A Forever Home

Meet Rascal, found running loose in my neighborhood and I was called to see if I had room to take him.   Assisted by the local humane society, this bundle of energy found a forever home.    Such an adorable little man, he blended into my home and routine seamlessly.   He was happy go lucky, bouncy, and totally house broken.

I always wonder why people dump pets of any variety, but when one comes along who has everything going for him... I really scratch my head.    About a year old, Rascal was teaming with fleas and had intestinal worms, very matted fur and diarrhea; but those issues are an easy fix and if the owner had maintained him properly the cost would be minimal.  The humane society paid for all the vet bills of heart worm check, fecal, exam, medications and neutering.   Quite a chunk of change there.   Our local humane society is non profit, staffed by only the owner of the land and her husband (who live on the expansive property) and a few come and go volunteers.   Hard work and many fund drives later, she was able to erect a beautiful building, complete with large exersize pens, concrete floor, big, chain-link pens inside the building, heating and air conditioning, beds for every pet, as well as a very large section of all grass that is divided into huge pens for the dogs to get out, run, play and socialize with each other for company.   It is a no kill shelter, thus, no animal is euthanized except for severe physical trauma cases that stand no chance of recovery.    Thus, there is not a lot of room for taking in new animals.   Each potential owner goes through an extensive screening process.   The only cost is to pay back for shots, spay and neuter, and a minimal adoption fee.   If adopting a dog or cat, you get a healthy animal, they completely cleared by the vet, altered, taking heart worm preventative and have flea/tick treatment already on them.   It is a huge bargain.

There are some very lucky dogs who get to go live in foster homes.   This is the service I provide to do my part.  I take them to the vet if needed, keep up their monthly medications, give bathes if needed, grooming, and most of all training.   I take ones who have been abused, maybe showing signs unacceptable temperament and might have much less of a chance for adoption because of poor behavior.   Teaching them the basics of sit, down, come, as well and house breaking and raising self esteem, they become good citizens of the canine world.

Rascal was already house broken and he loved to snuggle in bed.   Having high self esteem and a dominant personality and learned the doggie door quickly.   He loved to go for walks and didn't mind the grooming (which was daily brushing as his fur was so soft and would tangle), but his favorite thing was to ride in the car.   His size afforded a perfect travel companion and a couple who's dog had recently died of old age adopted him.   I still hear back or see them at sponsored events and they tell me how he is doing and bring pictures.   Truly, Rascal was a mans dog.  Some dogs prefer women, others men, and some love everyone.   Rascal's new owners wanted him to be in all parts of their life.  The husband was especially fond of taking his new buddy out on long rides.

I have heard people say it must be difficult to let a foster dog go to a new home after one has put so much love and time into them.   To these people I would answer a resounding, yes, it is very hard on the heart.   But on the other hand, it is extremely rewarding.  I am able to give a shelter dog a house to live in, walks, time at the park, rides in my car, interaction with other species and thoroughly
determine the type of new family home the pet would best fit into.   The benefits to the adopter is getting a dog who has many "shelter kinks" worked out and will usually blend seamlessly into their home and routine.  Do the dogs miss me?  Honestly, I am not sure. I know they do not forget me, for I have seen them with their new owners and I am greeted with many kisses and a warm welcome.   But dogs live in the moment, and when the chemistry between pet and owner is good, they seem to flick their tail in a last wave of goodbye as they load up into their new guardians car.   Rascal is now king of his new castle, getting everything a dog ever dreams of, and boundless love from his new family.  The successfully placed foster animals have left indelible footprints on my heart, were cried over when they left, but their placement into a forever home allowed me to open my family to Spike and Grace as foster additions.  I am grateful and honored for the time I shared my life with Rascal, may his new family receive the warmth, love, and joy this sweet boy showed to me.


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