BY: LASHAWN GARNES, CAT GUARDIAN (TMC CONTRIBUTOR)

Cheetoh is a feline of peculiar patience, or should I say lack thereof. He insists on having my undivided attention. Curls up near my feet, reaches up with one paw so that I may stop what I’m doing to pet him.

Petting him requires me to set aside time to give him a massage around his neck, stroke the left and right side of his cheeks and brushing his coat from the top of his head all the way down to his tail bone. Cheetoh then falls to his right side into a relaxed spread out position in which he experiences a moment of ecstasy. His eyes squint with approval.

Cheetoh can see the unseen—spirits. It’s quite fascinating to see my cat look up, turn his head left and right then up and down, followed by a sprint down the hallway, running away into the kitchen or into the living room. He watches the spirits in the house go about their day, existing with us. How do I know that they are spirits? Well, a breeze is in the air when they are around. The spirits like to tease Cheetoh around the house playing hide and seek. Cheetoh is doing the hiding, which is funny to see. Having the spirits step in has been beneficial to me while I’m on a work conference call or when I desperately need to go to sleep because they are able to wear Cheetoh out. Then, he eventually finds a cozy spot in the living room and falls asleep.

Cheetoh loves to chat, especially at night or when I’m on the phone with someone. He speaks with conviction and authority, that what he is saying at that very moment is all that matters. Nothing more. He needs an audience, after all that’s what caregivers are for, right? Cheetoh can be demanding as well. Especially, when I don’t give into his request to be fed or when his litter box is not to his liking. Cheetoh is a feline that knows what he wants and conveys it with class.

I, the caregiver, have learned one valuable lesson, the importance of nonverbal communication from my feline Cheetoh.  Sitting in silence looking at me, studying my behavior and habits around the house. Having Cheetoh in my life is a reminder of how I need to be mindful of human beings. It’s not only what they are communicating to me but what they are not saying, yet doing. A great example of various communication skills that exist. Yet, we manage to get on with life smoothly in balance. I’m fortunate to have a cat that is excellent, in his own way, in communicating with me, his caregiver, who speaks an entirely different language. Somehow, Cheetoh and I make a great team!

The number of foster and adoption applications are soaring. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, dogs and cats are in demand by individuals and families, like never seen. We spoke to rescue organizations that are seeing growth in parent hopefuls jump from around 10 per month to 100. And many of those looking to embrace a furry companion have never done it before. For some, it has been a long time since they had a kid with a tail in the family.  Considering our own Crew’s current experience as a mother and an aunt to 4-legged children, we learned knowing what to expect, can go a long way in being a super pet-parent. We spoke to 3 busy and dedicated mothers to fur-babies. Their little companions include hairy and feather-kids too!  They kindly shared their insight and stories. We hope to help rookies find their footing with fostering and adoption. Check out these Q&As, where we paw-picked from some of their helpful responses:

JOY M., SALES REP 

INSTAGRAM: @TOBYSFOSTERPUPS

TMC:  What inspired you to foster? Were you ready prior to begin fostering her before the pandemic or was this situation a catalyst?
Joy M. (JM): What inspired me to foster was the loss of my dog Toby. He passed away in May of last year. I did not want to adopt another dog for a while. I had been fostering before the pandemic. I have been involved with SNORT Rescue for some time. I care for short-nosed breeds like English and French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pugs. I have met people who were giving up on their dog. Fostering is very rewarding. I took care of Max, an English Bulldog. This time with no other dogs. He grew a lot in the time I had him. Then I fostered Baxter. His adoption fell through. I always was the backup plan. Granted parenthood is always good. Making a difference inspires me.

TMC: You have fostered dogs while you have your “furever” pooch. How is Baxter getting along with other dogs? Any tips to help foster parents when they are introducing the new dog to the pack already at home? JM: Slowly introduce the dog is a policy of rescue.  Never just bring a dog right in your home. First, make sure they are good with each other. Walk them outside together, but keep them separated, not right next to each other. Walking builds camaraderie. Then after a little while, bring them closer together. My foster Max is not neutered, and he would try to assert himself as the pack leader. You have to think about the time you will need to train them. And they usually have to be neutered or spayed at rescues. But in the case of Baxter, he wasn’t. And I had to schedule time for his operation and helping him heal. Also, his vaccines have to be spread out. 

