Pack Fit

05/21/2025

Temperatures are heating up ...and now this.

This last week, there's been an expanding water puddle on the garage floor. We thought it was coming from the dog food freezer, so.. we defrosted it.

The water kept coming, and also started showing up just inside the home - in the rooms closest to the garage.

It appears there's a leak in the slab underneath the house, and the water spread is getting worse.

It needs to get fixed. The owner of the home will need to come by. And this fix won't be an easy one.

We need to find, at least, a loving, comfortable, responsible, nice foster spot for beautiful Ava.

At least for these brutal summer months, and definitely while the garage floor is getting fixed.

Please.

I'm begging the help of our community... again.

This house is a rental.

We've been over capacity since taking Ava and her babies into foster (when there was no other option), and run the risk of losing our home.

It's very, very difficult to find a rental that will allow all the dogs we have. We can't lose this home.

This has been such a beautiful, but exhausting effort.

And it's not over yet.

I will personally drive Ava wherever she needs to go, if it's a good, safe place (and without other animals).

I will offer training, coaching, and guidance, and will continue fundraising to support the care she needs.

I'm still doing everything I can for this incredible dog, and she deserves nothing less.

Please.

I'm on my knees here.

She deserves to be inside the comfort of an air conditioned, with people who will enjoy her for the truly amazing dog she is.

Her spay is scheduled for June 10th and is going to cost us nearly $1K (because I refuse to run the various risks of taking her to a low cost spay and neuter clinic), but if she ended up in a really great foster home out of the immediate area- we'd cover her spay wherever she landed.

The only other thing I can think of is raising money for an AirBnB and taking her there while the house is being worked on??

I don't know.

I'm out of ideas and have been trying to find either a foster or wonderful home since her babies were weaned.

I don't want her getting bounced around or ending up in an unstable or not-good situation.

[email protected]

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3ef19a44

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LTPNJNCPUG9J?ref_=wl_share

(Any items received from the Amazon Wish List would go with her)

05/15/2025

Over-vaccination in our pets is a HUGE problem.

This is an excellent, very informative article.

There's a place for human doctors and veterinarians, of course; but on the "sick care" side of the spectrum.

THIS is what they're educated and specialize in.

NOT on the "health care" side of things.

"Health care" consists of the every day choices we make for ourselves -- and those who depend on us.

Sadly, vets are widely perceived as the "one stop shop" for "health care" --- when they're hardly educated in health care topics such as nutrition, emotional health and nervous system conditioning, training and behavior, etc. Hence, why food-like products and pharmaceuticals are often recommended as solutions to complaints.

The great majority of the ailments and diseases our pets are struggling with were created by this misplaced reliance.

A highly unethical practice, and a detrimental one.

One of my dogs died at age 6.5 yrs from the vet-recommended flea and tick preventatives I'd been using on him.

I haven't used conventional parasite preventatives since, and learned how to prevent and control all of this naturally..... 15 years **successfully**, I might add.

Big problems I see right now:

- highly processed, completely enzyme-deficient food-like products being recommended for "nutrition" (most vets receive very, very little nutrition education. The bulk of any education they receive comes from the companies whose food-like products they're selling),

- over-vaccinating,

- early spay and neuter,

- highly toxic flea | tick | heart worm preventatives,

- the recommendation and dispersement of drugs for every "behavioral issue", and

- vets dispensing training and behavioral advice, which is way out of their realm of expertise and fluency.

Health and wellness, raising children and|or dogs, takes a village.

It's, very much, a collaborative process.

Everyone needs to stay in their own respective lanes, become highly skilled and fluent in those lanes, and refer out to others who are doing the same.

www.packfit.net

Most dogs are vaccinated too often. This increases their risk of cancer, allergies and other immune diseases. Learn how titer tests can protect your dog ...

05/15/2025

Ava is such a magnificent dog.

She was abandoned in the middle of the CA desert. Pregnant.

Found with her babies under a heavy metal trash container at an organic waste management facility.

Given her interesting relationship with crows, I suspect she fought them off in trying to keep her babies safe.

She's an incredible blend of exceptionally sweet and affectionate (she could be inside of you and not be close enough)... and also tough and resilient. It's this combination, I'm convinced, that helped her survive - and kept her and her babies alive.

She really, really needs the help of our community finding her place in the world.

We've done everything we can up to this point.

We've invested heavily in her immune and gut health, and she's been eating a clean, biologically appropriate diet.

She was titered (instead of revaccinated, which would have been much cheaper), and she's fully protected.

Her spay is scheduled for June 10th- and will not be conducted in a low cost, high risk spay and neuter clinic; but with our personal vet- who's helped us with this family from the beginning.

The only space we could make for this family, given our circumstances, was in our garage.

Luckily, they came at the perfect time of year... December.

