MULLIGAN GOT HIS MULLIGAN

In golf, a mulligan is a "do over", a second chance to get it right. You usually only get one Mulligan per round and it must be agreed upon by all players that you can take your mulligan.

This is our Mulligan, adopted in April out of foster care to a wonderful forever family. Mulligan got his second chance at a home and just like in golf, everyone agreed that it was his turn!

Mulligan's new family has nothing but wonderful things to say about their newest addition. He loves to lay across the feet of whoever gets to work from home and he loves to spend time with his human brother.

Mulligan gets to sleep under the covers, take long walks with is family, play ball and go for car rides. He has learned to trust again and thanks everyone who agreed that it was his turn for a Mulligan!

SO MANY THINGS TO LEARN - PART II

About 7 months ago, a blog was published on our foster baby Ripken called So Many Things to Learn. He had just arrived in foster care and everything was new to him - shiny floors, doors, crates, furniture, you name it.

Ripken got his forever family in April and actually got to meet and go home with them following our 5th anniversary celebration in Raleigh, North Carolina. As you can imagine, it was a big day for Ripken - he arrived at the event to find many new human faces and dogs everywhere. He came with his foster mother and left with a new family and a new fur brother named Jerry.

We are happy to report that in the last 6 months, Ripken has gone from hiding behind the furniture, eating in the bathroom and avoiding sitting next to his people to being confident, secure, a good brother and best of all - a happy boy who is a part of a family. He has learned to trust men again and freely gives out kisses. He still likes yogurt mixed with his food - an accommodation his family is happy to make for him.

He and his fur brother Jerry are best friends and even share sleeping quarters. It is the case more often than not that bostons get along and play well together. If you are thinking about adding a new arrival to your family, introduce them slowly - never force things and let them move at their own pace. You may just get a picture like this:

As is often the case, pictures say it best - Ripken rules!

ALL FIXED UP AND READY TO GO!

One of the million wonderful things about dogs is that they do not attach any fear or worry to being sick. They will often accept pain as an annoyance which keeps them from reaching the cookie jar faster. I once read a story about a dog who had been very badly injured by a bear while hiking with his owner. He was rushed to the vet and although he could barely stand, he went immediately to the jar of biscuits on the counter because he always got a biscuit at the vets office! Many of us would benefit from not worrying about being sick as worry and stress often slows down our recovery.

Meet Nigel

handsome young man right? Would it surprise you to learn that when Nigel was pulled from an animal shelter, he was 7 pounds under weight, had worms, was severely anemic, with "cherry eye" in both eyes, and flea infested? He was a mess but was full of joy as he was carried out of the shelter.

A month later and Nigel was at his healthy weight of 27 pounds, no longer anemic, worm free, and scheduled for surgery to be neutered and to have his cherry eye corrected. Nigel didn't waste time worrying about his list of health concerns, there was a foster home to explore, a foster Mom who gave him food, comfort and love, and foster siblings to get to know.

What a difference a few weeks make!

Nigel does have a heart murmur. We invite you to research this condition for more information. Please also talk to a veterinarian who can advise you further.

Nigel is 2 years old and loves to run and play. A fenced yard would be wonderful to allow him the freedom to run. Nigel gets along with other dogs. We don't know about cats. It often depends on the cat and their familiarity with dogs.

Nigel has overcome a rough start to his wonderful life. Please check him out on our available dogs page and let us know if you would like to know more about him. Nigel says that would be O.K. with him!