29/01/2023
CARMELLA,
a/k/a Carmen, our very first foster dog came to us the early summer of 2022. It's not that she was a superhero or even the best dog ever, but we saw, with just a little love, tenderness and patience, the positive changes in her, slow progress. Early on, we both tried to give her so much of everything, when all she really needed was for us to be there for her, to gain our trust. To show her what it was like to sleep inside, eat inside, be warm. Simple, right - you see, she was 3 years old and lived outside the entire time. Her owners were "hoarders", caring people but out of control.
Fast forward 2 months from the time she came to our home........
We were headed to New York, to bring her to another loving foster home where she had a better chance at finding a family to love her and understand her. Two months later, adopted by a wonderful family and living her best life.
LEIA, HAN AND DARTH
Next were the "Star Wars" pups. These 8-week-old pups were dumped at fosters' property, where she already had 8 foster dogs. After training, socializing, creating a bond of "trust" and vetting - they all found their happy places in New England, where owners live fairly close and keep in contact with each other and me.
The mom and daughter sheepdogs that needed a save place before going up north to their adopted families.
NOODLE
The deaf dog that was surrendered to the local shelter by his deaf family because they moved out of State and did not know there were resources they could have utilized. I found a rescue and transportation to get him closer to his loving family. He will eventually be back with his family once they get into their own house but for now, he is staying with a deaf foster family only 20 miles for his real family.
DAK AND ARIES
Then again, two, 3-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix brothers from a terrible hoarding case in S. Texas where a few pups had to be left behind because there were not enough foster homes. Training was definitely needed for these smart "wild children". Dak, the athletic brother jumped into our kitchen sink, then the dining room table was his favorite place to play king of the mountain. Aries, walked into the glass door so many times, thinking she could just walk outside. Neither had been inside any dwelling before, let alone a human home. Taking the time to get to know each fosters personality is key to training and socializing. For Dak, we set up an agility course which he quickly mastered. Aries, fearful and reserved - one on one human bonding and self-confidence building sessions were key. Both were jumpers and loved the water so I created a toy at the end of a pole so they could practice their jumping skills and gain much needed confidence. After vetting and several weeks of fun with these two, they were quickly adopted to families who were well screened, which is essential for placing any new dog into a new home.
NOELLE AND HER 11'S
Most challenging but also most rewarding were the 11 newborn pups and their mom whom we fostered from our local shelter. I had met the mom-to-be at the Shelter while taking marketing pictures of her peers. Volunteering for the shelter, I knew that she and pups needed to be out of that stressful environment. The first thing I did when I went to pick all 12 of them up is sat next to her pool of pups and sang sweet songs to her for 30 minutes while staff worked on getting paperwork together. Up until the time she left to a rescue, if she was anxious, I would sing, anything - she immediately calmed.
And then came the P**P!!! Ask me how much p**p 11 healthy pups make in a day. Mom tried to keep up with the cleaning but was overwhelmed. Six weeks of cleaning their pen 3 times a day - our washing machine was running non-stop. Being that mom was small and underweight, she did not have enough milk to feed all 11 and was not thrilled once they started to get teeth and claws. We started feeding them gruel at the age of 3 1/2 weeks. Not as smelly as smeared poo but just as messy until they figured out it's better in their tummies than on their bodies or the floor. These sweeties were the most fun to watch, learn from and play with. If you're having a bad day - watch a video of playing puppies, you'll instantly start smiling. The shelter found rescues to take all of them including the momma. After they are thoroughly vetted and evaluated, the rescues will again, find the best possible future homes for all of them.
BRUNO
Currently, we are fostering Bruno from a kind person who was helping a neighbor rehome him. The owner was going to bring him to the shelter if no home found. Having some knowledge of his breed, this 8-month-old shy and gentle soul would have ended up hurting himself stuck in a kennel for most of the day. We took him in with very little background information except he did well with young children. "Texas Cattledogs" and/or "Red Heelers", need physical and mental stimulation, or they could be destructive. He would not let us near him for a few days. Every move we made, he watched from afar. Bruno seems to prefer men to woman, which is the opposite of what the norm is for most dogs with similar backgrounds (again, I do not know much of his past). Fast forward a week - after spending quality time with him (mostly my husband since he prefers his company to mine), training, exercise, lots of walks and socializing around neighborhood, he is an absolute gem! He is perfect on the leash while walking with obstacles like a dozen deer running in front of you, children riding bikes, moving cars, dogs barking at him from their yards and even 2 small puffs of arrogant furballs running towards him in raging bark-mode, didn't faze him. He has only barked ONE time in over a week of having him. He is gentle, non-aggressive but still shy. Quick to learn and wants to please, once he gains your trust. He still needs to know that you are in his vicinity to feel comfortable. Crate training for him is slow but coming along.
We did find out that he had never been to see a Vet. At his Vet appointment, we had him thoroughly screened and checked. No parasites, worms or diseases. He has had his first vaccine plus Rabies shot. Once he receives his 2nd round of vaccines on February 22nd, he will be ready for adoption. Neutering will either be done while in our care or his adopter and is not negotiable. Currently waiting for an open slot with PALS for his procedure.