However, it's mid May and temperatures are heating up outside-- really impacting the temps inside the garage.

We need to find Ava a safe, comfortable, wonderful, responsible place to go... whether foster or permanent.

Ideally, she'd find humans who'd want to love and cherish her always. Committing to and investing in her well-being.

If I was back in my own home in DC, this would be a non-issue.

But I'm not.

I'm begging for the help of our community, once again and still.

She comes with training | coaching | guidance **for LIFE**, as part of my continued commitment to her-- as well as those who are willing to play a valuable and impactful part of her story, whether foster or permanent.

Ava is a special dog.

A very, very special dog.

And she deserves to know what having a home... a real home... is like.

Please help her find her humans... I know they're out there somewhere.

(we also still need help with her feeding and care until this is found-- link to GoFundMe or Venmo, as well as our Amazon Wish List, in Comments below)

Thank you all.

www.packfit.net

[email protected]

05/11/2025

Yesterday was in the triple digits and the garage was an oven.

We have a fan in there, was wetting down the patio, etc, but the heat was too much.

Ava has been with us for 5 months now since being found at the organic waste management facility.

She's such an incredible dog in so many ways.

I've been trying to find the best situational and human match given her special gifts and characteristics, but this is proving to be very, very difficult.

The pressure is on to find her a place to go.

Part of responsible rescue is ensuring this place is the right place based on everything I know about the dog in front of me. Not just for her, but for any receiving family, as well.

I really don't know what else to do.

Most days are spent in tears, trying to recover from whatever health ailment is presenting itself thanks to the stress from all of this, and sending out plea after plea.

The garage is not a place for her to stay.

And, soon, we'll have *daily* triple digit heat.

Ava needs a foster or permanent home.

Her spay is scheduled for June 10th.

She deserves a safe, air conditioned, loving spot after being dumped and abandoned -- pregnant -- in the middle of the desert.

She's a survivor.

And was smart enough to give birth to her babies in an area she knew humans were (the organic waste management facility).

She deserves to know what it's like to be loved and adored.

To know what it's like to have a "home life."

To have someone as invested in her as she would be in them.

To enjoy joint lounging on the couch after a good game of fetch in an air conditioned environment.

She deserves to be the apple of someone's eye, as I know they would be to her.

In the meantime, we need help keeping the garage cool... as well as continued support for her feeding, upcoming spay, microchip, etc.

The fan isn't cutting it and is just circulating the warm air.

I've been researching portable AC units. We only have a few outlets in the garage (that are already in use), so we'll need to get creative.

I understand this entire rescue mission has been a huge ask in terms of help and support, but is there anyone out there that can help with this, please?? I'm posting the GoFundMe link in the Comments below.

My deepest thanks to all who've supported this entire mission since they came into our lives 5 months ago.

05/09/2025

Another plea for Ava.

She's the mother dog we took in (along with her 5 babies) back in December. Found under a heavy metal trash bin at an organic waste management facility.

Today was the warmest it's been since last year, and the garage is heating up.

We desperately need to find a safe, loving, responsible foster or permanent home for this amazing girl.

Her spay is scheduled with our personal vet on June 10th, and she'll also need a quiet place to recover and recuperate.

Please. Please help us find her her unicorn humans... I know they've got to be out there.

If we didn't already have a strong energy female in our pack (Steve's Husky), this would be a no-brainer.

Finding the right match, the right situation, and the right home is part of the commitment I made to her--- for her and her babies. Not just for Ava, but for the people who promise to love and care for her, as well.

Info on Ava:

- 2 years old

- will be spayed Jun 10

- up to date on vaccinations (she was titered)

- very healthy and has been fed a clean, biologically appropriate diet

- 100% potty trained (she's never had an "accident" here once. Not a single time- though she's also been on a schedule)

- knows basic obedience directives

- high prey drive, so would be best in a home without other animals

- front of the pack gal and strong energy dog, so would do best with a human who can meet her there

- she goes on our structured pack walks with our whole pack of mixed energies and personalities and does very well. Off leash, she's found a very good friend in my dog, Ronin- who's a neutered male, medium in energy, happy-go-lucky, and his defense drive is "hoodwinking"--- he diffuses discomfort or tension through play. Ava's defense drive is fight, and will step up and not back down if ever challenged. Ronin is the most non-threatening dog. They do very well together.

- loves playing “fetch”

- looooves getting brushed

- incredibly sweet and affectionate with people... she loves, loves, loves humans. She could be inside of you and not be close enough.

- she comes with a large human | dog bed that was kindly donated by one of our newsletter subscribers, stuffies (this girl loves, loves, loves her stuffies!!), and training | coaching | guidance **for the rest of her life.**

We've invested thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars in this family's health and care, as well as early socialization, agility, etc. and it's been absolutely worth it all.

