that I am, I decided I will make an update for her.

Look at me, I'm writing a blog post!

The nice people at the rescue had my growth removed, and now you can really see just how pretty I am. It has shot my confidence through the roof, and my personality is really starting to shine. I will approach anyone for attention and if someone wants to hug on me, I will be glad to accept. I like any form of attention from petting to having my teeth brushed. How many dogs can say that?

Happy to be out.

Everyone has been getting me out and about to meet people. I've been to the dog park to make friends. I do well with small dogs. I've had a tv appearance too! So if you decide I'm the right dog for you, you will have a star on your hands. If you aren't sure if I'm right for you and would like to meet me, my foster family is getting me to events with the rescue. And Husky Haven of Florida will set up a meeting with me if you can't make it to an event. I love to go places. I ride very well in the car. And I love to investigate new surroundings and meet everyone when I am out. I am always on my best behavior when out in public too!

Since it has been awhile since anyone has read anything about me, I should tell you that I now get along with cats. I still get excited sometimes when they run and want to play with them, but if I am getting too rough and my foster family tells me to leave them alone, I do. They still have their own part of the house to where I can not get to, but we often lay in the same room together with no trouble at all.

Aren't I cute?

Even though I am around 7, I keep up with my 2 year old foster brother just fine. In fact, some days, I wear him out. While I'm content just laying at your feet and being loved, I also have the energy to play and go for long walks.

As much as I love my foster family, I am really looking forward to finding my furever home. Don't let my laid back attitude fool you. I am full of love and energy and am just looking for a nice family to share it with.

My foster mom should be back shortly with another update on me. Until then, I am going to go lay at her feet and be a good girl. I don't believe in giving my humans too much trouble and I know that she is thankful for that.

If She Could Talk

Thursday, as the first named storm of the season was saying hello to Florida, someone took a long drive to pick up a couple of dogs and return home. One of those dogs was my new foster girl, Andrea. We named her after the storm, the day of her new beginning. Time was ticking away for her, and during a time when most people are going to avoid making long trips, there was someone dedicated enough to do so. I admire her. I only had to go 20 minutes for an appointment that day and wasn't too amused about the drive.

The image that was being floated around online to get her help

Andrea is a very sweet girl. She can both grab your heart and break it at the same time. She came into the pound as a stray. There, she was called Sasha. She is an older girl, somewhere around 9 or 10 most likely. She's rather small, what I like to call an apartment size husky, weighing in at 44 pounds. Cataracts are visible in both eyes, though she seems to be able to see the things that she wants to see, for example, the cats. Her teeth aren't in great shape. And she has a growth on her face. With all of this, she is a happy girl that has the spirit of a young girl. She keeps up with Sid and keeps both Sid and Onyx in line. She has shown that she is truly the queen. 

Sid checking out Andrea

She settled in rather quickly. After a brief testing of the waters with Sid and Onyx, she was taken outside to be shown the backyard. Until we get the dogs use to the set up out back with the pool and the pool cage, we guide them back and forth. With all of the rain we had, the pool was filled to the tip top. Somehow, even being guided, she walked right into the water. She did not panic. She was lifted out right away and dried. It really didn't seem to phase her one bit. Since I did have a commitment for the evening, I made sure she had some cozy blankets in the crate I have for the fosters, got her settled and ran out for the dinner plans I had with my family. 

When we got home a little while later, she had her first sighting of the cat. I think it is pretty safe to say that to her, a cat is a snack. She immediately went into hunting stance. But with the way we have the house set up, the cats can be kept safe and we can work with the dogs to accept the cats as part of the pack. I don't expect to be able to turn a dog with a prey drive cat friendly. But I do think that with proper work, some dogs can learn to coexist with cats with the right set up and humans. It didn't take Kony long to get to that point and Andrea is already making huge strides. While she would still love to snack on the cats, that hunting stance when they come around is gone. If I can get her to the point that she ignores them, I will be shocked. If I can get her to the point where she won't attack them because she knows it's frowned upon, I will consider it a success. Right now, if she goes for the cats and she is told to stop, she does. 

