Sleepless Nights

Last night I went to bed early, and woke up at midnight wide awake.  I have a horrible habit of checking email or facebooking when I can't sleep and when I did an email popped up from the director of Summit Dog Rescue with several dogs who needed help.  They are all in Southeast Colorado, at full shelters and in danger of being put to sleep at any time.  Welp, there goes my night of sleep!  Eventually I did nod off for a while, but not without weird dreams and those poor dogs swirling around in my head.  

Emails like this one aren't rare.  I only get a small number of all the email's that fly around every day with people trying to save dogs from euthanasia in shelters all across the country.  They usually have a subject like "CODE RED" and "URGENT" and come with descriptions and pictures of the dogs that need saving.  This particular email contained about 14 dogs that were in extreme danger.  Below are a few pictures, and some of the text from the email.  There are so many wonderful people trying to help, but without enough fosters or adoptive homes there is only so much that can be done.  Sometimes I feel like we are playing god...which is a horrible feeling...deciding which dog we might be able to foster and save, and hoping that someone else will do the same for the others before they meet their untimely end.

If there anyone would like to help us save these dogs, please contact me.

Furry Comfort

In the wake of the horrific Newton, Conn. school shooting, this video brings a little sunshine. 

 http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/crime/2012/12/18/ct-shooting-ac-tuchman-comfort-dogs.cnn.html

I am a huge proponent of the comfort that our four-legged friends can bring to us in times of trouble.  This past Friday, my parents had to put down our 9-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Amber, after a short but swift illness.  She provided all of us with warm, furry hugs in many times of need over the years, and she leaves a big hole in all of our hearts and lives.  

While on the phone with my parents, my two dogs, Hannah and Titan, clung to me like glue through the whole ordeal.  They knew something was up, and Titan sat in my lap while Hannah licked my face.  Life brings trials and tribulations of all shapes and sizes but dogs are loving, non-judgmental, and accept anyone who has love to give.  So take a minute and hug your dog (or cat, or horse, or rabbit or whatever) today.  I promise it will help to dissolve any troubles in your way.

Me, Ely and Amber on the Potomac River a few years ago.

Meet Simba

 Meet Simba, our new foster dog!  We picked him up in Denver on Saturday, and he has fit into our house amazingly well.  He has the funniest kind-of scrunched face, and really shows his sweet soul when he looks into your eyes.  This guy is 8 months old, about 30 pounds and came from the BARC shelter in Houston (same place as Titan) to explore wonderful Colorado.  He has lots of puppy energy and loves playing with bones and toys, but settles down at night to snuggle with us and the dogs.  

He is a really quick learner - and is already starting to understand "go potty" to go outside, and "sit" and "go to bed."  After only 5 days he is already sticking close off-leash and LOVES to play with Hannah and Titan outside in the snow.  I think he must be part herding dog, because of the way he crouches down and stalks Hannah when playing outside. He has the softest fur, and doesnt seem to shed much at all so far.

This guy is already stealing our hearts...I know he will make someone an amazing dog when he finds his forever home!  

Check him out on Petfinder.

Sweet Simba 

Stalking Hannah on the golf course.

Play time with Hannah!

Simba, taking a break from the action.

My New Foster Dog - Lassiter

In a week or two I will be getting my new foster dog, Lassiter.  He is coming from the Little Rock Animal Village in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is the same location that Sierra (my first ever foster) came from back in May.  Lassiter's time was running out at LRAC and a wonderful volunteer there reached out to Mountain Dog Rescue to see if we had space.   He is a happy, healthy, and goofy guy who just wants a loving home and someone to play with!  I am so excited for him to play with Hannah and Titan, and hang out with us until he finds his forever home.  Check him out on Mountain Dog Rescue's petfinder page here.

Just look at those ears!  I think he may need a new name once he gets up here to the mountains.  Any ideas?

Wild Raspberries

This video is of Hannah eating wild raspberries during our hike this past Sunday on Cross Creek Trail our of Minturn, CO.  Summer is full of wild raspberries up here in the mountains and Hannah absolutely loves them.  Fritz will hold out the branches for her and she picks them off with her little front teeth.  I find it hilarious how she gets so excited when she sees them and I swear her energy level ramps back up after she eats them!  Makes me laugh every time.

(Lack of) Fostering

Lately life has gotten CRAZY.  I have barely had time to exercise and grocery shop much less foster any new dogs.  When I started out fostering I knew it wouldn't be something I could do constantly, for several reasons.  As much of a sport as Fritz is, he does take on a lot of the dog care, especially when I am busy.  It isn't fair to throw another dog on him (although he would never say no) when he is going to be doing most of the work and is busy himself.  Hannah loves having multiple dogs around, but Titan gets a little sad and jealous when we have to spread ourselves out.


This summer has been filled with house guests, dogs that we are dog-sitting, work events, other events, and trips out-of-town. I cant complain - it has been a great summer so far.  There just are moments when I lie awake at night thinking about what I haven't been doing to help.


Hopefully I can help out Mountain Dog Rescue after our August road-trip through the Mid-West by fostering another dog.  In the meantime, if anyone out there wants to foster please visit http://www.mountaindogrescue.org/ and check out all the amazing dogs who need help and temporary homes.  It truly is one of the most gratifying things I have done in my life, and I cannot wait to be able to help out again.


Dogs that currently need fosters:

Hank - needs a foster in CO

Lake - sweet girl in CO

St. Bernard girl who was saved just before being euthanized in Idaho.
Hopefully making her way to CO very soon!