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Dogs for Adoption
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AGE CATEGORIES:

Puppy:  
0-6 months old
Young Adult:   6 months-2 years old
Adult:   2-6 years old
Mature Adult:   6-8 years old
Senior:   8+ years old
Every week we have a wide variety of dogs/puppies and cats/kittens up for adoption. The dogs have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and heartworm/lyme tested. Please go to our FAQ page to learn about our adoption fees, adoption requirements and policies, & how to adopt, as well as other things to consider before you adopt. A pre-adoption questionnaire must be filled out. Our pet adoptions are held every Saturday from 11:30 - 4. Homeward Bound volunteers can only show the dogs on Saturdays at our pet adoptions unless otherwise specified in their descriptions. If you would like to inquire about our animals (besides coming to our pet adoption) you may contact us via email. Please keep in mind that we are volunteers and have families and jobs but we will respond to your email as quickly as possible, especially if it is an emergency. All HB dogs, unless otherwise noted, must live indoors only'.

22 HEARTWORM POSITIVE DOGS: Sometimes we hear about how high our adoption fees are, or the standard "Don't you just want them to find a good home?". Absolutely we do. However, we cannot afford to out of pocket vet the dogs and send them along, and our fees reflect that. One thing our fees also enable us to do is to take in dogs with fixable medical issues and take care of them so they can be adoptable. Our biggest medical area, and we are seeing an explosion of it right now, are dogs coming in testing positive for heartworm. We cannot emphasize enough how important those monthly preventative pills are. In the month of June alone we have treated 22 heartworm positive dogs. Individual heartworm treatments are between $200-500 per dog, and that is on top of the normal vetting costs--- spay, shots, heartworm and lymes test, exams, worming, etc. It seems unfair to us that a dog should be left at the pound or euthanized for a fixable issue like heartworm. So, our fees are a little higher, but just think of how many dogs you are helping to save and help be adoptable. This month we have taken a huge hit and several volunteers are helping to offset it by using personal funds to help. Donors are few and far between right now, with the economy the way it is. So please help however you can. Donate if possible, specifying the donation is for heartworm costs or medical related costs.... spread word of mouth about rescuing a dog.... volunteer time at adoption events walking dogs.... advocate for friends and family to use heartworm preventative.... and make sure to give your lucky dogs/cats an extra pet today. You may send tax-deductible donations to P.O. Box 1802, Maple Grove, MN 55311.

4TH OF JULY SAFETY TIPS: Did you know that on July 5th is one of the busiest days at pounds/shelters? This is because SO many dogs panic when they hear fireworks, and often crash through a window, jump high fences they've never tried to jump before, break out of chains/collars, break out of crates and then jump through the window, etc. When they get outside, they run (often for miles, and are often scared out of their mind, lost, and confused. If you don't have proper ID on your dog/cat, you NEED to put it on ASAP, as well as get him/her microchipped. A tag on a collar is not enough, since often times collars come lose and fall off. The 4th of July is fun for humans, but terrifying for most dogs/cats. Please visit the following links to read about some very important safety tips. Your pets will thank you for it! www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/summer_care_ tips_for_you_and_your_pets/keep_your_pet_ safe_on_july_4th.html, www.foha.org/main. asp?id=36, www.prlog.org/10021864 -bark-busters-offers-july- 4th-safety-tips-for-dog- owners.html.

FOSTER HOMES NEEDED: We have several dogs in need of foster homes. These dogs are safe in fosters right now, but for various reasons such as seeking a quieter place, needing some more one on one time, etc, we are seeking a new foster placement to help them while in rescue. The ones who need it most include: Gretchen, Keegan, Spock, and Sydney. To learn more about fostering, please go to our Foster Facts page. Once you've read that, Sherri at sweeperjunkies@comcast.net for more information. The dogs thank you for considering becoming a foster mom or dad!

HOMEWARD BOUND TOP 5 LIST! Just for fun, we have chosen to do a "Top 5" category selection for some of our dogs. While chances are high there are many more than 5 that fit into each category, it gives people a chance to whittle the choices down a bit, and is fun for us! For 3 categories ("Best Dog for First-Time Owners," "Best Dogs for Families with Kids," and "Best 'Nearly Perfect' Dogs") we did expand it to the Top 10 due to popular demand! These lists will change and grow regularly! They are by no means complete - you have no idea how hard it is to narrow down this list when so many dogs fit into these categories! "Best Canine Companions" (dogs who would love to have another dog to live with) - Buddy, Claire, Eager, Ebony, & Willow. "Best Dogs for Families with Kids" - Aries, Barney, Bess Chloe, Martha, Nikki, Rusty, Shorty, Tanner, & Wizard. "Best Dogs for First-Time Dog Owners" - Diva, Evan, Marcy, Martha, Nikki, Parkay, Sam 2, Smokey, Truffle, & Wizard. "Best Dogs for a Jogging/Walking Partner" - Bones, Princess, Rascal, Scout, & Zippy. "Best Dogs Most Needing a Home" - (dogs who are saddest in rescue) - Bess, Bucky, Keegan, Martha, & Wizard. "Best Mellowest Dogs" - Bess, Martha, Harley, Sydney, & Zeke. "Best 'Nearly Perfect' Dogs" - Benny, Dryfus, Gretchen, Ivy, Keegan, Jasmine, Miley Spanky, Star, & Sydney. "Best Treasures often Overlooked" - Kelty, Atlas, Shiloh, Dryfus, & Whispers. "Best Dogs who have Been Patiently Waiting for a Home" - Bailey Shea, Speedy, Mikey, & Sam.


DOGS & PUPPIES IN OUR PROGRAM:

The dogs/pups listed above are all available for adoption. However, due to space constraints, we cannot bring all of the dogs to the pet adoptions. We tend to mainly just bring the dogs/pups to adoptions that people have inquired about. If you have certain dogs you wish to see (please limit your list to a few) please email the contact person for the particular dog or dogs you are interested in. If the dogs listed above don't match what you are looking for, feel free to check our site later on in the week as we get in new dogs/pups all the time. The list of the available dogs is generally updated Monday evenings, Thursday evenings/Friday mornings, & Saturday evenings.

