Hello, 3 days ago I adopted my very first dog. She’s 3 years old and has her issues and things to work on but she is a wonderful dog, more wonderful than I imagined. It’s just me here to take care of her. I expected dog ownership to be challenging and a lot of work but what I wasn’t prepared for was the overwhelming anxiety I have about caring for my new pup. Every night I’m waking up with intense anxiety attacks, I’m always sick to my stomach, I can’t eat and I keep crying on and off, getting very little sleep. I have heard of puppy blues but never knew it could be this bad. Has anyone else gone through this? How long did it last?

She has some issues with isolation and separation, and isn’t crate trained yet. In a few days I have to go back to my regular work schedule where she will be alone twice each day for 4 hours, but she won’t be crate trained by then. If I put her in a puppy safe room instead with her open crate, she panics because the door is shut / I’m not there. I’m so scared that I will put her in one of those places and it’s going to hurt her or traumatize her. I don’t know which option is the lesser of evils!

I’ve considered leaving her with a pet sitter, but I did a quick search for sitters and there were only men willing to take her breed/size, and she is fearful of men.

Please help, what would you do?

I just adopted a young adult rescue, medium size with a short coat, and we are in that messy settling-in phase where every outing is a short potty break or a decompression walk. I live in a small East Coast town and it has been raining non stop, so my entryway is basically a mud zone.

Right now my routine is awkward: towel in one hand, leash in the other, trying to wipe paws while he wiggles and gets overexcited. He is not aggressive, just squirmy, and he thinks the towel is a toy. I want to keep coming inside low-stress and not turn it into a wrestling match.

What are your simplest, rescue-friendly recommendations for:

1) A doormat or mat setup that actually traps mud and is easy to wash

2) A paw wiping routine that works with a dog who does not love having feet handled yet

3) Anything you taught early that made paw handling more normal (short sessions, treats, how you introduced touch, etc)

Bonus if it fits into a busy schedule. I am keeping my own self-care simple and will drop anything with too many steps. I am not looking to buy a bunch of gadgets, just whatever has actually worked for other rescue households.

Looking for rescuer!

Brown and black dog with anal mass

Tambay in front or across Bicutan Medical Center, ML Quezon St, New Lower Bicutan, Taguig

Hi everyone! I found this super sweet mama dog who looks like she just gave birth at my doorstep. A lot of pets have been getting dumped in my neighborhood. I took her to the vet, she is healthy but no chip was found. I've alerted animal control and have been posting online in case she has a family that is looking for her. However, I do believe she was dumped as she is one of many dogs that have been found wandering the neighborhood. I have been housing her and giving her the best life as I can give her temporarily, as I don't want her to be stuck and sad at the shelter (and possibly euthanized).

She is a very sweet girl and I believe she was used for her babies then dumped. If anyone is looking to adopt this angel girl please let me know. She is truly one of the sweetest pups I have ever met, and she deserves so much more.

Located in Orange County, CA!

Days like these makes networking dogs feel devastating. It’s like taking 3 steps forward and 10 steps backwards. It is definitely a rollercoaster ride with its highs and lows. Not enough people were networking this 4 year old gorgeous GSD. His light was snuffed out forever for being fearful. I know that someone out there lost their chance of having Bear as his soul dog and loyal friend. He deserved so much better. I wish I could have done more. The team of animal advocates that I work with has matched at least a hundred dogs to Foster’s and adopters this month. We have only lost a handful, but that doesn’t make our losses feel better. We know if the shelters would just grant us another day when we ask, then we would move mountains in order to get the dogs into a safe haven. The hands that get these dogs off the streets into safety are the same hands that end their lives. I wish we could get the system changed, but it won’t until people spay, neuter and take better care of their pets. Rest in Peace Bear. We loved you.

🚨POPPY #A2257789 - CLEARED FOR EUTHANASIA DUE TO SPACE NEEDS TO EXIT THE SHELTER 7/23🚨💔 SHE HAS 1 DAY TO LEAVE THE SHELTER🚨

She was dumped on the street by her owners. Please don’t let this be her ending. She deserves to feel the love of a good family home. This can’t be all she gets from humans.

Spayed Female, Brown and Black Brindle Akita/dutch shepherd mix
Shelter: EAST VALLEY Age: 8 YRS Weight: 67 LBS

Poppy (about 8 years old) is the kind of dog who quietly steals your heart.

She’s independent, gentle, and happiest doing her own thing-whether that’s sniffing every corner of a new place, enjoying a long walk, or settling in for one of her championship naps.

She loves being brushed, rides beautifully in the car, and takes her time savoring a good meal (especially if there’s meat involved!).

She can be a little shy at first, but once she settles in, she’s a calm, sweet companion. She was small dog tested and did well.

Poppy is available for adoption or foster at the East Valley Animal Shelter.

Please share to help this lovely girl find the peaceful home she deserves.

Please come meet her at
Los Angeles Animal Services
East Valley Shelter
14409 Vanowen St.
Van Nuys, CA 91405

818-756-9323/ 9324

Rescues please contact:
Life Saving Liasion
Cell: (213) 655-7613

Work: (818) 756-9324

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or
Cell: (213) 264-8988

Work: (818) 756-9324

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

If you are out of state or the LA area and are seriously interested in adopting, please contact Bonnie LaPierre (+1 (818) 430-5959) who may be able to assist with setting up transport etc.