Andrea with her favorite toy

Some people, when first hearing of a dog with a few treatable issues at her age, may think why bother. Others see the potential. I don't think it's going to take long for someone to see the potential for sweet Andrea. She has a lot of life in her. She also has a lot of love that she wants to shower onto a family. She is still very playful. In fact, she stole the blue dog that was recently replaced since Kony stole the last one. I am beginning to wonder if Kong will sell those to me in bulk since they tend to be the favorite toy in the house. She is so adorable with the way that she carries the toy with her everywhere. She likes to lay with it as well as make it squeak. She is not often seen without her little blue dog when she is relaxing. I guess this means that when she gets a home, the dog will go with her, and Sid will once again have to wait until I can find a new one to replace it with.

Just like with humans, dogs are living longer. Nine or ten years old does not mean she is close to the end of her life. Better foods, better medical treatment as they are growing up, better knowledge of how to care for them is really extending a pet's life. Diefenbaker, my first girl, lived to 16 1/2. The last couple of years she was battling arthritis. But inexpensive medications/supplements as well as a good dog bed kept her quality of life very high. 

Since it has only been a couple of days, she is still coming out of her shell. The one thing that is consistent with her though as she gets more comfortable here is how much attention she wants to pour over who ever will have it. She goes from person to person giving kisses, laying in laps, waiting to be pet. While she gets along with the two young boys and can keep up with them, she will let them know when it's too much.

Andrea relaxing after her bath

Today, I decided to try out a dog bathing center near the house at a do it yourself carwash place. It is a little room with a bathing setup. It was so worth paying a couple of bucks to bathe her there instead of in the bathtub. She seemed less stressed. There was no slipping and sliding. The setup was a lot safer for the dog then doing it in the house. Since I didn't know what to expect over there, I forgot to take a brush and a towel, which I will remember next time. The dryer helped bring up the undercoat that is starting to blow so she does need a brush out desperately in the next day or two. But she is such a gorgeous girl when she is all cleaned up. It's hard to believe that people can just let their dogs go when they are done with them for whatever reason. It is harder to believe with Andrea. All she really wants out of life is to please her humans and give them love. All she wants in return is a roof over her head, food in her stomach and most importantly, the love returned. I'm looking forward to seeing her come out of her shell more and more over the next week or two. It's sure to be an interesting adventure as the boys aren't use to having a girl around and aren't really sure what to make of it.

Good Luck Kony!

Most people look at this past weekend as the start of the summer. For Kony, it was the start of the newest and best chapter of his life. He was adopted.

Kony and Dad

While Kony was with us, he was having a few normal issues from what was most likely food allergies. Of course, shelters don't exactly feed the dogs the top of the line stuff. He had an ear infection and a couple of hot spots. We were working on getting them cleared while he was with us and he came a long way. His skin was doing so much better. The ears were getting better. He was on a grain free food at my place and his new Dad is making the same change to his diet. Hopefully, between that and finishing up his course of meds, he will be feeling tip top in no time.

Kony had a pretty cool personality. His energy level seemed to match what was going on around him. He loved just laying around and being a couch potato. But if Sid was wound up and wanted to play, Kony could keep up with the young pup. He will have a buddy at his furever home. It's easy to tell, both him and his new buddy are going to be beyond spoiled.

I am waiting for word on my next foster baby. Sketch just came into the system and I was going to get him, however, he has some extra needs and with my own recovery happening, I don't think at this time I can give a dog who needs that sort of attention the proper environment. In a couple of weeks, I should be able to, so hopefully I can step up when the next baby who needs a little extra tlc comes in. Unfortunately, there is always a dog that needs that popping up somewhere.

Saying goodbye to Kony

If you would like to learn more about Sketch or help him, more information can be found here. And if you think you may be wanting to add a husky to your life, after you do your research on the breed, you can find a list of adoptable pets on Petfinder.

