Kennels 2 Couches

06/16/2026

Important points to keep in mind when you foster or adopt a rescue dog.

We can try so hard for that “instant” connection that it can feel personal when it doesn’t happen.

They may avoid you.
Keep their distance and show zero interest in affection we can give.

We give them everything but sometimes fail to understand what they have LOST.

They can be grieving.

And we may not understand that, especially when they came from a very damaged background.
But ideal or just awful, it WAS familiar.

Losing that can absolutely affect them

The smell of the home they knew.
The loss of the walk on their favourite street.
Who they saw every morning when they woke up.
The routine they knew.

It’s all gone.

We see they’re struggling and desperately want to help them.

We buy them the comfy bed. But it’s not “theirs”, yet.
It smells different from the old musty blanket they had covered in their own hair.

We buy new toys and want them to play.
But it’s not their favourite game or their favourite toy. That didn’t come with them.

A dog can be in a vastly better environment and situation for them and STILL experience loss.

That adjustment they need?
Sometimes it feels personal.
Like you’ve done something wrong or you're not doing enough.
It feels like a distance and no amount of “trying” from us seems to work.

Their loss is real and it needs to be recognised.

Your new dog cannot feel a connection when theres no safety.
“But, it’s safe here, I would never hurt them”.

They don’t know that yet.
Safety can take days, weeks or months and it happens when it happens.
That 3x3x3 rule?
There is no real timeline we can predictably rely on other than it will take as long as it takes.

But when we are predictable and consistent, and when that feeling of safety envelops them THAT is when you will see those connections.

You’ll see glimpses .
They may be tiny at first or you may see real connection and then distance again.

A little more curiosity.
A bit more confidence.
They’ll start to show more trust.

Your connection now isn't what it will be in the future.

Because safety comes before connection.

All they need right now is to feel safe.

Save this for the hard days 💙

What was the smallest sign your rescue started to trust you?

06/13/2026

Trooper is in urgent need of a foster, ideally a foster to adopt. He's a tripod due to a deformed front leg he was born with. It doesn't impact his quality of life at all. He's a shepherd mix, just about to turn 2 years old. He can be with other dogs, but he is protective of his toys and you'll need to follow strict protocols with the toys. He has not lived with cats before. He's good with kids, and is potty trained. He's currently boarding in Santa Maria, CA (Santa Barbara County). If your like to meet him, we can arrange that at a park. He's managing ok in boarding, but it's wearing on him and I'd like to get him in a home ASAP.

Please reach out if you can help Trooper with his next chapter. 📞 805-450-1010.

05/31/2026

Update 6/8: all puppies are still available for adoption. Lots of interest, but lots of upcoming vacations.

ADOPTION EVENT Sunday 6/7 (enter junior high pun for 67 here 😉) 11-2

I ran out of puppies, and quickly went through withdrawals. So I rescued more puppies (with their Mom❤️). Now it's time for those puppies to find their forever families. One of the parts I LOVE about rescue is matchmaking, and helping people and dogs (puppies in this case) find each other. Some people are healing; some people are experiencing their first dog; some people are lonely; and some people just want more chaos in their lives and are adding an additional dog. I love them all, and am open to adopting to everyone,*as long as it makes sense. That's my disclaimer.

There are 3 boys 💙 and 3 girls 🩷. Mom is considered a liver German Shepherd mix (that's her coloring). Dad is unknown. Mom is about 60 lb. Puppies are born 4/9/26, are healthy, friendly, sweet, smart, funny, outgoing. They are fostering in Santa Barbara.

These puppies will be available at Montecito Pet Shop in Santa Barbara on Sunday June 7 from 11-2 for meet and greets and adoption if you're ready for that. They will have had their first vaccinations and deworming. If you would like to fill out an application ahead of time to be pre-qualified we can do that, and we may be able to arrange a private meet and greet before the event.

Call 📞 805-450-1010 for more info.

05/30/2026

Puppy time!
These are the puppies of Artichoke from Hesperia, now named Indiana. They are 7 weeks old now, 8 weeks old next week. They are ready for meet and greets if anyone is in the Santa Barbara area and would like to meet them. I'm going to do an adoption event for them probably next weekend. But here's a fun sneak peek.