Feeling overwhelmed as you begin the rescue process? With so many wonderful dogs it can be very hard to know what is the right choice for your family. If you want a little guidance, a few of our volunteers would be happy to help you with suggestions for the right fit. Email us a description of some of the characteristics you are seeking (size, gender, temperament, housing situation, kids and other pets, energy level, etc. and we can send a list of possible suggestions for the right fit, or for some to check out. You can email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.

HOMEWARD BOUND DOGS LOOKING FOR HOMES:

Angie
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Name: Angie
Breed: Bichon / Pug Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Angie is a princess dog with a silly side to her as well. Surrendered when her family got bigger and she is happiest with a quieter home, Angie is a bit overwhelmed with rescue but we are seeing peeks of the inner puppy! Angie is a 4-year-old Bichon/Pug with a white wirey coat to offset her beautiful big brown eyes. She is well housetrained, not a barker, reliable loose for the workday and very much the 'love sponge', meaning she soaks up whatever attention you give her. She is shy with strangers so would be happiest in a home with minimal chaos and someone who has a yard or walks her daily. She loves her toys and walks. Angie does fine with cats and other dogs, she ignores them as best as she can. She prefers an adult or older kid (12 years plus) home. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email Sherri at sweeperjunkies@comcast.net for more information and/or a pre-adoption questionnaire.

UPDATE: Angie has a new passion... walks. This girl LOVES her walks and wants a home to walk her daily. She is still skittish in new situations but binds hard and fast, and loves to cuddle with her foster dad on the couch. She is trying hard to play with the other dogs, and loves to watch out the window. Angie also showed us a bad habit this week, and that is that when she sees something, she wants to share the news (in other words, she barks)... so no shared walls for her, please. This dog has more character than you can imagine and we laugh at her daily.
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Aries
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Name: Aries (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for Families with Kids")
Breed: Black Lab Cross
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Aries is a female Lab cross, sleek and gentle and very loving, abandonded at a pound. We can't figure out why.... this girl is well housetrained, quiet in the crate, has decent leash manners, adores the kids and is so, so gentle with them, and for such a young dog really minds her manners. She is about 1-2 years and her driving force in life is keeping her people happy and showing them how much she loves them. Aries is fostered with toddlers, cats and other dogs and just seamlessly fits herself in. She rarely barks, reliable off lead once she attaches (she bonds very hard to her people), and just a diamond in the rough, Aries may not win a beauty contest but she sure wins best natured. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.
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Asti
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Name: Asti
Breed: Doxie Cross
Age: Senior
Gender: Female
Description: Asti is a mature lady of about 9 years old, a wire Doxie mix with regal blonde good looks and boy does she know she is cute! Asti is seeking a new home as a new baby arrived at her house, and she prefers a quieter, more predictable adult home. Asti is well housetrained, ignores the cat and tolerates the other dog (although clearly she thinks she is more human than dog). Asti would like a fenced yard or someone who walks often, she loves to be out and about. She is not one to go looking for a kid to be crabby to, but if they are running around wild in her space she gets grumpy. Asti would be perfect for an older home, loves her walks and rides. She is on prescription food for allergies, which helps her skin and to help prevent urinary infections. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.
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Atlas
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Name: Atlas (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Treasures often Overlooked")
Breed: Lab / Beagle Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Atlas is a medium sized Yellow Lab/Beagle who has spent 2 years in rescue now, and is still patiently waiting for his own home. We can't figure out the turn-off, although his leash manners are embarrassing... but that's what training is for! He is a quieter dog vocally, rarely barks, and although he loves a good hard playtime once a day he is otherwise found sacked out on the floor, flat on his back with jowels drooping, paws hanging in the air. Atlas is great with the kids he lives with (8 years and up) and is always been friendly with visiting little kids but never lived with young ones. He is fine with other dogs and has proven reliable off lead once attached. Ideally he'd love a home with a fenced yard and another dog, but if you are a daily walker/jogger and are ok visiting other dogs he would be fine with that too. Atlas is seeking someone who is willing to out just a little extra effort into adopting a dog who has gone far too long waiting for his own home, all with patience and dignity (dignity that he loses on the leash, but again, a Gentle Leader and classes make it all workable!). Email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net with questions. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease.
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Babe
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Name: Babe
Breed: Boxer
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Babe LOVES rescue... you see, she came from a neglectful home where she was chained outside her entire first year (how in the world did this champion couch potato Boxer survive a MN winter outside?) and is typical Boxer in that she craves attention, loves to kiss and snort on you as she shares the couch, and is so happy to be inside now that she is doing everything she can to stay there! She is catching onto the housetraining very, very quickly, crates quietly, and does beautifully with small kids, cats and other dogs. being a one year old Boxer she does have some pep and play, but is overall one of the quieter Boxers we have ever seen. Her nose is extra kissable and we are all head over heels for her charm. If you are a Boxer fan, you'll be charmed as well.... if you are not a Boxer fan, even you can't resist sweet Babe! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.
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Barnaby
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Name: Barnaby
Breed: Doxie / Terrier Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Barnaby is an adult male Doxie/Terrier who has spent way too long in rescue waiting to be noticed. With a personality like his, people are really missing out, but he is more 'vanilla' in looks and tends to be passed by. Barnaby is 20 pounds of friendly, smart, eager to please, already housetrained and crate trained little dog who loves to be social, play, and cuddle. He does sound the alarm when someone comes in, but is respectful of the command quiet and makes friends quickly. If you take dear Barnaby out and spend some time with him, you'll be in love too. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.

