Pack Fit

Pack Fit Training dogs. Empowering people. Changing lives. TM
(Words are mine...not AI) Pack Fit was born out of necessity. You see, I, too, had a "problem dog". A mission.

Lobo was his name, and- little did I know- he would become one of my greatest teachers and alter the trajectory of my entire course of life. After thousands of dollars spent, the inability of a number of different "trainers" to help, much stress and anxiety, misunderstanding of him and his behaviors (https://packfit.net/lobos-story/), and a grim ending to our story, I set out to learn everything I

could about dog psychology, behavior, communication, and how to create and nurture balance and relationship so no one else had to live this reality again. Lobo still very much lives on through each client I work with and everything I do today. Pack Fit specializes in behavioral prevention and modification (e.g. aggression, social anxiety, separation anxiety, fear, nervousness, destructiveness, leash pulling, leash reactivity, nuisance barking, bullying, "selective hearing", containment phobia, etc), and you can learn more about us here:

www.packfit.net

We have 3 books out for purchase, as well as 5 online courses:

My Dog, My Buddha (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and all other major outlets)

The Zen of Dog Training: Behavioral Impact Series (eBook: https://payhip.com/PackFit)

Puppyhood: What to Expect When Expecting (Canine Edition)

Online Courses (K9 Essentials, What to Feed Your Dog... and Why, Training the Whole Dog, Nosework for the Home Dog, and My Dog, My Buddha- expanded version of the book)

http://packfit.thinkific.com

PackFit is truly more than a business. It's a working message. And a movement.

We've been very hard at work. This, and I've been feeling more run down than usual as of late. The puppies have graduate...
02/17/2025

We've been very hard at work. This, and I've been feeling more run down than usual as of late.

The puppies have graduated from the whelping box to the puppy pen and now to their very own individual crates.

We're in the beginning stages of potty training the puppies, who are also pretty much completely weaned now - though they still catch a quick suckle on Ava since she's still with them.

Ava came to us already potty trained- so she had to have lived in a home at some point in her short life. She's such an incredible dog (and I really don't say this lightly as I've known and worked with countless dogs)... although it doesn't matter now, I still wish I knew her story.

At any rate, here's how the day begins now...

Wake.

Cowboy immediately outside to eliminate then crated.

The rest of our crew outside to eliminate.

9 bowls of food prepared and doled out.

Bowls collected and cleaned.

Ava and the puppies (incl. Cowboy) out to the backyard.

Crates checked for eliminations and cleaned.

Laundry starts.

Steve and I tag team supervision in the back so we can get our coffee, eat breakfast, and do kid runs.

After an hour+, puppies rinsed off and put in their individual crates with a gullet stick or frozen Kong (Cowboy with us in his crate).

I sit down to make a post sharing puppy pics and videos with fingers crossed their special human sees them...and begging for help.

Pack walk with our crew + Ava.

Ava and puppies eat lunch.

Puppy play time in backyard and in Ava family area.

After an hour+, puppies return to crates and everyone gets a gullet stick or a frozen Kong.

Steve and I clean the house and do whatever we need to do.

Afternoon pack walk with our crew and Ava.

Puppies out of crates and head to back yard again for elimination and play.

Everyone returns to crates and it's dinner time for all.

Puppies out for elimination.

Puppies return to crates with frozen Kong or gullet stick.

We eat dinner.

Our crew out for last night elimination and get a gullet stick.

Ava and puppies out for last night elimination and gullet stick or frozen Kong.

WE CRASH.

We're tired. This is the most meaningful-but-exhausting work I've done yet. No board and train I've done (even aggression and an anxiety cases) touches this.

We're hemorrhaging money *we don't have* to keep everything going and see this all the way through.

Tomorrow there's another vet appointment. We were quoted $828.94. This would be for Ava's physical, titer test, the puppies' first round of vaccinations, and microchips.

Ava needs to get her spay, y'all... and this is going to be another $800+.

We're spending - just for Ava and the 4 puppies (Ava recently cut back to eating 3x a day- though she'll be cutting back to 2x a day once the babies stop snacking on her)- about $450 weekly on average. $750 weekly including our own dogs. I won't be able to stop begging for help and support until beautiful Ava and her precious puppies find their forever humans.... or, at least, dedicated and willing fosters.

They eat : Smallbatch pets frozen food, freeze dried food, Answers Pet Food raw goat's milk, and Green Juju bone broth. Yes, I understand I could feed them McDonald's and that I'm choosing not to. This is for several reasons, and each dog will be reaching their new humans in exceptional health.