Now... we just need to find her her **home.** Her special humans who will love her for all she is-- and help her to become all she can (and wants to) be.

This girl has been through so much... and has survived.

She deserves to know what joint lounging on the couch is.

She deserves to know what it's like to get slipped a few pieces of bacon under the table at breakfast.

To know what it's like to receive every ounce of the love and affection she gives.

Yes, we have a tight bond. And I also know she'll bond very easily with someone else who will love and care for her as I have.

Please share her plight.

We need to get her out of the garage and into a wonderful *air conditioned* home ❤

[email protected]

UPDATE: our website is experiencing technical issues, as well as the connected email address. Please email: [email protected] to connect!

05/07/2025

Anxiety in pets—especially our pups—is so much more common than we think. But too often, the go-to solution is medication, when really, anxiety is often a sign that something deeper is missing.

The presence of anxiety often means the absence of:

- a sense of safety,
- feelings of security,
- trust in their environment, and
- a regulated nervous system.

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We also love Wuffes’ wild-caught salmon oil, which is packed with nutrients that support overall wellness.

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05/01/2025

ISO foster or loving, committed, responsible home for beautiful Ava.

Her babies found wonderful homes... now it's Ava's turn, and it's much deserved.

Ava is located in Southern CA (Murrieta), but transportation can be arranged for the right match | situation | family.

Please contact Kimberly with questions and inquiries : [email protected]

04/30/2025

Our beautiful foster dog, Ava, needs a foster or permanent, loving home (please see previous posts for her story).

She's seriously one of the most remarkable dogs I've ever known. I'm not just saying this. I've known and raised many.

She's now moving out of her heat and will have to wait 6 weeks until her spay appt (June 10th).

This has been a very long, exhausting, but also rewarding road.

Ava is all heart, and I know she'll give - whoever her human may be- all of her.

Yes, we have a very strong bond.

Yes, I love and cherish her.

But I also know she will bond with whoever cares for her quickly.

The ONLY reason we're not hanging onto her is because we already have another strong energy female in our crew-- who's been here much longer (this... and we're currently in a rental).

Ava's current residence is the garage.

Temperatures are starting to heat up outside, which means the garage will soon become an oven.

We're lucky she came to us when she did in December, but - now- we're feeling the pressure of time given rising temps. I really don't know what we'll do at that point. Fundraise for an AC unit? We don't have a window and the garage isn't insulated... I just don't know what we'll do.

While we've done all we can to create a comfortable, cozy space, Ava deserves to know the comfort of a couch.

She deserves to know what being in an actual home is like.

She deserves to have chicken slipped to her under the table, and a piece of bacon at breakfast.

She deserves to know what joint lounging is like.

Her human(s) deserve to have all her love and adoration.

They deserve to see her run to grab a stuffie...and wiggle-walk with joy the moment they walk through the door.

Not once has she ever had an "accident" while she's been here.

Not a single time ever.

She loves Nosework and would be great to do sports with.

Much like humans, she is selectively social. Our dog, Ronin (our resident "Bridge Dog"), has been a perfect match for her... and she really does adore him. We also invested daily in building a sense of trust, comfort, familiarity, and safety between them.
She does wonderful with the rest of the crew on structured walks.

Ava comes with training and coaching **for life** (saving whoever welcomes her into their heart and home thousands of dollars), and is in exceptional health.

I know this dog very, very well.

I've spent every single day, most waking hours of each and every day, for the last 4 months with her and her babies.

And I know what kind of human, situation, and lifestyle she will complement and thrive in.

Please, please help Ava find her human(s).

It's time.

----

We still need funding help for her continued care while she's in foster - whether with us or if she finds another foster. This will include her : spay (June 10th), food, and any other essentials that may pop up. If we're unable to secure a wonderful foster or permanent home for her, we'll need to fundraise for a way to keep the garage cool when the temperatures heat up (though, I hope and pray she'll be able to find a home of her own by then).

Thankfully, outside temps are still bearable- so immediate needs are: continued fundraising for her spay ($946), food, and chews.

Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3ef19a44

[email protected]

My deepest and sincerest thanks to all who've contributed and supported this rescue effort so far. We couldn't have done this without you!

04/27/2025

“I’m moving and can’t take my dog with me."

"We just had a baby."

"I'm too busy."

"We had a change in lifestyle."

“The baby is allergic."

”My landlord doesn't allow dogs."

"He's too old now."

"We're getting a divorce."

"I got a new job."

"The dog keeps (insert problematic behavior here--- that was likely conditioned unknowingly by the human, as most are)."

"She got pregnant." (..... )

"This was an 'oops' litter." (it's never a matter of "if", but *when*)

"We tried introducing them and they don't like each other." (most people wing it when it comes to blending dogs)

This.

