ReMAP Dogs

19/08/2024

It’s Sunday night. I have 2 puppies still with me. They’re sort of adopted.

One of the homes was going to pick up yesterday, but the workers weren’t done with their back yard, so they postponed to today. Very responsible. And then today, the work still wasn’t done. Turns out they’re getting ready for a big party next weekend.

Is 5 days enough for a 12 week old puppy to learn to trust their new people enough to hang out in the planned ‘dog area’ with the resident 4 year old lab during a huge party?

A puppy has ONE shot at this tender developmental period. The party will only happen once in the lifetime of the adopter, a chance to introduce the world to the new family member.

The puppy is not super confident.

The other puppy is going on a trial adoption this week. Adopters need to see if they can all rally and acclimate the resident cat to the new puppy. I brought the pup to visit and did an appropriate introduction last week – lots of tuna for the cat and treats for the enclosed pup. It went well.

Mama Boo has an interested adopter. There are regular kid visitors to the home. Boo is not a fan of sudden, abrupt movements. The adopter’s last dog was a shut down Mexican street dog.

My mom is acclimating to life with caregivers and less time with me. I’m navigating life with twice removed agency employed strangers providing for my mom.

It’s the middle of August. Every ecommerce project manager will tell you that there is NO WAY to include another project before code freeze (typically Nov 1 to be ready for Black Friday). I have a number of projects in-flight (carefully planned with timelines) and now 2 additions to our schedule, with unknown scope, but deadlines before code freeze.

And a mama dog just gave birth in an overcrowded shelter. There is no room. With full kennels (double and triples housed) staff offices already hold a couple of crated dogs. The halls are lined with crates, housing adoptables. She and the puppies are on the euthanasia list.

There is no wiggle room. There is no way to add time to the calendar.

And I’m part of the easy side of animal welfare.

What the Actual F.

15/08/2024

Update: It's 8:30 pm; I still have 3 dogs who need homes. But these two mamas have been rescued into a prison program system.
------

Update: It's 11am and I have an adopter visit set up for this evening! I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!!!!!
-------

It's 4:30 am and we're all awake. You're with me. Either your homones have taken over and sleeop eludes you. Or you're part of the animal rescue world and you cannot stop yourself from looking.

Your rescue is full. Your local shelter is full. Yet, the dogs-in-need didn't get the memo and they are still in need.

Euthanasia is occurring in most communities because there is no more room at the shelter. And euthanasia is a kinder end than death by car accident, or worse.

There are solutions - everyone is trying old ideas and new ideas, blowing up social media to save these dogs.

I specialize in rescuing moms and puppies. The younger the pups the better. That way, I get to know the mom over 2 months while she's raising her pups, can tell her story, and find her a great home. It also allows me to work the Puppy Culture program with the pups, thereby raising some stellar companions who will make some families very happy.

At 4:30 am, I still have 2 pups and a mom from my current litter. I have some foster help, which is great, but these 3 canines need forever homes.

How can I commit to another family of dogs when I have half a family from my current litter? The difference between being a hoarder and being a responsible animal welfare professional is the word 'no'.

It's 6:30 am. I ran out of cream yesterday, so the coffee jolts me.
I can't stop thinking about these 2 mamas who will die on Monday. Just because they're mamas.

If they'd been spayed and hadn't gotten pregnant, would they be sleeping on the couch of their home right now?

But once the ship has sailed, the system takes over and suddenly, they are close to death.

It's 6:40 am and I still have 3 dogs who need to get adopted in order to make room for just one of these moms.

I start work in 20 minutes. A job I love and need in order to support these rescue efforts.

Mom will call me in a few hours to ask me to pick up something from the store for her. And then she'll call again a few minutes later to ask for the same thing. I'll drop everything to meet that need.

Is today the day I become a hoarder? Is today the day I just can't say 'no' one more time?

13/08/2024

Today, I took each puppy for an individual walk.
There were lots of starts and stops. There was a LOT of sniffing. There was a lot of looking at cars going by.