We desperately need help with food, funding for vet care, and helping these amazing little souls find their committed, responsible, invested, engaged, loving people. Can you share their plight, please? We will adopt (or even send to foster) out of state to people we know and/or past | present clients of PackFit in the DC|VA|MD area.

Are there any agility folks out there looking for their next agility star? Rocco's your man! (the long, lean, beautiful black, white, tan tri-colored pup)

Any water loving peeps who paddle board? Surf? Swim? W***y's your guy! (the big fuzzy, snuggly guy whose father, I swear, was a teddy bear)

They've all been introduced to nose work (and love it!), and also have an early socialization obstacle course we built for them in the backyard.

These are critical months for a young dog as far as socialization and exposure goes, so everyone will have a very solid foundation - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Every single dog comes with training, coaching, and guidance ***for the life of the dogs***, which will save people thousands of dollars. Not just in training, but in *prevention* since it's far better to equip and set up on the front end than rehab on the back end (plus it comes with far less stress and struggle).

Every dog is, very much, an individual and all will have their little quirks and funny ways- but learning exactly what they need from us and what | how to provide goes a very, VERY long way.

Dogs do not come to us pre-programmed, so it's important *we* learn what we need to know in order to teach and equip them with what *they* need to know and understand.

Thanks, in most part, to their diet and our close attention to their gut and immune health, the vet reported absolutely no parasites or worms during her last visit, which is - not only uncommon for puppies, but especially for strays.

I understand there's a great deal of need out there right now and the world is in a precarious place... but it's not enough to pull dogs in need off the street and call it "rescue." Rescue is a daily effort... and this effort is still going with no end it sight right now.

To those who've supported our efforts thus far, I deeply and sincerely thank you. Every single dollar, every single bag of food, every single carton of raw goat's milk, every single bag of gullet sticks..... it's all such a huge help.

We've been using any extra bowls we may have laying around for individual puppy bowls now that they're eating on their own, but I added 2 sets of 2 bowls and crate blanketing to the Amazon Wish List.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LTPNJNCPUG9J?ref_=wl_share

If anyone can help with food costs and vet care funding, it's so needed and can get to us in a few ways:

1) GoFundMe : https://gofund.me/3ef19a44

and

2) Venmo : Kimberly-Artley-2

We've been wanting to hold a meet and greet event at the local grooming and boarding place Steve takes his Huskies--- but to rent their social space for a private event is $125 per hour.

I'll be setting up a PetFinder profile for each of them, as well.

Thank you all for riding this out with us and helping us see this rescue effort appropriately, respectfully, and lovingly through.

www.packfit.net

If anyone can help, we're down to our last bag of puppy food and last 3 bags of adult food (which will go quickly). We'v...
02/14/2025

If anyone can help, we're down to our last bag of puppy food and last 3 bags of adult food (which will go quickly). We've been spending $750 every week to feed everyone and desperately need help with food. This and Ava will still need her spay, titer test, and the puppies their first round of vaccinations. We're bleeding money we do not have, and this rescue effort not having an end in sight is weighing heavily. We didn't have the space to take in 1 more adult dog and 5 neonates, let alone 5 quickly-growing puppies. Again, not complaining... we just need help in keeping this up. The puppies are growing very quickly.

We've only managed to find a permanent home for one pup, though it looks like another may be on their way to their new home soon.

I'm doing all I can to avoid feeding them McDonald's every meal (aka "kibble", "dry food") as they're all in exceptional health (gut, immune, etc) at the moment. Feeding health and ensuring they reach their humans with an outstanding foundation is the goal I started out with, and reached... but need to maintain.

Please, please help if you can. This has turned into a very costly rescue venture, and there's no end point in sight. We took this family in to keep them out of harm's way and prevent them from going to the shelter (where the babies would more than likely have gotten sick and/ or the entire family euthanized).

We need to find homes for Ava, Rocco, and W***y. They're getting way too big for our space now.

Being a typical high drive Catahoula (and one who didn't receive proper socialization/ exposure/ equipping at a very critical point in her life), I feel Ava would adjust best in a home with an athletic | active human and where she's the only dog. While I believe with the right education, tools, training, human(s), time, and energy we can make great strides with most anything, people typically want easy and effortless. She does amazing on our pack walks with the other dogs, but - given our extreme limitations, constraints, and the exceptional amount of energy going towards all the puppies (while trying to reserve some for our other 4 dogs) - she hasn't been tested off leash with them.