UPDATE: Barnaby wants a doggie friend to run and wrestle with... the bigger the better as far as he is concerned! He is the hit of the dog park, and likes kids too. He has no idea he is a little fellow and plays with the biggest dogs he can find. He is also used to cats, but they get harassed if he does not have a dog friend to play with. Housetrained, crate trained, and very social, this little party animal is playful and loving and hopes his home comes soon!
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Barney
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Name: Barney (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for Families with Kids")
Breed: Beagle
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: "I love you, you love me, we're a great big family . . ." Now that we have that running through your head, do we have your attention? While it's true that our Barney isn't a big purple dinosaur, he does share THAT Barney's love of children. In fact, we're seriously thinking of requiring Barney's forever home to have children - he loves them that much. He also follows the 'other' Barney's theme song. He loves everyone, and he thinks everyone should love him. Of course, he doesn't have his own great big family yet, but he's keeping his paws crossed, that's for sure! His love of people slops over into his love of other dogs. What a play-baby! He ignores the cats (although he asked us to say that if you do not have another dog, he hopes the cat is playful!). Barney is housetrained and crated for the workday. He is a puppy mind in an adult body, gentle with even the smallest toddlers but it is open game on their toys left out. He has been well-socialized and has a very adaptable temperament, he fits himself in anywhere. Barney would do best with a fenced yard to play safely in, and someone who wants a dog walking buddy. Barney oozes charm and cheer and promises, if you adopt him, that you'll never have to listen to that horrible song again. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Benny
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Name: Benny (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best 'Nearly Perfect' Dogs")
Breed: Basenji Cross
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Benny is a young adult male Basenji mix with a really cool, happy, confident temperament. Dogs like him that can walk into rescue chaos and take it all in stride like he does really impress us. This friendly little dog rolls with life's punches, even the hard to take ones like being dumped at the shelter by uncaring owners. He is a great little family dog... playful, outgoing, settles down nicely, loves to cuddle. He is housetrained (although as with any dog, expect some accidents as he transitions), crates for the workday, not a barker and gets along well with everyone. We have not seen him with really little kids, except meeting them on walks, but he is happy to meet toddlers out walking. Benny is about 20 pounds but has long, graceful legs. He LOVES the dog park and going for walks. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Michelle at mschumack@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (His picture is courtesy of the shelter he came from)
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Bess
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Name: Bess (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for Families with Kids", HB's Top 5 List for "Best Mellowest Dogs", AND HB's Top 5 List for "Best Dogs Most Needing a Home")
Breed: Rottweiler Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Bess is a gentle giant, and she is breaking our hearts in rescue. She came in from the pound so scared she was hiding her face in our legs and shaking like a leaf, but wanting to be as close to us as possible. Bess is an adult female Rottweiler mix who is quite seriously gentle as a lamb. The cats boss her around even! She is fostered with little kids, other dogs and cats and is an angel. Although we know she was previously an outdoor dog, she has been accident free at her foster (showing smarts on the part of BOTH Bess and her foster!), crates quietly, and wants to cuddle up and be loved. She is so careful with her size, and so extra gentle we think she'd make an amazing therapy dog. Bess looks like a poorly bred Rottweiler, very Rottie looking but a little longer tail and a longer snout. We think she is one of the best dogs we have ever had come through rescue. Even scared she is very polite, very much a lady. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com. (Her picture is courtesy of the shelter she came from)
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Bones
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Name: Bones (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Dogs for a Jogging/Walking Partner")
Breed: Lab / Springer Spaniel Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Bones is an adult male Lab/Spaniel mix, about 60 pounds, who is amazing. He is housetrained, crate trained, playful yet once he gets his exercise, settles easily. He does well with kids, especially those old enough to play and throw a ball for him. He also loves the other dogs (though likes to be fed separate from the other dogs so he doesn't have to worry about them taking his food). If he could pick his ideal home, it would be one that will provide daily walks, frequent trips to dog parks, making new friends (he is very social!), playtime with kids, and hanging out near the couch with you. He has horrible leash manners so perhaps a home that can see the potential behind the pulling at the adoptions as well. With a gentle leader we expect he'll pick up on it quickly. Bones would be a great first time or family dog for someone wanting the whole package when it comes to dogs...smart, eager to please, loving, and fun! He is really hoping for a new name, too! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email shaspring@netzero.net with questions or for a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Boo
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Name: Boo
Breed: Shar Pei Cross
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Boo is a mini Shar Pei.... some sort of designer dog that ended up in a shelter. We seriously don't see anything else in there but Shar Pei, but he is only about 20 pounds! Boo is about 8-10 months old, black and wrinkle faced, sleek body and all full of wags and kisses. This guy has taken the greeter role on and is ready to help you in any way he can. Boo is puppyish and young, playful and always cheery. He is working on his housetraining (using a crate, bellyband, and schedule works wonders). He tolerates other dogs but would definitely be happiest as the only dog in the house since he's frankly pretty tired of having to share food, toys, bones, etc. with the other dogs. No kitties for Boo as he views them as squeaky toys that run and taste yummy. He does best with adults and appreciates their predictable nature. He is really only cute to those who like Shar Pei's, but his temperament and happy attitude sort of make him cute. He loves walks, rarely barks, and is just a neat little dog. In typical Shar Pei fashion, he can be stubborn at times so would do best with someone with dog experience or experience with the breed. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Brodi
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Name: Brodi
Breed: Black Lab Cross
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Brodi is a happily abandoned 6-7 month old Black Lab cross puppy, happy because he sure likes his foster home and all the attention he gets there! Brodi is a silly, happy, fun dog. He loves his toys, sticks his head under water at the lake or in the wading pool to blow bubbles, and cuddles himself all up in his blankie at night to sleep. At 6 months, Brodi has the housetraining and crate training down, yet remains very much a puppy... excellent for someone wanting to experience puppyhood without the housetraining! He loves other dogs and wants to play with everyone he meets. He hs not been with cats, would most likely try to play but we have not seen him with one. He loves kids. Being a puppy, he needs continued training and daily exercise to make life happy for he and you. He sure has the right attitude... smart, eager to learn, happy and his enthusiasm is contagious! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. If you have questions and/or would like an application, please email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.
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Buckingham
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Name: Buckingham
Breed: Standard Poodle
Age: Puppy
Gender: Male
Description: What? Royalty here at HB? Buckingham sure likes to think he is. Buckingham is looking for his very own castle to call his very own, though we told him that there aren't very many castles here in MN so he's fine with moving into a regular house. Buckingham came into rescue his siblings. These handsome boys were born in early March and are more than ready to finally be in homes of their own. They are purebred, came from a breeder who could no longer care for them. They have been raised with other dogs, cats, and kids and do well with all. They are typical puppies and love to play and chew on things! They are started on housetraining and cratetraining which is coming along great for puppies their age. Keep in mind though that puppy bladders can only 'hold it' for about 5-6 hours at a time until fully developed. They love to chew on things so need puppy proofed houses with lots of toys and bones around. Like most dogs, they will be active as adults so need homes that want to commit to daily activity and playtime. They would love to attend obedience classes to learn how to continue to be great canine citizens. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email Sherri at sweeperjunkies@comcast.net for more information and/or a pre-adoption questionnaire.

