Who can complain when your day starts with snuggling a kitten and Sesame Street? Evelynne and Mo seem very happy with their situation.
Fortissimo, aka Mo, will be ready for adoption in less than two weeks! His profile will be going live soon so that he can start accepting adoption applications, but feel free to reach out if you want to beat the rush and feel like you just have to meet him (believe me, you do). Mo is a confident, playful kitten who has been raised with other cats, dogs, and kids. He is super snuggly when he isn't running around entertaining us and will curl up in a little ball on your chest with his purring motor volume on high. He really is everything anyone could want in a kitten!
Applications can be submitted at www.sfcva.org 😺
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#squishyfacecrewva #sfcva #fosterkittensofinstagram #happykitten #purr #availablesoon
What's better than having one Breshike Foster Alum come for a visit? Having three come to play!
This summer has been the season of reunions with some of our foster pups, and I am all about it.
This week we have Lucky (Ladyhawke's puppy originally name Jehan), Buddy (Beatle's puppy, named Bungalow Bill while with us), and Hawk (aka Sparrowhawk, who was already an adult when we started fostering him but has had quite the Glowup since we last saw him). Last week, Buddy's sister, "Long Tall Sally," came to hang with his while her family was on vacation, and in a couple weeks, we will get to pupsit "Gwylan." She has come to stay with us a few times in the since she was adopted and is always a treat.
It does my heart good to see our fosters doing so well and knowing their families trust us with their care while they are traveling!
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#visitors #fosteralumni #sfcvaalumni #goodtoseeyou #dogsitting #pupsitting #welcomeback #didwejustbecomebestfriends
It's time to show the kitty love with a Jive update!
These two weeks with Jive have just flown by! I keep looking at my calendar to verify because it just doesn't feel like it's been that long, but it sure has. Then I think of all that we have accomplished already, and it seems a little more believable.
As a reminder, Jive was brought home by a dog that must have found him nearby. He was tiny, weighing only 200 grams, and was probably just around 2 weeks old. His eyes weren't open yet, and his ears were still mostly folded. Luckily, the pup was very gentle, and no harm came to him other than the fact that he may have been kittennapped while his mom was out looking for food. (My dog Rye would TOTALLY steal a kitten if he knew it was an option, so 🤫).
Jive was understandably unsettled and even gave me some tiny but mighty hisses the first time I reached to take him off his heating pad. Honestly, it was good to see him so spunky. But, that spunk was paired with stubbornness, and he refused the bottle. He screamed like I was trying to poison him every time I attempted to feed him. He fought for over 48 hours, and eventually, I had to pluck up some courage and tube feed him (a new experience for us both). Before each tube feeding, I offered a kitten nipple hoping that he would latch, but he declined every time. This went on for 3 feedings, and then suddenly, the fourth time he latched 🙌 and we haven't looked back since! He has more than doubled in weight and takes his bottles eagerly now.
My favorite thing about Jive is that he purrs non-stop and is the snuggliest little guy. He makes biscuits like a pro and rubs his tiny little head under my chin. He nuzzles and cuddles and makes my heart feel all fuzzy 🤗 This guy went from a fighter to a full-on lover, and I adore him. Whoever gets to adopt him is in for a treat! Jive is the best boy.
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#squishyfacecrewva #sfcva #kittennapped #loverboy #kitten #fosteringsaveslives #lovernotafighter #jive
Yesterday, we had a jam-packed day, and one of the fun things we got to do was take Potato Pancake to an Easter egg hunt just for the pups!
Our neighborhood egg hunt was postponed due to the weather two weekends ago. The kids had a great time at the beginning of the event for their age groups, and then Easter bunny made sure to take hide some eggs for the doggos. This was Po's first time on a leash! The treats were a perfect distraction to get him over the initial bucking puppies do. Potato Pancake showed off his excellent socializing skills and was very happy to meet a variety of friends from pups, kids, and adults.
I think he is eagerly awaiting his next big adventure!
Potato Panacke, affectionately knowns as Po, is an adorable 3.5-month-old Husky/Great Pyrenees and is ready for his forever home through @squishyfacecrewva. Po is a bundle of joy who lives in harmony with other dogs, cats, and young children. He’s a cheerful and playful pup who will bring endless fun and happiness to your life. If you’re looking for a loyal companion to fill your home with love and laughter, Po is the one for you! Applications can be submitted at www.sfcva.org.
