They are, after all, newbie puppies

Stinky Cat looks on as puppies confront Master Beano.

Three puppies came to stay at our house. Three rambunctious, curious,

8-week-old newbies with a lot to learn. Big puppies, bigger than our own Lazlo Chiweeny who finds this crew a little intimidating. He thinks he wants to kill them, but he knows he can’t. They are, after all, puppies.

I cut a paper collar off the runt. "A29656204 Male" is written on the green facing in bold black marker. That's how he was known down at the pound. A2 and his siblings were owner-surrenders, dropped off by humans as no longer wanted. Or never wanted in the first place.

Puppies certainly raise hell, don't they? And these guys bring a certain celebrity with them, a growing social media presence trending mainly here, in Wichita Falls circles, and branching out to Flower Mound, toward New York. These guys are local rock stars, and damned if they don't act like they know it!

Louie's green paper collar is marked A29656204 Male.

So why would a couple of old married people, supposedly in their Golden freaking Years, take to foster three energetic, ravenous, "It's ALL about ME!" puppies? I mean, you KNOW why puppies are so damned cute, dont' you? It's Ma Nature's way of keeping all god's creatures from killing 'em. Why, indeed?

Asking to take on these three gave Annie and I naming rights. It's good to be Senior Foster Parents! We knew the names had to be triplets--as in Lion, Tiger and Bear--but not just any old triplet--Larry, Curly, Moe. Plus we had to have two boy names and a girl name. Peter, Paul and Mary! Ultimately, it was Annie's entry that took the vote and stuck. Frank, Louie and Ella.

Ella takes five from a boistrous meet and greet.

Fine voices all and strong, this trio. They will be with us for at least a month, at the end of which time we are expected to turn over three young, healthy, happy dogs; house trained and friendly to other dogs, cats and people. And if you can work in tolerance for human children, so much the better.

Like Betty said, It's gonna be a bumpy ride. You, Dear Reader, are welcome to FOLLOW along for these next five weeks and see how it goes. We'd appreciate your COMMENTS, too.

Anniepie Miller provided the pics. Rumor has it she has VIDEO!

Kimber Farrar-Hopkins, who is Emily's Legacy Rescue, pulled these guys from the lock up at the 11th hour.

Jan Herzog provided transportation and got our guys into the Road to Forever-Love on Wheels program for a fresh beginning through Helping Hounds Dog Rescue.

I'm Jim Miller. I string words together.

Our thanks to all the above and to all of you, Dear Readers, for being a part of what we do.

Polar Vortex Fails To Freeze Out Foster Rescues

Fenway (left) in his new New York home.

Fenway finds his home

Three times, now, since joining the Road to Forever we have sent dogs north with Dog Runner transport, and on each trip David and Elaine--the people who are Dog Runner--have faced bone-chilling cold, icy roads and near white-out conditions. All three trips were completed safely and on schedule.

If David and Elaine seem exceptional, they would be the first to counter that they are typical of the scores of folks--from Wichita Falls, TX, to Flower Mound, TX, to DeWitt , NY and points in between--who give their time and funding for their local shelter, Love on Wheels and the Road to Forever.

And why do we do it? Check out Fenway, the black-and-white border collie above. That's the face of a rescue dog who has found a secure, loving permanent home. What other motivation could anyone possible need?

Helping Hounds featured in national magazine

Regular readers here know that our Texas rescue dogs are transported to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in DeWitt where eager families typically wait out of doors in frigid, icy weather conditions to greet each Dog Runner arrival. Helping Hounds and the Love on Wheels partnership with the Humane Society of Flower Mound are the focus of a featured article to be published in the March issue of Animal Sheltering Magazine. However, you can get a sneak peak at the excellent, informative piece here!

Scrappy foster #4 set for departure next week!

Opie ready for his shot at a home down the Road.

The little guy at right is Opie, a something under one year old cairn terrier mix and 20 pounds of chewing, licking, jumping, cat chasing energy who can steal a heart in a New York minute.

Annie:  That's the truth! I know I say this about every foster, but it's true. These dogs are so ready to give and get love - their aim is to please, and Opie is no different! He's a tiny package of affection and will make someone a wonderful forever dog!

While the next scheduled transport to Helping Hounds isn't until the end of the month, Opie needed a foster home NOW to boost his physical health and emotional well being. So we agreed to take him. 

