The Wag Tales

Wordless (Well, Almost Wordless) Wednesday

2013-09-25T12:29:00.001-07:00

Happy (Almost) Wordless Wednesday!

I've been gone a while so I thought I would add a few "glad to be back" words

to my "Wordless Wednesday" blog.

Although I've been busy fostering and rescuing,

I've missed my blogging!

I've missed my blogging friends!

I will be more consistent in blogging now,

sharing pictures and adventures.

I'm glad to be back.

Lately, I've been taking lots of pictures for the local shelter.

They saw my work and in an effort to get their available dogs showcased better,

the shelter asked if I would take weekly pictures for them.

I was thrilled to oblige as it gives me a chance to not only be creative,

but to interact with so many wonderful animals!

Today's "Wordless Wednesday" features two of my favorites.

I just love how happy and relaxed shelter dogs get when they are on grass.

Enjoy!

Alive and Beautiful

2013-03-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

So, I've been gone from the blogging scene for a while and I've missed you guys!

I'm a little rusty, so bear with me...

Last week, I got a call from a rescue I've fostered for in the past. We've always kept in touch and they have been very supportive of my independent rescue efforts.

The dog they called me about had been attacked by coyotes or wolves or some other wild animals. The shelter called them to see if they could get her the medical attention she needed. They quickly obliged and off to the vet hospital she went where she stayed for almost two months. She had lost 1/3 of the skin on her legs, needed surgery and intensive care. She had to be sedated every day for almost two months when they cleaned her wounds and changed her bandages.

A week and a half ago, they discovered Hazel was pregnant with 5 puppies! The worries began.

Would she be deliver still born puppies? Birth defected puppies? Healthy puppies? The odds were slim on the latter.

And she wasn't out of the woods yet as far as her wounds were concerned. She still needed 4 more weeks of daily bandage changes before she would be recovered from her wounds.

But she needed to have her puppies in a foster home.

Enter my family.

Taking Hazel in was a very easy decision for our family. She had gone through so much. There was no way we wouldn't help her.

We embarked on our Hazel journey scared and hopeful.

When Hazel got to our house we were amazed at how well she did with our dogs. She didn't even mind the cat! She was sweet, house trained and obviously happy to be in a home.

She took a quick liking to our daughter.

As the first few days passed, she became more attached to me. After all, I was the one taking her to the vet every other day to have her wounds cared for. I was with her all day.

As the days passed, her attachment to me grew.

Hazel followed me everywhere. Going to the bathroom without her no longer existed. It was now me, Hazel and my three dogs - two of whom are big dogs. That bathroom was crowded.

Her attachment was now a full blown obsession.

As she grew closer to delivering her puppies, those "Momma" hormones kicked in and she was less tolerant of other dogs, especially the big ones. Fur was flying.

We all survived and I became an astute juggler. It was important to keep my dogs and Hazel pretty much out of reach of each other - for everyone's safety.

Sunday night, March 3rd...

Labor began. And poor Hazel had the labor of a lifetime. She labored - along with us - from late Sunday night and continued into Monday.It was not an easy couple of days for Hazel.

Finally, on Monday, March 4 at 3:44pm, her first puppy was born.

A girl. There was no sac in sight. She was skinnier than any newborn puppy I'd seen.

But she was alive.

Alive and beautiful.

4:19pm. A boy. In his sac.

Alive and beautiful.

5:37pm. Another boy. No sac.

Alive and beautiful.

6:42pm Another boy. No sac, came out back legs first.

Alive and beautiful.

Four puppies. Four alive and beautiful puppies.

But wait, there are supposed to be 5. The 5th one will come soon, I'm sure.

7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm. On and on her labor went. No 5th puppy.

Finally, at 2:37am, the 5th puppy was born.

Tiny. Skinny. No sac. A girl.

Alive and beautiful.

All 5 puppies were alive! No birth defects as far as well can tell. Five days later, these miracles are thriving and gaining weight.