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#squishyfacecrewva #fosterpuppy #fredericksburgva #adoptionready #adventurepup
This is Potato Pancake (Po for short), the pup with a heart as golden as his name! From tiny premie to bouncy furball, this little warrior has paddled through Swimmer’s Syndrome with a wag and a smile. His journey isn’t just about survival; it’s a tale of triumph, resilience, and the pure joy of life. He’s not just looking for a home; he’s looking for a hero who sees the extraordinary in the unique. Could that be you?
Po is a 3.5 month old mostly Great Pyrenees/Husky mix, with a couple other breeds sprinkled in, including a dash of wolf! He is available for adoption through @squishyfacecrewva . Po is on track to be a big boy when he is full grown, and he is looking for an adopter who is excited about having a whole lotta dog to love. He is doing great in his foster home with kids, dogs, and cats and makes friends easily. Po is chatty, playful, quite the charmer, and eager to learn.
Submit an application at www.sfcva.org and I will reach out shortly. He is waiting to meet you!
#AdoptPotatoPancake #UniquePup #ResilienceTale #FurryWarrior #TooSweet
Bottle Babies, no more!
Last week, I was able to introduce my two pairs of bottle baby puppies to wet food, and as you can see, they smashed it! Thanks to donations from @kruegsterthepup we were ready for this milestone. For a few days, the puppies were still pretty dependent on their bottles but now are completely on solid food and are starting to experiment with dry kibble.
Thankfully, with the birthday donations you guys sent may way via Amazon and Vemno, I think we will have these guys, Potato Pancake and Janele's crew, well fed for a while. I can't tell you how appreciative I am, but I hope you know that you guys are helping me accomplish great things with your gifts. It truly takes a village, and mine is amazing. Thank you ❤️
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#squishyfacecrewva #obodeathrowdogrescue #grateful #graduate #fosterpuppy
This is hus last step to prepare for his forever home!
I just dropped handsome Baron von Lemon off at @squishyfacecrewva HQ. Today, he will travel to their vet partner, with many other rescue buddies, to have their procedures. I will pick him up when he returns for one last sleep at our house, and then he has a very excited family waiting to meet him Saturday morning.
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#squishyfacecrewva #spayandneuter #bethesolution #laststep #fluffy
Meet Baron von Lemon, aka Baron to all his friends (which is everyone)!
I was originally scheduled to pick up Baron Saturday afternoon, but when I got home and realized that Janele would be making her own additions to the foster crew that night, I postponed until Sunday. So, we only have knewn Baron for a little more than 24 hours, but we are very much enjoying his company!
Baron is about a year old and believed to be an Aussie mix. He is adorably floofy (plan ahead for coat maintenance) and an incredible love bug! He is very polite with everyone here. He enjoys the companionship of the dogs and doesn't really pay much attention to the cats. He REALLY loves the kids! Baron is bouncy and happy but seems to understand that while he can hop around next to the kids, it is important not to jump on them. He settles decently well in his crate, and I haven't convinced him that he is allowed on the couch yet. Baron needs some polish on his leash manners, but he improved immediately when I put a front clip harness on him. He is a derp when it comes to stairs, but he is quickly learning that they aren't as scary as originally perceived. I'm glad he is a quick learner because stairs are a must here, lol.
This handsome fellow will be available to his new home this weekend through @squishyfacecrewva ! I would be so pleased to have his adopters lined up ahead of time. If Baron von Lemon sounds like he is the addition to your home that you have been looking for, head over to www.sfcva.org to fill out an application. He really is worth meeting. You WILL fall in love!
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#squishyfacecrewva #fosterdog #available #floof #aussiemix
Yesterday wasn't Marshmello's adoption day, but the time wasn't wasted!
Marshmello started the event off on the timid side. He was excited and curious but unsure about all the new people approaching him... And then the treats came out 😉 That gave him the motivation to stretch out of his comfort zone, and he learned that making new friends is fun! The foot traffic was on the slower side, probably because a lot of people were still traveling back home from Spring Break trips, and most of the people that came were looking for young puppies. Of course, it would have been ideal if he had found a home, but we took the opportunity to expand Marshmello's knowledge of what the world has to offer. He got lots of positive interactions with an assortment of people. We still have to work on the puppy bouncing when he gets excited (he tries to boop faces when he really likes someone and the boy has a hard noggin'), but in the fours hours we spent at PetSmart there was so much growth. I mean, just look at that focus in the video. There was plenty of activity goung in around him. Marshmello already has a great personality and with a little polish and confidence boosting outside of the house (which is just more positive outings) he is going to be one of those fantastic dogs that everyone raves about!