Yes, I participated in this WITH my puppy. I really wanted to know what that puppy cared about when outside of the yard, on a leash, by my side.

So fascinating! We didn't go far, because this mental stimulation is so much more tiring than any physical exercise a puppy can engage in.

If you have a young puppy, read this blog post and find your happy medium.

Actually, it also applies to adult dogs. When we walk the dogs, we stop all the time so that they can sniff and learn what's been happening in their neighborhood. If we take a new route, the stopping-to-sniff increases.

Dogs are so interesting.

“Help! My puppy won’t go for a walk! He goes like three steps and then he stops and sniffs or won’t move, then he bites the leash. What's wrong with my puppy?”

12/08/2024

Boo: I'm a good girl, right?

me: Yes, my sweet, you're a very good girl.

Boo: I spend my time entertaining my pups, or playing with Tashi. Is that ok?

me: yes, sweet girl, that is exactly OK.

Boo: So, when I 'borrow' your flip flop and use it for my pillow, is that ok?

me: yes, you little trickster, I know you like to be close to me, and stealing my flip flop, using it for your comfort is actually incredibly endearing to me. It makes me smile.

Boo: And when we're at the dog park, and Kevin calls me and I don't rush to his side, is that ok?

me: It's actually ok with me. Because, I know that when _I_ call you, from across the park, away from the best smelling thing in the history of things, you race as fast as you can and are at my side before I can count to 2.

Boo: and when the man on the other side of the fence asks me questions, and I answer, is that ok?

me: It's ok. Because when you answer him, I call you inside, to my desk or to the kitchen, and you come to me to tell me what your converstion was all about.

Boo: Ok, I was just checking in. I like to do that. I like to make sure that you and me are good. I want to be a good girl. I want to make sure I am doing everything that you want me to do.

me: of course, my sweet sweet girl. We're good! You are the best dog. You're a little rough around the edges. And so am I. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Boo is 1-2 years old. She bonds hard. If you put in the time, she'll have your back, no matter what. She'll make you laugh and steal your shoes. She'll be your fastest dog at the dog park. She'll respect your side of the bed, mostly.

This retired mama dog has been through quite a lot in her short life. Now, it's her turn to live in comfort with great joy.

Who's ready?

12/08/2024

If you're shopping for a puppy training class or any dog training class, listen to this podcast.

Ask these 3 questions.

I love that pet professionals are talking about this and making it easy for regular old dog owners to assess the millions of options out there.

Jane Messineo Lindquist (Killion) is the director of "Puppy Culture the Powerful First Twelve Weeks That Can Shape Your Puppies' Future" as well as the author of "When Pigs Fly: Training Success With...

11/08/2024

How do you socialize puppies if they're not fully vaccinated? It's the age old question (well, one of them). The pups need to get out into the world to experience new things, but we need to protect from parvo, distemper, other...

A. Take the puppies to a dog park and have them interact with random people and their dogs.

B. Invite a friend's dog over and 'let the dogs work it out.'

C. Bring your puppy to a dog-friendly outdoor cafe; you enjoy your coffee, the pup enjoys a nice chew bone.

I you answered A or B, do not pass go, do not collect $200. (I'll set you up with some reading material so you're ready for the next quiz.)

If you answered C, you're right! Today, the pups enjoyed a short session, about 20 minutes, lying under our table at Aqus Cafe. They watched the world go by, they met some new people. Dogs walked by, but did not interact. A motorcycle roared past. A lift crane thingy was busy working at the end of the street.

AND I enjoyed a nice piece of lemon drizzle cake - not required for this socialization session, but much appreciated.

These 11 week old puppies are available for adoption. Both are males, potty trained, sleeping well through the night, very interested in being your best friend, taking treats for good behavior, very entertaining. They'll likely be 40 - 50 pounds as adults.

Message me if you'd like to adopt.
Share to find great homes.

