A little FAQ on Fostering.

You may have noticed that we are ALWAYS asking for foster homes for dogs!  Yes, we know.  We are the ones posting it on the Facebook page, feeling like a shabby old, broken record.  Sometimes we hear *crickets* when we ask for a foster home and other times an angel shows up and saves the day!  We are always asking because there are ALWAYS more dogs that need rescued.

We have approximately 30 foster homes that provide loving, secure care for many of our dogs.  We are SO SUPER thankful for every one of our foster homes and what they do for this rescue.  Fostering is not always easy and our foster families exhibit the most patience and care towards those of us who try and manage this crazy thing we call rescue!

My goal in this blog post is to give you more information on what fostering is really all about.  Here are some common questions answered:

-Am I responsible for veterinary care for my foster dog?

No.  Hopes Haven covers the medical expenses of the foster dog in your care.  We will ask that you take them to the appointment and do whatever aftercare is needed, but the cost is covered by the rescue.

-Is the foster dog going to get along with my kids, cats, dogs and gerbil?

Well, we hope so.  But, we don't always know.  Many of the dogs we get at Hopes Haven don't have a lot of history or file that comes with them.  They may act differently out at HH than they do in your home.  We cannot predict a dogs behavior and many times we are surprised to hear that they chased after kitty, didn't like little Billy or tried to eat the gerbil.  If that happens, this is when you contact us and we either problem solve or find another foster for you.  We try to make the best fit for you, but again, we cannot predict a dogs behavior and do the best we can!  Never fear, sometimes it's the perfect fit! 

-What if I fall in love with my foster?  I just can't imagine fostering a dog and then letting them go...

Believe us when we say that we have ALL been there, if not once, many many times.  Fostering is not easy and it's very hard to let your foster go.  It's hard not to form a bond with these dogs and many times fostering is best described as "bittersweet".  Choosing not to foster because of the pain you will feel when you let them go is something I ask you to carefully reconsider.  I would rather love them and cry when they leave than know that another dog has lost it's life because I didn't foster and there was no room for them.  It's a sacrifice, but one well worth making.  If you do fall in love and it's a good fit all the way around, then yes, please adopt!  Those are what we endearingly call "foster failures" and we have all done it!

-What am I required to do as a Foster??

You provide a safe, loving, secure home.  Many of our fosters take it upon themselves to feed their foster.  We have some that go above and beyond and we appreciate that so much, but each foster and their situation is different.  You will be required to provide the transportation for your dog to vet appointments(if needed).  If your dog has an appointment for adoption, we will ask that you bring them to that as well, however those appointments will be made around your schedule.  We love when our fosters can bring their dog to an outreach every once in awhile, but this is not an exhausting endeavor.

-Do I have to live in Salem to foster?

No.  We have fosters in many of the surrounding areas.  With that said, it's up to you whether or not you are willing to make the effort to travel to our area to bring your foster to the vet or an adoption appointment if necessary. 

-How do I become a foster?

The first step is filling out a formal foster application through our website HERE.  After you submit your application, we will be in contact with you about fostering!!  Hopes Haven has a foster coordinator that can help answer questions, network your dog, problem solve, etc.

-Are the dogs potty trained? 

The answer to this question is....NO!  Sometimes we get in dogs that will come in to your home, have no accidents and potty train themselves immediately.  Others will pee on the floor and take training, time and patience.  This is part of being a foster and to expect anything less is completely unrealistic.  Part of being a foster is to teach your dog skills that will get them adopted!!  If you REQUIRE a potty trained dog, then you are best not being a foster because many of the times your foster will fail you in this area and unfortunately be returned to HH because they did not receive the patience and training that they have never received.  Potty training a dog is not an insurmountable task and saving a life far outweighs cleaning up an accident.

The bottom line is....WE NEED YOU!  We have so many fans here on Facebook that are local and have wonderful homes to fill one of our fosters with. ;)

Hopes Haven can only take in so many dogs.  When HH is full and we are not able to find fosters for the dogs that need them, we have to say NO to dogs that need our help so badly.

I hope that in this blog we have helped answer some questions people have had about fostering so that it might change your mind and open your home and heart to foster a dog in need!  We know that not everyone is in a position(for some reason or another) to foster, but are hoping that we can recruit a few more amazing families to consider fostering.

Where are all the perfect dogs...and why do these rescue dogs cost so much!!???

We don't have perfect dogs at Hopes Haven. 

