Bigger IS Better.

Attention Bmore Lucky pals! I'm now the Foster Coordinator for Dogs XL, a WONDERFUL rescue out of Baltimore. Check out the website, come to an adoption event, spread the news about a dog who needs a home, and (of course) consider becoming a foster parent. ;) I'm taking a mini-break from fostering, so until I get my next foster, this blog will be dedicated to pimping out available Dogs XL pooches.
http://www.dogsxlrescue.org/

Stay tuned...cuteness will happen.

Peace, love and dog kisses.

Sera
(and Olive and Macho and Hamilton the cat)

R to the Izzo.

How could I forget sweet Baby Rizzo? Maybe because his stay with us was quick. Rizzo arrived in the middle of the week. He came to my house because his previous foster was a wee bit neglectful and left him out in a yard with a fence that didn't close properly. What can I say about Rizzo? Just look at him!

He is one super fun little puppy. He came to work with me the day after he arrived in Baltimore. The rest is history. I walked in the door and my co-worker, Deb, fell in love. She called her husband, who came to work to visit The Rizz, and he fell in love as well. The next day, I took Rizzo to their house so he could meet their cats and the following day, they adopted him. They take him EVERYWHERE. He walks his new mom to work in the morning and picks her up in the afternoon. He is one spoiled little guy. And my last foster for Lucky Dog.

Little Lion Man

Since I am currently foster-less, my dear friend and fellow foster mom, Lindsey, suggested that I blog about a handsome guy who we all love. Meet Leo.

Leo's foster/our guest blogger, Catharine, would like the world to know why Leo is so flipping awesome:

Leo the Lazy Lion perfectly describes this adorable guy.  He is royal in appearance and loyal in love. He prefers to lay around and snuggle.  He occasionally sits in a lion pose (think sphinx) and watches everything that goes on around him. At the dog park you can find him sitting on the picnic table in his lion pose just so he can be closer to humans. He is very affectionate with the people and dogs he is comfortable.  He is friendly to every dog he meets, and after a sniff continues on his way.  He loves to go for walks, but doesn't really need a long one.  He will go for runs but only a mile or so.  Since he is a lion, the King of the jungle, he only accepts the best treats.  You better give him something with meat in it or else he will just spit it out.  He doesn't chew on your shoes (that is way below him) and only wants to be around people and get some love.  Don't be surprised if on meeting you he gives you a big lick!

Also note: Leo is wonderful with CATS! And KIDS! But seriously note the Leo has been in foster care for WAY TOO LONG! This guy is five years old and has been searching for his forever home for more than three months. Please help us find Leo the awesome home that he so deserves. Look at his face! Who can resist?!?

Thank you, Catharine, for being a wonderful guest blogger and sharing Leo's story with us. Leo is currently available for adoption through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Please share this post and his story. For more info on Leo and to find out how to adopt, please visit: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19010756

Ella went home. For real this time.

Ella went home yesterday. To her REAL home. She won't ever be found "running at large" again...unless her new mom is right there by her side. I worried about Ella since the day she left my house. I cried for her and was sick to my stomach thinking that she was so stressed out and upset. Then I got a report from the trainer and the boarding facility where she was staying. Both reports were great! The trainer reported that Ella was FUN! and just needed some training. The pictures I received from boarding were awesome! They showed a happy, playful Ella...just as it should be. Yesterday, my mom and I met Ella at the boarding facility. Ella's new mom met us there and brought a few friends with her. There were at least eight people standing around, but when the gate opened, Ella ran right into her new mom's arms and knocked her over with kisses. It was amazing. I knew right then and there that Ella would have a great life. The life she deserves. I didn't film Ella's homecoming (damn!), but this picture of Ella running is what she looked like when she ran into the arms of her new mom...only she was smiling...and I cried a little.

Ella Ella Bo Bella

Whenever I tell someone that I'm a foster mom, the response is usually something like, "Oh, I could never do that, I would want to keep all of them!" The fact of the matter is, I DON'T want to keep all of them. I want to find them good homes. I want them to have a smooth transition from the shelter to their new home. I want them to be happy. On Friday night, I met Ella. Ella arrived from South Carolina where she had been found running at large and was turned in to a shelter. A high kill shelter. She was then moved to a foster home where she lived with three kids, three cats and two dogs, until she became a Lucky dog. I was so happy to meet her and when the crate door opened and she was free from her former life, she jumped off of the van and wagged her tail! We got back to Baltimore where she met Olive and Macho. She got to eat a good meal and sleep in a warm, cozy place. On Saturday morning, I took Ella to meet her new family. She was not happy. She didn't seem to enjoy the company of the dog who was supposed to be her new canine sister. She didn't get adopted. I was devastated. So...we came home. She tried to play with Olive and Macho but something wasn't right. Suddenly, playing wasn't so much fun. Ella didn't seem to enjoy the company of Olive and Macho, either. We had a rough day. On Sunday, Ella went to an adoption event and then to a boarding facility where she will be able to properly adjust, decompress and de-stress. I can not tell you how much I cried. I felt like I failed her, but she couldn't stay somewhere that she couldn't relax. So I let her go. I am more determined than ever to find this girl a home. She's awesome. She's a sweet girl who loves people...she loves to give hugs and she loves to give kisses. With the proper training, she will be a well behaved girl who will thrive in any environment. If you know of anyone who is need of a new canine friend who will give them years of happiness and friendship, PLEASE tell them about Ella.

