My foster boy [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

nancielle

11-11-2007, 10:11 AM

What a sweet face he has! I admire people who open their hearts/homes to animals who need to be fostered. I don't think I could ever relinquish them once I had them in my home (and therefore would become the neighborhood's crazy dog lady! :eek: :rolleyes: )

salsabike

11-11-2007, 10:32 AM

Exactly.

And I have a neighbor I love, who pretty much does that. She does exotic cat and miniature Italian greyhound rescue/fosters. As a result, she has 10 cats and (I lost count recently) 5 or 6 miniature greyhounds. Plus chickens, roosters, a few quail, a few ducks, a couple of rabbits, and she did have two rats for a while (Timmy and Jimmy) because she found one with deformities and felt sorry for it, so found it a friend and built them a dollhouse. I love her. And I would be her if I fostered.

Luke looks like a doll.

malaholic

11-11-2007, 10:45 AM

Luke is gorgeous, and I'm glad he's found you to foster him. Best wishes to you both in finding him a wonderful forever home soon!

Pax

11-11-2007, 11:44 AM

What a little sweetie! I'd be just like Salsa's neighbor if I fostered...can you say "border collie ranch"?? :D

sundial

11-11-2007, 12:21 PM

Thanks everyone. He's pretty special to me. He was ridden hard and put up wet as the saying goes. I think he spent his puppyhood in too small cage or pen and had to stand on wire judging by his dysplastic paws. He gets around well though.

When I feel up to it, I'll take him out to the park and let him explore the trail.

sbctwin

11-11-2007, 01:17 PM

Luke looks like a cutie....

Tuckervill

11-11-2007, 02:32 PM

That is one of the best dog shots I've ever seen. That's worthy of a frame on the wall.

Karen

emily_in_nc

11-11-2007, 02:59 PM

What a little sweetie! I'd be just like Salsa's neighbor if I fostered...can you say "border collie ranch"?? :D

Me too! Except "boston terrier bungalow"... :D I'm already planning to be a foster mom if I'm widowed one day. It would drive DH crazy (he loves BTs, but one at a time), but I can't think of anything I'd rather do once I'm old and not traveling around so much. Don't have kids, so I'd have to have furkids. :D

Emily

sundial

11-11-2007, 04:10 PM

Emily--

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/2dogcrew/Piedmont3.jpg

this little guy was rescued and transported along with 4 other busy littermates. Talk about a looooong drive, LOL! I drove the puppies across 2 states to get them to a nice foster home. Perhaps you can volunteer and transport the bostons to their forever home?

Zen

11-11-2007, 04:29 PM

I think he spent his puppyhood in too small cage or pen and had to stand on wire judging by his dysplastic paws.

There was recently a big bust of a puppy mill in Virginia as related here in The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110902476.html?sub=AR)
Many of the dogs had never set foot outside their cages and some didn't know how to eat or drink from bowls, they had been trough fed. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Wahine

11-11-2007, 04:35 PM

What a lovely face. Luke looks like a total sweetheart.

I've thought about fostering too, but I'm not home enough and it would be hard to give them up later. :( :(

So DH and I are waiting, the perfect dog will come along and it will be just right!

Hats off to all you foster Mom's you're the best.

emily_in_nc

11-11-2007, 04:35 PM

Emily--
this little guy was rescued and transported along with 4 other busy littermates. Talk about a looooong drive, LOL! I drove the puppies across 2 states to get them to a nice foster home. Perhaps you can volunteer and transport the bostons to their forever home?

Unfortunately, I hate driving! I do so much of it as it is, with my 58-mile round trip work commute M-F, and driving to the coast (3 hours each way) at least every other weekend to be on and do work on our new sailboat, and longer road trips when we go anywhere for vacation, since DH and I both hate to fly even more than we dislike driving! So...I'll have to wait til I can foster Bostons in my home. No time now while I'm still working and traveling a lot, but someday....

Thanks for the idea, tho!
Emily

sundial

11-12-2007, 06:05 AM

There was recently a big bust of a puppy mill in Virginia as related here in The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110902476.html?sub=AR)

Volunteers from a local animal rights group said that when they visited dog breeder Junior Horton's property in undercover fashion, they were overwhelmed by the numbers of dogs crammed into wire cages in several outbuildings. In one, whelping mothers lay with their distended bellies under heat lamps, waiting to give birth.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

sundial

11-12-2007, 06:07 AM

So DH and I are waiting, the perfect dog will come along and it will be just right!