Getting Out The Front Door

As the starts getting hotter and hotter, the patterns with the huskies will change. Midday outings will start to trickle off unless if it's to the beach. Evenings on the pool deck or the front porch will pick up. Yup, summer is starting to announce itself in Florida. And while a husky's undercoat will protect them from extreme temperatures on either spectrum, it still gets too hot to have them out side during the midday sun running with no way of cooling down. Dog park trips will be moved to evenings or cooler days.

Sid and Kony checking out the front

Recently, the front porch got screened in, as a way to better husky proof things. It helps keep them from bolting, though Sid foiled that plan today. It also let's them sit out front and watch the neighborhood during the evenings. So far, it's been a hit with Kony. He's been sitting outside every night. He really seems to enjoy just being around his foster humans more then anything, though his curiosity seems to get quenched being outside as well. He's pretty good about not jumping up on the screen, unlike another husky who shall remain nameless. The one time he did try, a quick no got him to step back down and he has not tried again. Other then the hoarding of toys, Kony doesn't give us much trouble. He eats, sleeps and wants attention. No table begging, no cat eating, nothing.

Speaking of cat eating, he is making huge strides in the cat friendly area. Earlier today, Sid and Kony had Simon trapped and were trying to play with him. Kony seems to be picking up that Simon is not food from Sid, though I'm sure while Simon appreciates that, he would appreciate it more if Kony would ignore him. I noticed Kony was being gentle with the cat when batting at him. Since it has only been a small amount of time since Kony drooled over the cat, I still distracted them with treats so Simon could get to the other side of the gate. He didn't look too amused at his predicament anyway.

I have been trying to get Kony out as much as possible so people can meet him. He is such a friendly dog, and so far, I don't think he's met a person he doesn't like. One of the best ways to get Kony out is to get him out to the events that the rescue is at. I figure I'll try to get him to as many as possible before the weather just makes it uncomfortable for him.

Kony lazing about at the flea market

This past weekend, he made an appearance at the flea market. He hung out for a few hours in front of the fans and greeted anyone who came by. A list of possible events he can be seen at are listed on Husky Haven's website. He will not be at this weekend's event, but I do plan on getting him out to the one at the end of the month. So feel free to come out and say hello to him and the other great huskies that are out.

He really seemed to enjoy his time out. He has such a laid back temperament and really does enjoy having people shower attention on him. Getting him places is pretty easy since he walks like a perfect gentleman on a leash and sleeps like a little baby in the car. If someone wanted a dog to take places with them, they would be hard pressed to find one better behaved then Kony. He doesn't jump at strangers, nor does he run from them. Busy places don't seem to bother him at all. He's confident and relaxed in every situation we have had him in so far.

Kony seems to get comfortable in new situations pretty quickly, so when he does find a home to call his very own, the adjustment period should be pretty quick. Teach him the house rules, let him get adjusted to any other animals and give him plenty of love. He definitely deserves the love and will return it tenfold. Be sure to come by and say hello to him the next time he is out and about and see just what a teddy bear this guy is. He always has an extra hug for anyone who wants it.

The huskies enjoying a quiet evening

My Three Sons..... Err Dogs

It's always kind of fun watching a fur baby getting comfortable in a new surrounding and really showing their personality. These past few days, Kony has hit that stage. He was always a sweet dog, but now I'm starting to see his playful side too.

Onyx trying to escape the wrestling match

Lately, him and Sid wrestle non stop. He has quite a bit of energy when he has a constructive outlet for it. And he seems to be aware fo his size. Sid seems to get the upper hand in the bouts quite a bit, but I think that is because Kony is being gentle since he is about twice Sid's size. Today, not only did they wrestle, they also decided to play chase me in the living room. Onyx was the smart one. He hid. Onyx usually hides when those two get a bit too into playing. Or he tries to get out of the living room. I can't say I blame him. I try to escape too. Sid likes to include whoever or whatever is around when he gets into playing. But it's nice seeing all of them getting along so well. Kony really seems to be doing well with his foster brothers, and he is so well behaved, I can let him on the other side of the gate if he needs a break from the more energetic Sid for a bit.