TMC: What are the biggest challenges of fostering?
JM: For most people, it is giving up the dog. I adopted Toby when he was 11 months old. He was one of the greatest gifts in my life. A big challenge is getting the dog acclimated and then having to give up the joy to some other family he deserves. If I had kept the foster dog Martin, I  would not have been able to foster Baxter. 

TMC: What are the most fun parts of fostering?
JM: Seeing the progression of how they improve. That is rewarding. They can come into your home with physical anxiety or be emotionally hurt. When I work outside, I also have an excellent dogwalker Caroline. That helps while I can’t be home.

TMC: Any advice to new pooch fosters?
JM: Make sure everyone at home is in support of it. And you know your lifestyle. Think about your vacation time. It may not be such a short-term thing. You will have to rectify the dog’s issues and make sure he or she is physically sound before going to a family. And you have to prepare yourself for giving up your dog. Many rescues won’t let you adopt the first foster. Also, try to front-load the training. It is great even if it is for a short period of time. It is harder to get outside under quarantine. Social media is helpful. 

TMC: How do you think fostering will ramp down as people return to some type of normalcy? JM: Many will give up the dogs. We already see this a lot in rescue.  Six weeks after Christmas and after Valentine’s Day, people give up the dogs. More people are fostering  all types of dogs of all ages.

TMC: Would you consider fostering an older dog? JM: There are rescues that specialize in them, I 'm not ready to take that on right now. I went through a lot with Toby. 

VICTORIA W., REAL ESTATE AGENT  

INSTAGRAM: @HOMESBYTORI  

TMC: You have recently adopted a puppy you were fostering. Were you ready for taking her in before the pandemic or was this situation a catalyst? 
Victoria W. (VW): I have fostered before. In this case, she just fell into my lap. A friend of a friend who is also a neighbor. My friend knew I loved dogs and knew I previously fostered. Her name was Pocky, like the chocolate covered biscuit sticks. Then we renamed her Madeleine, like the cookie. She looks like a Madeleine. I found my Yorkie Tyler through a similar situation. I met many people through walking our dogs together.  Someone in the community had a lot of things going on personally and needed to give up Tyler. He was so problematic in several homes, actually, a little terror. He didn’t get to socialize more in Brooklyn. We couldn’t find anyone else to take him. We decided to keep him. 

TMC: You’re a mother to fur and feather-babies! What inspired you to foster and adopt? VW:  My mentality has always been, if someone doesn't want a dog for any reason, take the dog. And then find the dog a better situation. It’s better to not go into a shelter system. You want to make sure it's not a kill shelter. There is a short amount of time before the dog could be put down, if the pooch is not adopted. In my community there are a lot of nice people. It usually is not a problem to find him or her a home.

TMC: You have other pets. How is Madeleine getting along with your other 2 furry children? How are they accepting her?
VW: I have dogs and birds. She is a puppy and needs the most attention.  She is so cute. They are still adjusting.  So far, we are okay.  She is 8 months old and a really good dog. Except she has a yappy, barking side.  We are working on it. She may not have got a lot of attention before.  My other dogs Cody, a Coton de Tulear and Tyler are both originally from rescue organizations.  Cody was super happy when Madeleine or Maddy came home. Cody and Tyler don't really play together. After we got Tyler, he became more of just a people dog and didn't mingle with other dogs at the time. After my other dog Francis had past, Cody got lonely.  He tried to bond with Tyler. But he wasn't that receptive to it. Then, Madeleine came and Cody was happy for her company. We had other dogs stay with us. Cody got along with some and not others. Now, though, Cody is not as happy with Madeleine.  She thinks she runs the place. And she’s the cute young pup. She gets so much attention.

TMC: What are the biggest challenges of fostering for your situation?   VW: Consistency. My hours are usually not that stable. I am a real estate agent.  Now I am home more so it’s easier. They need to learn house rules and consistency in their schedules. This helps them learn and adapt. You have to introduce a new dog to a pack you already have at home and integrate them.
Some dogs are easier than others. My new pup Maddy is bossy. Tyler was so much worse.  Maddy is easier in a sense. My biggest challenge are the ones I already have.  The older dogs already yap, then Maddy chimes in! I really want to stop all the yapping! As a family, we are still adjusting. Walking is another challenge.  Walking Maddy with Cody is one thing. Then if I bring Tyler, it gets chaotic. He barks a lot. He is not a good walker to begin with and not a good influence on the others. I am trying to make it work. My schedule can be all over the place. Consistency and time are key. I take total responsibility for my dogs.