Are You Ready for a Puppy? Before you consider adopting a puppy, please keep in mind that puppies are a lot of work! You'll need to thoroughly puppy proof your house, bring him/her to puppy obedience classes, and socialize him/her with all sorts of people, places, & animals. The more time and energy you 'put into' a pup, the happier you'll be as they get older. Socializing: We can't emphasize enough just how crucial it will be to socialize your pup from the moment you adopt him/her. You'll need to expose your puppy to the world s/he'll be expected to live in as an adult. This means socializing him/her to all sorts of people (be sure your pup meets people from different ethnicities, as well as different clothing styles, particularly people wearing hats), places, dogs, noises, sights, situations, etc. Ideally, your pup will need to get introduced to 100 people (who aren't part of your immediate family) and 100 other dogs before s/he turns 18 weeks old. S/he will have met plenty of people/dogs during his/her stay at Homeward Bound but you'll still need to work on socializing your pup every day. If you want to adopt pup older than that, fear not! You can still socialize your pup. Start right away and proceed just as you would with a younger pup. Housetraining: Up until 4-5 months of age, their bladders cannot physically "hold it" for more than a few hours at a time. Generally a puppy can "hold it" 1 hour more than a pup's age in months. For instance, a 2-month-old puppy should be able to hold his/her bladder for 3 hours while a 5-month-old pup can hold it for 6 hours. Of course, some puppies can hold it longer while others cannot. Small breed dogs, for instance, take considerably longer to housetrain. Young children: Young puppies are generally not good matches for children under the age of 6 because all puppies nip when they play and have very sharp teeth. Pups 4 months and older should be fine with the wee ones though, so long as you know in advance that pups at this age are still going through the oral stage and like to mouth things, will nip on hands at first when playing, need a lot of attention, and are very bouncy. Chewing: All puppies chew (often until they are a year old), so make sure you buy plenty of doggie toys, bones, kongs, and have a great sense of humor! If taking care of a puppy sounds overwhelming to you, consider adopting an older pooch — they are often much, much easier and just as sweet! Our Things to Consider Before Adopting page can also help you decide whether a puppy or adult dog works best for you.
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Bucky
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Name: Bucky (aka Chase) (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Dogs Most Needing a Home")
Breed: Rat Terrier
Age: Mature Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Bucky is a mature adult Rat Terrier in need of some orthodontics... ok, we love his bucktooth grin and sparkly whites you can always see! Bucky seeks a retired home, or a quiet adult home who wants a lap dog, a snuggler, who is already trained. He does fine with cats, tolerates but does not love the other dogs and the kids chaos at his foster home. He is well housetrained and minds his manners inside. If he had a yard of his own he'd be thrilled, especially if he could keep the bunnies out! For a snuggler lapdog with a look all his own, meet Bucky. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Michelle at mschumack@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Buddy
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Name: Buddy (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Canine Companions")
Breed: Heinz 57
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Buddy is desperately hoping that by coming to MN to try that 'MN nice' he has heard so much about, that he FINALLY gets adopted and gets to be someone's best buddy! Buddy is a very well adjusted 1-year-old mixed up mutt, we see some sort of Lab and a little bit of everything else nice. He loves kids and is in his element with the other dogs! He loves every dog he meets. Buddy is housetrained with a routine, crated for the workday, has a moderate energy level and is more than ready to leave shelter/rescue life behind and show you how much love he has! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (His picture is courtesy of the shelter he came from)
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Buka
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Name: Buka (aka Rosie)
Breed: Collie Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Buka is a serene, gentle lady looking for a quieter home in which to shower with love. She has been raised with love and it certainly shows in how loving she is. She loves to be sit and pet for hours on end and with her gorgeous black coat, who wouldn't want to pet her? Buka is perfectly trained in the house, cratetrained, and gets along well with other pets. She hasn't lived with kids but did fine with visiting grandkids. She is used to a quiet home with a yard for her to lounge in and a person to devote her life to in exchange for love and petting. She was reluctantly surrendered when her owner passed away and is hoping to get out of rescue fast! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.