10/08/2024

Auntie Tashi teaching Beetle how to relax and play at the same time.

10/08/2024

King of the world!

This athletic puppy likes to be on higher ground. So when he climbs this perch, he gets lots of praise.

He could be yours!! Message me.

10/08/2024

Friday night fun!

Boo is available for adoption: 1-2 years old, 35 pounds, stellar recall and relationship, housetrained, great on leash. Current on vaccs, spay appointment in 2 weeks.

2 male pups available for adoption: 10 weeks old. One is athletic, the other likes to start trouble! Housetrained, snugglers.

Tashi, the black shepherd is the sister/auntie who helps all of our fosters acclimate. She’s mine. Not available for adoption.

Message me for more info!
Share for great homes.

09/08/2024

The cloudy eyes, the silver muzzle.
His ears - still soft as silk - just like when I met him 15 years ago at just 3 weeks old.

From the first litter we ever fostered. He changed my game in such dramatic ways.

Deanna Houser

05/08/2024

Monday morning mayhem.
Love my girls!

05/08/2024

When you play all day and then practice being the best puppies ever, you gotta take a nap!

These 10 week old brothers are ready for homes of their own.

Beetle (brindle and white) is potty trained. Link (brown and white) needs some direction in this area.

Link is athletic! He'll gracefully leap onto the couch without a problem.

Beetle is the very best leash walker.

They both have mad respect for the resident dogs who are helping them with necessary social skills. They're both going on adventures to smell new smells, see new sights and contemplate at the edge of a swimming pool!

Thank you Paige Green and Arann Harris for opening your hearts (and home) to these little lovies - they are really enjoying themselves.

Thanks Paige Green Photography for doing your magic.

Message me if you're interested in adopting one of them. We think they'll be about 50 pounds as adults.

Share for maximum exposure!!!

04/08/2024

Dear Boo,

Welcome back! Thank you for doing the job they wanted you to do. And now, Tashi is beside herself with joy to have you to wrestle with.

No, you didn't make any mistakes. You did nothing wrong. I didn't make any mistakes either. We both tried, but it just didn't work out.

When the adopters came to meet you, we all discussed how you'd need time to settle in. It can take a month or more for a new family member to feel comfortable in a new home. And remember, how I told them that you'd need to meet any new people, on leash, with a slow introduction?

Well, when that 'stranger' came to the door of your new home, and walked right in, you barked and wouldn't let them proceed. That's what you're supposed to do. That's what they wanted you to do. The only person home with you was the grandma, who didn't know how to handle the situation.

Turns out the 'stranger' was the adult daughter of the family that you hadn't met yet.

It's ok, we'll find you another home. In the meantime, you're welcome here, always welcome here.

Love, Your Forever Foster Family

Rescues and shelters do everything in our power to assess adopters. We counsel, we scope out the situation, we make the best match.

Adopters try to communicate their needs and their skills and their situations.

As we all know, the picture I have in my head that gets translated into the words that come out of my mouth, into someone else's ears, can paint a very different picture in the receiver's head.

Rescues and shelters are also trying to be very aware of breaking down those barriers to adoption. I truly believe that if you want to adopt a dog, there is a match out there for you. However, no matter where you get that dog, it will not fit 'perfectly' into your life or your home without some effort on your part.

So, we'll try again!

03/08/2024

Dear Boo,

I fell in love with you before I met you. Any mama who survives birthing babies outside in the cold inhospitable world, has my respect forever.

But it was your eyes. You showed us that you were capable of handling it all by yourself. Until your eyes deceived you and I saw that you wanted a human as much as you wanted to prove to the world that you didn't need anyone.

That struck a cord with me. While I've been helping moms and puppies, it's really ME who has grown. I've learned to ask for help. I've learned to take risks. I've learned to open my heart.

I slowly earned your trust. You quickly took over the comfiest spot on my bed. I tried to convince myself that your little body didn't take up too much room; that we could actually have 4 dogs and continue to foster another.