Rocco would be an *amazing* agility dog!!! Are there any agility | sports dog folks out there who want a beautiful future agility star? Aside from his persistent and athletic nature, he's incredibly sweet and eager to learn. Rocco is the only one no one's asked about...is it because of his coloring?? "Black Dog Syndrome"?? I don't know... I think he's absolutely beautiful with his black, white, and tan markings.

W***y is our resident water pup. This boy loves, loves, loves the water. He's partially vision impaired, but this doesn't slow him down at all. He's very sweet, curious, and just melts in your arms. Have a pool?

There are links to order puppy food in our Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LTPNJNCPUG9J?ref_=wl_share

The Raw Goat's Milk, Green Juju Bone Broth, and Smallbatch and/or Steve's Real Food Frozen food (for Ava) can be ordered from our local pet food store here:

Phone: (951) 461-0001

We desperately, desperately need funding for Ava's spay, titer test, and the puppies' first vaccination rounds.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Thank you for past and any present | future support and help, and happy Valentine's Day

Chicken, our little deaf pup, went to his forever home today with Steve's eldest daughter and her partner (who's also ha...
02/12/2025

Chicken, our little deaf pup, went to his forever home today with Steve's eldest daughter and her partner (who's also hard of hearing and knows sign language). The first to leave the roost. So bittersweet and he's already missed-- especially by W***y, but we're so, so incredibly happy for all of them! We *know*- without a doubt- Chicken's going to be SO, so well-loved and committed to **for life**.

We also have some special people coming by tomorrow to meet the rest of the crew, with the intention of adding a new family member.

This has been one of the most challenging, yet educational and rewarding experiences of my life, and we **sincerely** thank you all of you who contributed to this effort. We couldn't have done this without you. Because of the combined efforts and compassionate hearts of us all, these gentle, beautiful souls are safe, healthy, and in loving hands… and always will be.

We still need big help with funding. I mention this every single post, because we still desperately need it. We don't know how long the others will remain with us or how long it's going to take to find them their special humans. We currently spend $2800K a month on food alone and still need to get Ava her spay, titer test, and start the pups on their first round of vaccinations. They still need our help, and we still need your help. Every single dollar counts and means the world, and no contribution is too small. Please help if you can.

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3ef19a44

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Fingers crossed more of these guys' (and gals') special humans see them and inquire

Hi, everyone. Our last food run was just 6 days, which was over $600. We’ve spent nearly $2800 in food just this month t...
02/10/2025

Hi, everyone.

Our last food run was just 6 days, which was over $600. We’ve spent nearly $2800 in food just this month to feed everyone.

These guys and gals also have a squeaky clean bill of health. No parasites, no worms- which is not the norm for puppies or rescues. The vet even stated they were “in exceptional health”…which I’d really like to continue nurturing.

We need to find everyone loving, committed, responsible homes. This crew has such a solid foundation set- health and behaviorally speaking, as we’ve poured our hearts, finances, time, and energy into making this so.

We really need funding help.

We desperately need help with food.

Ava still needs her spay. That’ll be another $800 since we’re not going to a low cost but higher risk spay and neuter clinic.

We also need to make a vet appt for Ava’s titer test (before vaccinating since we don’t know her history), and the pups’ first round of vaccinations.

These guys and gals are ready for their special humans.

They’re outgrowing our space fast and we’re struggling to keep up.

Please, please contribute to our efforts if you can. We still need the help.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Gofundme: https://gofund.me/3ef19a44

If you’d like to sponsor food, the pet food store’s phone number is in the comments.

And if you’re interested in one of these precious little souls as a foster or a lifelong companion, contact me at: [email protected].

02/08/2025

(click video to watch full version and volume up :))

I can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since Ava and her precious babies came into our lives.

They're all growing so fast... and outgrowing our space fast.

We really need help finding them their special humans.

And we also desperately need funding and food help.

Ava eats Smallbatch, Steve's Real Food, and Answers (frozen | raw) pet food, and the pups eat a gruel mixture I make with Smallbatch freeze dried food, Answers raw goat's milk, and Green Juju bone broth. Our pet food store will take donation orders for us: (951) 461-0001 (talk to "Jay" if he's available).

Ava will need to get her spay soon - as well as a titer test so we can determine what vaccinations she needs (if any), and the pups need to start their first round of vaccinations.

