My First Foster

Gracie was my first foster dog, whom I agreed to watch over the weekend until a new foster home could be found. Well the weekend turned into two and a half months.

Gracie was picked up by the county dog catcher when her time was up the rescue took her in. A horribly matted, dirty, scared mess. She would not walk on a leash, just sunk to the ground and would lay there not sure what to do, loud noises made her cringe and was desperate for affection. She loved to jump up and give you hugs.

Within a day or two she was okay with walking on the leash, but refused to go to the bathroom while on it. Terrified she would run away on me we kept trying to go out on the leash for bathroom breaks, still nothing, tied several leashes together thinking maybe I was too close, still nothing. After two days I started to worry, having already had a Great Pyrenees I knew they could hold it for a long time, but two days!!! Well she finally went.... in the middle of the living room with a look or relief/shame on her face, I felt so bad for the poor girl. So I made sure the goat pen was secure and would let her off leash there to go, plus she like to bug the goats so there was some exercise too.

So eventually the day came and it was Gracie's time to go, I struggled with it, wanting to keep her but when told about the new home I knew she would be treated like a princess. So I said my goodbyes one Sunday morning and Gracie was off to the states to meet her new family, I cried for about a week. Having had her for that long you really do become attached, and if you are me you become really attached. Shortly there after I got an email with photos of Gracie's first day in her new home and I knew she was happy and it was all worth it. That was over a year ago and then yesterday morning I received an update from Gracie's new mom Laurie and it reminded me why I love being a part of dog rescue.

Hi Bobbi.

I came across your email address and thought I would give you another update. Gracie loves life here. I run with her often and she loves the extra exercise since we have nothing really for her to herd. She always has a happy smile and all our neighbors love her when she does not bark. She guards and protects the house well. We have a gated yard and she has made many friends through the gate. People stop with their dogs or feed her treats. Everybody knows and loves Gracie. We added a little 5lb Maltese to our family and Gracie and Bella get along great. They sleep together, play together, etc.. very cute. I have attached a photo of the two of them for you to see and one of my daughter with both dogs. Just wanted you to know that we love Gracie and she is great. Oh, I got her to pee now on a leash. No pooping b/c she is so private but she pees several times now when we go for walks/runs. Take care and thank you for taking her in when she needed a home. We feel so blessed to have gotten her.

Warm regards,

Laurie (Gracie's mom)

Funny Email of the Day

My friend, also a dog/cat person just sent this to me and I laughed as I read it, all so very true....

To My Pets
Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Roxy's Halloween Costume

The Picture

My sister is currently working on a project that involves this picture. I am hoping when she does this that she feels it necessary to create me one as well (hint, hint).

I honestly think this is my all time favorite picture and it does not even include my own dogs. Paddy, Izzy & Logan taken while they where at doggy daycare (Paws on the Run). They are littermates if you can believe it and their personalities are just as different as their looks, their sleeping positions are even different. Paddy is a big goofball who is too smart for his own good, Izzy is mellow & cute but not too bright and Logan well he is just Mr. Congeniality and a big teddy bear. I just love this picture!!

Why I Love Dogs

Some recent events in my life have made me realize even more than I already do just how much easier dogs have it than people.

1) Dogs cannot talk, thus avoiding conflict, hurt feelings, misunderstandings and opening your mouth before the words are processed in your head (been there many a time, usually its funny but more often than not embarrassing).

2) Dogs do not judge, color, size, background and gender do not matter to them. (Although I do think sometimes Rylee gives me the "your such a dummy" look).

3) Arguments between dogs (in my house at least) last a few moments and within seconds they are back to playing with each other.

4) Dogs are forgiving. No matter how much they have been hurt by someone they always seem to find the courage to forgive.

5) Dogs do not have to worry about having enough money.

6) If your a dog its OK if you are lazy and want to sleep all day once and awhile.

I could go on and on but you get my point, I am sure if they could talk they would tell us otherwise. But at this moment I really want to come back as a dog in my next life. Preferably as either my own or one of a few people I know....

Foster Dog Poem

I also foster for the CCRT (Canadian Chihuahua & Rescue Transport) although I have not had a foster dog from them in quite awhile, the majority of their dogs are in Ontario and that are and rarely do we get many here in Alberta, that combined with being busy with the local rescue I have opted out of fostering the past few times one has come up. A few months ago this was posted on their chat forum and every time I read it I think of all my foster but especially my two girls Sophie & Zoey. I could never imagine giving up one of my dogs, no matter what, they are mine and will be mine until it is their time to cross over. I understand that sometimes it has to happen but for both of them it was just stupid selfish people. Sophie's people moved and did not want either of their dogs and left them behind at the county dog catchers & Zoey's thought $25.00 was too much for her after she was picked up by the animal control guy. What is even more sad is that if the rescue had not taken them they would have been put down. But they are mine now and never have to worry about that again...

I ADOPTED YOUR DOG TODAY

I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for seven years and no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed and has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today.
He had fleas and a cold,but don't worry none.
You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies or was there no reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your dog today.
He doesn't play or eat much
He's very depressed, but he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your dog today.
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home and a warm bed on which to lay.



I adopted your dog today.
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

Author - Unknown

The Sad Momma

So Desi, Izzy & Chip the ancient goldfish moved out over the weekend and are now living in the big city. Sadly Chip did not take well to moving and passed away on Monday, poor Chip. Jem the cat stayed, her new roommate has a cat and I am sure Jem would just end up beating him up so it was decided she should stay, she beats on Archie and he is used to it, she is kind of a cow to be honest. Things have been very quiet (and clean) at the house since the move and I have been enjoying the place to myself. Now you would think that Sophie would also enjoy the quiet, her bratty daughter finally moving out so now she can relax and enjoy the quiet with no one bugging her, well not so much. Sophie is sad, depressed actually. She mopes around the house, sleeps all the time and just seems blah. Logan came over to visit his momma last night but he was way to tired from daycare to play so all she got to do was give him his usual face/ear wash. Sophie is still very young at heart and loves to play, so hopefully with no daycare today and having to be in a kennel while I am at work, Logan will be full of energy and ready to play when I get home so she will cheer up. And I promised her weather permitting that we would go to the off leash park this weekend too, which she loooooveeeesss. Poor old girl I feel bad for her!

Birthday Boy!

My baby boy is 6 today. I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed when I actually think about it. I still remember the cute little fluff ball that would fall asleep in my arms.

So today will be filled with lots of cuddles, extra special treats, a truck ride and a cheeseburger!!

Since I have not had a foster dog in a few weeks I have really noticed just how much it affects my own dogs, especially Rylee. He always like to sleep out on the couch or in the sun on the dog bed but the past year stays mostly in the bedroom which I thought was just him being him (he is a little crusty sometimes). But since there is no foster dog around he likes to hang out with me in the livingroom on the couch and is a much happier dog. I am guessing he feels there is enough competition for attention with the ones that live there already and then I keep adding to it. Poor guy I feel bad now, hopefully the cheeseburger will help him forgive me =)