Am…musings

My Stray Rescue foster duties include sending a profile and pics of the pups for the Web site.

It was tough to photograph the puppies when I first brought them home. They were small, clinging to each other and constantly sleepy:

Three and a half weeks flew by fast, and last night, my wonderful retired neighbor that feeds and takes the pups out around noon every day gently asked if I’d gotten them on the Web site. Although Buster and Paisley were more than ready for their individual close-ups, and I had a good idea of their personalities for the profiles, I just hadn’t gotten around to doing it.

The guilt quickly set in … my neighbor is very kind (she has spent time with Chewy pretty much every day while I’m at work since he was a puppy), but the fosters require a more set schedule and are a lot of work. And speaking of Chewy … he’s the reason I started fostering puppies because he loves playing with other dogs. However, I fostered the first set of puppies when he wasn’t quite one year old. Now, at nearly three, he’s not having quite as much fun. These puppies are also a bit needier and seem to have bonded more with me than the others (Paisley is in my lap as I type)… and Chew is just a smidge jealous.

So I made a huge sacrifice last night , and instead of hand washing dishes (still no dishwasher … because I haven’t quite gotten around to that either), I wrote their profile and took their pics (which was a LOT like herding cats).

Here are their profiles: Paisley (aka Whitesnake) and Buster (aka Poison). (Some of their littermates … Kiss, Bon Jovi, Tesla, Twisted Sister, Guns N Roses … are also on the site.)

And here are a few pics that didn’t make it on the site:

P.S. They went for their second round of shots Monday and each weighed around 13 pounds!

Last week, I could easily carry both foster puppies from Stray Rescue at one time. They’ve grown so much in just a few days (especially Ms. Paisley, who isn’t so petite any more) that it’s becoming a bit of a struggle.

They are still cute as buttons though.

I did learn they came from a litter of 10 and were living in a run-down abandoned house in North County with their amazing mom … she kept 10 little ones safe and alive even in the horrid conditions and cold temps. They were able to rescue her with the pups and she’s available for adoption too. Here’s the story of their rescue (in the first row of pictures, momma’s on the left and one of their littermates is on the right).

The living on the street thing explains the slight skittishness they had at first, but that’s getting better everyday as they learn to trust and are being schooled on being a house dog by Chewy, who is enjoying them more as they get older (and less annoying … to him).

And even though Buster and Paisley won’t be going to college, they are pretty smart. They still have accidents, but mostly get that they need to potty outside even at less than 10 weeks old.

If you know anyone looking for a puppy, they are each available for adoption. And if you are able and interested, Stray Rescue can always use fosters. (Read the whole story in the link above and here for evidence of the amazing work they do … and to maybe shed a few tears for the ones that were lost.)

Did you know baby mourning dove can hatch then grow enough to be self-sufficient AND fly in a week and half? One of babes was born a day earlier than the other … it left Thursday … along with momma, leaving this poor guy by himself …

And when I came home Friday afternoon, the nest was empty.

Then today, the Stray Rescue foster kitty, Ollie … who I didn’t even have long enough to blog about … went to what I expect will be her forever home. I picked her up from the vet Tuesday. The adoption application came Thursday. I checked references Friday and went for the home visit today. The couple is awesome, and they have a nice home (I’m a sucker for big, white-railing front porches) about two minutes from D’s. As long as Ollie does ok with their cat Abby, we’re in business. She is a super sweetie and a cutie …

so I’ll miss her, but didn’t really have much of a chance to get attached in the few short days she was here.

Somehow Miss Tiger Lily, the Stray Rescue foster kitty, has gotten herself in a bit of a predicament. One minute she was fine. The next minute a quarter of her body was covered with a huge shipping/price tag sticker – I assume from the bottom of my new living room furniture (the digital camera is dead so this is the best pic I can get with the iPhone … but at least you can sort of see my fantastic new furniture too!).

The enormous sticky thing on her side has her a little freaked so I’m having trouble getting close enough to try to help. It’s only worked once and it’s so stuck to her I pulled out quite a bit of fur on one little corner. I feel awful because it reminded me of the waxing strips when I have my brows done, and I know that hurts.

If she were a dog, I’d just grab her, but cats are squirmier and stealthier. Plus, she has her claws and I’m afraid of puncture wounds given the pain I imagine I’ll be inflicting. I guess I’ll let her calm down a bit and try again. Although, Chewy’s been trying to help by licking and pulling at it and she’s letting him. I’m hoping it works … regardless, it’s the cutest, sweetest thing to watch.

It’s nearly the one year anniversary of my first Stray Rescue fosters. The number one question I hear is whether it’s hard to let them go. I’ve always been able to say “yes, but really no” before. Yes, because they become a part of your life and it’s always a little sad. No, because before Tiger Lilly, I’ve always fostered puppies and they are A LOT of work and hassle … crying at night at first, making messes in the house (when they are super young they are so silly and excited that they often step in it requiring baths), digging in the mud (also requiring baths), needing to go out rather frequently.