UPDATE: Buka's foster mom has fostered many dogs for HB, so when she says that Buka (now called Rosie) is one of her all time favorites, you know that dog has got to be pretty darn special. Rosie has been a dream foster dog because she is so easy and well-behaved. She's housetrained and does not need to be crated. Rosie forms a strong bond with her 'person/family' and will she give such a sweet, delightful greeting when they come home. She is reliable off-leash. Rosie is very much a mellow gal, but does like to play sometimes too. She plays well with the other dogs at her foster home and barks appropriately, such as when someone comes to the door. Why this dog hasn't been adopted yet is beyond us, though her foster mom sure doesn't mind because she is such a well behaved lady.
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Cali
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Name: Cali
Breed: Black Lab / Rottweiler Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Cali didn't have the best start to life but things are looking up for her now and she is determined to make up for lost time! She spent her life chained as an outside dog with no one to call her own except for the neighbors who would come play with her and give her food. We think this is where she get her total love-sponge traits...she didn't have much love for so long that she tries to soak as much as she can up now! Cali loves the other dogs and loves to play. She thinks there is nothing better than another rowdy dog to wrestle and run in the yard with! She loves the dog park. She has been good with kids ages 12+ but is probably too big and active to go with younger ones. Cali is a bit shy at first but warms up very quicky with a few kind words and treats. She hasn't had much training but is eager and willing to please her people so she tries to pick things up quickly. Her housetraining is coming along well with a crate and a schedule but is still a work in progress. She is about 1-2 years old. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.br clear="all" />
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Charlie
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Name: Charlie
Breed: Akita
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Charlie needs someone to put him first for a little while. Not forever, just for a little while, so don't be put off. You see, at the tender age of two, Charlie has already been in three homes (his breeder and two others) and hasn't had any formal training, which hasn't done much for his confidence. Typical of the akita breed, he bonds strongly and completely to his humans, and his heart is easily broken when he feels he's been abandoned. His new family will need a little bit of patience to deal with this, and will need to commit to some obedience work, which will do wonders to build confidence in this wonderful dog. Charlie's positives - he LOVES other dogs, surprisingly so for an akita, and we need to be sure that he goes to a home with another dog for company. He takes treats nicely, shows no food or toy possession, and even though he hasn't had formal training, knows 'sit' and 'shake'. Charlie's new home should have a physically-fenced yard (ideally a privacy fence, as he can climb a chain-link fence), no cats or other small animals, no children under the age of 10, and time to work with Charlie on his confidence. With the right family, Charlie's potential knows no bounds, as we saw signs of bonding with his foster family within hours of his surrender. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Chase
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Name: Chase
Breed: Chihuahua
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Hi, I'm Chase! I'm neutered and up to date on my vaccines, including rabies. I'm 3-4 years old, housetrained, good with other dogs, cats, and kids 13+. I'm very sweet and I LOVE to snuggle. I'm quiet for the most part unless someone comes to the door. I love my foster mom but I can be a bit scared of men at first. I warm up quick and soon love to snuggle with them too. I came from a shelter in MO and I had been there since December. Can you believe it? Still, I'm great with people! I like to play with the foster dogs at my house and once I know you I stick close and don't run away. I don't need to be crated at night or during the day, just confined to a room is good for me! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. Email shaspring@netzero.net with questions - she has lots of good things to say about me!
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Chauncey and Jenner
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Name: Chauncey and Jenner
Breed: Pointer / Lab Crosses
Age: Adult
Gender: 2 Males
Description: Remember your best friend in elementary school and how you would want to do everything with them? Well, that kind of friendship is much what these 2 brothers share. They are dogs who love each other so much that we would love for them to be adopted together. It will take someone with an extra large heart, willing to open their home to 2 shyer, gentle dogs but we are hoping someone out there can find the time, love, and patience to give these 2 brothers a happy ever after together. They do everything together: potty, eat, sleep, share a kennel, snuggle up when it's cold, and even like to take walks right next to one another. They are shy dogs, life has not been kind to them but they bond hard once they know you and they get so excited to see their foster mom that they hit each other in the face with their wagging tails! It will take patience and time and treats but they will certainly bond with someone else as well. They are housetrained on a schedule, cratetrained, and so quiet they never make a fuss in the house. Because of their shyness, they would do best with a physically fenced yard. It would be excellent to get them into an obedience class for shyer dogs or have someone work with them on confidence building. Once they get to know someone and trust, they show how much they love you daily and are very loyal. We have seen so many shy dogs come around in their forever homes to be loyal, loving companions and we know they will too. They have come so far in rescue and are such sweet boys that we hope someone with a big heart full of love, time, and patience comes along and sees the special potential we all see in Jenner and Chauncey. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm/lyme disease. You may email Megan at homewardbounddogrescue@yahoo.com if you have questions or would like to receive a pre-adoption questionnaire.

Thanks to Lindy and Roscoe for sponsoring Chauncey and Jenner! They get overlooked by people time and time again and it made them feel like a million bucks when we told them that they were being sponsored!
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Chloe
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Name: Chloe (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for Families with Kids")
Breed: Golden Retriever Cross
Age: Puppy
Gender: Female
Description: Chloe is the world's cutest 4-5 month old female Retriever mix puppy, a wavy shorter reddish coat and floppy Spaniel ears, huge brown eyes and the wonder and curiosity puppies are known for. She adores kids, can bump the littler ones down but absolutely loves them. Chloe has always been with other dogs and cats and does well with them. Housetraining and crate training are a work in progress, she is a smart dog but relies heavily on a routine and supervision to remain accident free (she's still a baby!). Chloe likes to fetch (but likes keep away with the ball, too), swim, go for car rides, and prance along on her walks like she knows how cute she is. She weighs about 20 pounds now and will be about 50 pounds or so as an adult. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Michelle at mschumack@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (Her picture is courtesy of the shelter she came from)