But you truly deserved to be someone's number 1 or perhaps share that space with another dog. The number 4 spot just wasn't fair to you.

I pictured you riding riding shotgun in a pickup. I pictured you running the fenceline on wide open property. I wanted to sell everything I owned and move to the country, just to fulfill that need of yours.

Until.

I read the application. I called to get more info. When they said, 'will she run the fence and bark to tell us if someone comes to the property?' 'let me fire up the pick up and head on over to meet her.'

Before you even officially met them, you jumped into their truck. While I was talking about building relationship and slowly earning your trust, your new mom said, 'Boo, ready to go home?' and you did a full body wag.

You spent your first night in your new home IN THEIR BED with them. You modulate your walking speed to keep up with the grandma in the family. You bark when someone comes down the driveway.

You are everything they've ever wanted in a dog.

You are yet another example, that given enough time, the right home comes along.

Boo, I miss your gruff reminder that it's time to get out of my chair. I miss your incredible return to me from way across the park. I miss everything about you.

And I know that you've gone out into the world with the skills you need to make a decision about what you want and where you want to be.

You are always in my heart.

Thanks to Amy Granados & Jess Wiggs for saving her.
Thanks to Mac Macdonald for the transport help.
Thanks to Paige Green and family for helping to raise this incredible family.

02/08/2024

Sweet dreams are made of this.
Available for adoption!

30/07/2024

Boo is a wonderful dog.
And she will also tell somone to F&*$ off if she's uncomfortable.

So, if you need a little help finding your voice, Boo is the dog for you.

She's the feminist in all of us who was a good girl until she couldn't take it anymore. Then she went to college and joined the protests to legalize abortion (Boo is PRO abortion, thank you very much).

She's the tomboy who was told that parkour was not for girls. But what did she reply? F&*$ off. (She's allowed one springboard off my chest a day, and... complies very well).

You can try to tamp down that energy, but it will surface in other places that you might not like: missing jigsaw puzzle pieces, loud conversations with the neighbors who insist on talking over the fence, perching ON TOP of the desk while you're conducting a zoom meeting.

And then, just like that, Boo will bring you her favorite stuffie. She'll curl up at your feet or next to your pillow and fall into such a deep sleep that tells you she feels safe, she knows she is loved.

Boo is a wonderful dog who deserves a home of her own.

Share for maximum exposure! (Does Kamala need a dog?!!!!????)
Message me for more info.

I love this dog. I love her and every 'F&*$ off' message she sends out into the world.

29/07/2024

This puppy!

He's ready for a home of his own. 9-10 weeks old, potty training is going well, learning to walk on leash, already an accomplished snuggler and heart-stealer...

We think he'll be 40-50 pounds as an adult.

Are you ready for an adventure with BeetleJuice?

Share to find a great home.
Message me if you have questions.

Thanks to Paige Green for fostering, and for the most amazing photos.

29/07/2024

Can you see this? Is there definition in these forms?
Nope, me neither.

This is the speed at which we've been flying for a while now. And it has to stop.

Sure, I'd love to keep up the hot-bunking pace at which we've been rescuing moms and puppies. It not only means that moms and puppies do not lose their lives in busy shelters, but it also means that we get to raise a really great litter and send them out into the world to do more great things. It means that we get to keep learning and growing.

But the other night, on an off-leash outing, Tashi didn't return to me when I called her. Does that mean that she's a bad dog and is intentionally giving me the big middle finger? Nope, it means that I have not been tending to my relationships with my own dogs as much as I WANT to.

It's something I tell adopters all the time - the animals currently in your care are your number 1 priority.

Time to practice what I preach!

Let's share tips - tell me how you strengthen the relationship with your dogs!

28/07/2024

Should you adopt littermates? Is littermate syndrome a real thing?
Listen to the experts:
https://www.madcapradio.com/puppy-culture-potluck-podcast/episode-2-raising-two-puppies-together-is-littermate-syndrome-a-real-thing

I also get questions about adopting a young puppy to keep the current 6-9 month old 'dog' busy.

