Adoptable Foster Dog Cappy Learns Life Skills

We've had our foster dog Cappy for nearly 5 weeks now and everyone is learning a lot. The humans are re-learning what it takes to tire out and entertain a 11 month old pittie pup. Cappy is learning about living in a home and all about how to be a happy family member. 

He's mastered the electric blanket on the couch. It's his favorite spot in the house. In the morning after dog breakfast and people breakfast, he usually lounges there with Alycia as she has Zoom meetings. And again in the evenings after everyone has had supper and is ready to settle down, he parks himself on the couch with Alycia and has some evening snuggle time. 

Cappy already knows about toys and enjoys destroying them, but is pretty good about not ingesting the toy. He still occasionally gets excited and picks up a sock or shoe and runs around with it, but we quickly try to redirect him and haven't had any sock or shoe casualties. We've made some toy purchases from Chewy (stuffed toys, rope toys, bones to chew) to provide plenty of options for things to satisfy his chewing urges.

It's been a whirlwind here this last month, but we're enjoying remembering what it's like to have a puppy in the house. And he's helping us get out of the house, by needing longer daily exploration walks and adventures on the weekend. 

Cappy is available to adopt from the Oregon Coast Humane Society in Florence, Oregon. 

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Foster Dog Cappy Gets Comfortable

Our foster dog Cappy has been with us for almost two weeks now and is settling into our household and getting comfortable with our routine. He's really well behaved for an 11 month old pup, hasn't had any accidents, and is very receptive to positive training and treats. 

We haven't had a puppy in our house in 15 years (and 30 pounds ago), so we're having to relearn the level of exercise, patience, and tolerance needed with a young pup around. It's a adjustment process. 

We dug out all the toys that we've collected over the years that Shaak Ti and Shadowfax played with and then ignored. And we've bought a whole bunch of new toys (stuffed toys, rope toys), bones to chew on, and interactive puzzle games to get Cappy's brain working hard and help tire him out.  

Cappy is available to adopt from the Oregon Coast Humane Society in Florence, Oregon. 

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Our New Foster Dog - Cappy

Shadofax's passing left a huge dog sized hole in our hearts and lives. In the 18+ years we've been together there has always been a dog or dogs in our house and lives. Without dogs in it, the house felt cavernous, quiet, empty. 

We've always been inspired by the devotion and selflessness of people who foster dogs and wanted to participate. But Shadowfax made it clear that she didn't want to share the house with another dog after Tito and Shaak Ti left us.  

As a way to help us navigate life without Shadowfax and to help get a pup out of the shelter until they can find their permanent home, we started fostering Cappy, a 10 month old pup from the Oregon Coast Humane Society in Florence, Oregon. He's helping us deal with our grief from losing Shadowfax and we're giving him a place to hang until he finds his forever family, a win-win for everyone.

Cappy is a really good pup. It's been so long since we've had a young dog in the house that we've forgotten what it's like. There are sustained bouts of energy and enthusiasm followed by crashes and naps. He's also getting acclimated to our schedule and the sights and sounds of our household, a big adjustment for him that he's mastered quite well. 

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Saying Goodbye to Shadowfax

We had to say goodbye to Shadowfax yesterday. She let us know that it was time. It was a peaceful and gentle transition for her to a place with no more pain. She can ramble about on steady legs and join Tito and Shaak Ti frolicking in the great beyond.

We'll try to compose a more fitting tribute to our companion of 15 years, but for now we're stuck with mourning the life of the best dog. 

Shadowfax's Year in Review

Shadowfax would love to leave you a review of 2025 in pictures. She's a pretty photogenic pup and as such there are lots of great photos of her. We've selected the best handful for you.

2025 had lots of trips in the car, quick drives to town to pick up the mail or stop by the local park for a sniff-n-stroll. We're always safe and secure in the car in our harness and seatbelt.

Some trips to the vet. Don't fret, we're pretty darn healthy for a 15 year old dog. Our medication list is now pretty long, and we have to chop up the pills into smaller bits. Those Vetmedin pills are pretty big!

Grandpa and Grandma came to visit three times during the year. They needed lots of help and direction in the kitchen. Shadowfax is a huge help.

Seriously, Shadowfax probably loves the Grandparents more than us. We might not be exaggerating on this one.

Lots of paying attention and looking pretty. 

Lots of naps, some of them in sunbeams. 

Other naps as needed. Lots of naps were needed. 

 

There are also some great video posts from 2025:

Shadowfax slurping down a pup cup. 

Shadowfax getting in some afternoon indoor play time.  

Shadowfax is also world famous, thanks to all the wonderful readers of this blog and followers on Instagram and Threads. By our accounting she the most famous 15 year old deaf pittie on the Central Oregon Coast!

Where We've Been the Last Few Months

Sorry in advance for the downer of a post. We've been quiet the past few months on the blog. My Dad passed away in late Summer and we've been dealing with all the repercussions of that. Travel, family, sadness, supporting loved ones, legal and financial obligations, some semblance of self care.

This photo is from Fall, 2024, the last time he was able to visit us in Oregon.

We'll have a longer post at some point honoring my Dad with some stories and memories, but for now we're in emotional hibernation as we try to keep life going while we allow for the grieving process.

Shadowfax Turns 15

Shadowfax is 15 years old! Since she was adopted/rescued we don't know her actual birthday, but we got her in mid-November when she was 3-4 months old, which puts her likely birthday in July or August.

 

These were the first few photos we got from her foster mom Michelle back in the year 2010 AD. That feels like a lifetime ago. We posted gobs of photos and more photos of her puppy antics and daily ridiculousness. 

 

Shadowfax did grow into her huge ears and giant noggin'. Sort of. At 15 she has some health issues (Cushing's Disease) and some cysts between her toes, along with the lumps and bumps that we all get as we get older. But at her regular vet visits they are always impressed with how good she looks for her age. 

 

And she may not have the flexibility to sleep all tangled up in her bed like this, but we love her all the same. Actually we love more than ever, and each day with her is a pretty special gift. 

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Is It The Weekend Yet?

Shadowfax with her patented “Is it the weekend yet?” Bonus for completing the look with a disheveled ear. Well done Shadowfax.

Sorry kiddo. Sadly it’s only Monday, we’ve got a long ways to go until the weekend.

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