Help shelter pets for the holidays
Consider fostering or adopting a dog or cat in need
Foster Caregivers for pets urgently needed
My local shelter said it best: “Our kennels are filled to capacity, and we need YOUR help! We are currently in need of fosters for MEDIUM TO LARGE BREED DOGS (40lbs+)!
If you can open your heart and home to a dog weighing 40 pounds or more, we urge you to consider becoming a foster caregiver. Fostering typically lasts for around 3 months, and during this time, you'll be making a huge difference in a dog's life. We provide all supplies while fostering. Several of our dogs must be the only pet in the home. Your love and care can provide a second chance for these wonderful animals.
**Please note we have NO small breeds or puppies available for fostering**” ««those are the exact words written by the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach. It’s hard to find homes for large dogs, and particularly in a community where mainly retirees live AND HOAs make the rules. Yep, there are hardly any small breeds or puppies that need fostering or permanent homes.
This is just ONE shelter out of the thousands around the country that need your help. Donating is great. Monetary donations are great. Fostering is better. Adopting is the best. See some tips for adopting an older dog, here.
A word about fostering or adopting a new pet
During the past year, I’ve noticed locally there have been at least three local cases where a newly fostered or adopted dog slipped its collar or harness and took off from the car as soon as it arrived at its new home. In two cases (of the three that I know of) one dog was found within hours; one dog was found after running around for two months; and the third is still missing (since July).
I don’t know why shelters/rescues don’t require this, but they should: Train the dog and all humans the simple command “Stay” (or “Wait”). This one, simple command if taught and reinforced could save a dog’s life and save a lot of sadness.
Many of us spent hours searching for these animals, walking and driving around, using safe traps, posting all over social media and putting up printed flyers. Thankfully two of the three were found safe and healthy.
So, if you’re going to foster or adopt a new dog, why not learn to use the Stay (or Wait) comment, and teach the dog to respect that command, too. I teach this command to all my dogs. They know to wait at any open door until the humans are ready to proceed. It’s particularly helpful at the vet’s office (which for some reason are always located on the busiest thoroughfare in town!).
Want to know more about how to help prevent a dog from getting lost? Check out the advice from my friends at Eastham (Massachusetts) Dog Owners Association.
An update on the mystery dog illness
We haven’t been hearing too much about the mystery respiratory illness that was going around a few weeks ago, so I hope that means it’s gone by the wayside. But this map of the states where the illness did crop up is circulating around online, as recently as a couple days ago. So I thought I’d share here.
Airport k9 officer’s memorial revealed
Right here in Myrtle Beach at our airport, a memorial was just unveiled commemorating explosive sniffer, Bram, a dog who worked at Myrtle Beach International Airport for six years. The memorial can be seen near the entrance to the rental car area of the airport.
Best dog breed by state
My “best” dog breed is a mixed up mutt, but what do I know? The folks over at USA Today seem to think purebreds are the way to go. They’ve compiled this list of each state and its “best” dog breed.