Zaras List

On January 18, 2007 in a cage in the back building of the shelter, was a small dog with an enormous belly and rail thin body with hip bones and spine protruding. Her body had betrayed her as it was too weak to even allow her to walk and so she had to be carried out of the facility. Her first evening was spent with a foster mom hovered over her, ensuring the first good meal she had had in ages.

The following morning she met the rescue vet, Dr. Bart, who following an ultrasound and X-rays, declared there were to be 6 possibly 7 Shortcakes imminently. Her flea covered body and emaciated state was addressed and within a few days with nourishment and healthy meals, Strawberry was up and waddling around the yard.

January 24^,2007
Puppies have arrived and none to soon for Momma Strawberry or Foster Mom. Canine Mom was a pro with 4 little girls and 2 little boys entering the world. Dr. Bart and Staff had a chance to ooh and ahhh over them while making their first visit to ensure their health. All were weighed and given their initial health checks including Mom. Puppy number one, Brave Heart, for being the first to venture into the world, did not survive. She passed early afternoon. She had breathing issues immediately. Dr. Bart advised she would most likely not make it and foster Mom braced herself. But on a happier note, the other 5 are looking and doing great. Check out a few of the pictures below.

February 1, 2007
As promised, our weekly update of The Shortcakes is here. Strawberry is an amazing Mom and takes fabulous care of her pups. She has turned out to be a loving, sweet gentle girl herself. She enjoys a little one on one petting, during the very few breaks that she takes away from the babies. They appear to have doubled in size. Each was weighed this evening and weights have been added to their pictures. Each has been named. It’s an amazing joy to watch them grow and change each and every day. Not only did we save Strawberry’s life but the Shortcake’s lives as well. But perhaps most impressive is the indelible mark it is leaving on the heart of the foster mom. It turns out rescue isn’t all about the animals but also abut the lives they touch in the process.

"OPEN! OPEN! OPEN!"
As earnestly as the shopping mall mom cries this at her favorite store, our foster mom calls out to her puppies as their eyes begin to open...

Eyes peering over the pillow as Foster Mom pleads with the pups. "Why haven't you opened your eyes, yet..." And then slowly one eye opened and then another...With each new change in the puppies, the foster mom is there to document and to experience the miracle of puppies coming to life...

She's a first time foster for puppies and it's been a magical experience. She forlornly talks about the day she'll have to send them to their new homes. She frets over whether anyone will love them like she does and yet, she knows that day looms in the distant horizon. We assure her that her diligence with this litter will reap bountiful rewards of fabulous homes. She's reminded that the rescue has already received emails from folks expressing interest. This reminder is met with a menacing look of a Mamma Bear protecting her cubs as she says, "Well, we'll see...if they're the right match..."

Ahh, the early days of fostering when you fretted over every step they took, every eye that opened and when you wondered if anyone would love them like you do...It's a refreshing reminder of how precious these lives are and how fortunate we are to care for them.

Diary of a Foster Mom:

February 6, 2007 Day 14

I just got home at 2:15 pm and Shortcake’s little left eye is opening. OMG, I guess that means that the rest will follow shortly. How funny that the runt of the litter is the first to open her little eyes. Now, what do I do? What if the other eye never opens? What if the rest don't open their eyes? I have to call somebody...

February 7, 2007 Day 15

Ok, ok, she was right. I called to talk to the Fearless Leader and she always seems so calm and unshaken when I have questions. I know she's been through this many times, but how is she always right? She told me the other eye would open soon and of course today, Shortcake’s other eye is opening. Now, I have to start worrying about the rest. I know she said not to, but I can't help it! First it was will they all survive the first week? Then it was whether they were all nursing enough and now it's whether they'll all open their eyes....

February 9, 2007 Day 17

Well, now everyone's eyes are opening. How amazing it is to watch them grow and change. I can’t wait to see their personalities form. From the beginning Poochi and Blossom have been the noisiest. They even whine in their sleep sometimes. They’re all getting around more and are starting to show more stability when holding up their little heads. They’re soooo chunky. I can’t wait for their little legs to be strong enough to support their chunky bodies.

Strawberry is doing great and is a super sweet dog. She has great potty habits, always goes outside when I take her. She gets along fine with all my dogs and smelled my cat once and just walked away. But, she doesn’t want any one near the puppy room. As most momma dogs, she is very protective of her pups and warns the other dogs with a protective motherly stare, followed by a growl if they don't get the hint the first time. Then she goes about her routine, of feeding and cleaning her babies.

2/21/07

Well, now all the puppies are walking around like old pros! Play time is now becoming part of their daily schedule as is an occasional growl here and there at a sibling telling them to “Leave me alone, I don’t want to play with you right now”. They're all also getting their teeth, starting to potty on their own and still growing very quickly. Poochi who is still the biggest is the most playful, along with Calypso who is also very playful. Boys will be boys!!! Meringue seems to be the most mellow of the bunch. Blossom is the most fearful, she cries for mom when she leaves the den. But, if you pick her up snuggle, pet, and talk to her she stops immediately. If I had to pick my favorite it would probably be Shortcake, she just goes with the flow and has a lot of moms traits. She plays with the boys and loves you to pick her up and snuggle her. She was the first to growl at Poochi to let him know, “Enough with the playtime already!”

There’s something so special and cute about each of their firsts. From the first born, first eye opening to the first growl, etc. Every weeek there is a new first to experience and share with everyone. I really do feel like a proud parent, that I didn't expect! So, these little ones and their wonderful mom have brought me much joy, as they will bring their new families when they are adopted!

As for Strawberry, she is wanting more and more time on her own now. She likes to go outside and lay in the sun with her two foster brothers Krunchie and Dobby and her foster sister Jubilee. She’s right there with the boys barking at a stranger that walks by to protect her turf. She also enjoys to lay next to you on the couch along with everyone after evening dinner time. That’s when all is quiet and we share a little TV and quiet time together before bed. She stills hasn't had an accident in the house, as all of us foster homes know this is something we VERY much appreciate in a foster. Truthfully, it’s almost a miracle when this happens! She’s great with the cat and ignores her as she nonchalantly rubs herself on Strawberry as she walks by. She really is a great little dog who will make a wonderful loving family pet.