Relaxing poolside on a February afternoon with good weather (between atmospheric rivers) and good friends discussing life over light snacks and coffee. I brought Snoopy (off adventuring in Greg and Steve’s yard, which he’s very familiar with), Bonnie, and Bugsy. He’s a foster senior who is going to Muttville in ten days for some medical treatment and a new life. That incredible organization gets their dogs adopted out fast, so he is likely to become a San Francisco purse dog within a week.
Hearing that this senior named Bug (I’m calling him Bugsy) with less than perfect behavior was rejected by a rescue/transfer organization specializing in seniors, I decided to foster him from the Humane Society of the North Bay (HSNB dot org). He needed some time in a home environment and I’m expecting Calvin and Hobbes will be adopted soon. Bugsy also has dental problems, arthritis, and a cute uneven underbite. Not only does he resemble an old version of Hobbes, but he also has a spot on his nose and a snout that resembles my late 18.5-year-old Pomchi Timber who died in 2023.
This is why I want Calvin and Hobbes adopted together.
Today we collectively — with Snoopy and Bonnie — enjoyed the 66F degree weather with a warm solano in the rental backyard.
The back of this sweater Bonnie is wearing says, “Dear Santa, Let me explain…” which is just perfect for her. I think someone at the shelter picked this out for her, because I didn’t even know I had it until today!
Shea got the foster brothers ready for their last vaccination at the shelter today. Leaving them there for a few hours was heartbreaking, as they did not know we would be back soon. I hope the next time I leave them (after they get neutered) will be when they’re going to their forever home. It’s great that we can help keep these two out of the kennels.
Of course, they were thrilled when we brought them back. I’m so glad we will have them for the holidays after what was a very dark year in many, MANY ways.
This was a spontaneous shot that Shea took of me and four dogs (the two fosters and my two babies) after a wonderful dinner he made for Hugh and me last night. I didn’t realize that all four dogs were up on that couch with me, but Hugh was there with his dogs off-screen. You can see a tuft of Buster at the bottom of this picture. The four on the couch with me were probably looking for a short break from Zin and Buster, who I always enjoy seeing.
We have Calvin and Hobbes as emergency fosters during a kennel cough outbreak at Humane Society of the North Bay.
Shea made me nervous running backward around the pool at our friends’ house yesterday, but it was adorable that the three dogs here wagged their tails furiously and followed him like the Pied Piper. Bonnie wisely kept out of this high-risk activity, but everyone was unharmed in filming this video.
In the backyard in the rain with the dogs, including the foster brothers. We’re all ready for the longer days after the solstice with more warmth and light.
Bonnie has her moments when she’s tired of her two foster brothers, but at other times, we have moments like this, which warm my heart.
Bonnie is chipper morning with her foster brothers Calvin and Hobbes. It doesn’t last, but it’s nice while it does.
Calvin had no problem running up the stairs while following Snoopy, but Hobbes really needed some encouragement. When he was left out he made a scream that sounded like a witch’s cackle, so Shea tried to help him learn. Eventually, he just grew tired of being left out and now he runs up and down like nothing. This reminded me of building Bonnie’s confidence with the process, but she’s blind! This is Shea’s filming of Hobbes steps lesson:
Calvin and Hobbes wrestle with each other in the bedroom. Shea tried to capture them following Snoopy in lockstep, but they moved so fast!