For now, we are so grateful all 5 are

Alive and Beautiful.

Please join me on their journey in the days and weeks to come.

Announcing....

2012-05-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

My brand new dog rescue!

After years of fostering and volunteering

I decided to branch out on my own and start my very own rescue.

Right now it is very small,

but I'm hoping in time I will save

many doggie lives!

I did have the help of some of the rescues I've worked with in the past

and I would like to thank the rescues

and the individuals who helped me get started.

A very special thank you to

Westside German Shepherd Rescue

and all of the volunteers there - past and present

who have become my friends.

Please visit my rescue's website at

Wag Tales Rescue

Email: wagtalesrescue@yahoo.com

Please refer us to people who are looking to adopt a dog.

Thank you for your support

and keep watching my blog as I update it with lots if new dogs!

Here is a preview of the pups I am fostering right now!

Big News

2012-04-24T21:27:00.001-07:00

....is coming....

and it involves puppies!

I know I've been missing but I'm just about catching my breath and ready to blog about my newest adventure.

Stay tuned for puppy cuteness, pictures and new blogs!

Thankful Thursday...A Happy New Home

2012-03-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

I am always happy when my foster puppies get great new homes.

The "J" litter was no exception.

Today, I am thankful for a new home

for

January!

By the way, her new name is Kiki....love it!!

Thank you to Kiki's family,

especially her handsome big "brother"

Fisher.

"I'll grow into this bed...someday."

Wordless Wednesday...Jersey Enjoys Sleeping on the Bed

2012-03-07T11:59:00.001-08:00

Jersey loves his foster "sister"!

Monday Mischief - Toys are fun!

2012-03-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Especially when you are a teething puppy!

Introducing The "J" Puppies!

2012-02-28T13:45:00.002-08:00

Six happy puppy faces!

All of the puppies are females except for our little

Jersey boy!

They just turned 7 weeks old and are getting into all kinds of mischief!

They are each developing their own little personalities.

There's nothing like puppies to brighten a day!

Julia

January

Jenevieve

Jersey

Josie

Jordyn

What do you think? Are they cuties?

Thankful Thursday...

2012-02-23T21:31:00.001-08:00

We, the "J" Puppies

are thankful for

a beautiful afternoon in the sun!

Can't you tell?

Wordless Wednesday...Puppy Pile

2012-02-22T14:06:00.000-08:00

This is a blog hop hosted by BlogPaws...

The "J" Puppies Have Arrived!

2012-02-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

And boy, are they cute!

Shocking, huh?

These puppies are 6 weeks old, mom is a Sable German Shepherd

and dad is, hmmm....

not sure what dad(s) is/are! But he/they must have been cute.

The puppies were born at the rescue facility so they have never seen

anything other than the four walls in which they lived for the past 6 weeks.

I decided to snap some pictures of their first introduction to grass.

They can't wait to meet our dogs. They are so interested in what is over that fence!

And of course, Dino, our little ambassador of fosters, has already connected with them

even if it is just through the fence...

Lots more to come!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing their journey with me.

Puppy Preparation

2012-02-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

We've had our little break from fostering

and now we are getting prepared for our next litter!

This weekend, we will be:

cleaning the yard

puppy proofing

making a cozy bed

buying puppy food

buying a whole new batch of puppy toys

stocking up on puppy shampoo

and

catching up on rest!

For on Monday,

we will have 6 new puppies!!

Five females and one male!

Prepare for puppy blogging!!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Valentine♥s Day!

2012-02-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

from all of us at

The Wag Tales!

May all of you and your pets,

fosters and loved ones

have a wonderful

Valentine♥s Day!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

To all of my fosters,

past, present and future:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Monday Mischief ~ "T" Puppy Updates!

2012-02-13T11:16:00.000-08:00

As friends and followers of my blog know, the "T" puppy litter

has had so many challenges.

Challenges that brought them even closer to my heart.