 

 

Every now and again we get one of those "perfect" dogs and we wonder "Where in the heck did you come from!?" because the dog is well behaved, housetrained and a pillar of health!  This is NOT the norm.

 

 

 

 

This picture seems a little more accurate...

 

 

 

 

:)  All joking aside, Hopes Haven is known for taking in the dogs that others don't want.  The dogs that are the most difficult to adopt by many other's standards. 

 

Most of our dogs have baggage, aren't perfectly housetrained and have been through a lot to get where they are now.  Many make enormous strides while at HH or in a loving foster home where they can begin to learn security, manners and the like. 

 

Here are just a few examples of what HH has done with the help of those who see past the "problems" of these dogs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As you can see, we get ALL kinds of dogs at HH.  Many of them are not the ones you ask for on your applications or when inquiring on the website.  But, they CAN be just what you've always wanted if you can look past their flaws.  Rescue dogs can provide their humans with the most amazing love imaginable.

 

Please consider an imperfect dog.

 

And yes, rescues charge adoption fees.  Fees that many times send people's heads spinning because they imagined that the dogs would be free since no one wanted them to begin with.

 

Let me explain.  There is no fairy dust here...I wish we could get our hands on some, or a money tree, that would be cool too...  Until then, it is not cheap to run a rescue.  This rescue is run solely on donations and adoption fees.  We have to pay for medical costs, food, structures, etc etc etc etc etc.  You get the point.  The costs never end and there are always more dogs to save. 

 

When you pay that adoption fee, you are making a check out to a CAUSE.  You are gaining a best friend and supporting an organization that allowed your new friend to have life!  With your adoption fee we can save another and another. 

 

Thank you to all who have supported this rescue through fostering, adopting, donating and giving of your time!! 

 

 And just like the wonderful founder and operator of Hopes Haven, Marsha says..."There is a lid for every pot". 

 

 

Until next time,

 

katie

 

 



The Tank

It's true, she really is like a Tank.  That's how she got her name.  She is short and stalky like a tank and moves like one too.  When Tank's little legs go up in the air it's like 2x4's flailing around.  Protect your face because if one hits you, you may just lose an eye.

This stiff little Jack Russell came into my life as a Hopes Haven foster.  When I got Tank(named Haley at the time), she was depressed, grumpy and disconnected.  Tank hated my dogs and any other dog she came into contact with and even nipped at my kids a couple of times. 

I didn't think that this was a kind of dog that I could handle, especially if she wasn't going to be nice to my kids(obviously, they come first).  But then, something happened.  When Tank was shown boundaries, love, consistency, patience and LOYALTY, she became a completely different dog.

Tank changed.  So did I.  Tank taught me that we all have a past.  That past can damage us and make us act like we don't want to...in a way we know isn't right, but in a way we feel like we have to in order to protect our hearts from more hurt.  Once Tank knew she was safe, loved and not given up on she opened up and became an amazing dog. 

 

Fostering is not easy.  Adoption is not always easy either.  As a matter of fact, most of the time it is NOT!  Rescues are called RESCUES because they are helping dogs that aren't PERFECT.  Many of the dogs comes with baggage, issues and trust that needs to be earned.  They need TIME.  Time to readjust, to feel safe, to learn boundaries, rules and limitations in their new home. 

There were so many times with Tank that I wanted to give up.  I told myself that I couldn't do this and that she was never going to change.  I found my strength and then she followed suit.  Tank is one of the best dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  But ya know what?  Tank has taught me more than I have ever taught her. 

Anyone who has ever played a part in rehabilitating a damaged dog, can tell you that the reward is inconceivable unless you've been there.  If you are considering fostering or adopting, be prepared to commit yourselves.  These dogs deserve nothing less than all you have to give.  Many of the VERY BEST dogs are those that us humans have to have faith, patience, training and HEART to truly unveil their potential.  We understand that there will be failures, we've been there ourselves!  No person or dog is perfect and sometimes the match just isn't made.  When considering a rescue dog, please give it all of your self and consider it a journey...one well worth made. 

If you ask me...the best dogs are those that you have to fight for!  And most of the time...we find out more about ourselves in the process.


Until next time,

katie

A little about Will, Nina and a herd of Chihuahuas...

Just to be consistent with the title, let's talk a little about Will. 

 

Here he is....

 

Ok, so he's not the most photogenic little guy.  He's modest, what can I say?