Kony actually started a new game with Sid. I keep a toy box in the living room for all of their toys. All of the dogs seem to find it pretty quickly. Kony has started taking all of the toys out of it and putting them on the rug and then laying with them. He then growls at Sid if Sid walks by. He's not being aggressive. He is trying to taunt Sid. This is how Kony initiates play. Sid isn't as subtle in his initiating. He just jumps at Kony and it turns into puppy UFC.

Kony wishing he had some BBQ sauce

Kony is getting better with the cats. He still wants to eat them, but he seems to understand that that is a behavior his foster mommy doesn't desire. He is very good if told to leave the cats alone and walks away from them. Since Kony has been good about listening where the cats are concerned, I have been letting him get closer to Simon so he can get use to the cats. Simon is an awesome cat and he won't back down. He was a boxer in a previous life and can defend himself pretty well. I've never seen anyone throw a left hook like he does. While I wouldn't call him cat friendly yet, though he may be getting there, I would call him cat tolerant. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trust him alone with the cats if they didn't have a way to get away from him, but he seems to be coming a long way. He is not crated at night or when I have to go out, but the kiddy gate keeps him confined to an area that the cats can avoid. There has been no problems and I am quite happy with how he's been doing with the cats.

While Kony can be quite energetic during playtime, the rest of the time he just likes to lay around and be lazy. Unlike another husky I know, he is not constantly looking for something to get into. He's perfectly happy laying on the dog bed or laying next to my chair and getting his belly rubbed. He is a great dog to just lay around and love. And a great dog to poop out Sid.

Kony showing either his intellect or laziness

I plan on taking Kony to some of the upcoming events so others can see just how sweet and gentle this boy really is. More information on Kony can also be found on Petfinder.

Presenting Kony, The Gentle Giant

This past Wednesday, after dinner, I went to go meet Kony, the new foster. I had already had a chance to meet him briefly at an event. Sid and Onyx got to meet him there as well, but I was still a little nervous about the introduction. Let's face it, three dogs and two cats could get a bit chaotic, and somehow, I forgot about Kony's size until I saw him at the pick up meeting. If Kony were to get on his back legs and stand up, he could probably rest his front paws on my shoulder. It is nice being able to pet and hug him without having to bend down though, and he loves being petted and loved. He is a very sweet and gentle boy.

Kony greeting everyone

It's nice to say that once again, things went smoothly when I brought him into the home. It was done a bit differently this time since Sid and Onyx were outside. We brought Sid in first, let him get comfortable, then introduced Onyx into the situation. Onyx does follow Sid's lead with a lot of things. They have become very attached to one another. 

Arrival day is turning into a routine. After getting the dog use to his foster brother's and letting him see the back yard and get use to his surroundings, bath time happens. Unlike Rayzr and Onyx, Kony is not a happy bath dog. Bathing him was a two person job, but once he knew we weren't hurting him, he did calm down. He wasn't happy about the bath after he calmed down, but he is smart enough to know if he doesn't fight us, it ends quickly.

Kony relaxing after a bath

Kony is a pretty laid back boy. He prefers to lay down in the quieter parts of the house. He will play and wrestle with his foster brothers, but he doesn't want to play as much as the other two do, which is every waking moment.

Kony is pretty good in cars as well. He seems to enjoy sleeping through the car ride. He is so quiet and so good it would be easy to forget he was with you until you got to your destination. This is a big difference from Sid who thinks car ride time is also climbing over everyone and everything time and needs to be secured when in a vehicle.

Kony is also a dog that listens. If he is doing something you don't want him to do, which isn't often, all you have to do is say his name and he stops. He doesn't seem to know commands like sit very well, but he is learning quickly. Or maybe he did know and the new environment threw him off and he's starting to show what he knew again. He learned how to use the doggy door in the pool cage, which is actually pretty funny since he seems like he'd be too big for it when he walks up to it.