TMC: What are the most fun parts of fostering?
VW: Maddy is so happy and fabulous. She is a very curious puppy. She is our shadow and follows us around. Her being so happy makes us happy. She is a bundle of joy. Sweet and cute and loves to play.

TMC: Any advice to new pooch fosters? VW: Give it time. Every dog has a story. Every dog or puppy is different. They need time to adjust to new environments.  He or she may be very scared or nervous. Maddy came out of her shell very quickly. Tyler loves us but he is difficult. He is very food-motivated. If animals are difficult, take the time and work on consistency. 

TMC: Are you concerned about anyone fostering as the pandemic subsides? VW: It’s very sad for the animal if they bond with you and then have to go back into the system. If someone wants to give up the dog for whatever reason, a forced situation is never good. They should try to find a way to keep the animal. Make sure the animal gets a good life. They so deserve it.

KATHY BOYLE, CHAPIN HILL ADVISORS, INC. FOUNDER AND CEO

FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KATHY.BOYLE.900 

LINKEDIN: HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/BOYLEKATHY

The Muttly Crew (TMC): Prior to the pandemic, describe your fostering experiences:

Kathy Boyle (KB): I was before, but I am not typically fostering right now.  If someone needs me to care for an animal, they usually don’t exit! What’s one more?  It’s hard for me to not keep it. Once, I fostered 4 ferrets because the owner had to vacate her house with nowhere to go. And I have a critter room in my home. Not everyone is set. I am able to provide a foster situation for various rescues. I can take 1 more dog for a day or two. I can quarantine them or keep them separate from my other “children.” 

TMC: How many “children” do you have?

KB: 5 dogs, 3 cats, 2 bunnies, 1 guinea pig, and horse. I care for warm-blooded animals!

TMC: Wow, holy sh!%! Bless you! What inspired you to foster and adopt? 

KB: In another life, I was an animal. It’s my mission on Earth. For 25 years, I had 5 dogs in the city. I also had a ferret and a chinchilla. It’s about saving a life if you are capable. Others don’t have room or a place to quarantine new pets.  It can make a huge difference if there are no kids and an understanding spouse or partner.

MC: What do you think of the fostering community expanding at such a fast pace during this pandemic?
KB: For me what changed is the bigger picture.  There is talk that shelters are empty. That is categorically not true. The headlines are not true. Foster dogs and cats are available. A lot of rescues do not go to harder hit areas like New York. And things have become more complicated during the pandemic. Rescues can’t do home visits and are hesitant to do Facetime check-ups and interviews.

TMC: Are you concerned about pet parents not being able to see through the fostering or adoption process when they return to work?  KB: They have to really think about it. Dogs could be dumped because of financial stress. If you work long hours, your life is not your own. Now, you’re not coming home at 6 pm. Are you ready for the new normal, whatever that may mean to you and your work and lifestyle? 

TMC: You are very generous with your time and space. You care for many 4-legged children. Are you able to take a vacation? 

KB: Finding a very good pet sitter is challenging. It’s tough. One time, I rescued a rabbit from a garage sale. I found out later she wasn’t neutered. She had 12 bunnies and I had to place them. Another time I had litter of puppies with the mother. This was a real challenge when I was in the city. Does the sitter really take the dogs out? 

TMC: How are the new kids getting along with the other animals you take care of at home and elsewhere? 

KB: Depends on which species. One time my chinchillas were killed by rabbits. They can be really vicious. Another time, a rabbit cut my toes. And they attack each other! My dogs are really good. No prey dogs right now. I sequester my cats. I have a cat tree. The dogs cannot get to it and eat the food but the bunnies can get to it!  

TMC: What are the most fun parts of fostering? 

KB: Saving their life and seeing the transition. For instance, this guinea pig. Seeing him gain weight and get healthier. Hay is their number one food. Or seeing a dog blossom and get that second chance.

