Dogs Forever

🛒 Monthly Wish List Wednesday! This month, we’re asking for a few things that help keep our shelter running, organized, and our pups happy. 🐾

🧺 #1 NEED: "FREE & CLEAR" LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT - some brands on our wish list for you! Or shop locally!

📦 32-OZ GASKETED, SEALED STORAGE TOTES — these specific ones fit our shelving units perfectly, and we have a huge need for more storage. The exact ones we need are on our Amazon Wish List.

🧴 VINEGAR — plastic containers, please! You can grab it locally or through our Wish List.

💌 STAMPS — One of our wonderful volunteers handwrites thank-you notes to donors and tracks individual PayPal donations when an address is provided. We could really use some books and rolls of forever stamps!

🦴 And with the W-word-that-starts-with-W and-ends-in-INTER coming our way… ❄️ we’d love to stock up on GOOD TASTY CHEWS for our pups! Redbarn and Nature Gnaws to name a few have some great options, and we have several on our Wish List or shop local.

🛒 SHOP OUR AMAZON WISH LIST:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/JU9OPGT9LDLU?ref_=wl_share

Shop Amazon and ship directly to us, shop locally, or whatever floats your boat! Donations can also be dropped in our two totes outside anytime at 809 Rockford Road SW in Cedar Rapids.

Or stop by Saturdays from 10 AM–2 PM, drop off a donation, and give a few sweet homeless pups (Saffron is ready and waiting!) some belly scratches and ear rubs. Sounds like a pretty good Saturday to us. 💙🐾

💛 OKAY, BUT HAVE YOU SEEN CITRINE?! 💛

Because we’re pretty sure this little girl was created specifically to make people fall in love. 🥹

Citrine — or “CiCi,” as some of her volunteer fans affectionately call her — is the sweetest little about 4 month old lab mix something something puppy with a personality that is impossible not to adore. She loves people, loves to play, and has that happy, silly puppy spirit that makes you smile without even realizing it.

And those EYES. 😍 Although her eyes do make her look like she's right in the middle of being caught red-handed do it something she's not supposed to... 😂😂😂🖤

Her beautiful light blue eyes are seriously something special, especially paired with that adorable puppy face. She’s basically a tiny bundle of sweetness, wiggles, and puppy kisses.

Citrine has so much love to give, and we would absolutely love to see her find a family who is ready for all the fun, cuddles, chaos, and joy that comes with raising a puppy. 💛

If you’ve been waiting for a little sunshine to add to your life, CiCi might just be your girl. ☀️🐾

Come meet Citrine Saturdays from 10–2 at Dogs Forever, 809 Rockford Rd SW in Cedar Rapids!

Please complete an application before your visit so we can learn more about you and your home:
https://dogsforever.org/adopting-from-dogs-forever/adoption-foster-form/

A BIG thank-you to Petfinder Foundation and KONG for their donation if these durable treat holder bones to our sweet pups! ❤️🐾

Our dogs were VERY excited to receive some goodies, and there was definitely some serious tail-wagging happening around here!

Max may have been the most grateful of all. Since his recent neuter, he’s been temporarily grounded from running, zooming and generally behaving like the 70-pound goofball he is. 😂 So having a KONG to chew on to keep his brain busy and his heart happy? PERFECT timing. Although he did tell us a few times, that we need to fill it with treats!

Thank you, Petfinder Foundation and KONG, for helping our pups stay happy, entertained and loved while they wait for their forever families. We appreciate you! ❤️

🚨 IMPORTANT PUPPY ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Saffron has entered the chat. And frankly, we’re not sure how anyone is supposed to get anything done when THIS FACE exists. 😍

This sweet little 4 month old Lab-ish mix-ish is basically a walking friendship machine. She loves people, loves attention, loves puppy playtime, and thinks hanging out with her sister and the other pups is pretty much the best thing ever.

She’s still learning the whole “how to be a dog” thing, but she’s a puppy — so we’re giving her plenty of grace while she figures out the important stuff. ❤️

Like:
✨ How to make friends
✨ How to be a Very Good Puppy™
✨ How to play nicely
✨ And apparently… how to weaponize those giant chocolate eyes against anyone who might be considering adoption.

We’re pretty sure that last one is already mastered.

Saffron is available for adoption and can be met Saturdays from 10–2 at Dogs Forever, 809 Rockford Rd SW in Cedar Rapids. She would equally love a foster home to decompress out of the shelter. Not up for adoption? Please consider fostering this sweet girl.

Please fill out an application before your visit so we can learn more about you and your home:

https://dogsforever.org/adopting-from-dogs-forever/adoption-foster-form/

📣🐾 IT'S ALMOST TIME… AND THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET COMPETITIVE! 🐾📣

Our Dogs Forever's 2027 Annual Online Calendar Contest Fundraiser is coming back November 1! And here's your reminder for all of our friends who follow us from outside Iowa:

🌎 YOUR PETS CAN PLAY TOO! 🌎

Yep! This fundraiser is completely online, so whether you're right here in Cedar Rapids or following us from across the country, your pup can enter, collect votes, climb the leaderboard and fight for a spot in our 2027 Dogs Forever Calendar!

🏆 The top 13 dogs will earn a spot in the calendar, with 1st place getting the ultimate bragging rights — the coveted COVER or their choice of month! I mean LOOK at our October 2026 sweetie, JOEY!! This could be your pup in next year's calendar.

