Gracie's (Foster)Homecoming

While Scott and I went back to our respective family homes for a little holiday cheer, Gracie, our only remaining foster dog had to check in to puppy prison.

Poor girl spent almost a week at a boarding facility. But, don't those puppy eyes fool you. She was at a reputable kennel where she got lots of daily walks, play time and a good dose of lovin'.

Still, there's nothing like (foster)home... well, except that (forever)home she's looking for!

Welcome back Gracie! We missed you.

(Isn't this picture hilarious? After giving us lots of calming signals for a behavior she hadn't seen from Scott before, Gracie gave up, crawled under the blankets and promptly fell asleep cuddling Scott in a rather creative and calming way. See why we missed her so much?!)

Angie Wiggle-Butt Finds a Great Home!

When a foster dog is adopted I go through this insane flurry of emotions. Firstly, I'm dance-around-the-house-with-the-puppy-in-my-arms thrilled. All of my foster dogs have had heinous pasts of abuse and neglect. Knowing that they are officially retiring into the good life, that they'll have love, comfort and respect for the rest of their lives, that there will always be enough food, it makes me cry with relief. And dance a little too.

But, ensuring this future for them, also means gracefully bowing out. And when you've shared so much with them, including watching their transformation into delightful canine citizens, it can be so hard. And of course you worry about them, no matter how great of a home they're going to.

When they go, you miss them and their antics.

And, if you're me, you cry.

But, soon enough, another needy dog, with her own sordid past is looking to you for guidance, love and assurance; You're busy with a new set of training obstacles and you always have the wonderful updates from the adoptive families to look forward to.

Someone once told me that the best and worst part of fostering is letting your dog go to their adoptive family. Dropping Angie off with her amazing new family was so hard and so wonderful. But, knowing her wiggly-butt is safe for the rest of her life means I can start rescuing someone else.

The Adventures of Gingy-Poo

Our very own little Ginger has become an expert blogger!

In her profile this reigning canine queen tells us:

"I also spend lots of time on my dad’s laps when he is on his computer and
he spends a shit load of time in front of his computer, so I just look and
learn. Whenever he leaves me on his chair to protect his computers (since I’ll
attack anyone I don’t know, and even the ones I know but don’t like) I jump on
his desk and start blogging away when no one is looking."

Check out her hilarious take on life with her human Rick, stealing food, dealing with all her foster buddies and occassionally snacking on all the people she doesn't like here.

Santa and his Mutts help Sophie's Dog Adoption!

Despite the most insane snowstorm ever, Santa showed up last weekend to help Sophie's Dog Adoption raise some much needed funds! What a trooper!

HUGE thanks go out to everyone who braved the North Pole-esque storm to get their best friends in for some face time with the big jolly guy.

Over the two days we raised a kick-ass $230 bucks, every penny of which will help pay off our vet bills! Thanks again guys, we couldn't rescue a single dog without you!

Check out all the cuties below. I hope they get everything on their wish lists this year!

Gracie & Angie respond to PETA's dangerous anti-dog remarks

After sitting on the news that PETA's leader Ingrid Newkirk had publicly denounced all pit bulls as dangerous, unworthy of rescue resources and better off dead for a good week or so, Scott and I decided it was time to round up the girls and have a little talk.

At first they were all like PETA what? Ingrid who? We don't care...

Just give us that damn cookie we see in your hand!

Wait, she means me?

But then the bad news sunk in.

You see both Angie and Gracie are rescued pit bulls. And if Ingrid had her way, instead of playing at the park, charming everyone in the neighborhood and just being great dogs, both of our girls would be dead.

So, Scott sat down with the girls and explained that while it's hard being a pit bull (and a pit bull advocate) in today's hysterical society, it wasn't the girls' fault that PETA was letting their ignorant leader make dangerous and untruthful anti-dog remarks.

Still, knowing that the head honcho at the world's best known animal rights group wants you, an animal, dead for absolutely no real reason can make you feel pretty low.

So the girls rolled around with some ideas...

And even consulted honorary pit bull member, Viper.

Because three heads are better than two.

And they all decided to just laugh it off.

Because acting this good and looking this darn cute in their winter apparel will have Ingrid eating her words in no time!

Viper goes punk

It's amazing the human behaviors dogs will tolerate, isn't it?

The last week has been relatively quiet. While there are quite a few new pups with us at Sophie's Dog Adoption and quite a few of our veterans have gone to live with their new forever families, I've been a hermit and have only heard about the new developments second hand.

For the most part I've been spending my times with Viper and our foster girls, sleeping in, playing at the park, going for walks and learning new tricks.

And sometimes I give Viper makeovers. I just can't help myself.

Bah humbug!

Interested in helping local homeless animals during the season of giving and getting?

Here is a list the amazing people over at BAD RAP put together for helping sheltered Pit Bulls.

Ways to Help Sheltered Pit bulls:
1. Volunteer to help local spay/neuter efforts.
2. Supply hand-outs to help educate the public about pit bulls.
3. Volunteer to help update a shelter's website.
4. Donate a Karunda bed so dogs can sleep better.
5. Donate tuff toys like large kong balls.
6. Volunteer to walk dogs that are waiting for homes.

The adorable guy decked out in lights is BAD RAP's very own Gunther.

Take an amble over to BAD RAP's blog and read all about when the leader of PETA not only implied that all Pit Bulls are lethal, but also dissed Gunther's very cute sweater.