Please, please help if you can. Every single dollar counts.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Of course, feel free to share their plight. It just might reach the screen of their special someone ❤

www.packfit.net

02/08/2025

Trainers: do we know anyone in Ramseur, NC? 🐾

…..waiting for our special, forever humans or fosters. 🐾🫶🏼🤎
02/06/2025

…..waiting for our special, forever humans or fosters. 🐾🫶🏼🤎

02/06/2025

(volume up)

🌟 Support a Beautiful Cause While Sharing a Special Story 🌟

Did you know that 100% of proceeds from all book sales, 1:1 work, digital courses, masterclasses, merch, and more go directly toward supporting our little foster family? 💕🐾

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our heartfelt children’s books: Pieces in Heaven 📖✨

This beautiful story explores the incredible human-canine bond, the journey through pet loss, and the process of grief. Though it’s designed for children, it speaks to the hearts of all ages. 🐶💛

Every purchase not only shares this moving story, but also helps us continue to provide care and love to our foster family.

📚 Grab a copy for yourself and/or a friend today, and be a part something really special...

(Signed and Personalized) https://www.packfit.net/books-and-ebooks

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gbwhYj

(We're so proud to say the book is receiving 5 star reviews, too!)



----------

Videos and pictures of our foster dog, 2 yr old beautiful Ava, and her 5 babies on the PackFit FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/PackFit2014/

02/06/2025

A day in the life...

Everyone is ready for their special humans to find them now.

The puppies are growing very fast, making the space they're in smaller and smaller.

Ava is a Catahoula, and this breed is not for everyone. She'll need someone who's willing to meet her needs as the strong energy, front-of-the-pack, athletic, drivey gal she is (meaning a strong energy, physically active, and mentally proactive). These dogs don't fare well living in the unemployment line and are not couch potatoes (though she'd be the perfect couch potato after a day of activity and work!). Ava's soft and sweet just as much as she is tough and resilient. I have the utmost respect for her. It's this combination that helped her survive in the middle of the desert.

The fathers (I believe there are more than one) of the puppies are suspected bully and Aussie Shepherd mixes.

Regardless, they're absolutely precious and as sweet as they come.

We're following Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination protocol and I'm proud to say that, although it's very typical for puppies to have parasites and worms at this age ... the vet confirmed there's no trace of them! I'd learned how to control fleas, ticks, and parasites naturally years ago (after the untimely death of my dog, Tucker, from the vet recommended flea and tick preventatives I was using on him), so this is what I do (and teach my clients to do) with all my dogs.

We're investing a lot in their health and development (from $600 - $700 food bills every 8 days to their socialization obstacle course in the back yard) as it's important they reach their people in exceptional health.

We also offering professional training, coaching, and guidance for the *life of each pup*. This is part of our commitment to them... and to the people who welcome them into their hearts and homes. This will also save their humans thousands of dollars, and a ton of stress- when it comes to behavior. Far better to prevent than rehabilitate.

The puppies are growing fast and we need to find good, responsible, **committed**, invested, dedicated, loving homes or foster homes for this family.

Puppies are a LOT of work **if you're doing it right**, and the bulk of "dog training" is training and equipping the humans responsible for raising, teaching, guiding, and providing for the dog.

Each will come with:

-vaccinations (following Dr. Jean Dodds' protocol)
-vet papers for each pup
-early socialization
-lifetime training, guidance, and support from PackFit Dog
Training and Behavior
- nutritional guidance
-anything the individual pup may be bonded to (toys, blankets, etc)
- contractual agreement and security that, if for any reason, the pup can no longer be cared for, they be returned to us.

These amazing dogs will always have a home with us.

If this effort speaks to you, and if you're willing and able, Ava will still need her spay, titer test before vax, and the puppies will need to start their first vax rounds.

We also desperately need help to continue feeding (!!!).

Links for the Adoption and Foster Application, as well as how to financially support, in the Comments below.

Thank you.... it's my deepest and sincerest hope we can find these precious souls their human unicorns.

www.packfit.net

02/03/2025

Don’t forget- there’s a private FB group for donors with nothing but pix and videos of these guys.

If you’ve graciously supported our effort, we’d love to see you in there!

Here’s the link: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1170246181186934/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr

…and a new video. I got this hard plastic pool to put a bunch of hard plastic balls in… Unfortunately, this pool that came to me is flimsy unless filled with water. So… so much for that 🙂

W***y was number one to dive in. Rocco was number two, and Cowboy….will he or won’t he?? 🤠🐾 (other videos and comments)

——

Interested in adopting or fostering? Please email me! [email protected]

If this effort speaks to you and you’re willing and able, please consider helping us through funding. It’s being used for daily feeding (Ava eats 4x a day, and puppies are currently being weaned), Ava’s spay for after the pups are fully weaned, Ava’s titers before vax (then vac if necessary), the spike in our utilities (gas and water) from running the washer and dryer non stop, etc. This is a LOT of work, and we really need the support.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Thanks so much for taking this journey with us…they’ve come a very long way from being found at the the organic waste mgmt facility.