05/16/2026

Update 6/8: new video of Nibla in the comments. Long term foster in Santa Barbara county or San Luis Obispo county needed. We will rescue her if I can find a suitable foster/foster to adopt home for her.

Shelter Notes say: 5/19/2026 does well in playgroup with smaller dogs, social media posts and more outings. She is more confident when playing with the littles. Spending as much time as possible with her little friends. She is getting interest from social media. Sponsored adoption from partner Kennels to Couches

We have been trying to share this beautiful girl who is at my local shelter in Santa Barbara county, CA. She's actually from my neighborhood, but her family didn't come back for her even though they were contacted. She's a shy girl, but she lived with a family with kids. She's approximately 6 years old, talks to you like Huskies do, and is sweet.

Nibla rides great in the car, is beautiful when you see her in person. Her family that she was with for at least the last 2 years speaks Spanish, so if you're interested in a dual language dog she's your girl. If anyone is interested in more information they can either reach out to the shelter directly, or I do have ability to rescue her if there's a foster out there. I feel like I'm talking into a huge abyss though when I'm asking for Fosters because nobody's responding right now, but I'm still going to ask for one.

📞 Me 805-450-1010 for more info about fostering or foster to adopt.

05/12/2026

This is a MUST Read if you are adopting a new dog whether from a shelter or from a rescue, or are going to Foster a dog. Please please please take the time to read this.

Their world completely changed.
And they don’t know why.

We see their quietness as coping or relaxing so we can accidentally expect too much, far too soon.

One of the hardest parts with newly rehomed dogs is their stress doesn’t always look dramatic.
We would recognise that easily, but some dogs become extremely still and quiet.

Some follow people constantly.
Some sleep more.
Some avoid all interactions.
Others become busy, mouthy, overexcited or unsettled.

We have a job to do from the second they arrive and it’s not about training.
It should be far more about observation.

We should be watching.
Learning who they are.
Recognising patterns.
Seeing what changes their emotional state.

What startles them?
What helps them relax?
What environments suddenly change their body language?
When do they seek distance?
What happens around food, visitors, handling or rest?

They are telling us who they are and how they are coping, often as clearly as they can and we have a duty to listen.

One thing nearly all rehomed dogs share? It’s incredibly easy to unintentionally overwhelm them.

And it’s usually done with the very best of intentions.

05/08/2026

Update 5/30: Foster or Foster to adopt still needed for both boys. 🙏🤞

5/12: Foster(s) Needed ASAP for these two. I just got the tap out from their current foster mom who is in Lompoc, CA (Santa Barbara County). So as much as I would love to have them be adopted and adopted together, I need to pivot to find a new foster opportunity or opportunities for the boys. Foster is suggesting to take them to the shelter 😳 So I may need affordable boarding options if anyone has some suggestions locally. $50 a day per dog will not work.

Ready for adoption‼️

Freckles (with the freckles,,,) and his brother Lil Buddy were abandoned with several other dogs from their home outside of Bakersfield, and rescued by Eddie Revilla. We took them in, and they've been adjusting to a new normal with an amazing foster since then. She's worked with them, and we have a lot of good info about them now to place them into appropriate forever homes.

Freckles 💙
Freckles is a gentle, neutered male between 2 and 3 years old who is fully vaccinated and microchipped. While he can be a bit shy initially, he is very friendly once he gets to know you and socializes wonderfully with other dogs. He is a cozy soul who loves lounging in his bed with a stuffed toy, though he is also quite active and can jump high for a treat. He especially enjoys belly rubs, ear scratches, and facial affection, and he even has a quirky habit of lying down to eat his meals.

Lil Buddy💙
Lil Buddy is an energetic, neutered male around 2 years old with a perpetual puppy face and bright, clean teeth. He is a friendly, high-energy companion who plays well with children and other dogs alike. He has already mastered the "sit" and "stay" commands for treats and is very trainable, though we are currently working on discouraging him from using his mouth to show affection. He loves being outdoors and would be a perfect fit for an active family with plenty of time to play and continue his training.

Both are neutered, approx. 20 lbs., 2 years old (they are brothers), vaccinated and microchipped. They can be adopted separately. Please reach out for more info 📞 805-450-1010. They are in Santa Barbara County.