Despite being near starved and very dehydrated, Rosie had a good disposition and was calm enough to stay in the meeting room all day. We guessed that she had probably been dumped when her former owner realized she was pregnant. She drank and ate while we made our plans, then she went home with Colleen for fostering until she was in better shape. After posting notices at several post offices in the area to notify anyone who might be searching for her, the first item on our agenda was to schedule an abortion/spay procedure. More puppies were the last thing we needed during those cold January nights!

The abortion was not to be. Our vet was unable to do surgeries that week; we decided we could wait one more week for the procedures. One problem: we forgot to check with Rosie and her pups! Seven puppies were born to Rosie early on the morning January 23.

Two weeks later, when the pups were 8 weeks old, their foster mom wrote this:

The good news is that all of Rosie’s puppies have been adopted! Early on Thursday morning, March 19, the pups traveled to Taos and from there, they rode with about 50 other puppies to Walsenburg, Colorado, where they met their Colorado Puppy Rescue connection and traveled on to Centennial, Colorado.  In Centennial, they were immediately placed with foster families and by Saturday, March 21^st all had found new homes!  Yea!

This was my first experience with newborn puppies.  It was fun watching them change from rodent-like babies to cute, happy puppies, each developing its own personality. The brown one was christened Sammy and the brown and white ones were named Ringo and Reno. Sandy (the only girl) is the creamy colored with white on her face and Stash is the white one with a black rim around his lips. By the time they left for Colorado they actually knew their names.  They are all very sweet and loving and I feel blessed to have been foster mom to them and to Rosie!!

One month later:

Rosie was fostered through the Chama Valley Humane Society for nearly four months, during which time she reared five puppies, put on healthy weight, got spayed, and was treated for chronic diarrhea. She also learned basic obedience and was thrilled to find another foster pal who she played with all day. Both she and her pal were transferred to Annie's Orphans in Durango, Colorado, in mid-May, where we hear they are still playing together happily and much loved by the staff.

Freckles, a young pointer mix, was taken in when he was found desperately chasing a former board member's truck along 512 near the Brazos. He was skinny, but in good health, and very eager to be with people and other dogs.We advertised him as lost on the local radio station and put up flyers, but had no phone calls during the 8 days we had him.  Each of the three foster families who kept this real sweetheart of a dog thought about keeping him as a permanent member of their family, and it was only with much deliberation that the final foster mom decided to take him to Annie's Orphans in Durango, where we know he will quickly find a new home. Freckles was neutered and given his shots before we transferred him to Durango.

Last we heard, Freckles had been adopted by a couple who adore him and take him everywhere with them. In fact, they have been sighted with him in the pet store, where he was picking out which treat he wanted!