TMC: Any advice for new pooch fosters? 

KB: Think long and hard about why you want to foster.  Going from zero to one dog is very hard. You can’t just go away, they could need daycare, or surgery, and a feeding schedule. You have to think about the changes to your lifestyle. And you need to check out the organization and vet them. A lot of people are taking dogs from the south. Parvo is a problem. They should be quarantined. Ask how many fosters they have at their rescue. And if you experience a life changing event and can’t keep the dog, is it okay to give the dog back. 

LINKS TO INSTAGRAM: @THE.MUTTLY.CREW @FOSTERAHOLIC @EASTCOASTCANINERESCUE

Our crew sniffed out in-depth advice from an active foster expert. We had the pleasure of speaking with rescue volunteer, “paws-on” mother, and foster parent Tiffany Justine C. She is a mom to 3-year-old Logan, a Siberian Husky Mix and 5-year-old Clifford, a Malamute. (Aren’t the names fantastic? Like you could enjoy tea or a hand-crafted beer in the company of sophisticated yet down-to-earth Logan and Clifford).

We asked Tiffany Justine or TJ key questions to help new dog foster parents. She not only dug up her answers but shared so many great tips!  TJ has personally fostered more than 100 dogs! Needless to bark, her advice is truly based on vast experience.  Here is our one-on-one with this Rockstar dog mom.

Q&A:
The Muttly Crew (TMC):  Any advice for new pooch fosters?

Tiffany Justine (TJ):  Make friends! They can share tips, advice, and are an amazing support system. I can’t tell you how many wonderful people and life-long friends I’ve met through the rescue community.

TMC:  During our conversation, you mentioned: "the goal is goodbye."  Great words! Please explain more.

TJ:  There are lots of sayings and idioms in rescue and that one is probably my favorites. Saying goodbye is how you continue to save more lives.

TMC: What inspired you to foster yourself and work with a rescue organization?

TJ: When I adopted my husky Logan in 2017. I was very green in the rescue world. I applied to several different rescues and ultimately ended up adopting through East Coast Canine Rescue. I was so thankful to one of the owners of the rescue organization. She dropped him off, traveling all the way from Connecticut to New Jersey for me.  I said, “please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” Sure enough, a few weeks later, she took me up on that offer and asked if I could take an adult dog for just a few days. A few days came and went and my first foster, Vincent was adopted. Since then I have had over a hundred fosters.

TMC: Before the pandemic, how many foster applications did ECCR see weekly? How much has that jumped?
JT: Just this month we have received more than 100 applications. This is wonderful, but also challenging for our volunteers who process our applications. Prior to the pandemic, East Coast Canine Rescue received 3 to 5 foster applications a week.

TMC: How do your permanent furry companions get along with the other animals you take care of at home and elsewhere? 

JT: My boys Logan and Clifford are both very social. They love play dates, dog parks, and on and off-leash adventures. Use slow introductions when it comes to foster dogs and your resident pets. I like to take my dogs on a long hike or activity before introducing them to a new foster. Then they are relaxed. When bringing in a new dog to my pack, I take them for a walk together in a neutral location and to introduce them at their own pace. Be sure to take some time to research more information on how to properly introduce dogs.

TMC: Are you concerned about temp parents not being able to see through the fostering process either to adoption or helping get the fur-baby placed with a "fur-ever" family?

JT: Always. Our rescue is 100% foster- based. This means if we do not have a foster, we cannot save the dog. When you commit to fostering a dog, you are agreeing to have the dog in your home until they find happily forever after. When we move a dog to another foster it takes another home away from a dog we could be saving.

TMC: What are the biggest challenges of fostering?

JT: The biggest challenge, for me at least, is compassion fatigue and burnout. You can get so wrapped up in wanting to save more lives, it’s easy to forget to take time for yourself. It’s important to take breaks, commit to what you can handle, and understand it’s okay to say no.

TMC: What are the most fun parts of fostering?

JT: My favorite part of fostering is seeing a dog grow and flourish. It’s a beautiful thing to see a dog figure out how to be a dog. Little things like their first tail wag are so much fun!

TMC: Have you fostered seniors or fur-babies with special needs?

