I don’t know where to begin this week. The Foothills shelter is overloaded with at least 100 animals in foster care. All the rescuers are packed and their volunteers are fostering with many animals on standby. This is the worst I’ve seen it in all the years I’ve been doing rescue. Please, please utilize the spay and neuter programs and pass the word.

We’ve had a few people interested in my Tanner boy from last week’s story but they weren’t the right people for a dog like Tanner. Remember what I always say, “Love is not enough.” He has spent most of his life in a cage and is a bit skittish and fearful, so I’ve enlisted Kayla Parrish to give him some training. All he really needs is to gain trust and all I really want is for whoever gets him to earn that trust. Stay tuned.

Goldie and Gilda, two of the Beagles that came with the group we rescued, are being fostered and we would love for them to go together if possible. We believe Goldie, the 9-year-old, is 4-year-old Gilda’s mother. The three pups that have found homes are believed to be Gilda’s pups, but I hear Goldie was nursing. There are two more Beagles on the property and as we speak we are trying to catch them and add them to the group.  Again, stay tuned.

This week I went to Upstate with Lani (“Bulldog”) and with Aries, a blue brindle Pit pup, 3 months old. Aries was part of a litter that all had Parvo, and none of his litter survived, although one of his sisters hung on for a while before she succumbed.

Aries pulled through but started to wobble now and then like he couldn’t keep his balance. He was brought to Upstate Vet because it was believed he had a liver shunt and a specialist’s  diagnosis was needed before we could continue with treatment. While there I got to say ‘hi’ to my good friend Dr. Keith Allen and Dr. Vanessa who looked at Aries.

Aries did not have a liver shunt; it was believed that because his mom probably also had Parvo, he has a neurological problem that cannot be cured. He can live a normal life but when he concentrates on something he’ll lose his balance as that part of his brain is affected. 

He is currently being fostered by Ashley (“Cutie”) and I don’t think she’ll give him up.  Two or three staff members at Upstate also will take him if he doesn’t find a home.  Needless to say, he is a lover.

In closing, please say an extra prayer for all the fosters, volunteers and rescuers in our area, at times such as these, they are keeping us afloat.

Thanks for listening.