Archive for the ‘Foster Pet Parents’ Category
Inside “The Hound” – who we are
May 28th, 2011
Have you ever thought who the hound in this business is? You might also be wondering why there’s no picture to go with the “About Us” section. Well, the hound’s name was Susie, and she was very camera shy. Susie had a rough beginning when I adopted her and here is her story.
Seven years ago, I came across this 2-year-old female beagle available for adoption through BREW (Beagle Rescue, Education and Welfare) which then became known as Beagles of New England States (BONES) (www.bonesbeagles.org). I immediately applied for Susie and received word that I could visit her at her foster home. I drove to western Massachusetts to meet the little girl. Susie was very shy and timid. The only way I could say “hello” was to sit on the floor with my back to her and my hands on the floor behind me. Susie would then come and sniff my hands. After a brief visit, I drove home knowing that as shy as she was, she was going to be mine. I confirmed with BONES that Susie was the beagle for me. Once her vet care and spaying were all complete, I got word that she was ready to be adopted.
Being a Foster Pet Parent
May 11th, 2011
I always wondered what it would be like to foster a dog. Yes, I’ve owned dogs, but never had the opportunity to foster. Okay, you’re probably saying, “what’s the difference”? Well, to me there was a world of difference.
I didn’t get to meet little Ellie personally. I only knew her by her picture and talking to the people running the rescue. Ellie arrived on a van from out-of-state, and I met her in New Hampshire. She was adorable with a cute little beagle face and lots of freckles or ticking on her front and back legs. Ellie was full of kisses with one heck of a wiggly butt.
The first thing Ellie had to work on was her housetraining. Ellie was young and had been working on her housetraining, when she had a mishap and ended up with a broken pelvis. Needless to say, being in a crate for 6-8 months her housetraining went by the wayside. The first thing I did was hang a bell on the door, as I had done with my other dogs. When I sensed that Ellie had to go out, I would take her paw and hit the bell with it while saying the words “Ellie have to go out”.
It didn’t take the little cherub to catch on. Of course, there were times when ringing the bell meant just going out. The next thing she had to learn was how to walk on a leash. Beagles, for the most part and especially Ellie are always ready to go for a walk and a good sniff, but there are times when you better hold on. Each walk was a training session to try and teach her not to pull.