JT: I fostered just about all walks of life when it comes to dogs. I mostly foster puppies, working breeds, or when a foster family is having trouble with a foster dog. We have several fosters who prefer seniors so a lot to the time they go straight to those volunteers. I have only fostered one senior and it was the best experience. His name was Sunny (7-year-old golden retriever). He was basically a reincarnated version of the dog from “Up.” He was the happiest guy! I got him from a local dog groomer. He took him from a bad situation where he was kept tied up outside all his life.

Several other special cases come to mind. If I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be Ivory. She was the mom of four Husky puppies I fostered earlier in the year. After several months in foster care she was not making much progress with her fear of being touched and people in general. Once all her babies were adopted, I knew I needed to focus on their mom. I picked her up from transport and from the minute she got off the truck I attached her leash to me. Giving her no option but to be near me 24/7. Wherever I went, she came along and was not happy about it at first. After a few days of desensitizing her to me, I started the same process with other people by taking her to dog-friendly places. She met people giving her lots of high value treats and praise. With time her confidence grew, and she was ready for adoption after a few weeks in my home.

BY: BOHDI THE RESCUE MUTT INSTAGRAM: @ADKUNSOLICITED (CONTRIBUTOR)

My name is Bohdi. I was wandering on the streets of Venice, CA when I was in a rescued by my person. That was in March 2013. For the last seven years my person has taken me on a walk, usually 2-3 miles, every morning where I get to see my friends. I also get to see my person's friends who moved here from Australia that he has coffee with almost every day.           

  When the pandemic hit a lot of my friends' person stopped taking long walks or simply took my friends out to do their business…then right back home.  

  I haven’t seen one of my best friends, Maddie, in a long time. When she would see us coming, no matter how far away we were, she would stop in her tracks and sit down to wait for us. That was because my person is the "King of Treats."          

Another good friend is Roxy. Roxy spent her mornings tied to a post outside a Peet's coffee shop while her person was inside talking with his friends. Whenever Roxy would see me and my person approaching she would get up and walk to the middle of the sidewalk and sit down. She knew my person always had a treat for her and wanted to make sure he didn't miss her. People would take a wide berth around Roxy which I found funny because Roxy wouldn't hurt a fly.

A new friend that used to come over with his person is Big, not so big. He's very cool. He was attacked by a coyote awhile back, but has completely recovered. Because of the pandemic and stay at home decree around the state I haven't seen him in over a month. I miss him.

The truth is that being a dog during a pandemic has some pluses – one being that their person or their family is around a lot more and can play with them. But, the big minus is that they don't get to see their dog friends, where they get to play and more importantly sniff, a favorite of all dogs.

By: Joy Charles, The Muttly Crew (contributor)

On the islands, sand and coconut trees are as common as seeing crystal blue sky and cotton balls of clouds. Surprisingly, pups are also common, roaming freely around the beaches and mountain terrains. At 9 years old I anointed myself an amateur veterinarian, rescuing abandoned puppies and closing wounds on strays. One specific time remains vividly in my mind, when I rescued a handful of pups left in the bush. It was a rainy day and I could hear puppy screams from my bedroom. I grabbed a bucket and headed out with a flashlight, the skies were dark and no one was around. I peeled the bushes to find a spotted band of misfits, pink noses, with eyes still closed crawling over one another, 5 little blessings. Upon cleaning the fab five, I realized that their eyes were stuck with maggots, it was gross but I took my time with a pair of tweezers pulling each nasty maggot out of each eyelid. 

Once all was done, a day or so later the beautiful innocent eyes of  Freeway, Hamburger, Shake, Peanut and Amigo opened. Mutts blessings with attitudes. They followed me everywhere, people were scared of Shake and Peanut the biggest of the bunch but they were gentle and silly. I loved every single one of them, Amigo was timid but really stubborn, Hamburger so lazy half the time I had to drag her off the ground. Freeway was the wild one, always getting into fights with the neighboring dogs. She ended up with a half ear from her many MMA fights. I can't remember how many times I had to clean her wounds but the thing about her? She was a secret lover, a cuddler with my cat Frisky, they would lounge by the front door all day if they could, not a care in the world. Weird huh? Shake and Peanut were always with me, they growled at anyone who got close but they were friendly just like me. I think all my pups inherited something from me, Shake my paranoia, Peanut my distrust of strangers, Freeway my warrior mentality, Amigo my stubbornness and Hamburger my appreciation for life and living in the now. But I inherited something much more from all of them, happiness and friendship, unconditional love and loyalty. I firmly believe that human life is much happier with a mutt in it. My pups are all in Dog Heaven but their lives and memories are stamped on my heart for the rest of mine. 