The first year of ANY dog's life is a most critical one for many reasons. Between approx. 8 and 16 weeks of age, they ac...
02/02/2025

The first year of ANY dog's life is a most critical one for many reasons.

Between approx. 8 and 16 weeks of age, they achieve the most significant foundational development: physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is a small window of time, and - unfortunately- many miss it.

As behavioral specialists, we're *huge* on prevention (though most of our work is rehabilitation), making proper socialization one of our highest priorities with puppies.

While puppies come into the world hard-wired with certain traits and characteristics, these can be up-played or downplayed through proper socialization, training, and - of course- *the human end of the leash* (*who* is raising them and what they're bringing to the table).

Does socialization mean "playing with other dogs?"

No.

"Play" is a type of conversation and should be a balanced exchange.

"Playfulness" is a characteristic. Not all dogs are playful.

Socialization simply means *exposure.* Safe, controlled, appropriate exposure. Think different: people, animals, sounds, places, things, textures, environments, etc.

Proper socialization plays a huge role in the creation of certain filters and the prevention of certain behaviors, while **improper** socialization also does the same.

Human misunderstanding of socialization and improper socialization are two of the leading causes of problematic behaviors.

The 4 most common mistakes people make in regards to this are puppy | dog raisers:

1. not learning about proper socialization,

2. waiting too late and missing that critical window of time,

3. ***going to a public dog park,*** and

4. overlooking at-home socialization.

Ava and her puppies are ready to find their special, forever humans now.

We're doing everything we can to ensure they're in exceptional health (through the best, clean, biologically appropriate diets), and they're not missing that critical socialization window.

I don't know what Ava's life was like before being found under that metal trash container at the organic waste management facility. She's nearly 2 years of age, and - given what I've seen- she didn't have a human who invested in her development. It's evident she didn't receive proper socialization and, therefore, has certain perceptions we've been working on reframing and redefining. What I do know about her is this: she's the single most affectionate dog I've ever known, and is just as sweet as she is tough. She's high drive, incredibly intuitive, sensitive, and intelligent- and it takes no time to teach her something new. She's a stunning dog, and a tough, resilient girl. I have the utmost respect for her, and it's been such an honor to help her (and her babies) on her | their life's journey.

The pups are 8 weeks old now. They've all been around different people, and have been running around and exploring the back yard for a few weeks now. This week, we're building a socialization obstacle course in the back yard for them (which I'm really excited about).

We're still desperately need help with funding and food.

Ava eats 4x a day. She also needs to be titer tested before receiving any vaccinations (to see if she still has antibodies from her last round of vaccinations in her system... if she ever had any), and spayed after the pups are fully weaned.

The puppies are eating real food now, and will have to get their first round of vaccinations soon (we're following Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination protocol, as I have with all my dogs).

Our utilities have shot up over $100 a month (gas, water, electric).

We're doing everything we can for this little family, and working so hard to ensure they reach their families in exceptional health and with a strong behavioral foundation.

Each dog comes with **lifetime** training, coaching, and support by yours truly. This is part of my continued commitment to them.

This is *a lot* of work, but it's needed, necessary, and has been so very rewarding on many levels.

If this effort speaks to you and you're able- please, please help us continue to help them if you can.

We don't know how long it will take to help these precious souls find their forever humans - or even a good foster home, and every single dollar means something.

100% of of PackFit's book sales, 1:1 work, digital courses and masterclasses, etc. is also going towards this family and their care.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

If interested in adoption or fostering, please contact Kimberly at: [email protected]

www.packfit.net

02/01/2025

Canine communication oftentimes gets misinterpreted by people.

It's been fascinating to watch Ava parent and teach.

Discipline, rules and boundaries, and *clear* communication are often lacking in a great many human-canine dynamics, which is why so many dogs struggle behaviorally.

Many dogs are confused, many lines are gray and blurred, and
most communication is mixed and unclear (due to our lack of understanding of exactly how to. Hint: goes far above and beyond verbal. In fact, I teach my clients to use far less "verbal fluff").

In the beginning, Rocco (the black pup) blasted onto the scene with the strongest energy of the crew.