And even if your dog doesn't make the Top 13, every single entry will be featured in a special collage in the back of the calendar. ❤️

So start scrolling through that camera roll.

📸 Find THE photo.
🐶 Pick your contestant.
📣 Alert the family group chat.
📣 Warn the coworkers.
📣 Assemble the dog's fan club.

Because November 1 is coming…and the race for the calendar is ON. 🏆🐾🔥

👉 We have all the details in the event page tagged above, so make sure you're following along!

🌻 Calling all the people who believe life is better with a little more Sunflower in it. 💛

At just 7/8 months old and 37 pounds, Sunflower is affectionate, playful, gentle and completely in love with her people. She also LOVES dogs! Her foster siblings have helped her come out of her shell, and she has a blast with her canine friends at doggie daycare. But at the end of the day, this girl equally loves her PEOPLE. She wants to be wherever you are, curled up beside you like a 37-pound pretzel. 🥹

We've learned that Sunflower does best when life feels calm, predictable and safe. When she was just a baby at 3 months old, she was a stray on the streets of Louisiana trying to survive, so big changes can feel BIG for this girl. Her forever family will need to give her time to settle in, establish a routine and understand that she's safe. If there are other dogs in the home, thoughtful introductions, separate feeding and putting away high-value treats and toys at first will help set everyone up for success.

A securely fenced yard would be wonderful since that is what she's used to. What matters most is a patient family who can give her plenty of companionship and love. She's used to having someone around during the day, so someone who works from home, has a flexible schedule, or can give her a midday break would be ideal.

Her foster family, right here in Cedar Rapids, is happy to have approved applicants meet her at their home—where you can see the REAL Sunflower shine. Put in an application and email in if you'd like to make that happen. Otherwise you can meet her at Saturday Open House: 10 AM–2 PM at Dogs Forever, 809 Rockford Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids.

📝 Please complete an adoption application before your visit.

https://dogsforever.org/adopting-from-dogs-forever/adoption-foster-form/

Sunflower is ready to find her people. And we have a feeling they're going to be VERY happy they found her. 🌻💛 Instead of just liking this post, we would love it if you would share it. You never know who you know who might be the perfect fit for our sweet girl. She's been waiting months and months and months.

Dodger's Internal monologue: 'Wait... so you're telling me this $600 Theisen's card is for dog food and toys for OTHER dogs, and not just a mountain of toys with my name on it?' 🤨🐶

Dogs Forever alumni Dodger is processing the news, but we are celebrating! Thank you so much to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Theisen's for hosting such a fun community event during the hockey game Friday night, and to the awesome fan was selected for us who made the goal! Way to go dude!

Thank you to our nominator and everyone who supports our rescue. This is going to help tremendously. (And yes, we hear Dodger definitely got extra treats after this photo shoot)! 🏒🛒✨"

We’re open to the public TOMORROW; Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00AM–2:00 PM! We have a shelter full of some of the cutest pups this side of the Cedar River! 😍

DOGS FOREVER: 809 Rockford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids (Street parking. Do not park in either of our neighbor's parking lots.)

If you're not looking to adopt, the biggest favor you can do is ✨SHARE THIS POST PLEASE! ✨

🐶 Meet all of our adoptable dogs:
https://dogsforever.org/adopting-from-dogs-forever/adoptable-dogs/

(🚨A reminder: Barney = Not here on Saturdays. Put in an app to meet him!🚨)

📝 Pre-Adoption application:
https://dogsforever.org/adopting-from-us/adoption-foster-form/

♻️ Don't forget—you can also drop off your redeemable cans and bottles (including glass!) anytime. Just leave them bagged in the metal cage in front of our shed, and every nickel goes directly toward caring for our dogs (especially vet bills).

A reminder - There's only ONE MAX. If you aren’t chosen for Max, please don’t take that as a reflection of you, your home, your life, or your application. There is literally just one Max. Make sure that you meet some of our other adorable adoptable dogs if you come to visit Max. You never know who might actually steal your heart. ❤️

🚨🚨 MAX UPDATE 🚨🚨

🛑 WE WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MAX AFTER 8 PM CST 10/02/2026! 🛑

We already have 20-30 + applications for this handsome guy, and we are so grateful for the overwhelming amount of love he has received! ❤️

🐾 ALREADY APPLIED? PLEASE READ! 🐾

If you applied and plan to meet Max tomorrow, we’ll see you anytime between 10 AM–2 PM. If you don’t show up and don’t communicate with us, your application will NOT be considered.

Because we have so many applications, please expect approximately 10-15 minutes max, with Max, depending on how many applicants actually show up, so everyone has an opportunity to meet him.

If you aren’t chosen for Max, please don’t take that as a reflection of you, your home, your life, or your application. There is literally just one Max. We can’t put him in multiple homes, no matter how many wonderful families apply.

And remember — Max is a DOG, not a Golden Retriever-shaped meet-and-greet machine. He may have FOUR HOURS of visitors tomorrow! If he becomes tired, overwhelmed, needs space, or needs a break, we will listen to him. His comfort and well-being will ALWAYS come first.

We know everyone is excited. We are too! Just please be patient, respectful, and understanding as we work through a very busy day. And while you’re here, PLEASE meet some of our other amazing adoptable dogs, too. You never know who might steal your heart!