Are You Ready for a Puppy? Before you consider adopting a puppy, please keep in mind that puppies are a lot of work! You'll need to thoroughly puppy proof your house, bring him/her to puppy obedience classes, and socialize him/her with all sorts of people, places, & animals. The more time and energy you 'put into' a pup, the happier you'll be as they get older. Socializing: We can't emphasize enough just how crucial it will be to socialize your pup from the moment you adopt him/her. You'll need to expose your puppy to the world s/he'll be expected to live in as an adult. This means socializing him/her to all sorts of people (be sure your pup meets people from different ethnicities, as well as different clothing styles, particularly people wearing hats), places, dogs, noises, sights, situations, etc. Ideally, your pup will need to get introduced to 100 people (who aren't part of your immediate family) and 100 other dogs before s/he turns 18 weeks old. S/he will have met plenty of people/dogs during his/her stay at Homeward Bound but you'll still need to work on socializing your pup every day. If you want to adopt pup older than that, fear not! You can still socialize your pup. Start right away and proceed just as you would with a younger pup. Housetraining: Up until 4-5 months of age, their bladders cannot physically "hold it" for more than a few hours at a time. Generally a puppy can "hold it" 1 hour more than a pup's age in months. For instance, a 2-month-old puppy should be able to hold his/her bladder for 3 hours while a 5-month-old pup can hold it for 6 hours. Of course, some puppies can hold it longer while others cannot. Small breed dogs, for instance, take considerably longer to housetrain. Young children: Young puppies are generally not good matches for children under the age of 6 because all puppies nip when they play and have very sharp teeth. Pups 4 months and older should be fine with the wee ones though, so long as you know in advance that pups at this age are still going through the oral stage and like to mouth things, will nip on hands at first when playing, need a lot of attention, and are very bouncy. Chewing: All puppies chew (often until they are a year old), so make sure you buy plenty of doggie toys, bones, kongs, and have a great sense of humor! If taking care of a puppy sounds overwhelming to you, consider adopting an older pooch — they are often much, much easier and just as sweet! Our Things to Consider Before Adopting page can also help you decide whether a puppy or adult dog works best for you.
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Claire
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Name: Claire (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Canine Companions")
Breed: Spaniel / Border Collie Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Claire is a female 3-year-old Spaniel/Border Collie? mix, about 35 pounds, who is ideal for a family wanting a ready trained, happy, medium energy family dog. She is used to kids and has always lived with another dog, and does well with cats too. Claire tends to get passed by because she is quieter and black, so make sure to seek her out! Medium sized, easy, happy family dog right here, all ready for a home! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (Her picture is courtesy of the shelter she came from)
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Cooley
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Name: Cooley
Breed: Schipperke / Pomeranian Cross
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Cooley is a small dog with a big personality...we affectionately call it his Schipperke Sass! He is a young adult, male Schipperke/ Pomeranian, only about 20 lbs but with about 100 lbs of sass, smarts, and, for those he loves, snuggles. Cooley was reluctantly surrendered because he was not good with the kids in the house. Like quite a few small dogs (Schipperke's in particular), he has a bit of a Napoleon complex which means he thinks he's a lot bigger than he is and little kids who want to hold and cuddle him remind him how small he actually is! Cooley needs an adult home willing to set firm boundaries as he will rule the roost if allowed. Once those boundaries are in place, he follows them to a tee...he picked up in days that he was not allowed on the furniture and has respected it ever since. He is active and very curious about things. He loves to play fetch and we think would be a great frisbee dog as well. He loves to play, run, and go for walks. He has nice leash manners with a gentle leader, knows some basic commands (sit, down, stay), and is housetrained and cratetrained. He is a nice blend of being calm in the house and playful out in the yard. He loves to snuggle and sleep on his dog pillow! Cooley does okay with other dogs off leash but on leash he brings out the 'tough guy' act again and will bark, act all macho and try to scare them away. He's all talk but a home who will be firm and work with him on this is ideal. He does the same "tough guy" act when strangers come around his house...no follow-through that we have seen but would do best with a fenced yard or someone diligent about going outside with him to correct him for this. He has also shown a tendency to guard his food. This is being worked with by hand feeding him and giving him small amounts at a time but he still needs some work on this. Cooley is not the dog for everyone but in an adult home with firm boundaries, time to train, and a desire for a bit of Schipperke Sass his potential is limitless. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email shaspring@netzero.net with questions or for a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Daisey
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Name: Daisey
Breed: Beagle Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Daisey is a sweet Beagle mix searching for a loving home to call her own. She was reluctantly surrendered when her family had a new baby and it was discovered that babies and toddlers make her nervous. Everyone was sad to see such a loving, sweet dog go. Daisey has been raised with love and it clearly shows with how much she loves her family. She loves to snuggle and loves her toys. She is used to kids 8 and up and does very well with them but gets a bit spooked by the little ones. She loves her walks but is equally happy snuggled up on the floor by your feet! She is housetrained, cratetrained, and has good house manners. Daisey is crossing her paws that her stay in rescue is short and she can get back into a loving family very soon! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions, you can email Jackie at jackiesinger@comcast.net. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Daisey
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Name: Daisey Poppy
Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Daisey Poppy is a beautiful adolescent Pit Bull Terrier who was chained out in someone's backyard, patiently waiting for the 5 minutes or so day that they would come out to feed her/pet her. Anyone who knows this breed knows how hard that had to be on her... Pit Bulls desperately want to be with their people, and are so affectionate this minimal contact must have been so depressing. However, she maintained a happy, upbeat attitude and is now thrilled to death to be an inside dog with loads of cuddle time and new toys to play with. She is housetrained and crate trained, loves other dogs and kids (but has been known to bump little ones down with her enthusiasm). Daisey is a puppy, so continued training is needed and she would love a chance to shine in obedience. This girl is all heart and kisses and an amazing advocate for the breed. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email Sherri at sweeperjunkies@comcast.net for more information and/or a pre-adoption questionnaire. (Picture is courtesy of the shelter this dog came from)
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Dakota
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Name: Dakota
Breed: Rat Terrier
Age: Mature Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Dakota is a loveable, sensitive 6-1/2-year-old Rat Terrier who seeks a quieter, calmer environment than he's in now (living with younger kids and a new baby). Dakota is a well-mannered boy who is a natural born lap-sitter. If you're lap is full he'll happily curl up next to you on the couch just so he can be near you! He does need daily walks, has fun going to the dog park, and thoroughly enjoys a fun game of fetch with squeaky balls but also enjoys his quiet time. He is housetrained (he is trained to ring a bell with his nose when he needs to go potty) and used to being crated during the work day. He seeks out the safety of the crate when he's feeling overwhelmed from children. Dakota very much likes adults but does OK with older kids who will be gentle with him. He will nip if he feels threatened by a child and has done so twice (both justifiable reasons for a nip - once a toddler who crawled under the table cornered Dakota, and the other nip was for an older boy who often teases him. However, he is perfect with dog savvy kids. Dakota gives a happy greeting when people come to the door, barks appropriately (if someone rings the doorbell, walks by the house, etc), and loves riding in the car (he gets really excited when you say "car car"). He is very food motivated (he even likes to eat vegetables!). He does have food allergies but does fine on a lamb/rice dog food diet. Dakota happily snuggles under soft blankets (he feels safe under them) and is a loyal, loving chap. He weighs 16 pounds. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm/lyme disease. You may email Megan at homewardbounddogrescue@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Darby
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Name: Darby
Breed: Standard Poodle
Age: Puppy
Gender: Male
Description: Darby is darn cute! And smart! He has amazed his foster mom with just how well he is doing with the housetraining. Darby came into rescue his siblings. These handsome boys were born in early March and are more than ready to finally be in homes of their own. They are purebred, came from a breeder who could no longer care for them. They have been raised with other dogs, cats, and kids and do well with all. They are typical puppies and love to play and chew on things! They are started on housetraining and cratetraining which is coming along great for puppies their age. Keep in mind though that puppy bladders can only 'hold it' for about 5-6 hours at a time until fully developed. They love to chew on things so need puppy proofed houses with lots of toys and bones around. Like most dogs, they will be active as adults so need homes that want to commit to daily activity and playtime. They would love to attend obedience classes to learn how to continue to be great canine citizens. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email Libby at libby7521@hotmail.com with questions. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire.