He also got "yelled at" the most by Ava : P

Since then, his personality and demeanor has softened, and I also - even as young as he is- see him thinking, choosing, and behaving differently.

Chicken (the white deaf pup) and W***y (the fuzzy lil' teddy bear, partially blind pup) have the strongest energies of the crew by far. Because of this, Ava's communication and discipline tends to be stronger in terms of intensity.

There's a yin and yang to discipline, meaning the working balance of both positive and negative consequence. BOTH teach and clarify, and BOTH are needed.

Proper and effective parenting uses the balance of both, varying the approach to the receiving individual. In each these cases, we see how Ava varied her approach to more effectively speak to the different energy, individual pups: Chicken, Rocco, and Winnie.

------

**Ava and her pups are looking for their forever humans and are ready for their new homes (or foster homes)! We've gotten to know each of them individually, and understand what their best human matches would be. If you'd like to inquire about any of them, please complete the adoption application here: https://forms.gle/WXzE3CifPqDjr4tQ7 **

www.packfit.net

Not up for adoption... but I wanted to give a loving nod and shout-out to these 4 monkeys. They've been so wonderful and...
01/31/2025

Not up for adoption... but I wanted to give a loving nod and shout-out to these 4 monkeys. They've been so wonderful and gracious as our time and energy has been significantly split (weighing heavily in Ava and the babies' favor).

Some of you may already know who my 2 were before blending : Ronin and Franklin.

Ronin, 2.5 yrs, is the dark chocolate brown fella'. He came into the pack a few months after the (completely) devastating loss of my Chip in 2022. Me and the rest of my oldies (Raiyna, Todd, Levi, and Franklin) piled in the Jeep and drove from DC to Oregon and back to get him. Chip was sending us (very clear) signs he was still with us all along the way.

Franklin, 12.5 yrs, is a former client. Came to me with severe aggression back in 2019. Although he was making progress with his training, his family didn't feel comfortable hanging onto him and keeping it up. So, I offered to foster him until I found his human. We didn't meet Steve until 4 years later... but his (other) human was definitely found. He and Steve have a beautiful (... and crazy and funny) bond. Some may even call it an unhealthy attachment on Frank's part (lol)... but they're quite the duo. The painting is one of the gifts I got Steve for his recent birthday (still makes me laugh every time I see it).

The Huskies, Loki - by the fire place | Artie / Artemis - curled up with Ronin, were Steve's two dogs before blending. Loki's about 10? 11? yrs old, and Artie's about 8 yrs. Two of the most UN-Husky Huskies I've ever known, and just amazing dogs.

This is our crew, and I'm so grateful for their resiliency and adaptability as things continue to shift and change (this is all Frank and Ronin have known since being with me post-COVID)

This is challenging.The babies are much bigger now, and everyone is ready for their forever families..... but there's on...
01/28/2025

This is challenging.

The babies are much bigger now, and everyone is ready for their forever families..... but there's only confirmed placement for one pup, Chicken (the deaf white pup with the multi-colored eye patch).

I'm so thankful we could do this for this little family, but not knowing where they're going to go... how much longer they'll be here... how much longer we're going to have to financially support their feeding and care.... etc. is starting to weigh heavily.

We didn't have the space to do this, but made the space- and took this family on to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands, getting sick and likely euthanized for space in any of the always-packed-beyond-the-gills animal shelters, and get them to safety. We also took them in to support Ava physically and emotionally- so she could just focus on raising and teaching her pups without stress, not knowing where her next meal was coming from, fear, and any extra strain on her nervous system.

"Rescue" didn't stop when they got here to safety... no. The effort is still ongoing. We still need to find them all GOOD, committed, invested, loving homes.

The problem is... we haven't been able to do this.

There's an insane amount of dog fraud going on in the world right now... especially here in CA ("dog flipping", backyard breeding, collecting bait dogs for dog fighting, unethical rescue operations, etc.), and I'm doing my best to protect them from this.

I also want to protect them from ending up in homes who re-home, abandon, surrender to shelters, etc. the second "life" changes (moving, new baby, new job, etc).

This is why the application asks so many questions.

I understand not everyone will feel the way I feel about dogs... but I do know these people exist. I know they're out there. And I've got to hold hope that there are responsible, loving, committed people out there looking to add an angel to their heart, their family, and home.

Rocco is such a fun, playful, and handsome little man. He's also a *total* mama's boy. He's got a high pack drive, which is good to see. He'd be such an amazing addition to a family.

