We fostered a pregnant dog here at the office (aka my house) and before long we had 9 crazy puppies running around. I was pressuring myself to do some kind of video of them but I just kept being drawn to letting photography drive the story. Sometimes it’s more effective to freeze time. So, I followed 9 puppies around with a camera. Here are their stories…
Miracle & Her Puppies
Miracle was surrendered to the Humane Society of North Central Arkansas who upon examination was carrying a pretty big litter. Ashley and I agreed to foster her and within the hour of getting her home, puppies were on the way. We picked random 90’s cartoon characters for the names and started tracking their weight. We watched a ton of YouTube channels from professional breeders to learn how best to prepare these guys for life.
Ren
Ren is not so obviously the runt anymore. He is the shortest, but not as slender as some of the others. He gives Rocko a run for his money on who is the most vocal. Ren is a fighter, he goes around instigating as many battles as possible until he undoubtedly learns he is not the biggest puppy in the pack. Ren loves playtime but loses interest faster than the others in toys and then prefers to be with you. Every day he seems to value the head scratches and belly rubs a little bit more. Take all 9 of them outside, and Ren is a ball of energy but possibly the first to crawl under your chair or in your lap and pass out. He is fuzzy like Dexter and Stitch.
Stitch is big on playtime and loves toys. He and Neutron are similar in that they do their best to hoard toys away from the rest of the puppies. He doesn't need to be in your lap or under you all the time like some of the others want to be. A free spirit, Stitch would usually rather explore or hang out with a toy more than anything else. A hiking companion with a curiosity for adventure. Stitch is the sneakiest one of the bunch, he’s the first to find a way around or through obstacles to get what he wants.
Yakko is a cool customer, he can take you or leave you. He rarely whines, not a big instigator in the fight game, but loves to play and get pets. He is really independent and just easy to deal with. He has the most black, is slender and tall. Yakko is always happy to see us but is not as demanding as some of the others. As we neared our 8-week mark he was more and more excited about time with his humans.
Dexter is the roundest and fuzziest of the whole bunch. He can be more aggressive than the rest most of the time, and never runs from a fight. He is big on playtime, makes eye contact often, and while he seems to have more energy than most, he can bring it down in exchange for affection. He will choose a romp in the dirt over a nap on the couch 60% of the time. He is hyper-curious and wants to explore everything around him. Dexter will slow down for a belly rub on occasion.
Neutron didn't seem to particularly give a dang about us until later in his stay. He has always been more concerned about what mom and litter mates were doing, but after 6.5 weeks, he was much more affectionate. Neutron LOVES toys. He is easily distracted by a spinning ball and has developed tactics to get to the toys first and then hide with them from the other puppies. His strategy is keep away. As we neared 8 weeks it was becoming apparent that Neutron was the calmest puppy of the bunch and was becoming very appreciative of affection and toys or chew things.
Pumba is my dude. The explorer, the leaper, the tall, lean mean ball chasing machine. He is the only brindle puppy, and he has a black mask that makes him (in my opinion) the most striking recognizable puppy of the bunch. He is the most independent and adventurous. He covers more distance and goes farthest away than any of the other puppies. He'll sit and take some pats on the chest and pets but he'd rather play with you than cuddle most of the time. Pumba is a wild dog, and very beautiful as you will see his awesome stripes coming out as he ages. Pumba wants to be near you, but not always on you because he’d rather be doing something or relaxing comfortably in your presence.
Dot, our wild girl, and the only girl in the litter. Dot is arguably the smartest. She was the first puppy to make eye contact and approach us on that level. She can get wild as the rest of them, but she seems to calm down quickly and she loves affection. More of a free spirit than Rocko she circles back to us every so often but wanders farther than Rocko or Stimpy. Dot is more patient than most. She has a white patch on her chin that is super cute. She at times can out alpha Stimpy or Rocko. Dot has a huge personality and was always one of the first puppies in line to approach us. She bonded quickly and appreciated repetition, she was already learning to sit for pets and picking up things intuitively.
Rocko - The town crier, arguably the biggest whiner, easily the biggest lover. Rocko is always ready for human interaction. Already he runs to me, rolls over, and gives me the belly. He is a hoss, while Stimpy is taller, Rocko is the thickest puppy, a barrel on wheels. Rocko seeks attention more than any of the puppies. It's not unusual to check on the pups and find them all sleeping in the crate, except for Rocko..who is waiting on us to return and play or scratch his belly. Rocko is going to be a big cuddly boy for whoever ends up with him. He loves being with his people above all else.
Stimpy - The Alpha, the first to play, fight, run, jump, and leave mom's side. He was the biggest at birth and now competes with Rocko for the biggest pup. While he is rowdy, he is also content to "sit" and be loved on. Even at this age, I'm impressed with how he will sit in exchange for some pets. Stimpy has awesome "ticking" coming up his legs. Stimpy is not a big whiner and rolls with the punches. He had the strongest bond with me. Stimpy always seemed to find me and the camera and if there was a puppy under my feet, it was usually him. Stimpy is for sure my boy, and he is a blast, if I were able to keep one of these guys today, it would be him. While we loved them all, Stimpy has a special place in our heart.
Ashley and I really enjoyed this experience, and I’m very appreciative she was by my side to help get this crew through their first 8 weeks of life. I’m really amazed by how much we’ve bonded with them and how hard it was to let them go. I’m a lot more emotional about their absence than I care to admit, but such is life in the foster game.
Miracle is up for adoption as well and will make a wonderful pet. She is an older dog who bonded to us very well while she was here. She mostly wants to be outside but appreciates sleeping by the bed at night. She is ready to bond to someone for life, she is very aware of what her person is doing but is also independent enough to go relax in the yard. She cares little for treats and toys and instead prefers affection.