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19247923

Happy. Tails. Tale.

Herbie went home tonight. His new mom is a friend from high school. She saw Herbie's blog/pictures posted on Facebook and fell in love. I think a lot of people fell in love with the little stinker. He sure did have a lot of people cheering him on. Herbie now lives with a wonderful mom and dad who are spoiling him rotten, and a canine big sister named Cinderella. He is going to live a long, happy life and I'm so happy for all of them.

Last Saturday, Herbie and I went to the Lucky Dog adoption event at the Towson Petsmart. He howled like a freak the whole entire time. I think he was trying to tell me that he didn't want to get adopted that day. Perhaps he knew that no one there was his true match? Dogs are so smart.

When I decided to foster Herbie, I knew that there was someone in my circle of friends/family/acquaintances that he was meant to be with. And we found them. Herbie traveled a long way to get to them. He is a survivor. He could have been killed when he was hit by a car, but instead only lost a leg. And that certainly hasn't slowed him down in any way, shape or form. Before his leg was amputated, he dodged death again...he was scheduled to be put down if Lucky Dog didn't pay for his surgery. He traveled all the way from North Carolina and was adopted. His adopters returned him because he chased their hamster. Yeah. He went to doggie daycare in DC and was really well taken care of...and then I picked him up and brought him to Baltimore. He loved running around with Macho and Olive and terrorizing Hamilton. We will miss him and we hope that he comes over to play a LOT.

Oh, yeah...and I cried.

Herbie's big fat weekend of fun

Thanks for the shout out, Jenna!



Herbie did not get adopted this weekend. He's feeling okay about it. He knows that his forever home is out there somewhere. On Friday, he came to MICA. We're lucky enough to be able to bring dogs to work and it's awesome. Herbie loved meeting new people, laying around all day and getting belly rubs. On Saturday, Herbie went to the Lucky Dog adoption event at the Petsmart in Towson. He had lots of people pet him and inquire about his missing leg, but no one wanted to take him home. Today he went to meet Ruby, a blind basset. She may want Herbie to come live with her but she's not sure yet. So here we are. On the couch. And that's okay.









Herbie and Ruby







Night night









 





Less talk, more cute

A letter from Herbie

Hi everyone! I know that a bunch of people have been reading about me and looking at how cute I am, so I just wanted to tell you how I'm doing in my foster home. I love having a warm bed to sleep in (my foster mom calls it a crate) and a big, fun yard to run around in. I love jumping on my foster brother, Macho. I jump on his butt and he falls down and I can jump on top of him. We love wiggling around in the dirt. It feels good. I LOVE dirt. I can really go to town in the dirt. I want to dig a hole but my foster mom yells at me. But she yells, "CRAZY PANTS!" and laughs at the same time, so I don't think I'm in trouble. I'm trying to be the best I can be but I'm just so excited to have yummy food and a couch and a foster sister and brother. My foster sister, Olive, likes to bite my ankles. I already knew how to bite ankles, but I'll let her think that she taught me something new. She likes to run around the yard and I like to chase her. She's real cute and has silly teeth. But back to me...I know how to sit and I know my name and I know how to come when my foster mom calls my name and this makes her so happy that she gives me treats and boy do I love treats. I also love belly rubs. I like to play for a while and then run back to my foster mom and flop on my back so she can give me some belly rubs. There is some other thing that lives in my foster house. I think it's called a cat. My foster brother and sister seem to like the cat but I'm not so sure about it. He smells weird and I just bark at him. When I don't bark at him, my foster mom gives me a treat. So...I think maybe I'll try not to bark at him anymore. I really like to chase him too but he's really fast and can jump high. Speaking of jumping high, does anyone want to play ball with me? I really like the green ball. My foster mom throws it and we all chase after it. Sometimes I catch it and then make Olive and Macho chase me around the yard. I also really like sticks. And bones too. My foster mom only gives me a bone when she leaves and I go in my crate. I got cranky over a bone and now I can't have them around Olive and Macho. I think I learned my lesson, but it's better off this way. I'll have my very own big bone in my very own crate. I'm such a good boy in my crate too. My foster mom can leave for work and as long as she gives me a bone or two, I'm a happy camper all day long. So my foster grandmother told me that we're going to an event on Saturday. I went to one last week too. A cute girl and her mom petted me for a long time and told me that they would come back for me, but they didn't. I'm not that sad about it though. I know that my new family is out there somewhere. Maybe I'll meet them this weekend. We'll be at the Towson Petsmart. They have treats there.