(One Eyed) W***y (named after the pirate in one of my childhood favorite movies, "The Goonies") has one eye that's smaller than the other and is vision impaired.... but this doesn't slow him down at all. His coat is long, soft, and he loves to snuggle. He's like a live teddy bear.

Cowboy, the runt of the litter who had a super rough and unfortunate start, may very well be staying with us... I swear to you he's my beloved Toddie reincarnated. This isn't a guess, but an intuitive knowing.

Winnie (Guinnevere) is such a beautiful little girl. Medium in energy, high pack drive, and has such a lovely disposition.

And Ava... beautiful, sweet, sensitive and incredibly intuitive Ava. I have the utmost respect and an exceptional amount of adoration for this girl. At not even 2 years old -- and who knows how on earth she became a girl living on the streets and in survival mode-- she was smart enough to birth her babies where she knew humans would be every day. It's apparent she didn't have proper socialization (*exposure*) in her life and didn't live in an urban neighborhood, and - given our restrictions- we're doing our best to help redefine some things. She, too, has a very high pack drive, as well as a high prey (predatory; close to the level of my Levi's prey drive) and defense drive (defense includes: fight, flight, freezing up, hoodwinking, and avoidance, and is the drive dogs slide into when they feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or threatened). I'll need to find someone committed to continuing what we've started (with help, of course).

Every member of this beautiful family comes with vet papers (the vet was remarking on how amazing a job we've done nutritionally and health-wise... and there was zero evidence of any parasites! Uncommon with puppies, and especially with rescues), and will receive **lifelong** nutritional and health, obedience, behavioral, and everything-else guidance, coaching, and training, which will save them thousands of dollars. I've invested a great deal of blood, sweat, tears, and finances to get to where I am today... even suffering a few tragedies with my dogs along the way. I sincerely want to equip the people raising these guys to help them avoid what I went through many years ago, and what many clients experience prior to finding us.

Prevention, and learning what we need to learn so we can teach, guide, and help our dogs learn what we need and want them to learn... is key. Far better to set them up early on, than rehab later.

We need help with finding them their people. Good people who understand, and will honor and respect the responsibility they're undertaking.

Teaching, training, and equipping a dog isn't just our responsibility to them, but our social responsibility, as well.

The onus falls upon us to teach them what they need to understand and know to share our world and lives with us... to teach them how to be the dog we expect them to be.... and understanding no dog comes to us "pre-programmed".

We still need help.... funding... food.... and finding their forever families. Please, please help us see this all the way through if you can. We wouldn’t have even been able to get this far without you all. So, for this, I thank you.

[email protected]

Address

Murrieta, CA
92562

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pack Fit posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pack Fit:

Videos

(click video to watch full version and volume up :)) I can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since Ava and her precious babies came into our lives. They're all growing so fast... and outgrowing our space fast. We really need help finding them their special humans. And we also desperately need funding and food help. Ava eats Smallbatch, Steve's Real Food, and Answers (frozen | raw) pet food, and the pups eat a gruel mixture I make with Smallbatch freeze dried food, Answers raw goat's milk, and Green Juju bone broth. Our pet food store will take donation orders for us: (951) 461-0001 (talk to "Jay" if he's available). Ava will need to get her spay soon - as well as a titer test so we can determine what vaccinations she needs (if any), and the pups need to start their first round of vaccinations. Please, please help if you can. Every single dollar counts. Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2 Of course, feel free to share their plight. It just might reach the screen of their special someone ❤ www.packfit.net #rescuedog #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #fosterssavelives #fosterdog #adoptadog #dogs #adoptyourbestfriend #PACKFIT

(volume up) 🌟 Support a Beautiful Cause While Sharing a Special Story 🌟 Did you know that 100% of proceeds from all book sales, 1:1 work, digital courses, masterclasses, merch, and more go directly toward supporting our little foster family? 💕🐾 Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our heartfelt children’s books: Pieces in Heaven 📖✨ This beautiful story explores the incredible human-canine bond, the journey through pet loss, and the process of grief. Though it’s designed for children, it speaks to the hearts of all ages. 🐶💛 Every purchase not only shares this moving story, but also helps us continue to provide care and love to our foster family. 📚 Grab a copy for yourself and/or a friend today, and be a part something really special... (Signed and Personalized) https://www.packfit.net/books-and-ebooks Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gbwhYj (We're so proud to say the book is receiving 5 star reviews, too!) #PiecesInHeaven #fosterfamily #petlovers #griefandhealing #supportwithlove #petloss #childrensbooks #petlossgrief #rainbowbridge #rainbowbridgedogs #ittakesavillage #rescuedog #fosterdog #fosterssavelives ---------- Videos and pictures of our foster dog, 2 yr old beautiful Ava, and her 5 babies on the PackFit FB page: https://www.facebook.com/PackFit2014/

