The Happy Pooch Maker

So here's the thing. 

We love happy pooches.

Like me?

Yes, Lila, you are the epitome of happy. We get a lot of happy dogs here - dogs who do great during their time with us, get adopted quickly, and go on to live happy, awesome lives. 

I like this story.

Yep, it's a pretty good story. But here's the kicker.

Oh noes. Is this going to get sad?

Some of the dogs we see here aren't as happy. Maybe they're sick, or injured, or just need a little time to decompress.

Like me?

Like General. General came to us with a broken leg after being hit by a car. While his leg healed, we needed to keep him as quiet and still as possible. Luckily, some awesome peeps stepped up and offered to foster him. His leg healed, and he got tons of attention and mental exercise to keep him calm, happy, and occupied. 

Moral of the story? General is now a happy pooch. And, as we mentioned, we like happy pooches. So there's happy pooch #1.

There are also dogs like Baby Boo. 

Baby Boo was not a fan of being here. People walked by her room constantly but didn't stop to say hi to her, she was bored, and even though we did our best to get her out on adventures through our Doggy Day Out program, she was still finding it hard to adjust here.

That was the old me. The new me is so awesome.

Cue to a few weeks of being in foster, and Baby Boo is a different dog. She's more relaxed, her coat is nice and shiny, and she's thrilled to meet new people. Happy pooch #2.

What about us?

Thanks for the reminder, puppy. We also get a lot of puppies around here. Many of them are too young to be adopted, and need a little time to grow big and strong. We've found that puppies are much happier pooches when they do their growing in homes with people around to play with the toys and scritch the ears. Happy pooch(es) #3.

So what's this Happy Pooch Maker that helped all three of these cases turn those frowns upside down? Foster homes.

 I knew you were gonna say that. I'm pretty smart, huh?

You are, Lila. So that's it. The secret to making happy pooches is having awesome people who step up and foster. 

Want to be part of the happy pooch making? Sign up to foster. We're holding orientations soon, where you'll learn all about how to create happy, smiley pooches like General and Baby Boo.

Sound good? Cool, see ya soon. 

We'll leave you with this happy pooch as a thank you: 

The Squishiest Flower of Them All

This is Tulip.

Hi.

If we had to describe Tulip in one word, it would probably be "YAY!".

Hooman, are you confused? Even I know that's not a descriptive word.

Yes Tulip, we know. That's not an adjective. But it's the best description we could think of. Because you are just so gosh darn excited about everything. 

You are excited about walks. 

Did someone say the "W" word? I'm there.

You're excited about visiting new places.

What's this place called? It's neat. I love it here.

You're even excited about something as simple as sunshine. That's just who you are, and we love it.

Mmmm dis feels good.

You are ESPECIALLY excited about meeting new people. Because people mean pets, and sometimes they fawn over you and say nice things. People are pretty cool.

Hello hooman. May I look at you with this adoring face forever and ever? Thanks.

Sometimes they even bring treats. Judging by your size, we know you're a fan of treats. No offense intended. Treats are awesome.

No offense taken. Treats are da best.

One thing you're not excited about? Shelter life. We know, Tulip. The people just keep walking by, and sometimes they don't even come to say hi or bring the yummy treats. It's pretty rude, and a little lonely at times. And even though we tried to make it as fun for you as possible and visit you as often as we could, you still weren't having it.

You're right, I wasn't. Can you go back to saying nice things about me now? You're bumming me out. Get it? Bum?

Good one, Tulip. We love your sense of humor. And we love that we have awesome people who were willing to foster you for a while so you didn't have to be so "bummed" about hanging in the shelter. Get it? We borrowed your joke.

That was pretty funny. But I am still the funniest.

According to your foster mom, you are an awesome houseguest. You're quiet and love to take naps. And once your humans are ready to party (did someone say "walk"?) you're so hyped, you're practically already out the door.

I'm ready for anything. Bring it on.

In short, Tulip, you are the loveliest, smooshiest, marshmallowiest dog we've met in a while. Your squishy cheeks and toothy grin are worth writing home about. 

Can we get back to this walk thing now? I've been ready for over ten minutes.

Sure thing, Tulip. Your awesome peeps are coming for you soon. We just know it.

Ahem.

A Cure for the Kitten Crazies

You're at work all day, excited to come home and see the brand new, tiny, fluffy kitten you just adopted. In your mind are visions of cuddles, soft kitten fur, and purring. 

Instead, you come home to something that looks more like this: 

OH GOOD, YOU'RE HOME. LET'S PARTY.

Fangs are flying, nails scratching, and you're doing everything in your power to protect yourself from this tiny tyrant that has suddenly taken over the body of your sweet, docile kitten.

What happened? Why has your innocent furbaby turned into a teeny tiny murderer? 

Answer: The Kitten Crazies. The Kitten Crazies overcome all kittens at some point or another, often as a result of boredom. 

I have the Kitten Crazies and I will NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL THIS MOUSE IS.

There are a few cures for the Kitten Crazies, but one is more effective than all the rest:

We iz pretty cute, right?