High paw!
Herbie

Bassador

Huh? WHAT? A hootie who? A bassador, silly! A labrador mixed with a basset. Lucky me, I have one running around in my house. And he's a tripod. There is a circus somewhere that wants this dog. Too bad for them. Herbie the bassador arrived in Baltimore today. What a silly little guy he is. He has had a busy day. He woke up at doggie daycare in DC, went to an adoption event in Falls Church and then came to his new foster home in Baltimore. He met his new foster siblings, Olive and Macho, and enjoyed running around in our newly fenced-in backyard. He loves to sit in laps. He loves to take naps. He loves to play. He needs a forever home.

http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs

Herbie the Love Bug

Foster number 53 6.
Check him out. Want to meet him? He's now accepting requests for play dates and belly rubs.
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18904107-Herbie-Chocolate%20Labrador%20Retriever-Dog-Washington-DC

He'll be coming to Baltimore sometime this week. Stay tuned for Herbie updates.

Dogs we have loved

Ray was our first foster. His full time foster mom went on vacation and we agreed to foster him for the weekend. He got to come to work with me and spent the whole day sitting on my lap and being cute. I took a picture of him and sent it to my mom at work and her coworker saw him and fell in love. She and her husband adopted him two days later. I cried. His new parents are Irish and his new name is Bono. Erik and I call him Ray Bono. He lives in Baltimore, just a few minutes away from our house.

Matthew Dillon was our second foster. He was crazy pants. He was the product of over breeding and Olive and Hamilton didn't like the way he smelled. They both freaked out and curled up in the corner and shook. He came to us on a Friday, went to live with a new foster on Saturday and got adopted on Sunday. He now makes a little girl very happy. I cried a little when he got adopted.

Macho was number three. He never left. I cried when his adoption coordinator said that someone inquired about him. He's laying next to me snoring right now. ;)

Cleave was number four and the first foster I picked up from transport. I cried at transport. It was a happy cry. Dogs were finding new homes and it was exciting. Cleave was really stinky, refused to walk on a leash, and bit my wrist. He went to live with his full time foster the next day and got adopted a couple weeks later. Did I mention that he was Chihuahua?

Sasha. Oh, sweet little fuzzy butt puppy face Sasha. She was the first puppy foster. I picked her up from transport in DC. I cried. Again, a happy cry. People come to meet their new dogs and everyone is SO excited. My gal pal, Alice, came with me to get Sasha. We got lost coming home and then got stuck in traffic. It took us three hours to get home. The next day, I took Sasha to an adoption event in Virginia to meet her new parents. I cried. Oh, did I cry. I only knew that little fluff ball for 24 hours and she stole my heart. Olive and Macho seemed sad when I came home without her. They looked around for her for a few minutes. She now lives in Virginia with a super mom and dad.

Herbie. Coming soon...

Macho, the original Bmore Lucky Dog

In mid-December, we agreed to foster Macho. He had been rescued by Lucky Dog from a facility in Virginia and went to hang out at a dog daycare (http://www.wagtimedc.com/) in DC. Another Lucky Dog volunteer and her boyfriend drove to DC on the morning of December 18th, picked up a few Lucky Dogs and brought them to Howl (http://www.howlbaltimore.com/Welcome.html) for an adoption event. Macho was supposed to be a 40 pound terrier mix. When he got out of the car, he was around 50 pounds but as soon as I pet his body, I could feel bones. He is a fluffy, furry little dude, so he could hide his protruding bones well. I would say that this is when I fell in love with him, but that would be a lie. I totally fell in love with him when I saw his picture. About a week before December 18th, Lucky Dog asked if there were any fosters who were available to take a dog for the holidays. Especially dogs who were hanging out at the daycare facility. Not only did they want dogs to be warm and cozy for Christmas, but the daycare had paying customers who needed holiday boarding. When I looked at the pictures of the dogs who need fosters, I totally fell in love with Macho. I really had every intention of finding him a home. After I saw how much he loved being pet and cuddled and walked and loved and FED, I just couldn't stand the idea of him living with another family because he just fit in so well with ours. And the icing on the cake was that he and Olive baby love cuddling together AND kitty face Hamilton and Macho got along as well. So...the rest is history. Macho is now 58 or so pounds, the exact healthy weight his doctor (http://www.citypetsvet.com/) wants him to be. He came to us only knowing his name, and is now about to complete his second training class (http://www.yousillydog.com/) and knows all sorts of comands. He is also starting flyball in April. We are so lucky that our Lucky Dog is Macho. Please check out Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/) to see if your Lucky Dog is waiting for you. And come see some Lucky Dogs live and in person (in dog?) in Bmore at the Towson Petsmart (1238 Putty Hill Avenue) on the second Saturday of every month.

Be more lucky, dog!

First blog post. Yay! I always wonder why people blog. It seems silly. Why would anyone care what I have to say? Well here's why...because I'm not just saying, I'm doing! I'm trying to help these wonderful, little Lucky Dogs find awesome, forever homes. When Bianca (the best husky/lab mix the world has ever known) died in September 2010, I decided that I wanted to be a foster parent. My partner, Erik, and I had seen a Lucky Dog Animal Rescue adoption event at Howl in Baltimore and I decided to research their organization. Check them out for yourself (http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/) and you'll see why it was easy to become a Lucky Dog foster parent. I'm sharing these dogs because I want them to have a greater chance of finding the wonderful home that they so deserve. Who knows, one of them might end up with YOU! ;)