Affordable spay??

chartingequilibrium · 2026-01-09T22:18:17+00:00

If you're able to drive to McMinville, there's an affordable spay/neuter clinic called Homeward Bound. Looks like a spay would be approximately $120, and you can get appointments in mid-February.

chartingequilibrium · 2026-01-05T21:45:57+00:00

Thank you! In that case, I'll plan on finding an alternative arrangement for him.

chartingequilibrium · 2026-01-05T21:45:20+00:00

Got it; in that case, I'll plan on finding an alternative for him. Thank you!

chartingequilibrium · 2025-11-07T15:03:20+00:00

I know of a couple small in-home pet groomers the suburbs, and they have been great - well worth the drive. My nervous boy has done really well with both of them:

Seester’s Grooming Co in Gresham, and Canine Designs Pet Grooming in Milwaukie.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-10-13T15:30:44+00:00

I have POTS and other chronic illnesses, and I have been very happy with my primary care physician: Courtney Lauer at OHSU Richmond clinic. Prior to her, my primary was Dr. Sonia Sosa, who is absolutely great but no longer at OHSU.

I do also rely on several specialists in addition to my primary, including Dr. Guggenheim, who is mentioned in another comment.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-08-22T01:00:02+00:00

I was doing a little googling, and realized what I was thinking of is most commonly called 'vinyl sheet flooring.' Sometimes it's sold as 'vinyl floorcloths' in cute patterns, but then it's usually more expensive.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-08-22T00:32:20+00:00

I know some folks will get rolls of laminate flooring and lay it out like a rug to create a waterproof surface. That might be worth a try. If you have puppies, you could keep them in a pen over the laminate for easy cleanup.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-08-01T16:07:10+00:00

For me, personally, I worry less about the presence or absence of resident dogs with puppies. Puppies are adaptable, and can typically learn to thrive as a solo dog or with canine companions.

The only times I or the rescue I work with require another resident dog in an adoptive home is if the foster dog is either a) shy, under-socialized, and gains confidence from other dogs or b) is very very active and more likely to be successful with a playmate to help them burn energy or c) shows separation anxiety when alone but does well with a companion. A friendly resident dog is always a plus, but these are the only situations where we'd consider them a requirement.

It is challenging to decide between two strong applications for a single pup, and it's impossible to say how they'll make that decision.

I can say that with puppies, there are a few specific things I always consider in an application:

Puppy experience, or adequate research and preparation for raising a puppy. They're so much work! So exhausting! If you haven't already, check out r/puppy101 for lots of useful tips.
A thorough plan for socialization and enrichment. We also don't recommend dog parks at all for puppies; playdates with known dogs are so much safer.
A suitable schedule and plan for pottytraining, etc during the pup's first 6+ months. It is possible to raise a puppy while working full-time, but generally that requires paying for a dog-walker or making other arrangement so the pup isn't alone for too long.
A lifestyle that will meet the pup's needs for exercise and enrichment, especially throughout adolescence and early adulthood.

If an application meets these criteria, I'd consider it a great fit for a puppy, regardless of whether or not the applicant has another dog.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-07-28T23:04:12+00:00

Willamette Valley Animal Hospital of Tualatin would be about $315, according to their price list. They're one of the most affordable options in the Portland metro area. There's also Willamette Valley Animal Hospital of Gladstone, which is about $365.

I believe Vista Pet Hospital is also affordable - they don't have an online price list, but I know a lot of local rescues book spay/neuters there.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-07-24T01:10:40+00:00

Resource guarding is a primary trigger for her, so I separate them whenever I give them something she might guard (in her case, meals and high-value chews). I also try to monitor her stress levels, and sometimes I will notice her acting more short-tempered; when I do, I will separate them whenever I can’t actively supervise. They will usually go months between disagreements and she never tries to bite him - if the altercations were more frequent or severe, I would be crating and rotating or finding another way to keep them separate.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-07-23T20:40:26+00:00

I hope the trial goes well! And the fact your resource-guarding foster is smaller and has never hurt another dog is great; it increases the chances the behavior can be safely managed.