The one area that it has been very useful that he listens so well is with the cats. He definitely wants to see what they taste like. He hasn't tried to hurt them, but he has stared at the one and drooled. Fortunately, the cats are smart enough to avoid him, and he doesn't have enough of a prey drive to go after them. I think he can be taught to see the cats as part of the pack, however, I do think supervision and caution would always need to be used. Having a way to separate the two seems to be a must. And having a cat that doesn't back down seems to be helping as well.

Because of the cat issue, I did want to crate him though. After ordering a larger crate then the one I had set up for the fosters since he would not fit in the other one, I found out he is not a happy dog in the crate. Over night when the cats are sleeping in one of the bedrooms, I don't mind locking him in the living room. While the dogs are not at home alone a lot, he will be crated then. I am going to try to work with him to make him feel more comfy being crated in case his new forever home prefers to crate their dogs. I found in the past, the easiest way to train my dogs to not hate the crate is to first let them get use to laying in it not closed, then close them in it for a few minutes at a time, each time a little longer. He does like laying in a crate that is open already, so I don't think the next step will take a long time to accomplish.

What a handsome boy!

I think teaching him new things or getting to adapt his behavior is going to be pretty easy. Kony is already a good dog who listens well and he obviously wants to please his humans. He really doesn't need much work, if any, depending on what kind of home he goes into. If you want to learn more about Kony, you can find him on PetFinder.

A Weekend Out and a New Foster

As mentioned in my last post, I had to take some time off from fostering during my recovery. This past Wed marked the one month point and I decided that I feel well enough to start back up. I should be getting my new foster furbaby on Wed. evening, so I will be posting more again.

I did get out with Onyx and Sid this weekend though. The Rays had a bark at the park day where you were allowed to take your dogs to the ball game, so I jumped on it immediately and got tickets for them. There is suppose to be two more of these this season, and I will most likely do them again. If a foster is in my care and it is ok, I will take the foster along too.

Sid taking in the sights

Sid and Onyx were so well behaved and they seemed to really enjoy going. I am sure dogs are like people in that they get sick of the same surroundings every day, which is why I try to get them out as much as possible. I even have an app to tell me about local dog parks and eateries that are dog friendly. While not all doggie dining places are in the app, a good number are. With how well behaved these two were at the game, I am convinced trying new things with them will go fine.

Onyx having a blast

I am a little nervous about having three dogs to take care of, but I am pretty sure it will go fine. There are three sets of hands in this house for doggie outings and walks and there is support from my parents a few blocks away. I know that it will be worth it. There is no feeling for a dog lover like giving a dog another chance at a loving home.

A Furry Break In a Storm

It's been awhile since my last post. We had an emergency 3 weeks ago. It happened right after picking up Onyx, who was to be our newest foster. On the way home, I wasn't feeling well. I was in a lot of pain, which I assumed was from a pinched nerve I had. My sister was with me, and we stopped at my parents' house with Onyx. After being there for a few moments, I knew something was wrong. I went in their room to lay down and ended up on the floor. Onyx came back and sat with me until they came. He watched over me while we waited for help.

Onyx making himself at home

As it turns out, I had a heart attack. I spent a few days in the hospital. But on that first day, I knew. We have our foster failure. I knew Onyx couldn't go to another home after watching over me. And I think everyone agreed. Onyx kept visiting everyone and making sure they were ok. He was a fuzzy and loving break in an otherwise, very bad day.

I had mentioned before how he looked like my Belgian Shep mix, Pembleton. I was excited to be picking him up and helping him. I fell in love with him at first meeting. It was easy to see just how loving he was just by the look in his eyes. I was nervous about the introduction between Sid and Onyx, but as it turns out, I wasn't the one to make the introduction. It was made while I was in the hospital. I missed the first few days. But I was getting updates and knew he was fitting well into the home. I couldn't wait to get released to get home to my two boys. I am happy to report that they are helping me recover. :)

I decided to take a short break from fostering while I was recovering and Onyx was getting use to his new surroundings. I had Sid and Onyx out at an event this past weekend just to get out for the day with my fur babies and we had fun. I got to meet the potential new foster dog that will be placed with us and he was as sweet as the others. I have a few things I need to do for myself over the next week and a half, and then I can make arrangements to bring the next foster into the home. I'm looking forward to bringing the next dog home and sharing all of the experiences that go along with it.