Finding great homes for the remaining "T" puppies became an even more important task.

"Great homes" is an understatement for the families/homes these lucky "T" puppies found.

I couldn't have asked for better.

Here are pictures of Tank, Tommy, Trixie and Trudy in their new homes.

Thank you to their new families for exceeding my expectations!

I am forever grateful!

Tank cuddling with his new "sister"!

Tommy playing with a toy all his own!

Trixie lounging at home with one of her new toys!

Trudy enjoying her toy with a fantastic view!

There is nothing like a boy and his puppy!

A Sad Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

In memory of two beautiful puppies

who will live in my heart forever....

A Break from Fostering

2012-02-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

This was going to be our "break" from fostering for a few weeks.

This was the litter that we weren't going to take.

Famous last words.

Eight little puppies. Six weeks old. I would have them for just two or three weeks. It would be easy.

Famous last words.

They were found with their mother and brought to a brand new, disease free shelter so they would definitely be healthy.

Famous last words.

One of the volunteers dropped the eight beautiful puppies off at our house late Saturday night

a few weeks ago.

They were stunning.

Two beautiful white, Lab-looking females, two adorable black, bear looking females,

two gorgeous tri-color, German Shepherd looking females,

one exquisite German Shepherd/Chow Chow looking male

and one handsome blonde German Shepherd/Chow Chow looking male.

Gorgeous, sweet, a little scared and very hungry puppies.

We got them settled in and decided to wait until morning to bathe them since it was so late.

By morning, one of the little white Lab looking females, Tawni, was gone.

She quietly passed away in her sleep.

We were devastated.

By the third day, almost all of the puppies were sick with respiratory infections.

This began weeks of veterinary visits, hospital stays and late night emergencies.

So much for my easy litter. So much for my break.

The "T" puppy litter had more health challenges than any other litter we'd ever fostered.

But we grew closer to the "T" puppy litter than any other.

This is the litter who wants love before food in the morning.

These puppies want endless belly rubs and immediately get themselves in position for it!

We missed each one terribly when they were in the hospital.

We cared for them when they developed symptoms similar to seizures.

We held them as they howled in pain.

We worried while awaiting test results.

We cried for them.

Three of the puppies were diagnosed with Distemper.

One may be partially blind and fighting for her life. Trixie is a strong, feisty girl.

The second one is disoriented, completely blind and howls if someone isn't touching her because she thinks she is alone. Tikka is the most out-going and friendly of the litter, a little love bug.

The third one didn't make it. Tonka. Sweet, snuggly Tonka. She had the face of a little angel and the

personality to go along with it. All Tonka wanted in this life was to love and be loved.

We are heart broken over losing you.

In the short time you were on this earth, you mastered what most people never do in their entire life:

Unconditional love.

We only hope you felt it in return.

Four of the puppies were released from the hospital and came home a couple of days ago.

I've never seen happier puppies. They were running and playing and enjoying their "freedom".

These four puppies are so healthy! And I really think they have a true appreciation for life.

Three of the four are adopted and by Saturday, they will be home with their

wonderful new families.

We will be happy because we know they'll have great lives with loving families who, even after knowing

what their health issues were, still wanted them.

They will have a whole new life.

And we will have an empty place in our hearts.

A place that will no doubt have room for more litters.

But none like the "T" puppies.

Our "break from fostering" was the best break we never took.

With it's challenges and worries.

Fun and love.

It's heart warming and enriching moments will be cherished forever.

Cuteness Overload...Coming Soon!

2012-01-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

Get Ready

Get Set

Get More Puppies!!!

Eight cutie pa-tootie puppies are making their way to our home as I type this!

Stay tuned for cuteness overload

Coming soon!!!

(Like, tomorrow!)

Thankful Thursday 2012

2012-01-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

It's my first Thankful Thursday blog of 2012 and I am thankful for

my first litter of 2012 finding homes!

Mandy

Macy

Max

They all found dream homes!