 

Will came to HH over a year ago.  He was emaciated, sick and severely neglected and abused.  Will could barely stand he was in such bad shape.  This soul found his will to live and found his name...Will.  Will is currently being taken care of in an amazing foster home who has diligently worked with him and been patient through a series of hardships and a few, well...dog bites.

 

Will is very scared and a "fear biter".  Will is still looking for his home.  He doesn't know who is going to take on a project like him, but we have faith that Will's person is out there.  Will knows that whoever adopts him is doing it not to adopt a perfect dog, but to save a precious soul like his.

 

And next.

 

Nina!  Here she is.  Now Nina is also a little camera shy, but boy this gal is beautiful!

 

 

When Nina came in to Hopes Haven, she was so fearful she literally shook with fear, cowering and hiding at the sight of a human.  With a dog like this, most people would think that there is little to no chance of them getting adopted. 

 

I am happy to report that Nina was just adopted this last Saturday!!!!  These are the adoptions that make it all worth it.  Marsha was definitely doing a happy dance with this adoption.  A dear woman(aka an angel!!!) saw something special in Nina.  She saw past her brokenness and gave Nina the chance of a lifetime!  Nina now lives on beautiful acreage and has another doggie friend that she loves to play with!  With patience and love, Nina is going to blossom! 

 

Thank you to the foster family for caring for her until her angel came to the rescue, you know who you are!

 

And lastly.

 

Let's talk about all of these Chihuahua's.  Sometimes when you go out to Hopes Haven you feel like you may get lost in the sea of all of those yellow Chihuahua's.  Just kidding, but I had to add some emphasis in there somewhere!  Seriously, we have a TON of Chihuahua's at HH.  There are a ton of Chi's in many of the shelters. 

 

Here is the most recent pictures of the Chi's out at HH.

 

 

And that is not all of them! 

 

Won't you consider a Chihuahua?  They can be the most enjoyable little dogs and they don't take up much room.  I remember when I adopted my Chihuahua, Papi.  He has become the funniest, sweetest, sleep under the covers little guy!  We just love him.  They may not be the most popular breed, but that is all the more reason to adopt them.  They deserve a home just like all the rest that they get passed up for EVERY DAY.  Perhaps you know someone who is looking for a companion?  Chi's are one of the best lap dogs around!

 

Well, that covers it.  Will, Nina and a herd of Chihuahuas....

 

Please share and thank you for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

 

katie

 

 

 



Samira The Great

Meet Samira! 

Samira is this absolutely gorgeous, 7 year old gal that was unfairly given up by the man she loved her whole life.  You see, he moved away and decided he couldn't take her with.  Samira was devastated, but got a lucky break when an AMAZING foster family decided to take her in.  Samira has been loved by this family through thick and thin.  I asked this foster family several questions about Samira and this is what they had to say:

1.  What were your first impressions of Samira the first time you met her?

When we first met Samira, we immediately thought, "What a beauty!" She has stunning icy, blue eyes and is such a friendly gal.

2.  How did Samira behave when you first got her home?

She was curious and we let her check out the house and yard. She didn't like the cats, seldom do huskies get along with kitties though. She took to running and playing with our other dog right away.

3.  What are Samira's best attributes?

Samira is so smart, loyal and devoted. Her first days here she would noticeably perk up when a car would go by, when we were sitting outside. When the car didn't stop, she would slump against my daughters side, like she had hoped it was her daddy coming to get her. She deserves a family or individual that will love her always. She has such a big heart and so much love to give.

4.  What are Samira's worst attributes?

Samira does not do well left unattended. She came to us not knowing any manners, not even "sit." She has learned a lot here, but will be destructive if crated, or left for any long period of time, say 2+ hours. She wants to be with her people so badly that anxiety overwhelms her.

5.  How does Samira react to other dogs?

It truly depends on the dog. She and our husky get along well, but they did have a couple of quarrels over dominance. Samira also gets along with my parents male husky, but not my grandmother's female Shih Tzu.

6.  How does Samira do with strangers?

We have taken Samira to several events, parks, races, car show, etc. She has behaved very well, and is friendly. Many people have asked to pet her, most of the time she loves that. There have been a few instances where she shied away and would go behind me, as if to say she didn't want that specific person to touch her.

7.  Describe this dogs need for exercise and how a person needs to contain her when they leave.

Samira is a lot of fun to walk. She doesn't have to be ran daily, but does enjoy it! We try to do at least a walk around the block daily- but she also enjoys running when we go bicycle riding. If she is exercised well daily, it really decreases her anxiety.