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#squishyfacecrewva #sfcva #fxbg #fxbgva #virginia #fredericksburgva #virginiaisfordoglovers #virginiaanimalrescue #fosteringsaveslives #foster #fosterdogofinstagram #fosterdog #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop🐾 #spayandneuter #spayandneuteryourpets #stretchandgrow #learningopportunity
PIVOT! (In my best Ross Geller voice).
Well, a lot of being part of animal rescue is being able to adjust and be flexible because there are a lot of things that aren't in our control, especially before we get the animals in our care.
Yesterday afternoon, I heard that the cute yellow Lab looking mom and her spotted puppies were not coming this weekend. During their exam for their health certificate, a requirement for animals moving across state lines, the puppies were found to have Coccidia. Unfortunately, the vet couldn't sign off on the cert until they are treated and cleared. So, we don't know when they will be ready. Coccidia can be tricky.
Just a little while ago, the director of @squishyfacecrewva reached out to see if I would be willing to take in this momma-to-be. She is sitting at the shelter that the SFC animals go for the weekly spay/neuter run. They think she will be delivering any day. How could I say no to that sweet Pittie face?! So, we are pivoting.
Tonight, I will bring her home and get her settled. She will have a safe and quiet nursery ready for her when the puppies are ready to come into the world. The other mom and puppies will still come to SFC when they are able, so she is not forgotten about either.
If you have purchased donations, don't worry they will be put to good use 😉
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#squishyfacecrewva #sfcva #fxbg #fxbgva #virginia #fredericksburgva #virginiaisfordoglovers #virginiaanimalrescue #fosteringsaveslives #foster #fosterdogofinstagram #fosterdog #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop🐾 #spayandneuter #spayandneuteryourpets #momtobe #incoming
Bottle Babies!
I posted in my Story last weekend that I had taken these guys in, but then I got so busy scheduling meet-and-greets for Tippi, her bunch, and Connor... and sneaking a nap here and there... that I never made a post about them. With feedings every two hours, this little duo alone has been keeping me pretty busy.
This brother and sister pair are 11 days old now, but when I met them last Saturday, they were super fresh at only a day old. They are my youngest bottle babies yet! (I feel like if I got them any younger, I would need to be at the scene of delivery).
Piccolo and Penny Whistle are just two of an eight German Shepherd mix litter who found themselves needing help. Their mom had been hit by a car and has a severe injury to her hip that will take extensive recovery time. She did not have enough milk to sustain the puppies, so the only way they were going to survive was to find bottle feeders. @squishyfacecrewva was reached out to see if they were able to assist, and I was excited to jump in. My neonate nest was empty 😅 There is another pair with SFC being cared for by a different foster momma, and another rescue group took the other four.
I'm excited to share their story as they grow and develop during their 2 months here. Make sure you follow along!
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#squishyfacecrewva #sfcva #fxbg #fxbgva #virginia #fredericksburgva #virginiaisfordoglovers #virginiaanimalrescue #fosteringsaveslives #foster #fosterpuppyofinstagram #fosterpuppy #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop🐾 #spayandneuter #spayandneuteryourpets #bottlebabies #germanshepherdmix
How do I feel about my foster pets being returned?
Generally, it makes me sad, mainy because I know it's going to be a big shift for the animal. It doesn't anger me like I see so many people react, though I have to admit some of the reasons we hear bring frustrations. I do my best not to judge the owners. I know I don't get the whole story, I don't ask the prying questions, which is weird for me because I'm a detail oriented person. It's not my place to lay judgment or make people feel guilty. It's likely they are already beating themselves up. I don't ask a lot of questions because it doesn't really matter to me what the reasons are. I do try to emphasize with the families, but my biggest focus is how to be there to support my foster. In most cases, by the time they reach out to me about returning, the decision has been made, and it's time to plan for the future of my foster baby.
I didn't get the opportunity to be there for Marshmello's big life shift. Sadly, for whatever reason, the family that adopted him as a young puppy didn't reach out to me to tell me they could no longer care for him. Instead, they dropped him off at a shelter, and his microchip was traced back to the rescue. I'm not interested in bashing anyone. Truly, my assessment of Marshmello is that he has been well cared for. His vaccinations were up-to-date, his coat is nice, his nails are trimmed, and his body weight is good. He is not an abused or neglected dog. He needs a little polishing with his manners and socialization, but he is a good dog. I imagine the decision to let him go wasn't an easy one. (If you are reading this, I wish you well. We've got Marshmello, he'll be ok.)
Marshmello needed to decompress after the @squishyfacecrewva director picked him up from the shelter. Remember, this is a dog that had never experienced that environment. He was born at our house and then adopted into a home. Marshmello required five people to help load him into the van. He was terrified. This was not