We’ve been fostering – and finding homes – for dogs through Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) for years. (Eight, I think. I’ve honestly lost count.) Working with AFRP is always a mix of puppies and young adult dogs. This year alone we’ve placed three German Shepherds (including two VERY challenging and unsocialized males) and more Pomeranians than you can shake a stick at – technically, four.* We’ve met lots of lucky dogs and an equal number of lucky new owners.

We’re now fostering Nina, our first senior dog. Nina’s a very spunky 12-year-old Shih Tzu mix. She came to us when her owner could no longer care for her. After a quick few days of assimilating to our crazy pack – bit of a culture shock, with our German Shepherd, Lab, and Yorkie – Nina remembered she was housebroken. She gets along great with all our pups. We’re also told she’s cool with cats. Nina quickly took to crate training, too (loves her crate) and has picked her favorite toy from our dogs’ stash. Nina only intermittently retrieves, but she loves to fetch.

We’re placing Nina through Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, a Pacific Grove organization that works only with older dogs. Since Nina’s on the tail-end (pun intended) of middle aged, we figured this would be a good fit. POMDR is a very cool local bunch of dog lovers who target an often-neglected group of dogs. They name-check many of the reasons dogs, particularly older ones, end up without owners. They also provide guardianship for dogs when their owners can no longer care for them. Lots of great stuff from a great local organization.

Nina and her adoption-application info are up on the Peace of Mind Dog Rescue site. If you know of anyone who might be interested, feel free to pass this along. She’ll go to one lucky home very soon.

* You can only shake a stick at three Pomeranians. If you don’t believe me, I’ll add an entry to Wikepedia – since everything up there is contributed by anyone, you know it’s true – and I’ll post a link.

Photo Credits: Sonia Gates Photography