Pembleton enjoying a rare Southern VA Snow

Rayzr Gets A Home

I think most dog owners know the feeling of when that bond is made with your dog and you feel like they complete a part of your heart. When Dief came into my life, I developed an ever deeper bond with her then then I ever expected, and I did not think I could ever experience such a bond again. Sid proved me wrong. I knew the moment I first held him, that I had a companion for life. I think it is pretty obvious to anyone who sees us together, to be able to see the bond that I am speaking of. It has always been an amazing thing to experience, but I learned Sunday, it is an even more amazing thing to witness that bond being formed.

I was sent a message earlier in the weekend that someone wanted to come meet Rayzr at Sunday's event. After getting the details of the time, I arranged to be there early so Rayzr would be ready. I was pretty excited and nervous for him, as I know he is a special dog and deserves a very special home.

Valentino trying to steal someone's heart for a home

The event was at the Oldsmar Flea Market in a dedicated booth to help homeless animals. It is a great location for the animals to get seen, as there is a lot of foot traffic there. In the few hours I was there, so many people stopped by to see the dogs and ask questions.

The area is set up so multiple dogs can be there comfortably. People are able to come by and meet the dogs, play with them and get information on the breed as well as the rescue and see pictures of other available dogs for adoption that aren't at the event. If there is a particular dog someone wants to meet, from what I can tell, the best bet seems to be contacting the rescue and arranging to meet the dog at one of the many events that the rescue attends. Once I heard someone wanted to meet Rayzr, I knew I would make it out there at any time that was needed. After all, the purpose of bringing a foster into my home is to do what I can to help the rescue get the furbaby a forever home. I'm not required to be at all of the events, and I was told when I first talked to them about fostering that if I couldn't make it to an event that they needed a dog placed with me at, that they would help make arrangements to get the dog there. But my weekend plans are usually pretty loose, so I knew during this conversation, I would be able to get the dog to and from the events most of the time. I love spending my weekends taking Sid places, and it is twice as fun when a second dog is in tow.

We weren't there for very long when Rayzr got to meet his potential new Mom. I was a bit nervous at first. I knew Rayzr could win anyone over, but I wasn't sure if his personality was going to come out in all of the commotion of the Flea Market. I don't know why I was nervous, since Rayzr showed what a true teddy bear he really is.

In the beginning of this post, I spoke of the bond I got to watch form. After spending a little bit of time together, as someone on the outside looking in, it seemed as if they were made to be in each other's life. I would be lying if I didn't admit to tearing up a little bit when seeing this. I knew Rayzr had found his perfect home and his perfect human.

I always thought that the first time a foster got adopted would be hard on me. I thought I would be a little down because of missing the dog. While I do miss Rayzr, watching him get adopted was an uplifting experience. There were no sad feelings, and while I did have a few tears, they were tears of joy seeing this bond being formed in front of my eyes.

As I wait to hear about the next foster dog, I am enjoying special only child time with Sid and having my thoughts drift often to Rayzr in his new home. I know he is being showered with love every minute. I want to say congratulations to both Rayzr and Mom. Also, thank you for loving him so much. And don't forget, he likes chew toys. ;)

Rayzr and Mom already in love

Getting Into The Routine

We are coming up on two weeks since Rayzr has joined our home. He is starting to fall into the routine quite nicely. He is eating and drinking more regularly as he has settled in. He has even learned to use the adapter on the faucet outside. He has found not only is it good for a fresh drink, it is also good for a quick shower. He will often go over to the faucet and lean on it until he gets wet.

