You always see our pleas for fostering. We are in desperate need of foster homes. Without them, we cannot save lives. We always hear, oh I cant foster. We would want to keep them all. It would be hard to let them go. Here is a successful foster story from one of our volunteers. I received a message asking for help with a dog that was adopted from the shelter as a puppy and now at five years old faced the shelter again. His family was moving and not able to take him with them. Of course, my first instinct was YES!!! We will save him. But without a foster home, we would have no where to put him. It came down to the last day. The last hour. The last minute. Something in this dogs eyes just got me. I finally said I would take him until I could find a home or another foster. As with many in rescue, our homes are already full to begin with! But Sergeant came home with me that day. Little did I know, how deeply in love I was going to fall. It was a bit rough to begin with. He seemed to have trust issues. Even growling at times and seemed especially fearful of men. After several walks around the lake, playtime in the back yard, snuggling on the sofa, we had bonded!! And we bonded quick! It is so rewarding to see an animal go from growling to whining when you walked away. I became super protective over him! I took him to his first adoption event on a Saturday at PetSmart. He was not very fond of it to say the least. I think too much going on and he didnt really like it when a male would walk near him. So, we loaded up and went on our walk at the lake! I promised him I would never let anyone hurt him. We loved our walks around the lake!! We would play ball in the back yard again. I would throw, he would run and look at it and I would go get it!!! Lol, Lets just say he had me trained! Then our next event was one at Freedom Dog Park, Fido In The Park. He was a little shy there. He would venture away for a bit but always looked back to make sure I was there. No one showed interest in him there. I wasnt that unhappy about that either! Meant more walks and me fetching the ball for him!!! After it was over, we loaded up and went to help the other crew at PetSmart. Thats where it happened. There were three different couples interested in him that day. Two asked for a number to contact. But there was one family that stood out. Not only because the Mom and I had the same name (I know weird huh?) but they had a Golden Retriever at home and seemed understanding to his behavior. He was timid at first. Really liked the kids. Loved the Mom. Very shy when it came to Dad. We talked for a bit and they got my number and we loaded up and headed to the lake! When we got back, I had a text waiting. Hey Michelle. We met Sarge at PetSmart today. We were wondering if we could meet with yall tomorrow at Freedom Park around 1:30 pm to allow Sarge and Bear to meet and see how they get along. First instinct was, OMG. My heart sank. It is not that I didnt want him to find a home, it is that I had fallen for him. I replied with That sounds great. Although at the time, it didnt. That night I held him a little closer. Actually, he slept sprawled out on me! I wasnt complaining. So we spent all morning together. Another walk around the lake. I told him if he didnt feel comfortable, he could always come back with me. He just needed to let me know. And yes, that was me secretly trying to get him to stay with me. Then it was time, off we went. They were already there when we got there. So we went in and it took only I think 3 seconds and he was already warming up to them. We talked for a while and the boys met. Bear has fetch down. He actually gets the ball! After a while, he was even walking up to the Dad and sticking his butt out for scratches. So then the question came. How about a sleep over? We decided to let him go on a play date the rest of the afternoon and go from there. So they loaded up and in their truck he went. He stuck his head out the window and looked at me when leaving. My heart sank even further than it already was. I immediately felt tears rolling down my cheeks. I was like a kid someone punched in the stomach and took their lollipop. But shortly after they got home, I started getting texts and pictures. It was already obvious Sergeant was in his furever home. This family was made for Sergeant. They love him from the get go. They have an amazing home and I know that Sergeant will be well taken care of. And what else could I ask for! I mean, she has my same name! I think it was meant to be! They love him and have already accepted him as a family member. So, the moral to the long story (sorry) is, yes it is hard to watch them go. But knowing I had a part in changing his life for the better is irreplaceable. Knowing that he may not be here today if I wouldnt have stepped up and let him stay at the Williams Bed N Breakfast! In animal rescue you see so many things. Bad things that humans have done to animals. Abandoned. Unwanted. Abused. Thrown away like they mean nothing. It is hard to let them go. But I will rather fall in love and let go than think of that baby dying because I did nothing. Please consider fostering. Put their needs above your own. They depend on us. Their lives depend on you doing something. To my boy Sergeant. I love you and always will. You be a good boy for your new family. I am so happy you found them. Just always know you will be in my heart. ~Michelle
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:03:45 +0000
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