BY: JULIE, THE MUTTLY CREW

We brought our other blessing home. The day before, we gave one of our baby’s hats to my mother-in-law for Teddy to sniff before he met him. After we arrived home from the hospital, Teddy greeted my hubby and me, but he kept his distance from our new addition. He wasn’t interested in getting to know his little brother. And things didn’t get easier right away with Teddy. I won’t even go into us juggling getting up every 1 to 2 hours for our baby boy while tending to Teddy nearly every 2.5 hours. Sleep deprivation. Happiness and frustration. Inundated with feedings, newborn troubleshooting (sorry, don’t have a better word for it), Pampers and Bodhi Dog diaper changes! It was just insanity. I also had a great loss in the family within 2 weeks of our boy being born so it was a very sad time too. A few weeks after our blessing’s home debut, Teddy actually got better!  There were still accidents and times he needed a little more help to relieve himself. But now these incidents were few and far between. This miracle happened after many weeks of Teddy’s father mainly having to express him EVERY time he went to pee outside and then giving teddy a brief walk. It’s all about timing. There is a very short period of time when we can express Teddy’s bladder. It’s right after leaving the building and quickly getting his diaper off. He gets in a position, gaining momentum where his belly/bladder area is firm and we can express him. But then it softens quickly and he then can’t be effectively “squeezed.” So it’s racing out the door while hoping no one else is exiting or coming in the building at the same time where it can slow us down. Because Teddy will start peeing as soon as he thinks he is technically outside or can’t hold it anymore. Props to him for holding it as much as he has on a daily basis! On many outings, Teddy also would be unable to pee after his first run. It would just be frustrating and painful for Teddy to keep trying and moving with his bad back.  Before, when I referred to our “walks,” that’s what I meant.  Then after that initial relief, we try to walk him a bit if he is comfortable enough to endure it. It depends on his back, sometimes it seems to get better and he can take on some light exercise. Rest seems to help his have backache relief. This was our lifestyle: doing the daily tasks of work, chores and obligations. We focus on the baby being healthy and enjoying him while ensuring Teddy could pee okay and didn't have any infections.(Teddy & Johnny)    Teddy remained cautious, quiet and kept his distance from the baby. But most importantly, he was gentle. He didn’t mess with the baby and the baby, well, couldn’t mess with him anyway. He was a newborn!  But Teddy was annoyed.  They just coexisted. But our baby boy never flinched when Teddy walked by or looked at him. He was intrigued with this cute, quiet, big moving stuffed animal! At this point, whenever one of us was awake and not tending to the baby, he won’t leave that person alone to even nap himself. He was starting to look like his condition was improving.  Although he was getting better because we could relieve him every day, he was mad our attention was primarily on the baby. Particularly mine. And he made us pay for it from time to time with vindictive leaking and peeing. Yes, of course, many times he can’t help but we have known him for 13 years. Sometimes he is sending us a message! Through this entire experience, I have felt we have grown.  It became as much about becoming more patient, sympathetic and empathetic toward our Teddybear as it was about getting him to feel better and live his best life.  Managing challenging situations for the greater good. He is our furry child and we will never give up on him.

