Category Archives: Pets
Foster Miso’s first day
Six dogs including the four fosters in the rental backyard are enjoying each other’s company and getting lots of exercise.
With senior foster Bugsy (who did so well adapting to our household) leaving on Tuesday, we agreed to foster Miso. Miso looks like a miniature German Shepherd, pointed ears and all. He’s a young chihuahua mix, like Calvin and Hobbes, who needed some TLC. He wasn’t doing too well in the shelter environment. Of course the goal is to get every cat and dog at the shelter into permanent homes. I’m glad while waiting for my house to be renovated Shea and I can provide some sanctuary to a few dogs. Miso had a heck of a fun time meeting and playing with the pack. I’m glad he and Bugsy got to meet for a few days overlap. They will all sleep well tonight.
Hopefully the three remaining younger chihuahua mixes will be adopted out soon. Five of these six dogs are rescues from HSNB, including Bonnie, who I adopted last year. Snoopy was also a stray, but he’s my special survivor from the fire 13 months ago.
February Poolside Coffee
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.
Firestation Calendar Photo Shoot
For the 2026 Humane Society of the North Bay calendar, we took our three foster dogs (one of which is going to Muttville later this month) for a photo shoot with firemen here in Vallejo. Today’s photo shoot was with Fire Station 24. Before some of you (you know who you are) get all hot and bothered, the firemen kept their shirts on. Anyway, it was a great experience and I’m glad these foster dogs will help other homeless cats and dogs by the funds raised with the forthcoming calendar. Thank you to Lisa, Mei and others from HSNB who arranged this. For good measure, Mei had the wherewithal to suggest Shea and I pose with the dogs by the kissing booth.
On the way to the fire station we gave our friend Teena a lift to the hairdresser. She wanted to take pictures of the models as we left.
Earlier that morning Shea called them and Snoopy for a photo, and what he got he couldn’t have planned better if he had tried:
Early February 2025 Dogs
Five dogs on the hill! The three fosters are adventurous in the backyard, which is nice to see, while we enjoy a break from the rain. The two running the most are Snoopy and Calvin, although Hobbes joins the running toward the end.
Shea took this candid picture of me in our messy bedroom last night. The tongue on Snoopy makes the whole picture for me, but the entire cast of characters is here. All five dogs are with us as we wind down for bed and have some “family time.” Fortunately Bonnie and Snoopy generally choose to sleep at the end of the bed so we can sleep comfortably, but these three foster chihuahuas are super needy. They mostly like to burrow under the blankets but flank me much of the night, which is very sweet. Sometimes they venture over to Shea’s side, but he sleeps so soundly I’m afraid he’d roll onto one of them. So far so good. No injuries to date!
Atmospheric storms suck for backyard time opportunities.
At one point I couldn’t find Bugsy while I was working, only to find out that he found this special spot in my rental house’s office that Snoopy usually enjoys. He climbed the dog steps to get there and made himself right at home.
We had one day recently when the sun broke through.
Bugsy Foster
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.
Special Poker Night
This time it was a belated 80th birthday celebration for my wonderful friend and neighbor Larry. Larry and Carol have been so wonderful to me since the fire. It feels like home when I’m in their house, which is the same layout as mine.
January 2025 Dogs
Hillside Dogs
Bonded pair foster brothers!
This is why I want Calvin and Hobbes adopted together.