This is where your dog ends up.

And here in CA, it's only a matter of days- if that.

Owner surrenders are the first to be euthanized, and dogs are euthanized to make space for those coming in.

Are there some legitimate cases for surrender? Sure.

Do these make up the majority? Absolutely not.

This tragic dog problem and crisis we have going on right now is the direct byproduct of the human problem and crisis we have.

One, we have a massive mental and emotional health problem.

Two, we have a totally non-committal, non-invested, wipe-our-hands-clean-as-soon-as-life-changes, careless, irresponsible, only-when-it's-convenient-for-me, whatever's-easiest-fastest-cheapest-and-effortless approach to raising our dogs.

Dogs left outside in yards totally unsupervised and unattended.

Dogs not being altered.

Dogs' needs not being met or provided for.

Dogs not getting trained and taught what they're expected to know and understand.

Dogs' humans (which is 90% of "dog training") not getting trained and equipped with what they need to know and understand in order to raise their dogs right.

Dogs are a commitment and daily responsibility of 10+ years.

Teaching and training is our personal and social responsibility.

Dogs are paying the price... many, the ultimate price... because of us.

We're the problem, and also the solution.

It's my sincere hope things somehow get better and improve.

We've GOT to do better.

04/26/2025

We need to find a temporary foster for Ava ASAP.

I **love** this dog.

For so many reasons.

She's strong.

Resilient.

She's a survivor.

A protector.

She's also just as sweet and affectionate as she is tough.

And she's been an amazing mother.

She's in heat again.

Her hormones are all over the place, and it's impacting the energy and the rest of the canine household here.

We had to postpone her spay to June 10th because she went into heat again, so we'll need a foster until June 24th, at least. She'll need a few weeks of recovery post surgery.

Her personal suite has been the garage since she's been here, and it will be heating up soon.

I don't know what I'm going to do here.

Especially when it gets to be too warm in the garage.

There has to be someone out there for her.

A great match.

An active person. Strong energy. Committed. Responsible. Good.

We've been looking for months and I'm losing hope they're out there.

What on earth do we do if we can't find anyone?

We already have a strong energy female in our pack, so - sadly- staying forever isn't an option.

If it was just Ronin, it'd be one thing.

But it's not.

We'll cover expenses while she's in foster care.

We need to find a good, safe, comfortable space for her to land.

(Donations are still so needed for continue care while in foster- here or elsewhere- and can be sent to: https://gofund.me/3ef19a44 or Venmo: Kimberly-Artley-2)

04/25/2025

Update on Rocco (now "Rocky"), Willie | Willard (now "Cowboy"), and Chicken (still Chicken : P).

All are adjusting well to their new families, new homes, and new lives, and this -honestly- really couldn't make my heart sing louder.

My life changed this last December when we took these precious souls into foster.

It was my first experience with neonates, and watching Ava feed, comfort, communicate with, and even discipline her babies - has been nothing short of a little miracle. Although young, she's been an incredible mother.

She's also the first female I've ever witnessed go through heat before, so this was also quite insightful. I didn't know what I know now when my Raiyna, who passed at 16 yrs last January, came into the picture; so she never went through her first heat cycle before she was spayed.

Whenever I receive an update on any of the pups--- gosh. It's just so, so good for the soul (insert a million exclamation points here). Countless hours were spent with them.

I was there when they first opened their eyes.

When they began hearing for the first time.

When they found their feet and started exploring outside the crate.

When they stepped foot outside the garage for the first time and experienced wind... rain.... the different sounds of "the outside world"...

Thousands of dollars were invested in them (we couldn't have done this without you all).

And so much care in ensuring they were comfortable.

Feeling safe.

They were healthy and developing well.

Well nourished.

Acclimating and getting the proper | early exposure and socialization.

Enrichment.

I raised them as I have all my other dogs and did everything I could to set them up for health and behavioral success (though, now, it's up to their humans to continue learning, teaching, guiding, and building upon the foundation already laid).

Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination protocol, not altering before their reproductive systems were completely developed (their bodies are producing *much needed* hormones the rest of their bodies need during this time), clean, species| biologically appropriate food, strong focus on gut and immune health, zero conventional parasite preventatives, and so on.

Now, it's Ava's turn.

I sincerely hope we can find her special humans, home, and a lifestyle she'll love and thrive through.

She truly, truly deserves this... especially after all she's been through.

To all who've supported our efforts with this little family, I bow to you and thank you from the depths of my heart. You played a massive part in this, too!!

I'd also like to send a very special shout out to Deborah Hudgens of The Little Garden Spot (https://thelittlegardenspot.com) who's been supporting this family from afar since Day One. Deborah... I sincerely cannot thank you enough.

Anyways... enjoy the feel good updates, and know your contributions and support helped make this happen!