Since bringing him home, an unscheduled transport through Texas Pit Crew became available, and Opie will have been in foster care the required two weeks to qualify. Pending a successful health certification Thursday, Opie will be on his way to a permanent home Monday, Jan. 13.

Mrs. Miller, bless her heart, falls in love with every dog we bring home for fostering, and little Opie certainly is no exception. Program rules, of course, stipulate that fosters may not adopt their charges, but Opie has had Mrs. Miller plotting abduction and relocation to a secluded, remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest!

Annie:  Piffle ... well, maybe ...

A Bit of Hair of the Dog

 Sending Opal on her way

The toughest thing we did today, saying So long! to Opal.

 Someone in New York state may not know it yet, but a beautiful black and tan princess is headed their way. Whoever you are, rest assured this gal will steal your heart in a heartbeat.

Nothing about fostering rescue dogs is tougher than that final day. When it came down to it, all I could do was lead Opal into Dog Runner's capable hands, turn and walk away. 

Even as I type, I can't look at the picture here on the right. Somehow, these lines are blurry on the screen.

This, I suppose, is the selfish side of fostering. Damn dog!

We would have liked more time to visit with Dog Runner and to learn a bit more about the road trip our Texas hounds are taking to DeWitt, NY. DR's transport can handle up to 60 dogs, each with their own private travel crate. The logistics of potty stops, exercise breaks, meals and the unloading-loading required with each must be a wonder to behold! However, Departure Day is not exactly the ideal time to go for an interview.

One of these days, though, we intend to make the trip down to visit the good folks in Flower Mound who ramrod this canine wagon train. Stay tuned!

 Charlie Beagle on board!

Co-pilot Charlie Beagle on my shoulder.

We put Opal on Dog Runner's transport at 4:30 this afternoon, then headed the Blazer over to the HSWC shelter. Seems the best cure for foster separation anguish is hair of the dog, i.e., the next fostering challenge!

Shelter director Cheryl Miller had tagged this 4-year-old male beagle mix named Charlie for us last week. In fact, we met Charlie briefly while at the shelter for Opal's final medical exam.

Charlie remained calm at my approach, sniffing politely at my proffered hand. He was shivering, shifting weight from one foreleg to the other as he sat on the cold concrete floor. With the softest of whimpers, his eyes begged, "Take me out of here, please, sir!"

We know next to nothing about Charlie. He came to the shelter after being "arrested" as a homeless stray. Apparently, he carried no identification.

Charlie demonstrated immediately that he had not been homeless all his life. He patiently allowed me into his enclosure, nor did he make a fuss as I placed a collar on him. On leash he showed no signs of leash training, but neither did he fight the lead. Charlie simply put his nose to the ground and set at at a determined pace, his tail signalling Let's GO!

Our bed feels a lot like home!

In the shelter office he remained curious, sniffing at everything and everyone calmly and methodically. When Annie opened the door to leave, Charlie was the first one out.

Charlie showed not the slightest anxiety riding in the Blazer. This obviously was not a new experience. In fact, he showed a marked and determined preference for riding in the front seat! We struck a compromise, and Charlie rode most of the way home on my left shoulder.

Arriving at the house, Charlie eagerly walked with me to the back yard while Annie went inside. We thought it best to let Charlie meet his Lead Trainer, Beano, outside.

Both dogs took to one another from the get-go. Cautiously at first, to be sure, but with much mutual circling and sniffing of respective nether regions, as dogs are want to do. And while Charlie was cordial, shall we say? It was clear to see that he was more interested in sniffing out and marking his new patch.

Annie: I was curious how Beano would take to another male in the house, so was very pleased to see them getting on so well. I wonder if this may have something to do with the fact that they are a similar breed and size.  It was almost as if they were taking turns to see who was the dominant dog with some amusing dance moves displayed. In any case, the next couple of weeks will be most interesting.

Inside the house, Charlie was curious about the cats, but only mildly so. He showed no aggression whatsoever. As with the yard, his first priority was thoroughly sniffing out all nooks, crannies and corners of all rooms open to him. He showed no interest at all in jumping on furniture other than our bed, the exploration of which brilliantly he saved for last and immediately curled up and made himself quite comfortable.

So after some initial playing, a couple of trips back to the yard, more inside play, a little begging for a taste or two of people food, another exploratory sniff around the house, and a quick bath, both beagle boys claimed respective spots near one another on our bed and quietly passed out.

They are softly snoring still.