When Samira has to be left alone, I crate her. She doesn't like it at all, and will be destructive even to the crate. We have tried putting blankets, toys, bones, etc in the crate and she will go in willingly, but she just cries and cries. We try to take her with us, or not be gone very long.

8.  What do you love most about Samira and what would you miss when she is gone?

I love Samira's heart, she is truly a very, very sweet girl. When she puts her chin on the arm of the couch and just looks at me, it melts my heart! I will miss her very much, she is a pleasure to be around and a wonderful companion.

Samira is looking for her person.  Diligently waiting for them to come and adopt her.  A person that sees her worth and is committed to her with the same unconditional love she will give.

Please consider Samira.  Or share her with one other person that just might tell the ONE right person that has been looking for a dog just like Samira.  Samira is a dog that does not come without challenge, but who's loyalty and devotion is unmatched.

A Story of Hope, Written by Zeus

Hi, I'm Zeus.  Yeah, I'm that cute guy in the picture.  Several people have told me I'm good looking.

One day I was cruising down the road(yeah, I was being naughty) and I was hit by a car.  It wasn't pretty.  The vet said that I tore ligaments in my leg that were not repairable and that my leg needed to be amputated.  That was a big blow!

My parents took me to the vet several times trying to help me, but they soon realized that they were unable to pay for all the vet care that would be needed to fix me up.  That's when a Hopes Haven volunteer heard my story.  She quickly contact the founder of Hopes Haven(Marsha) and told her my story.  Marsha is a total sucker for everything DOG and she agreed to take me on.  I totally love that lady.

A whole bunch of awesome volunteers and dog lovers raised the money to pay for the amputation of my leg.  Even though I miss that leg, I am so thankful to be alive.  After my surgery, an amazing dude took me in and fostered me.  He taught me all kinds of things....called manners.  He showed me that I need to behave and got me all ready for a forever home. 

I sat waiting for awhile, wondering where I belonged.  Then...my family came for me.  Here we are!  Aren't we great!?

My family saw past my missing leg and straight in to my heart.  The took me home and I have been so happy ever since!  Here I am snoozing in my bed!

Yep, this is the life!

What's the moral of the story?  One person heard my story.  That one person is the reason that I am here with my loving family today.  So if you ever think that one person can't change one dogs life forever, you are SO WRONG!  If you ever find yourself wondering "what's the point?", remember me.  Yes, there are so many dogs out there that need rescuing, but helping one makes a HUGE difference!

I am a testament to what Hopes Haven does!  It's all about helping one dog at a time. 

OK, I gotta go now.  Time for me to take a nap....



Until next time,

Katie

There is always hope. A lesson from Atlas.

Meet Atlas!  Atlas is a male, hound mix on the younger adult side(exact age unknown).

Atlas came to Hopes Haven last December after a terrible hoarding situation in Washington led to authorities finding dogs locked in garden sheds, terribly emaciated, scared and sad.  Atlas was one of those dogs.  Atlas has spent the last several months slowly trying to come out of his shell and trust again.

Atlas went to stay with a loving family who has worked with him and he has begun to show signs of trust, slowly but surely.  He began to come out of the corner where he would hide to receive affection, want to play and well...just act like a dog.  Atlas lives with two other dogs and gets along with them well.  Atlas can go from seemingly fine to scared and nervous very easily. 

Atlas still has many trust issues.  Who can blame him?  He is very nervous with new people and will go and hide if anyone new comes around.  Atlas will "pace" back and forth when he is feeling nervous. 

With that said, Atlas is very loving.  Atlas has NEVER shown any signs of aggression due to his nervousness and fear and is wonderful with his foster families very young children.  Atlas doesn't want to hurt anyone, he is just scared.

This dog would more than likely be put down in your average shelter, deemed as unadoptable.  We say NO WAY!  Although Atlas' story is sad and the chances of him being adopted may seem slim to some, we know better than to lose hope.  Atlas' person is out there!  We have seen so many seemingly "hopeless" dogs be scooped up and loved by the most amazing, patient ANGELS!

Will you help us, HELP ATLAS!?  Please share this with someone, it only needs to reach that ONE right person.  We have seen it happen many times before and we have hope that Atlas' person will come for him!

You can find Atlas' listing HERE!


Until next time,

katie