When he is inside, he is pretty good. We are still working with the begging, but he is learning, if he doesn't beg, he will get a treat after dinner. This method worked with breaking Sid of the begging. Though with Rayzr begging, Sid has become a bit more of a beggar lately as well. They are slowly calming down, depending on what is for dinner. I guess I can understand. There are certain foods I can't resist by the smell, so I guess they have their foods they really want because of the smell.

They are still improving greatly with chew toys and treats. They now know they are both getting the same, so they leave each other alone instead of investigating.

Rayzr relaxing with the tug rope

Rayzr is still finding which toys he likes to play with. He is happy if he has a chewy or a toy he can chew on. He seems to really like the one tug rope, but he still doesn't want to play tug. He has a thing about taking any toy to either the dog bed or under the table next to my chair. Sid has learned if he has a toy in one of those spots, it means that Rayzr wants to play by himself, and is getting better at leaving Rayzr alone. Now that they are getting into a routine and learning each other a bit better, it is making life pretty simple with them.

They do love to play outside together. They do their running and wrestling outside. I am not sure how my neighbors feel about it, however, since Rayzr can be a talkative dog. He has made Sid a bit more vocal, and both like to howl and bark when they are playing. Because of this, they can't play much outside at night. While husky howling is music to my ears, I understand that not everyone else feels the same way. They get talkative inside too. Rayzr is actually pretty easy to get talking. He has a beautiful singing voice.

As part of falling into the routine, I took Rayzr out for his first outing this past week. Sid had a vet appointment and had to be left for tests. When it was time to pick Sid up, Rayzr rode along. He does very well on car rides. He likes to lay down and prefers if the window is cracked so he can get some fresh air. We stopped at the pet store on the way home, and then by my parents' house. Rayzr was very well behaved at the store. When we walked past the bunnies, Sid wanted to climb in with them. Rayzr ignored them.

Rayzr working my Dad for a furever home

Rayzr has taken quite a liking to my Dad. Once we got there, we opened up the screen doors to the porch so the dogs could come and go. Rayzr investigated the back yard for a few minutes, then went straight to my father for attention. After getting pet for awhile, he laid at his feet for most of the visit. When my parents come here, he usually stays pretty close to my father. While Rayzr loves everyone, he does seem to take to males very quickly. I think one day my father will accept that he is a husky person. All I wanted in life was to have a husky companion. Every husky in my life has always attached themselves to him when he is around. I think the breed chose him and he just hasn't realized it yet.

While at my parents, we did a small animal test with Rayzr. My sister's two birds were still there, so we took him inside on the leash to see how he would react. He ignored them. Once we were confident he wasn't going to go nuts, we took him pretty close to the cages. Even with the African Grey growling at him (he growls at all dogs, and brooms, and mops....), Rayzr had absolutely no interest.

Dief searching for Snowball

I know from my experiences with Dief, this is a huge deal. I use to keep small animals when I lived in VA. I could never leave Dief unattended, even with them in their cages. I used to put the cages up high and in a room I could shut off from her to get her to leave them alone. The ferret's cage was taller then me, so the ferret could get away from her. Dief would often sniff at the cage and then lick the ferret as if she was tasting it. Snowball was smart enough to avoid her. I had a carrier for Snowball that I left below her cage. One time after using it, Dief went exploring and got her head stuck in it. The picture was not staged. Most husky lovers know that they often have a high prey drive. Some can be taught to respect other animals as members of the pack. Dief was ok with cats because she was raised with one. However, she was also raised with small animals. She always seemed to think of them as dancing chicken nuggets and hot dogs. It is a breath of fresh air to see Rayzr with the smaller animals. He really just has no interest in them what so ever, whether they are in a cage or running through the backyard. He even ignores the squirrels. If someone wants a laid back husky with no prey drive, I don't think they will do much better then Rayzr. He truly is a great dog.

I know there are some dog friendly events coming up that I would normally take Sid to. Rayzr will be coming with as well. And both events, the rescue has on their schedule. Once I lock in the plans for sure, I will be notifying them that I will be there with Rayzr. Hopefully, he will be able to meet more people and show them just what a great dog he is.

Rayzr relaxing and showing off his good looks