I want to start seeing other dogs or how to socialize your dog

With Thanksgiving holiday now behind us and jolly memories of family and friends still fresh in our minds, let’s turn to socializing. Yes, more of it. We all need it, albeit in different doses. And that is no different for our four legged companions. Whether a foster or a regular dog owner, socializing your dog is important. And it doesn’t matter if your furry ward is a ready-made extravert extraordinaire or a shy, hide-under-the-couch-kind of recluse, it falls to you, his human to provide the interaction. 

You are probably thinking - I already do plenty. I play and pet, and I even share my couch. I offer intelligent baby talk when my face gets licked. The dog is obviously happy?

A war dog becomes a Hero Dog Awards finalist, no surprise there

A follow onto the War Dogs post earlier this year. Just found out that the American Humane Society and the Hallmark Channel teamed up for a great cause: to seek out, recognize and award Hero Dogs in all walks of life in America. Out of 453 nominated for this honor dogs, 8 were chosen to represent different Hero categories. Bino C152, the Military Dogs category nominee, illustrates all the incredible and extraordinary qualities these dogs exhibit every day, from their supreme focus on any given task to their unique ability to inspire the will-to-go-on, to pull through both in soldiers and in other dogs. After 11 years of non-stop service, Bino C152 is both an exceptional and a universal story of a fearless war dog who had already done so much and is doing more still. Watching his story, albeit short, makes you realize how amazing and devoted these furry soldiers truly are. Thank you Bino C152 for your service and your faith in us. You are already a winner.

Here are stories of other remarkable Hero Dogs finalists: Meet the top 7! 

Do you really want to herd me? The truth about fostering or adopting a herding breed dog

Humans are funny creatures. We complain and sigh over things we don’t have in our lives only to complain and sigh about them when we do get them. In a way, we never grow out of that awkward kindergarten stage when another kid brings a toy over which we immediately lose sleep wanting it, only to get bored the moment it comes in our possession. Over time those wishes must have become more elaborate for our needs got more complicated. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dog that protects us? Let’s breed one whose teeth will scare the neighbors – be they people or wild boars? - Done! Or, wouldn’t it be great to have a dog so little it’s imprisoned by its cuteness into being its owner’s permanent companion? - No problem. The one that takes the cake in my mind is the working breed dog. Originally, it all came out of the basic need for help herding livestock. So humans designed these dogs to have superior intelligence and the ability to understand human language, while doing it all for just a praise instead of a regular paycheck. Sounds perfect? Apparently not. 

Rediscovering Padma or how to foster an unusual pet

Padma

Remember Padma? The Chihuahua - Basenji mix foster, who was found hiding in a barn after a snow storm? She got adopted by a family with four kids, only to be returned because her energy level and endless need to play overwhelmed them. To curb her destructiveness, kids' parents admittedly relegated her to a crate, where hours on end she grew more rambunctious and vocal. Long story short, she is back, now living with me and my dogs.

Looking at her frolicking, first thought that comes to mind is "Ah, to be that young again".

Here's jumping at you, kid or the tale of Molly landing in your heart

Molly

Here's a face of a stray to fall in love with. Molly, my “jumping” foster, stole hearts at every adoption fair she appeared at, which explains why she stayed with me only two weeks. Just adopted by a young couple from Alexandria, she is now looking to have a new life filled with every imaginable dog dream. Surprisingly, it is I, who is now acclimatizing to her not turning the house upside down. Literally bouncing from couch to couch, corner to corner, bed to ceiling and back, she was my favorite speedy-Gonzales foster with legs made of springs. 

I am sure Mr. Darcy (my resident cat-extraordinaire) probably won’t agree with my sentiment. Not after he experienced the fastest case of weight loss he’ll remember.