BY: JULIE, THE MUTTLY CREW

We were sooooooo happy about expecting our first 2-legged baby! Despite Teddy having serious health issues, we would remind him he was going to be the best big brother and we need him. With every good checkup on our bun in the oven, my gratefulness was sometimes offset by guilt that Teddy didn’t feel better. I felt like the pressure was on even more, for us to find him permanent relief. Was Teddy ever going to really enjoy his quality of life close to what is was before? Could we help him further before the baby arrived? How were we going to give Teddy the attention he needs while caring for a newborn? And I knew sleep would already be a lost cause. My husband already had a demanding job while my business partner and I were building a company. Obviously, raising a baby is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs in the world. I was excited and elated to be a hair-baby momma in addition to a “fur-baby mutter.” How the heck were we going to do both well? At this point, my husband is taking him outside 6 to 8 times a day. Getting through my pregnancy and making sure the baby was okay was now our top priority.  Rescuing Teddy in 2007 had changed my life. Sorry to be corny, but yes, he saved me more than I saved him. (Then a couple years later, my husband-to-be saved us both, ha!) Teddy is really our family, our kid with the tail. Giving up on him is not an option. But what about our sanity? Guess that’s out the window! And really, how did Teddy’s health demise like this?! He is a mutt, on another level. According to the DNA test Wisdom Panel, he took years ago, he is descended from 4 different breeds. How is he this sick?  Multi-breeds are supposed to have less issues, right? What did I do wrong? I thought we took great care of Teddy, above and beyond actually. “Of course, at this time he is pushing 13 years of age (91 in dog years). I expected some senior issues but come on!" Teddy was such a cool, sweet, quiet and chill dog before his urinary continence and back pain issues. But as my pregnancy progressed, Teddy got more thirsty and needy. Mostly he couldn’t help it, but time-to-time, we knew he could. He was sticking it to us. How dare we have another child while he wasn’t well! He would just walk him and help him take a long pee outside and return home only for him to leak or pee inside 15 minutes later.  Or he would all the sudden become a shadow and continuously and quietly walk up right behind us, tripping us.  He wanted us to know he needed help and was irritated. We were really trying.

To make matters worse for him (and eventually better), we decided to finally neuter him. This happened during the first trimester of my pregnancy. Three veterinarians said this may help his prostate shrink, putting less pressure on his bladder.  The timing of the potential positive results were not predictable. Teddy was understandably upset we took his manhood. He had to go through the healing process from a serious surgery and hormone changes. (I didn’t neuter Teddy early on because right after adopting him, we found out he had several serious health issues to tackle first).  Looking into his back issues required anesthesia, a MRI, and possible surgery. Veterinarians said this may pose more a risk to then 12-year-old Teddy’s safety than helping him. More months of managing Teddy’s health day-by-day by moderating water, Teddy pep talks, clean-ups, “walks” and trying this medication, stopping another one or using a natural option. He would start to have a good day occasionally where he didn’t leak inside and was in better spirits. Then our beautiful baby boy arrived!

By: The Muttly Crew Team

As we make our way to our seating at the Madison Square Garden arena, the audience cheers sound more like catcalling on a New York City sidewalk. Some patrons cheering for certain dog breeds shouted statements like “work that sh#t!” and “looking hot, nice legs!” Our excitement to finally attend the primetime session of the 2020 Westminster Dog Show was paired with our intrigue of the fellow attendees, parading of the furry centerfolds and ambiance. And the jumbotron honing in on the dog of mention was a bonus! The screen showed the camera zooming in on the furry contestant and his or her handler with a list of traits possessed by that breed. So interesting for us as dog apparel creators and advocates for companion adoption! We love and adore all types of dogs, even purebreds! Catch that 😊. As familiar as we were with the show and some of its history, 144 years in the making, we learned a lot by attending the event. And not just that people treat it like a Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Here are some of our findings:

•  More attendees drink alcohol than you would expect at a dog show on a work/school night – and it was Monday night. 

• The judges hardly utter a sound while critiquing and picking winners, just like it looks on tv.

• The first night of the event, more than half the audience clears the arena around 10 pm when the herding group makes it debut. And herding group breeds rarely win best in show. The last winners were a German Shepard named Rumor in 2017 and another shepard in 1987.

• Past time favorites are still favorites to win. But they are not necessarily the crowd’s top choices. The winners included Toy Group winner Bonno, a Havanese. Though he is quite popular and adorable, the audience went wild for the small, terrier-like Affenpinscher in the same category. In the Hound Group, Bourbon the Whippet took the title, but fans yodeled loudly for the droopy, stumpy Basset Hound contestant with the soulful eyes. 

• And Bonno fetched his second consecutive title this year. He also captured nearly 90 wins in other “Best in Show” competitions. This Havanese has the most titles under his harness, compared to any competitor of his breed.

• Many of the show dogs have full entry names to similar to racehorses like you see in the Triple Crown. For example, sporting group winner Daniel the Golden Retriever also goes by GCHP CH Hillock's Jack Daniel's RA JH CA RATN CGC and the working group champ Wilma the Boxer is entered as Boxers GCHP2 CH Cinnibon’s Bedrock Bombshell.