Adopt two kittens together. 

Seems counterintuitive, you might be thinking. Won't that just double the amount of Kitten Crazies occurring in my home? Sure, but it's all a matter of perspective. Those Crazies could be directed toward your hands, arms, feet, and any other visible parts of your body, or they could be directed on another kitten until both are so tired that they eventually pass out in your lap.

Earlier we nearly killed each other. Now we are sleepy.

Sounds pretty perfect, right?

But wait, isn't it double the work to have two kittens? Sure, there's twice as much poop to scoop. But it saves you the trouble of waving a wand toy for hours on end (it's fun for a little while, but it can get old after two hours straight with no signs of slowing down). 

Look how tiny and ferocious I am!

Kittens can be downright dangerous. They're basically knives covered in a thin layer of fur. But with another kitten around, suddenly all that energy has somewhere to go. Because while it's cute to have a 1-pound kitten swipe at your hand, it's less cute when that kitten is a full-on teenager capable of inflicting considerable damage. 

Need something destroyed? I'm happy to oblige.

Not to mention the $$ you'll save from property damage - because if there's anything kittens love to do, it's scratch up the furniture and knock over your favorite antique objects.

Adopting two kittens can be a life-saver for people with limited time to spend playing with their new kittens. It gives both kittens a chance to get the Crazies out, and protects your hands and feet in the process. Plus, it's just downright fun to watch two kittens go all out on each other, WWE style.

We solemnly swear we are up to no good.

Right now is a good time to adopt a kitten (or two) - we're up to our ears in them. Visit any of our locations to adopt your very own machine of destruction and adorbs-ness. See them all here. 

A Positive End to A Difficult Week

For some of us, it's been a long, hard week. When the news cycle just keeps throwing bad news after bad news at you, it can be hard to remember what it's like to see good, positive things. 

So that's where we come in. 

This week is yucky, blech!

We're here to provide you with just a few moments of happiness in your news feed. We're giving you a point in your day when you can scroll on your phone and computer and smile, over and over again.

And why is that, hooman?

Because we have puppies. And kittens. And dogs. And cats. And they don't understand anything about news feeds and media stories. 

Hello, I love you.

Like Blake, who doesn't have a mean bone in his body and smiles like this. All. The. Time.

I'm gonna get dis water if it's da last thing I do!

Or Rocky, who would rather spend time in the pool than on the internet. And who, adorably, chomps pool water as though he could actually catch it with his teeth. The cuteness, we can't deal.

Dis pool is mine and I love it and look how cute I am.

If you get more pleasure from the feline variety, how about a pile of kittens to brighten your day?

We're definitely not posing like this so that you'll forgive us for destroying your curtains earlier. Definitely not.

Or this kitten drinking from a bottle while inside a hoodie sweatshirt, which is giving us so much cute-aggression that we almost can't handle it. It's so cute. And tiny. And we want to SQUISH IT. 

I gots no cares in the world, just give me dat bottle.

Speaking of cute-aggression...how about a head tilt? Are you crying from happiness yet?

What's wrong, hooman? Do you need cuddles?

Hopefully we were able to bring a little sunshine into your day, if only for a minute. But if you're still in need of a bit more positivity in your life, pop in to visit us. Our animals would be more than happy to lend a cuddle and a listening ear. And they're a great reminder that there are good things in the world and you can always find a reason to smile with a pet around.

The Serial Grass-Roller

Luna Loo has been with us looking for a home for a little more than a hot second, and we've started to notice something about her. 

Is it dat I'm really, really, really, ridiculously good looking?

No, it's not that she's dog-gone gorgeous (we would say no pun intended...but it was intended. It really, really was. You're welcome.). Although she is gorgeous. Obviously.

Who me? Aw, shucks.

 No, the thing we've noticed is much more...unique:

Luna Loo can't keep all four paws on the floor.

Now I....had...the time of my liiiiiiife...

It's as if the air was actually full of tiny magnets, somehow pulling her paws toward the sky.

Dat wasn't even remotely funny, and you know it. 

Sorry, Luna. We'll try again.

It's like she's somehow flying, but with her back still fully stuck to the ground.

Whoohoo! Take dat, Peter Pan! No fairy dust needed here.

She's in a constant "give me belly rubs" position. And the thing is, we do want to give her belly rubs. We really, really do.

Da belly. You must rubbeth it.

 It's like she's trying to take over the entire Bay Area by steadily rubbing her butt all over it.

Dis mine now.

Whatever she's trying to do, we're here for it. You go, girl. Way to create a signature move.

Tanks. What u fink about dis spot?

 

It's perfect, Luna Loo. Just like you. 

 

Luna Loo and her killer moves are ready to find a consistent spot to rub all over, forever. Luna's at our Milpitas ACC, where she's going on Doggy Day Out walks with volunteers almost everyday, and slowly rolling across one grassy knoll at a time.

 

 Dis spot's not dat grassy, but dey can't stop me!

This land manatee is sweet as can be, a total snugglebug, and dying to meet you. Return the favor. And don't forget about the belly rubs. 

Pease and tanks.