My heart is so broken today. 💔

Chichi and Jericho suddenly passed away today. They were sharing the same room at the shelter. Chichi passed peacefully in her sleep, and then Jericho suddenly started having a nosebleed and passed away shortly after.

The shelter owner and caretakers told us that neither of them had shown any symptoms before today. They had good energy, healthy appetites, were eating well, and taking their vitamins. Everything happened so fast.
I honestly don't even know what to say.

This hurts so much.

The shelter they were staying at was actually such a wonderful place. It was always clean, they were well cared for, they had room to move around, good food, and people who genuinely loved them. I know they were safe there.

But I can't erase the damage that years of neglect did to your little bodies. I can't undo the years you spent abandoned, crammed into a tiny cage, or everything your previous owner put you through. Maybe the damage had already been done long before we found you. I don't know. I really don't know anymore.

I was finally starting to feel hopeful. We had just started receiving adoption applications for some of our other rescued dogs, and for the first time in a while, it felt like things were looking up. Then today happened, and it just broke me all over again.
..
Even through all this pain, I find comfort in knowing that your last chapter was nothing like your first. You weren't forgotten anymore. You got to experience kindness, full meals, new playmates, and the freedom you were denied for so many years.

Run free now, Chichi and Jericho. I'm so sorry I couldn't give you more time. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey. You were loved so deeply, and you always will be. 🤍🌈
💔
P.S.
We will get MaeMae checked by the vet.

TAGGED BY A RESCUE

🆘️ On Euthanasia List at BARC, Houston for Tuesday, 7/21/26. Deadline at 1pm 🆘️

ID #A2086713

📌 PLEDGE INFORMATION 📌

🆘️ Please do not honor pledges until a freedom picture is added to ensure pledges are going to the rescue that tagged. We will be putting the dog name and rescue name on the freedom picture. 🆘️

🚨 RESCUE ONLY 🚨

⸻

🐾 Meet Greta & Her 9 Puppies

Greta — ID #A2086713

2-year-old female German Shepherd mix • 55.9 lbs

Intake Date: July 15, 2026

Puppies (4 weeks old): All healthy and eating well

🐾 Otto — ID #A2086716 — Male • 3.0 lbs

🐾 Elsa — ID #A2086717 — Female • 3.3 lbs

🐾 Marta — ID #A2086718 — Female • 2.9 lbs

🐾 Fritz — ID #A2086719 — Male • 2.9 lbs

🐾 Bruno — ID #A2086720 — Male • 2.9 lbs

🐾 Hans — ID #A2086721 — Male • 2.7 lbs

🐾 Axel — ID #A2086722 — Male • 3.0 lbs

🐾 Ilse — ID #A2086723 — Female • 2.7 lbs

🐾 Klaus — ID #A2086724 — Male • 3.1 lbs

⸻

Medical Notes:

Greta weighs 55.9 lbs and is heartworm positive. She has received her DA2PP, Bordetella, and rabies vaccines, along with deworming and parasite prevention. Her puppies are 4 weeks old and have received deworming and parasite prevention. They are currently listed as immature and underage.

⸻

Behavior Notes:

Greta is a friendly, easygoing girl who greeted with a relaxed body, soft eyes, open mouth, and a gentle swaying tail. She was easily leashed, walked outside with a semi-loose leash, and returned to her kennel without difficulty.

⸻

BARC Animal Shelter

3200 Carr St.

Houston, TX 77026

Phone: (713) 229-7300

For foster, adoption, or rescue holds (written requests only):

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Please include Greta’s ID number: #A2086713 and the puppies’ ID numbers in all correspondence.

⸻

🙏 Greta and her nine puppies need rescue help to stay safe together. Greta is a sweet, gentle mom who deserves a chance to care for her babies outside the shelter. A rescue can give this family the safe place and care they need. Please help save Greta and her puppies.

Phoenix (#A884342) is a 4-year-old German Shepherd at Ventura County Animal Services scheduled for euthanasia on July 22 at 11:00 AM.
Phoenix came to the shelter as a stray with painful injuries across his back, sides, and neck that resemble cuts and chemical burn. The shelter has determined he is unsafe to handle due to fear-based, defensive behavior.
But Phoenix has shown another side to him….on that wants to Trust again.
Those who have taken the time to sit quietly with Phoenix have seen a gentle dog who takes treats softly, sits when asked, and begins to relax. After everything he's endured, fear should not be his final chapter.
Phoenix deserves the chance to decompress in the care of an experienced rescue and finally learn what it feels like to be safe.
🚨 Rescue commitment needed by 10:00 AM tomorrow.
📧 [email protected]
Phoenix – ID #A884342
Please share. His rescue may only be one post away. ❤️805-754-6380

There's a rescue group in my area that does a lot of great work. A few days ago they posted a dog that was 11+ years old, in horrible condition and that had been pregnant but ended up eating all the puppies. This rescue is begging for donations to cover a 6k vet bill to save this dog's life. At what point does a rescue organization or advocacy group decide that spending time and enormous amounts of money on a very compromised older dog is smart? I would think that for the 6k you require to save this dog's life you could use that money for so many other dogs who would be easier to find homes for.