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!

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.)

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.

How much is that kitty in the window?

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

Trooper was his sweet, adorable, but obnoxious puppy self … wanting lots of love, jumping on me. My black outfit was covered with hair – the way all my clothes, my car and my house used to be. It reinforced the fact that I do love him, but don’t miss him.

Then I got home.

Chewy took one whiff and got extremely excited. He ran to the garage door to see if Trooper was there. As I opened the front door to grab the mail, Chewy stood there trembling, completely anticipating that Trooper was waiting on the other side. Same thing at the back door as I went to let Chewy out.

Now I’m not sure … maybe the ass kicking of Chewy by Trooper really was playing … maybe I should have adopted Trooper myself. What I am sure of … Chewy searching for Trooper tonight broke my heart just a little.

P.S. The adoption still isn’t final … she wants to talk with her husband, who couldn’t make it to the vet … but it seems promising (that is if I still consider someone else adopting him a good thing).