•  The Belgian Malinois is constantly mistaken as a German Shepard.

• The Spanish Water Dog is considered a herding dog. At least, we didn’t know that.

• The pooch contestants just get to lick their handlers’ treats before and during their trotting around the artificial turf stage. They usually don’t get to eat the treat until they are done walking and get to stand and wait for results.

• Winners don’t receive cash prizes. The titles and possible sponsorships are the prize themselves.

And if you are dog lover and or looking to see what kind of dog may fit in your life the best, attending this show is a great opportunity to learn about the different breeds and their common traits and qualities. And hey, why not get the best of 1, 2 or 3 or more furry worlds? Figure out what multibreed or mutt could make up the combination for the right personality for you.

By: Julie, The Muttly crew

Our senior dog-son Teddy lost control of his “plumbing” 18 months ago. He suddenly could not pee on his own. We were having a difficult time helping him relieve himself. He became excessively thirsty all the time. Then, last spring his back started to bother him. We found out later he probably had slipped discs. As expected by any seasoned dog parent, Teddy’s comfort, our lifestyle and freedom were instantly and greatly compromised. The daily tasks amount to so much more than making sure Teddy can just relieve himself.  Our everyday to-dos include 8 doggy diaper changes and “walks.” I will tell you later in this series why “walks” don’t really mean the true exercise of walking together with our furry child. We also live in a condo complex and take an elevator downstairs each and usually ride with someone who asks what is wrong with Teddy. There is just not enough time during the elevator ride to explain his issues or deal with ridiculous questions such as have we taken him to a vet. There are multiple clean-ups, an increasing pile of veterinarian, medication, dog walker, cleaning supply, diaper and wee-wee pad bills, natural and holistic research and experiments.  Teddy has been to 4 different veterinarian offices and 1 pet rehab facility in less than 2 years with no diagnosis for the underlying cause. The poor guy has endured pain, UTIs, many exams, x-rays, catheterizations, blood tests, medication side effects and the anxiety he feels each time he has an accident. And then there is the added responsibility, stress and guilt for my husband and me. We feel so bad for Teddy, and also, for ourselves. More expenses, more time spent on his care, less time for work and no shot for us both simultaneously being able to leave home at the same time for an extended period of time. Parenting styles either gelling or conflicting with breaking points inevitable. And while we are still trying to get a grasp on how to help Teddy without losing it, we learn we are pregnant!

By: Julie, The Muttly crew

Our senior dog-son Teddy lost control of his “plumbing” 18 months ago. He suddenly could not pee on his own. We were having a difficult time helping him relieve himself. He became excessively thirsty all the time. Then, last spring his back started to bother him. We found out later he probably had slipped discs. As expected by any seasoned dog parent, Teddy’s comfort, our lifestyle and freedom were instantly and greatly compromised. The daily tasks amount to so much more than making sure Teddy can just relieve himself.  Our everyday to-dos include 8 doggy diaper changes and “walks.” I will tell you later in this series why “walks” don’t really mean the true exercise of walking together with our furry child. We also live in a condo complex and take an elevator downstairs each and usually ride with someone who asks what is wrong with Teddy. There is just not enough time during the elevator ride to explain his issues or deal with ridiculous questions such as have we taken him to a vet. There are multiple clean-ups, an increasing pile of veterinarian, medication, dog walker, cleaning supply, diaper and wee-wee pad bills, natural and holistic research and experiments.  Teddy has been to 4 different veterinarian offices and 1 pet rehab facility in less than 2 years with no diagnosis for the underlying cause. The poor guy has endured pain, UTIs, many exams, x-rays, catheterizations, blood tests, medication side effects and the anxiety he feels each time he has an accident. And then there is the added responsibility, stress and guilt for my husband and me. We feel so bad for Teddy, and also, for ourselves. More expenses, more time spent on his care, less time for work and no shot for us both simultaneously being able to leave home at the same time for an extended period of time. Parenting styles either gelling or conflicting with breaking points inevitable. And while we are still trying to get a grasp on how to help Teddy without losing it, we learn we are pregnant!