Not so with the kitty. She’s quiet unless her food bowl is empty or she wants a little attention. She uses a litter box so no messes in the house, mud or running home to let her out. And she’s as sweet as can be. I forgot how cool purring is … it makes me smile. Of course, a dog is always happy to have attention, but with a kitty, it seems like you earn their appreciation and are rewarded with the sound of a running motor.

Yeah, I’m thinking it might be harder to give this one up.

My newest Stray Rescue foster, Tiger Lily, was still under the futon when I woke up this morning, but started purring the minute I got on the floor and lifted the cover. With a little coaxing she came out for some petting, more rolling on her back and even some cuddling.

After work, I took Chewy for another play date and lured her out with the feather toy. She’s jumpy, scrambling toward the office any time I move, but she usually stops short of going under the futon and slowly ventures back out. She even lets me hold her and jumps up on my lap, snuggling up and purring all the while. Poor thing … I think she’s starved for interaction, but is just scared … she was in a kennel at the vet for most of her life.

And here she is …

PS I’m still toying with nicknames. In her comment on yesterday’s post Deborah used T-Lily. It sounds a little rapper-esque, which is fun, but I don’t think it fits the little miss (I’m not sure what she weighs, but if it’s five or six pounds I’d be surprised).

I brought home my newest Stray Rescue foster last night … this time a cutie kitty. I haven’t had a cat since my early college years … five (ok, eighteen!) years ago. I’m so out of practice I had to query my roommate from back then, who has had cats since, on the proper supplies … I would have totally forgotten toys, treats and the so very important litter scoop (thanks Deb!).

When we got home, Tiger Lily (a big name for a very petite 7-month-old Tabby … although she does resemble a tiger) seemed totally laid back and cool, lounging in her kitty carrier as Chewy was being an overeager spazz trying to greet her. I took her into the office, closed the door and expected her to coolly walk out of the crate and casually greet me, aloof cat style. Instead, she darted … and I mean fast … into the closet that was slightly open. I later lured her out with treats and she let me pet her for a bit, but something spooked her and she was quickly under the futon.

I shipped Chewy to the neighbors’ for a playdate with their dog Timmy and I convinced Tiger Lilly (ok, this cat needs a nickname!) to come out of hiding with a nifty bouncy feather toy. She was purring and rolling over for me and even gingerly made her way into the kitchen. Then … here’s where I begin to question my smarts … she grabbed the feather toy that I’d stupidly left on the floor and took it under the futon with her. Now, how was I going to get her out? I had to get on the floor with a broom to get the toy and totally gave up on getting her out again for time being.

So stayed tuned for pics … when I get smart enough and she gets better settled.

P.S. If you know anyone looking for a Christmas kitty, Tiger Lily seems totally cool (despite the name and the darting, which I have no doubt she’ll get over due to her penchant for petting and feather toys).

I received a new Myspace message from one of my former foster dogs last week. Yes, I said Myspace message from a foster dog. Her new parents created a page for her when she was a puppy … look at that face.

I love it because it’s fun and creative … and I get to stay up to speed on her with the photos and updates her Mom and Dad post fairly regularly.

It’s been almost a year since I fostered her and her sister (they were my very first Stray Rescue fosters that I foolishly took in a week before Christmas). I’m proud to see she’s grown into a beautiful girl. And if I may say so, she looks like quite the bad ass … at least here.

Maybe not so much here (even though she does look a little pissed).

It’s official … Trooper has a forever home. He’d been on two home visits before and ended up back with me so I was on pins and needles for several weeks. I finally got the “we’re going to adopt him” call last week. Yippee!

After having him for more than four months, I was ready for a break from fostering. There are a lot of dogs in need, but when the adoption wasn’t final, I had a good excuse. Now … not so much. Chewy is also driving me a little crazy (the BIG reason behind me fostering … a playmate for him).

I’m just not sure I’m up for it. Plus, I’m traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas and finding dog sitters isn’t easy. So I’m thinking it’s not in the cards at the moment. I am thinking about a kitty foster though … not sure what Stray Rescue’s needs are when it comes to cats and whether it’ll solve my Chewy challenge, but it might be a fun change of pace.

A friend showed me this tear-jerker last night.

Lots of people ask me why I foster. Yes, it’s time consuming, messy and breaks my heart a bit when they leave, but my usual response is that it’s rewarding. Not to mention the puppies I usually take in are like crack to me … addictive … I crave the fix of sweet, cuddly goodness, silly antics and unconditional adoration.

But after seeing this video, the longing in these babies’ eyes for their angel … someone to just love them … pretty much says it all (and makes me cry like a baby).

If you’re able, try fostering (in St. Louis, Stray Rescue is always in need and there are similar organizations every where). And if you or anyone you know is looking for a feline or canine addition, please, please, please adopt from a shelter and consider older, less-than-perfect pooches or kitties.