I help each adopter assess their situation, because they are unique, just like every dog is unique.

But IN GENERAL - I recommend that you do one thing at a time, do it well, and then move on to the next thing.

For adoption timing, that means, help your current dog get through puppy-hood, and adolescence before adding another family member.

For adopting littermates, it means being able to SEPARATELY train (crate train, puppy classes, leash walking, anti-resource guarding, etc) each puppy so that you develop a relationship with EACH puppy, and not with 'the puppies'. This is very time-consuming.

My amazing litter-raising helpers took the pups to their house the other day and observed that these two focus more on each other when together, than they focus on the humans. So, adopting them out together, is not a great idea!

And it means that starting today, the brothers will be housed separately. Paige Green Photography and I will each raise one of the pups until adoption. It's best for the puppies' development.

Thanks Paige; you rock!!

28/07/2024

I updated the website. 2 beautiful puppies available for adoption. and of course, their mama is looking for her forever home too.

Check it out, share, message me for more info.

https://remapdogs.org/
Thank you Paige Green Photography for the awesome photos!

Available for Adoption! Boo is about a year old. She was rescued in the Fresno area and came to us when her 6 puppies were a few days old. Now that her pups are grown, she’s ready for a home of her own. Boo is 35 pounds and can be energetic. She walks well on a leash and likes other dogs. Cats wou...

26/07/2024

Puppies available for adoption!

Nine weeks old, first shots. Both are males. Will likely be 50 ish pounds as adults.

They are sleeping through the night and potty-ing outside!

Ready to keep learning and experiencing this big, wonderful world.

Share to find great homes.
Message if you’re ready to add a new family member.

24/07/2024

When I introduce a puppy to an adult dog, the pup is in a pen (off-leash), and the adult is off-leash, choosing how to interact with the puppy. (Of course, the adult dog is known to be very dog social, and good with puppies.)

This makes it all about the dog to dog communication.

Typically, the puppy gets very excited in the pen, the adult dog ignores that behavior. Once the pup settles down, the adult will approach and retreat, approach and retreat. If the pup responds with calm behavior, I might let them meet with pup outside of the pen. I make sure there's high ground for the adult to retreat to, and a safe place for the pup to retreat to that the adult cannot reach.

I can never get video or photos of this process because I am too busy observing. If an any point, I need to intervene, I do. I usually keep the session super short and do another session the next day.

Well, I did something a little different this time, since Boo has a big case of FOMO - she shrieks and whines if she's inside and the action is outside. She is also very well integrated with my dogs, and her recall is very very good. So.... I put the pups in a pen and gave Boo and Tashi the run of the backyard.

The pups were silent, sitting or lying down, studying the adults. Boo walked between Tashi and pups a couple of times, then wandered to a different part of the yard. Tashi approached the penned pups, everyone touched noses, zero puppy shenanigans, no fear, just genuine interest on both sides.

Successful session ended.

Tonight, we started the same way, but then let the pups out to roam around with the adult dogs. They interacted a bit, but mostly hung out and observed. No fear, no hiding, no retreating. It was lovely to have them all outside together.

Again, I kept the session short.

Time is our friend! We have all the time in the world to make sure that these pups have very positive interactions with everything new that comes their way, especially dogs.

Cow Boy and BeetleJuice are 9 weeks old and ready for homes of their own. Message me if you're interested in adopting!

22/07/2024

Brothers! Plus mama Boo’s favorite stuffie

22/07/2024

Four of Boo's puppies went home yesterday.

And have great reports of pottying outside, sleeping for long stretches at night, taking treats as reward for requested behavior.

Here's a sweet one: When we first put her in her crate for the night, she cried. I sang to her and she fell right asleep. Good to know music is in their blood.

I work really hard to prepare the pups for their forever homes, including sending them home at the right time. Positive first night reports, first intros to family members make me cry all over again.