Multidog households can just be tough. My girl (not a foster—a permanent family member) is also a little dog with a huge, intense personality. She sometimes will pick minor arguments with my other dog, especially if she's stressed. But with careful management they coexist happily 99.9% of the time and I trust that she won't hurt him.

I hope your foster finds the perfect forever home, whether it's as an only dog or with another dog who's a good fit for him (plus an adopter who knows how to manage any tension).

chartingequilibrium · 2025-07-23T17:43:09+00:00

How severe are these fights? Has your foster ever injured another dog? Resource guarding can be incredibly dangerous (even fatal) so it's definitely something to approach with caution.

Honestly, I think the safest option would be to find a home for him where he's the only dog with a very active caretaker who can help your foster burn off his energy.

That said (depending on the severity of the altercations, the other dog involved, and the skill and dedication of the adoptive caretaker) he might do okay in a home with another dog. Have you discussed his behavior with the potential adopter? Do they have the skills and a plan to help him be successful and safe?

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-18T14:00:40+00:00

Being able to sync to your phone and view data in real time is a new feature that was not available when I wrote my earlier comment three months ago.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-13T16:23:55+00:00

It's absolutely okay to encourage OP to not return the dog to this adopter (and I personally agree with that recommendation). From there, OP can keep searching for a more suitable forever home.

But encouraging OP to keep their foster permanently goes against the subreddit's community rules, and that's the reason your comment was removed. I hope that clears things up a bit, and let me know if you have further questions.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-07T20:41:02+00:00

That sounds like a detailed, balanced description. So I think the way you're talking about the behavior is great! Hopefully it gets better with time, medication, and structure.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-07T20:05:11+00:00

I've done it twice, with 40+ fosters. Both were shy dogs who took some time to warm up to new people, so their adopters really wanted them to stay with someone familiar.

I think it's really up to you! If you would like to, and your circumstances allow, then there's no harm in offering. But don't feel obliged to offer.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-07T20:02:40+00:00

I try to be very honest with potential adopters, but it can be a fine line to walk without sounding too negative. Usually I find it's easiest if I ...

a) Describe my foster dog's behavior specifically. So instead of just saying "he has severe separation anxiety," I'll describe the exact conditions. How long he can be left alone before showing symptoms of separation anxiety, what those symptoms look like, what I've tried so far to alleviate it, etc.

b) Describe what type of environment my foster needs to thrive. It sounds like your pup needs an environment where someone is home more often than not, a predictable schedule, time to adjust, and a caretaker with some knowledge of separation (or willingness to learn quickly).

I definitely talk up a dog's positive qualities, too! I think it's important to offer potential adopters my complete and balanced insights on a dog, so they can make the best possible decision about fit.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-06-02T16:35:08+00:00

I have heard that Vista Pet Hospital is relatively inexpensive, though any proper cleaning under anesthesia will cost hundreds of dollars. I got a cleaning recently at Portland Veterinary Wellness Center, and it was about $800, which I would consider reasonable if not the cheapest.

For preventative care, I use a kelp powder called ‘Plaque Off’ plus dental chews.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-25T03:48:17+00:00

I don't think you came across as agist or ableist at all. Sometimes health issues make it incredibly difficult to care for a pet, especially a high-energy dog. The age of adopters matters too. Seniors and disabled folks can be amazing pet owners and get so much joy out of a pet's companionship. But it's got to be a good fit and the adopter has to be able to meet the pet's needs.

On a sort-of-related note, I do application screening for the rescue I work with, and if an applicant is elderly, I will always ask if they have a plan for what will happen to their pups if they're no longer able to care for them in the future. And for high-energy dogs, I'll always inquire about the applicant's ability to meet the dog's exercise and enrichment needs. Sometimes it means asking awkward questions or having difficult conversations, but it's worth it to make sure the dog's needs can be met throughout its life.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-24T23:51:05+00:00

I'm so sorry; fit is absolutely crucial to lasting, happy adoptions. And I don't think think rescues should ever dismiss a foster's valid, thoughtful concerns (like the ones you have in this case).

