Fostering: If you haven't done it yet, give it a try

now that Lil D is gone, and i must admit it was tough to let her go.  i have some time to reflect on fostering in general.


if you've read any of my previous posts you KNOW i was scared to DEATH to foster.  2 dogs = more chaos, less time for me, more accidents, more time and energy...this list goes on and on.  or so i thought.


the truth is having more than one dog actually makes things a bit easier.  your best bud has a new playmate to keep them occupied, they teach each other the ropes and it actually takes LESS work on your part.  in the case of Lil D that wasn't quite true at the beginning because she needed so much 1-1 tlc but it wasn't long before the dogs loved each other and i loved being able to set them free in the backyard or give them both a bone and then have MY time.

yes they love to play tug of war!

having two dogs (or more) is wonderful.  yes, there is some work on the front end to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe but after that....smooth sailin! i can tell you now that Deb has only been gone a few hours (and after a long walk to tucker Rosie out)...it's once again queen of the throne.."what about me" - from Rosie.  the next couple weeks will certainly be a hard adjustment.

and aside from all the technicals, fostering is AMAZING.  you are saving a life.  it only takes a little time out of your life but it provides the foundation for a FOREVER life for a dog.  a dog who needs it/wants it/deserves it oh so much.  you grow to love these dogs.  they are an intricate part of your household.  you learn their likes, their dislikes, what makes them smile....you also have an opportunity to train.  to teach them to be more ADOPTABLE so they can get that home they deserve.

i must confess fostering is one of the most fulfilling things i've ever done.  and every tear that i shed was followed by a slight smile, knowing that this girl was saved from the depths of despair and will now lead a wonderful life.  when her new owners came to pick her up today, i couldn't have been happier.  they are lovely, lively people and they LOVED her from the start.  who wouldn't?  she is a miracle on this earth for all to see.

many lessons learned for me and my kids.  so many i can't even articulate them. but my point is - whatever you choose to do - volunteer, give money, repost photos - and these are all great things.


PLEASE CONSIDER FOSTERING...i promise you it will make you a better person and you will live with the memory of each dog YOU personally saved forever.  it doesn't get better than that. i promise you that the work is much less than the joy and that the heartbreak of letting go is much less than the HAPPINESS of seeing your lil creation going on to survive and thrive.

i ask my fellow dog lovers to please take consdiration!  it's the best.  and the tears always dry!

love to all xo chb and rosie (who is definitley missing her partner in crime right now)

Little Debbie Learns to Fly

it's been a long time since i wrote, and part of it is because of Little Debbie.  having two dogs changed so much in my life...both in terms of my time commitment and my feeling and understanding of dogs.


when i first met Lil Debbie back in January, i was unconfident in my skills at fostering. 
Lil Debbie was extremely underweight (11 lbs vs almost 30 now), completely worm infested, had demodex mange, and was so insecure and feeble....i wasn't sure either one of us would make it through this journey.  we were both haunted by fear.

but we did.  both of us.  Lil Debbie is now a vibrant and upstanding member of our family, meshing well with all of our 'people' and most definitely with our family dog, Rosie (yes, a pit bull).  it's not to say she (we) doesn't have moments where her past life shows, but i can tell you that after only 3 months of tlc this is a totally different dog. 

this is a dog who was supposed to be dead, honestly i'm surprised she didn't die based on what i know about her former life.  tied to a pole, starved and tantalized by other dogs and people she survived every possible negative circumstance...and now she THRIVES.

Little Debbie has learned to fly.

when the application for Lil D's adoption came through i was startled...i thought somehow (after all my initial doubt) that i was the ONLY one capable of taking care of her.  but that's just not true. i taught her the ropes, mended her health, and gave her the food and care she needed, and SHE took care of all the rest. 

she learned to be comfortable with other dogs.  she learned basic commands easily.  she learned to share food (a HUGE feat for a dog that was starved).  she learned to sleep on the sofa....or the bed :)  she learned to love and to trust.  she is a beautiful girl...and i'm so proud of her.

so now, with her newly found wings, Little Debbie will go to a new home this friday.  it brings both tears of joy and tears of sadness to my eyes.  i am grateful for a new home and a new beginning for her because she deserves it more than any dog i know.  but my goodness, i'm going to miss her. and i know rosie will too...in  a big way.  there will be a gap in our family for quite some time.

thursday night our family will be holding a celebratory 'good-bye' party for Little Debbie...i'll be sure to share that with you all as well.  i'm sure we'll have plenty of good party pictures!!

God speed and good luck to our dearest friend Lil Debs.  I love you with all my heart.  xo
mom