The best part is....

well, selfishly

the best part is

they can't go home until next Thursday so I get to snuggle them for another week!

YAY!

Look at those faces!

Can you blame me?

Please visit the other blog below!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-04T17:33:00.000-08:00

The 2012 Models are Here!

2012-01-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

We're rolling out the 2012 puppy models!

Well, at least our 2012 Foster Puppy Models!

Please meet:

Max

Macy

Mandy

We at

The Wag Tales

wish you

a very

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:36:00.001-08:00

From our family to yours!

A Home for the Holidays

2011-12-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest rewards of rescue work is finding a good home for your foster pup. You've seen them go from living hungry on the streets or discarded at a shelter to a home with their own bed, toys, all the food they can eat and most of all a family to love them.

I can't think of a foster dog or puppy I haven't loved. But some fosters just tug at your heart strings more than others. I've been lucky to have many of those.

There are some that may have been born at your home.

Or some that have come to your home when they weren't in the best of health.

Some that changed your view of big or small dogs...

...Or changed your view of certain breeds...

And then there are some who you've gone through so much with

and become closer to. They have a special place

in your heart.

For me, that is

Rudy.

My little Rudy. He had such a difficult start in his short life. His mom was abandoned on the street with little milk to feed her babies. Two of his siblings did not survive because of that. When he was 5 weeks old, we had a health scare with him and we weren't sure if he would make it. His siblings picked on him because he was the smallest and most frail of his litter.

Frail. The meaning is "weak and delicate". No, Rudy is not frail. He is strong. He beat all of the odds with his incredible will to live. He may be small, but his spirit is huge!

I honestly thought Rudy would be the last of his litter to be adopted. He wouldn't have a home of his own for the holidays. Until last night, when a mom and her 3 year old son came to meet the football puppies. When we spoke on the phone, she was interested in Peyton, the biggest and fluffiest of the litter. A real looker!

Her little 3 year old son - cherubic in looks and spirit himself - was surrounded by all five of the puppies, fluffy and big. This boy took one look at little Rudy and said, "That one." The mom and son spent a lot of time with the puppies but the little boy kept going back to Rudy. He knew who he wanted. As I watched them interact, I could see Rudy growing as this little boy grew. I can see them playing ball together. I can see Rudy being his confidante when he has secrets to share. I could see him sleeping in the boy's room. This was a perfect match.

Rudy goes home with his new family tonight. The first of his litter to be adopted! This little boy found a best friend. Rudy found a home for the holidays. And a love to last his whole life.

Good job, Rudy, we will always remember all we went through together and be happy for the beautiful life you now have. Strong, sweet, spunky Rudy.

Thankful Thursday...it's almost Christmas

2011-12-21T23:40:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for so much this week!

I'm thankful for my daughter being home for Winter Break

and getting to spend so much time with her.

She makes me laugh so much!

Spending time with her is so special to me.

I'm thankful for my husband being able to work from home some days this week

because he doesn't have a lot of meetings to attend at the office!

Just having him around - even though he's working -

is comforting.

And of course, I am thankful for all of my own pets...

And my foster pets current....

And past...

And all of your blogs! I love reading them!

Wordless Wednesday...Are you sticking your tongue out at me?

2011-12-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

That's not very nice! Especially right before Christmas!

I'm going to have lots of treats in my stocking

(and maybe even a new home!)

and you?

Monday Night Mischief

2011-12-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

The puppies had their close ups recently as they are getting ready to go to their fur-ever homes.

Just in time for the holidays!

So, I formally introduce you to my bunch of football babies!

If you know anyone who would like to add love in the form of a fuzzy puppy to their lives,

please let me know!

This is a blog hop hosted by

http://www.alfiesblog.com/

http://snoopysdogblog.com/

http://www.mybrownnewfies.com/

and my friend,

http://lunadogslife.blogspot.com/.

Don't forget to visit all of the great

pet related blogs listed!