Are You Ready for a Puppy? Before you consider adopting a puppy, please keep in mind that puppies are a lot of work! You'll need to thoroughly puppy proof your house, bring him/her to puppy obedience classes, and socialize him/her with all sorts of people, places, & animals. The more time and energy you 'put into' a pup, the happier you'll be as they get older. Socializing: We can't emphasize enough just how crucial it will be to socialize your pup from the moment you adopt him/her. You'll need to expose your puppy to the world s/he'll be expected to live in as an adult. This means socializing him/her to all sorts of people (be sure your pup meets people from different ethnicities, as well as different clothing styles, particularly people wearing hats), places, dogs, noises, sights, situations, etc. Ideally, your pup will need to get introduced to 100 people (who aren't part of your immediate family) and 100 other dogs before s/he turns 18 weeks old. S/he will have met plenty of people/dogs during his/her stay at Homeward Bound but you'll still need to work on socializing your pup every day. If you want to adopt pup older than that, fear not! You can still socialize your pup. Start right away and proceed just as you would with a younger pup. Housetraining: Up until 4-5 months of age, their bladders cannot physically "hold it" for more than a few hours at a time. Generally a puppy can "hold it" 1 hour more than a pup's age in months. For instance, a 2-month-old puppy should be able to hold his/her bladder for 3 hours while a 5-month-old pup can hold it for 6 hours. Of course, some puppies can hold it longer while others cannot. Small breed dogs, for instance, take considerably longer to housetrain. Young children: Young puppies are generally not good matches for children under the age of 6 because all puppies nip when they play and have very sharp teeth. Pups 4 months and older should be fine with the wee ones though, so long as you know in advance that pups at this age are still going through the oral stage and like to mouth things, will nip on hands at first when playing, need a lot of attention, and are very bouncy. Chewing: All puppies chew (often until they are a year old), so make sure you buy plenty of doggie toys, bones, kongs, and have a great sense of humor! If taking care of a puppy sounds overwhelming to you, consider adopting an older pooch — they are often much, much easier and just as sweet! Our Things to Consider Before Adopting page can also help you decide whether a puppy or adult dog works best for you.
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Dixie
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Name: Dixie
Breed: Chihuahua
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Dixie the Chihuahua has a secret.... she is really a Meerkat in Chihuahua fur! This little girl has an adorable habit of standing straight up on her hind legs when she wants something, or to better see in the window or something. She has her foster mom laughing all the time. She is SO spunky and playful and fun, absolutely loves to race around the yard (we call them the 'zoomies') and does the highest leaps we have ever seen to leap into her foster moms arms. She loves to be held and cuddled. Dixie does surprisingly well with her housetraining for a Chihuahua, she had some accidents at first but got the routine very quickly. She is a little skittish of really little kids but is never nippy, and will allow them to carry her/hold her if her trusted foster mom hands her to them. Dixie has more personality than you can ever imagine in such a small body. Dixie is not a yapper and loves cats and other dogs. In fact, because she loves dogs so much we are requiring that her new home have another dog (she likes smaller ones best, understandably!) who likes to run and play and won't mind that she curls up next to them to sleep. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You can email shaspring@netzero.net with questions or for a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Diva
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Name: Diva (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for First-Time Dog Owners")
Breed: Border Collie Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Diva is a pretty name for a sweet dog who is anything but.... in fact, she about turns herself inside out to please her people! Her main goal in life is making her people happy and she will do whatever it takes to meet that goal. Diva is an adult female Border Collie (mix?), quieter and so, so sweet.... she'd make a wonderful therapy dog or just a companion for someone wanting a quieter, gentle dog. Diva was born with a birth defect so one front foot is smaller than the others, and she does have a little skip to her step but it does not hurt nor slow down activities. She is good with cats, kids and other dogs, housetrained and crate trained. Easy to miss, she blends in well, but give her a chance and you'll totally fall in love. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com. (Picture is courtesy of the shelter this dog came from)
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Dryfus
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Name: Dryfus (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs who have Been Patiently Waiting for a Home" AND HB's Top 10 List for "Best 'Nearly Perfect' Dogs")
Breed: Black Lab Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Rough around the edges but with a heart of gold...that's Dryfus! Sure he hasn't had the most training but we have never met a dog happier. He loves people, plain and simple! At the adoptions, Dryfus is the dog you will see lying on his side in the cage with his head pressed against the bars begging for someone to scratch him and show him love. He even grunts and groans his excitement when you hit the right spot (and to him, every spot is the right spot!). Dryfus is such a fun dog... he loves to swim (when the water isn't frozen) and will happily splash away in a kiddie pool for hours on end. It keeps everyone around him laughing! He is the dog you can bring to the cabin, the kids' ball games, and pretty much anywhere because he has such a solid, loving temperament. He is quite the chubby boy (okay, he's downright fat!) but is more than happy to accompany you on plenty of walks, dog park trips, or fetch games to help him loose some of that excess weight as he is an active dog. He is housetrained on a schedule but will have a transition period into a new home where he will have accidents and cratetrained. His leash manners and basics could use some work but he is willing to take the time to learn if someone is willing to put the time into teaching him. He loves other dogs, is fine with cats, and great with kids (especially older kids since he doesn't understand that trying to sit in the laps of the little kids is more like sitting on top of them!). Sure he isn't the brightest dog on the block but he has a huge heart and tries so hard to make his people happy with a little polishing on his basic training this will be one even more extraordinary Lab! For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Megan at homewardbounddogrescue@yahoo.com if you have questions or would like to receive a pre-adoption questionnaire.
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Durango
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Name: Durango
Breed: Belgian Tervuren / Collie Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Durango is a stunningly handsome Belgian Tervuren/Collie mix Watchful, dignified, gentle, and somewhat wimpy describe this boy to a tee. He is on the quieter side, barks appropriately when people come to the door but lacks the watchdog follow through (he's far too gentle!). He has seen some abuse, especially around his neck and is a bit nervous about his collar being grabbed so needs someone patient and gentle to help him overcome his fear of it. It doesn't take much, a few tasty treats, soft words, and someone gentle. He will flinch of startled, sort of expecting to be hurt and then overwhelmingly grateful when he isn't! Durango would do best in an adult home because of the neck sensitivity and past abuse. He has been great with visiting kids but prefers the predictability of adults. When the kids get rowdy and run around, he hides! He adores other dogs and would be so happy to go to a home with another dog to play with. He is a definite follower and will follow the other dogs around doing whatever they do. This is helping so much on his housetraining! Previously an outdoor dog, his housetraining is coming along well with the use of a schedule and a crate. He sees his dog buddies pottying outside so he goes too. Durango is hoping for a quieter, patient home to make up to him the abuse and indignity he has endured and love him for the huge gentle wimp that he is. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. If you have questions or wish for an application, email Katie at kadams4545@hotmail.com.
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Eager
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Name: Eager (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Canine Companions")
Breed: Black Lab
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Someone forgot to tell Eager that she is a Lab.... you know, at one year old supposed to be running wild, chewing everything in sight, in your face enthusiastic. Sweet, gentle, shy, quiet Eager is a very laid back, reserved, easy dog. She adores the kids in her foster home and really seems to take her cues from the other dogs... she likes having another dog to show her the ropes. The cats boss her all over, and she takes it all. Ebony is working on housetraining and a quick study, she was previously an outdoor dog and loves being inside, part of the family now. She is on the smaller side for a Lab. Eager is about a year old. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Michelle at mschumack@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (Picture is courtesy of the shelter this dog came from)
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Ebony
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Name: Ebony (I'm on HB's Top 5 List for "Best Canine Companions")
Breed: Black Lab
Age: Young Adult
Gender: Female
Description: Look at those eyes... begging, 'please pick me'! Ebony is a very mild mannered, quiet, somewhat shy female 1 year old Lab who is learning the joys of being a housedog. Totally housetrained because she follows the other dog and does exactly what they do, this gentle girl likes the kids and kisses the kitties. She would do best with a patient, quieter home to give her some extra TLC and show her the joys of being a pet, rather than a kennel decoration which is what she was before. Ebony is easy to train and wants to please. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. This dog has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworm and lyme disease. You may email Michelle at mschumack@yahoo.com for more information. She can also send you a pre-adoption questionnaire. (Picture is courtesy of the shelter this dog came from)
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Edward
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Name: Edward
Breed: Boxer / Mastiff / Shepherd Cross
Age: Puppy
Gender: Male
Description: Edward wants the world to know that although he may LOOK goofy, he can be serious when you want. Edward is a 5 month old Boxer cross puppy, maybe with Mastiff or Shepherd, who tends to be on the quieter side in a new situation. However, we have seen peeks of puppy come out! He gallops across the yard with the other dogs, all gangly paws and flapping lips, and collapses with a big sigh onto the laps of his foster people for naps. Housetraining and crate training are a work in progress, he is smart and responding well to the training. He is fostered with other pets and is loving and respectful to them. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST live indoors only. You can email shaspring@netzero.net with questions or for a pre-adoption questionnaire.