Happy puppies, happy families.

21/07/2024

The only thing I know how to 'train' in a dog, is how to chill.

Sure, there's some prep work - leash walks, fetch in the backyard, recall exercises at the park, 'look at me' - but it culminates in a dog who can hang out with me.

Boo's getting there! She's a busy girl, loves to explore every single thing. The other day while I was on a work call, I watched her pull every skein of yarn off the shelf, assess each one, and then tear one to shreds. I guess she's not much of a kntter :)

I let her do it because I had no way to enforce anything else. Of course, now, I've moved everything out of her reach and taught her that the treats happen when she's lying at my feet.

It's kinda really great that Boo chose to lie on that bed under my desk.

She's ready for a home of her own. She deserves to not be our 4th dog, but rather YOUR focus. She'd do well with another dog. Cats might be too much for her.

You'll need to continue working on her house manners - the girl does not know that tables are not for climbing on, and at the same time, she's housetrained.

I love this girl. At 35 pounds and about a year old, she is the perfect fit for so many people.

Share to find a great home, message me if you'd like more info.
Complete an application here: www.remapdogs.org/adopt

20/07/2024

For all of you folks who own a dog that was not adopted from a rescue or shelter, this is your opportunity to assuage your guilt!

Do you know where your dog's siblings end up if the breeder, especially the backyard breeder can't sell them? Do you know where that mama ends up once she can't make money for the 'owner'?

You guessed it! In a municipally funded shelter or a donation funded rescue.

Wait a minute, am I really telling you that there are people out there who are making money off of their dogs and then relying on public funding and private donations to clean up their mess? Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you.

It is one of the reasons our shelters and rescues are full full full and why adoptable dogs are being euthanized.

But you can be part of the solution! Make a donation to your local shelter or a reputable rescue. Make that donation for the same amount you paid for your dog. I know it was more than the adoption fees that rescues and shelters charge.

I'm so looking forward to individual donations in the amount of $3000, or even $11K for those frenchies!

Come on folks, be part of the solution and fund the shelters and rescues who are cleaning up all kinds of messes caused by people trying to make a buck off of our beloved best friends: dogs.

Help support ReMAP - Rescuing Moms & Puppies by donating or sharing with your friends.

19/07/2024

Can you guess what I like just as much as puppies?
Talking to potential adopters. Everyone who wants a puppy is at a different place in their lives, which means a different place in their pet-dog abilities. It is so incredible to meet them where they are and advise them for maximum dog happiness.

When I was fresh out of college (a hahahah few years ago!!!), all I wanted was a job where they slipped the pile of work under the office door in the morning and I slipped the completed work back in the evening. No human interaction, just the work.

Well, the world doesn’t work that way and I’m so glad that it doesn’t. People, human connection, individual differences make the world a much more interesting place.

So, come on out from behind that gate, my little puppy! Come enjoy this big beautiful world that we have lovingly prepared, just for you!

Paige Green Photography

18/07/2024

Cow Boy.
Please do not adopt this puppy because I want to keep him.
Or course, that is crazy talk. I cannot give a puppy what they need after about 10 weeks old. It doesn't seem fair to keep a puppy who be our 4th dog.
He deserves to be the number 1!

So, do not adopt this puppy. I'll keep him, which means that I won't be able to rescue another mom and pups and thereby save more lives, and place them all in loving homes.

Do NOT adopt this puppy. 😉

Paige Green's photography magic at work again.

18/07/2024

Adopt this puppy!

She's smart, she's cute, she's happy, she loves to learn.

Message me for more info...

Paige Green loves puppies almost as much as she loves summer :)

18/07/2024

When puppies are trying to figure out independence and togetherness...

'you move over'
'no, YOU move over'
'stop touching me'
'wait, I need to know that you're still there'
'ok, butt to butt, we can agree on that'
'agree?!? I don't agree, but I still want you close'

Paige Green works her photo magic!