A day in the life... Everyone is ready for their special humans to find them now. The puppies are growing very fast, making the space they're in smaller and smaller. Ava is a Catahoula, and this breed is not for everyone. She'll need someone who's willing to meet her needs as the strong energy, front-of-the-pack, athletic, drivey gal she is (meaning a strong energy, physically active, and mentally proactive). These dogs don't fare well living in the unemployment line and are not couch potatoes (though she'd be the perfect couch potato after a day of activity and work!). Ava's soft and sweet just as much as she is tough and resilient. I have the utmost respect for her. It's this combination that helped her survive in the middle of the desert. The fathers (I believe there are more than one) of the puppies are suspected bully and Aussie Shepherd mixes. Regardless, they're absolutely precious and as sweet as they come. We're following Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination protocol and I'm proud to say that, although it's very typical for puppies to have parasites and worms at this age ... the vet confirmed there's no trace of them! I'd learned how to control fleas, ticks, and parasites naturally years ago (after the untimely death of my dog, Tucker, from the vet recommended flea and tick preventatives I was using on him), so this is what I do (and teach my clients to do) with all my dogs. We're investing a lot in their health and development (from $600 - $700 food bills every 8 days to their socialization obstacle course in the back yard) as it's important they reach their people in exceptional health. We also offering professional training, coaching, and guidance for the *life of each pup*. This is part of our commitment to them... and to the people who welcome them into their hearts and homes. This will also save their humans thousands of dollars, and a ton of stress- when it comes to behavior. Far better to prevent than rehabilitate. The puppies are growing fast

Don’t forget- there’s a private FB group for donors with nothing but pix and videos of these guys. If you’ve graciously supported our effort, we’d love to see you in there! Here’s the link: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1170246181186934/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr …and a new video. I got this hard plastic pool to put a bunch of hard plastic balls in… Unfortunately, this pool that came to me is flimsy unless filled with water. So… so much for that 🙂 Willy was number one to dive in. Rocco was number two, and Cowboy….will he or won’t he?? 🤠🐾 (other videos and comments) —— Interested in adopting or fostering? Please email me! [email protected] If this effort speaks to you and you’re willing and able, please consider helping us through funding. It’s being used for daily feeding (Ava eats 4x a day, and puppies are currently being weaned), Ava’s spay for after the pups are fully weaned, Ava’s titers before vax (then vac if necessary), the spike in our utilities (gas and water) from running the washer and dryer non stop, etc. This is a LOT of work, and we really need the support. Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2 Thanks so much for taking this journey with us…they’ve come a very long way from being found at the the organic waste mgmt facility.

This morning started with a blessing from above – rain! 🌧️ After a year-long drought, it feels like a miracle for our area. But the rain wasn’t the only adventure of the day... When we walked into the puppy pen this morning, we were hit with another round of Poo-mageddon💩... and we were off and running. I pottied our 4 dogs, fed them, and cleaned their bowls. Then I pottied and fed Ava, fed the puppies in the whelping box while we cleaned the pen (which they can climb out of now, but feeding distracts them from trying to jump ship), cleaned everyone's bowls, and took the entire family outside to experience their very first rain. It was precious watching them take in this new-but-magical wet stuff falling from the sky. At first, it was sensory overload: sensation, scent, sight, movement.... it was obvious Ava didn't have much experience with it, as well. Once they all realized it was nothing to worry about, they were off to the races : splashing around the puddles, running through the mud, rolling in any loose dirt they could find, and having a complete and total ball... which meant it quickly turned into an every-pup-gets-a-bath kinda' morning, too. 2 hours later, Steve and I finally got to sit in front of the fire with our first cup of coffee. 😳☕😳☕ The truth is, while these moments are heartwarming, they’re also incredibly challenging. Rescuing Ava and her babies has been a total labor of love, but the reality is... we still need help. And we're going to continue needing help until the baton is passed. Donations have slowed – Ava has only received one food donation this past month, and her nursing requires feeding 4x a day. Many of the pups still don’t have confirmed placements. All will come with individual veterinarian issued papers, and lifelong guidance and support from us, which will save their humans a lot of stress, head-scratches, and thousands of dollars. The support from our amazing community (to include the kindn

Shortcuts

Share

Category