WE NEED A TEMPORARY HOME!

Our parents, John and Ellen, have this amazing opportunity to live in South Africa for 2 years and teach at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, so we find ourselves needing a temporary home. Because of very dangerous safety issues, specifically dogs being poisoned as a means of crime, as well as a lot of diseases, we are not allowed to travel with them and we are all so terribly heartbroken about this. If it weren't for this, we would certainly be joining them on this incredible journey. Will you consider fostering us for two years starting this Christmas? We would prefer to stay in Los Angeles, but would be willing to travel if necessary. Also, it would be great to be fostered as a pair since we play really well together and love each other very much. However, we are willing to separate as we understand it may be difficult to take us both on, and besides, we have very different needs. The things we have in common are: we are both very well-behaved, loyal and loving, hypo-allergenic and non-shedding, smart and funny and micro-chipped. We come with medical pet insurance and all expenses covered, such as food, grooming, non-anesthetic teeth cleanings, flea treatments and regular checkups. We are up to date on all of our vaccines and have been given a clean bill of health from our vet. We are indoor dogs and used to staying inside the house for up to 8 hours every weekday. We are also crate trained and go in there willingly for time outs! But most importantly, we adore kids, other dogs and people, and will offer you up the unconditional love that we canines are famous for. (We were going to ask Oprah to offer us up to Barack Obama, but they are set on waiting until the spring for their hypo-allergenic dog, plus, as much as we'd like to live in the White House, we'd really like to reunite with our family in two years.) Our parents and Oprah thank you in advance for your consideration and support!

RUA - THE LIL' LABRADOODLE

Rua is a can-do doodle as she can seriously do anything you train her to do, except walk on a leash without pulling a little. We brought this "designer dog" into our home when she was 8 weeks old and she has proven to live up to her much-hyped status. She is smaller than most Labradoodles, weighing in between 39-42 pounds, but this girl is all legs and muscle. She is a serious athlete - likes to swim, but mostly, loves to catch the ball... endlessly. Her hair is silky and smooth and her breath is delicious! She is a head turner and exudes pure happiness and joy. Rua (which means red in Irish - she was red as a pup, but has matured into a strawberry blonde) has never and probably will never, nip or bite. She has a "powder puff" mouth and is truly the most loving and affectionate dog in the world. She is also quite the comedian with her endless poses and head tilts. Plus she has an impressive repertoire of tricks and has even alerted us about fires in the neighborhood on two occasions! Rua is highly energetic by day, requiring a healthy hike or long walk to wear her out and satisfy her busy brain, and at night and in the mornings she is one serious couch potato! We have been feeding Rua a diet of raw meat, veggies, fruits and grains along with some supplements and she is the picture of health! Rua will be 5 yrs old on Dec. 27, a Christmas doggie...

OLLIE - THE BIG BICHON

Ollie, Mr. O, Beaudro, Ollie-Ollie-Oxenfree... these are some of the names for our beloved Bichon (and possible Bedlington terrier X). We rescued him when he was 2 yrs old, after he had been "passed around like a parcel" amongst a group of UCLA students who couldn't keep or care for him. Apparently, he had been a Valentine's day gift and when the lovers broke up, Ollie was too painful of a reminder. And so he began an early puppyhood in numerous apartments, causing him stress and fear. When we brought him into our home, he was terrified of men and had a penchant for throwing up. Six years later, he loves men as much as women, and has a healthy digestive system as a result of homeopathic and naturopathic treatments. He thrives on a raw meat, vegetable and fruit diet mixed with supplements, and is aging quite gracefully. He has a slight disc problem in his lower back which is easily managed by keeping him off long hikes or jumping up and down off the furniture (the agility days are over). He loves his blanket and has chewed numerous holes in it, garnering the name, "the swiss cheese blanket". Ollie frolics in the grass and also eats the grass, but mostly, he loves to snuggle up to you and keep you warm while you pet him endlessly! He is a true lap dog and a loyal friend. Ollie has a deep soul and his eyes look like "blueberry pies." A bit of a Hollywood player, Ollie was featured on the IAMS interstitial during the Westminster dog show one year, as well as the title character in the short film, "Sasha". Ollie thinks he is a little boy, not a dog, and he will be 9 yrs old sometime around Christmas...