Are You Ready for a Puppy? Before you consider adopting a puppy, please keep in mind that puppies are a lot of work! You'll need to thoroughly puppy proof your house, bring him/her to puppy obedience classes, and socialize him/her with all sorts of people, places, & animals. The more time and energy you 'put into' a pup, the happier you'll be as they get older. Socializing: We can't emphasize enough just how crucial it will be to socialize your pup from the moment you adopt him/her. You'll need to expose your puppy to the world s/he'll be expected to live in as an adult. This means socializing him/her to all sorts of people (be sure your pup meets people from different ethnicities, as well as different clothing styles, particularly people wearing hats), places, dogs, noises, sights, situations, etc. Ideally, your pup will need to get introduced to 100 people (who aren't part of your immediate family) and 100 other dogs before s/he turns 18 weeks old. S/he will have met plenty of people/dogs during his/her stay at Homeward Bound but you'll still need to work on socializing your pup every day. If you want to adopt pup older than that, fear not! You can still socialize your pup. Start right away and proceed just as you would with a younger pup. Housetraining: Up until 4-5 months of age, their bladders cannot physically "hold it" for more than a few hours at a time. Generally a puppy can "hold it" 1 hour more than a pup's age in months. For instance, a 2-month-old puppy should be able to hold his/her bladder for 3 hours while a 5-month-old pup can hold it for 6 hours. Of course, some puppies can hold it longer while others cannot. Small breed dogs, for instance, take considerably longer to housetrain. Young children: Young puppies are generally not good matches for children under the age of 6 because all puppies nip when they play and have very sharp teeth. Pups 4 months and older should be fine with the wee ones though, so long as you know in advance that pups at this age are still going through the oral stage and like to mouth things, will nip on hands at first when playing, need a lot of attention, and are very bouncy. Chewing: All puppies chew (often until they are a year old), so make sure you buy plenty of doggie toys, bones, kongs, and have a great sense of humor! If taking care of a puppy sounds overwhelming to you, consider adopting an older pooch — they are often much, much easier and just as sweet! Our Things to Consider Before Adopting page can also help you decide whether a puppy or adult dog works best for you.
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Evan
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Name: Evan (I'm on HB's Top 10 List for "Best Dogs for First-Time Dog Owners")
Breed: Schnauzer / Shih Tzu Cross
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
Description: Evan is a mini-Labradoodle... ok, not really, but he is so all 'American happy mutt' we needed something to jazz him up! Evan appears to have some Schnauzer and some Shih Tzu in him, about Schnauzer size with a seemingly non-shedding coat (but not promised), and he is so cool. Friendly to everyone, well mannered inside, absolutely perfect energy level for the average family, Evan is a rare find in rescue. We adore him. He is 3 years old, housetrained and crate trained, not a barker, just a laid back happy fellow who is going to absolutely delight his family for years to come. He weighs around 25 pounds. For obvious reasons, all animals adopted from Homeward Bound MUST liv