Hogart Black Labrador Retriever Male 3 Months Old ID#3245

Hogart and his six siblings arrived to Brookline from a breeding farm after the farmer was not able to sell them.  Please read Hogart’s blog from the bottom up to learn more about his time in foster care.

October 9, 2023

Hard to believe it has been a week since I checked in!  Things are going well.  I am really a happy little guy and have gotten into the household routine.  This week I conquered the stairs, which FM says is good because I am getting too big to carry! We get up every day and the first thing FM does is bring me to the front yard to go potty. After that, we come in and get ready to go for a walk.  I adore going on walks with the big boys and we get all our smelling in. We only go for about a mile – FM says the big boys would like to go longer, but since I am still growing, we have to keep it shorter. I am full of energy the whole time, but my tale gets extra wiggly when we approach home as I know breakfast is soon to follow! I eat all by myself in the kitchen so that the big boys don’t try to share with me. I eat with usual lab enthusiasm.  I then play with the big boys for about an hour then it is time for a nap.  I normally snore soundly in the crate for about 5 hours, with little breaks to chew on a toy. FM has given me several things to chew on, which has helped me not chew on things I am not supposed to. At lunch time, we all go outside for a shorter walk and spend the rest of the time playing.  I then settle into the crate for about 3 more hours while FM works.  She started putting me in the downstairs crate with Cash in the afternoon as I am a HOT puppy and with this summer weather, I was uncomfortable upstairs.  I would much prefer being where I can see her, even if I am hot, but eventually, I did settle down.  After FM is done with work, we go for another walk and then I spend the evening hanging with the family.  We play, have dinner, and assist FM while she makes human dinner.  I love to lay on her feet or very near them. I am doing better with potty training – I know that as soon as I go outside, I should go, but I haven’t quite figured out how to let her know when I need to go out.  So, she says you have to keep an extra close eye on me.  I am also very curious and with investigate everything with my mouth.  I pulled on a tablecloth and everything that was on the table came with it.  That created a splendid crash, so mom put it out of my reach.  Basically, I am just a typical puppy and FM says my furever family should puppy-proof the house before I come home.

October 1, 2023

I just finished my first 3 days in foster care, and I think I like this living in a house business! We have lots of fun toys to play with and things to chew on.  I just sometimes need reminders of what is okay to chew on and what isn’t.  FM put my bow tie on to try and get a cute picture, but I was more interested in trying to eat it!Since I don’t have fingers, FM has to type this and while she does, I thought I would help by chewing on the computer, which she says isn’t a chew toy (and apparently the rope that is attached to it is also off limits).  Every day I am here, I get a little more curious and playful!  I love feet – if you are wearing shoes, I like to untie them.  And bare feet are so tasty that I love to lick them.  I also like tugging on everything from leashes to blankets to dress hems.I have also met the kitties that live here a few times and I just ignore them…they give off vibes that they aren’t a fan of puppies, so I think it is best to respect their boundaries.  But if I see another doggy on my walks, I want to go say hi to them!  Speaking of walking outside, I continue to be a gentleman on a leash and am doing better about doing my business outside.  I am good with pooping outside, but the potty outside is still a challenge, but FM reminds me that I am still learning.  I am getting better and better in the crate and last night I went in on my own at bedtime. But I am equally as content to sleep on FM’s lap on the couch. Well, that’s it for now.  I will check in next week!

September 28, 2023

Hello, my name is Hogart or as my new foster mom calls me, baby Hoagie.  I am 14 weeks old and a chunky 37 lb. boy.  Yesterday was a big day – I went to the vet with my 6 siblings, then took a long car journey to meet my new foster family.  I was a bit nervous at first, but foster mom and my two new foster dog brothers, Duke and Cash, welcomed me with open arms.  They are very cool, and I want to be just like them when I grow up!  I follow them around everywhere and try to join in all their games.  They are helping me to learn to walk on a leash and are sharing toys with me.  I even conquered the couch so I could join them and foster mom.   I am doing okay with potty training, but that may take some time.  I am not a big fan of the crate, so I do better if Cash goes in with me and I can cuddle up to him, which he lets me do. I was too excited to eat last night, but I happily ate this morning…foster mom says it doesn’t look like I often miss the opportunity to eat.  I also got to meet cats this morning.  They were not thrilled to see me, so I decided to keep my distance.   That is about it for now.  I will check in tomorrow!