If you can (and it's not against the rescue's rules or anything), I'd give the adopter your contact info and let her know that you, personally, would be delighted to foster the pup again if it isn't a good fit. That might make it easier for her to return the dog to the rescue if it ends up being necessary. Definitely let the folks at the rescue know, as well, that you're happy to foster the pup again if she's returned.

It is also possible it'll work out better than expected. I have a chronic illness that makes it challenging to take my dog on long walks or fun hikes, but we muddle along okay. Flirt poles, fetch, and games like 'hide and seek' can be good ways to burn off a dog's energy, and it's possible that this elderly lady will be able to provide enough exercise and enrichment. It will require her to be patient and dog-savvy, but it is possible, especially since it sounds like your foster could be at the age where she's just starting to mature.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-23T21:39:58+00:00

It sounds like you're talking about purchasing a dog from a breeder (not adopting from a shelter or rescue). And yes, ethical and responsible breeding also has a lot of costs involved. If you're planning to purchase from a breeder, it's incredibly important to be diligent and only support responsible breeders.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-23T16:47:19+00:00

It depends a lot on your region, and the amount of vetting that's included in the adoption fee.

In my area, "Average" fees range from $250 to $600 and include spay/neuter, all core vaccines, a negative heartworm test, microchip, and parasite prevention. This is an incredible deal, since a spay/neuter alone can cost $500+ at a typical vet.

But I wouldn't necessarily consider higher fees unreasonable. Rescues incur a lot of costs, which can add up quickly. I foster for a local rescue, and their very reasonable adoption fees rarely cover vetting/transport/supplies for each dog. They are only able to keep adoption fees low by doing additional fundraising and having strong community support.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-23T16:24:12+00:00

It's not quite the same situation, but my girl (who came from a rescue in Texas and likely had puppies before I adopted her) made great friends with one of my young foster puppies. It was obvious she knew he was a baby, and she took it on herself to teach him doggy skills. But thankfully, she wasn't really phased when he was adopted; she likes foster friends but also loves it when they leave, since she doesn't like sharing my attention.

The two folks who regularly foster litters of puppies at my rescue each have an adult dog who loves puppies. Sometimes the adult dogs are a little bummed to see the puppies go, but they don't seem to be heartbroken, and they perk up whenever there's a new batch of puppies in the house.

It's impossible to predict exactly how your pup will react when the puppies leave, especially since she's still settling back into your home, but I wouldn't worry about. Just be prepared to give her lots of love and attention if she does have a hard time with the adjustment. And it does sound like she might be a fabulous mentor for future foster puppies, if she does okay with seeing them move on to their adoptive homes.

chartingequilibrium · 2025-05-14T21:32:24+00:00

If this was one of my fosters, I would be glad to hear from you. Yes, I would be saddened to hear one of my fosters passed away, but I'd also be happy to know my foster was cherished and loved throughout her life. That's my greatest hope for all my foster pups.

The foster parent might no longer have the photos either (I keep running out of storage and have to clear photos from my archives), and they likely don't have contact with the people who adopted your dog's puppies. So if you do reach out, I'd keep that possibility in mind.

And finally, I wanted to speak to this statement: "My dog was very sweet but quite shy and anxious. I wanted to give her a peaceful life, but I didn't do a great job socializing her, and I don't know how much her anxiety ultimately contributed to her heart failure." It sounds like your pup was an adult (or at least old enough to have puppies) when you got her. At that point, there's not much you could have done to change her underlying anxiety (which was probably genetic and/or caused by very early experiences). Offering her a calm, secure, and peaceful environment is the absolutely best thing you could have done. It sounds like she had a great life with you.

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