It usually happens when you aren't looking for one. :)

solobiker

11-12-2007, 06:17 AM

He is so cute. I love his eyes. Dogs are great!!:)

aly

11-12-2007, 07:33 AM

Luke looks enough like Chester that I might just claim it is Chester and hang that picture on our wall. That is an absolutely lovely picture. So is the one of Emily- I just want to bring them home and love on them! Do you think Luke might end up staying with you?

I have many friends who have fostered lots of little ones without a problem. It is very rewarding to be able to help find them a loving home, and then to have the ability to do the same for another. I have only successfully fostered one kitten. The dog I fostered refused to leave and the other kitten joined him. That's how my fur family began. Now that my BF and I merged households and fur families we have a full house. We have to take turns talking each other out of fostering because we know we're suckers and won't want to send them onto forever homes. However, we do try to donate whatever we can to rescues (extra food, meds, money). He builds cabinets and donates services. There are many, many ways to help. And someday we'll move to a bigger house...

Most of the rescues I know are so far in debt from food, boarding and vet bills it is shocking. And, there are so many sad stories. Big thank yous to Sundial, Zen and all the others who help out.

sundial

11-12-2007, 07:56 AM

Do you think Luke might end up staying with you?

Once we get him healthy and heartworm negative, he should be able to find a really nice family to love. In the meantime he's enjoying a pampered life with the companionship of my 3 hooligans.

I really love your new avatar with Chester. He is just too cute for his own good. I could kiss his little nose. :D

crazycanuck

11-13-2007, 02:10 AM

awwwwwwwrrrrrrrr..

What a cute doggieeeee :D

yukon sends sloppy kisses.

c

Tri Girl

11-13-2007, 03:58 AM

Such sweet eyes, and a precious little face.... he looks like one awesome little pup!
I'm sure he's glad he has you to look after him during his relocation between homes.

Duck on Wheels

11-13-2007, 07:34 AM

A cousin of mine just started a petting zoo using rescued animals -- a donkey, some rabbits, pigs, sheep and so on. It's also an employment opportunity for people with various disabilities. If you're looking for a great place for a kids' birthday party down in SoCal (Altadena), or a great placement for a kid-friendly animal in need, look up Danny's Farm :)

sundial

11-13-2007, 10:21 AM

That sounds like so much fun--and it's a great opportunity for special needs people. :)

ibcycling

11-13-2007, 11:13 AM

Beautiful doggies!

I had a foster girl this summer. She showed up here and we couldn't find the owner so I registered her with a local rescue that got her shots UTD and spayed her. She found her forever home and it was hard to see her go. Our neighbor (who is also our landlord) wants to foster a pregnant ***** and I can't wait to help with the puppies!

Huge hugs to everyone who helps in rescue!

Lora

snowtulip

11-13-2007, 11:30 AM

He's so adorable!!!

There seems to be tooo many awful puppy mills, we recently had a bust here in NM, they had to place 400 dogs. We usually foster, but have been so busy that we couldn't. Although we still might take in one or two basset hounds if they can't place them. One of the fellows is only 6 mos. but skin and bones and socially stinted at this point in time, but with some tender loving care.

We fostered a deaf pitbull last year, he was my first pitbull experience, but I must say he was one of the most difficult to give up after finding good parents.

Good luck finding Luke the perfect parents!

OakLeaf

11-13-2007, 03:43 PM

Yes! Pits can be aggressive with other animals, but there's nothing sweeter with people than a pit. I miss my Roo :(

sundial

03-10-2008, 11:20 AM

My foster boy Luke went to his new home yesterday. He had lived with us 6 months to the day when he left for his new home on Sunday. I couldn't have found a nicer family for him. They are going to spoil him silly and they've already bought him a bed like he had here, a new doggie door, new fencing for the backyard, a nice cot for the deck, and lots of attention from his new mom.

Luke always came running when I used the ice dispenser. It feels funny to not see his happy face when I fill up my drinks. :(

I think those who are rescuers and fosters are some of the most courageous people to let their heart break with every pet that goes out the door for the last time.

Wahine

03-10-2008, 11:36 AM

((((((((Sundial))))))))))) - I couldn't do it. Thank you for doing what you do.

trinena

03-10-2008, 11:39 AM

You are the one who made it possible for Luke to have wonderful forever home. He sends you a big dog kiss for that to make you feel better. My dog (a rescue) Pascua (avatar is pic pf him when he was a puppy) also sends you a gentle kiss for your foster work. YOU are inspiring and courageous!

smilingcat

03-10-2008, 12:42 PM

From one foster mom to another and from all the dogs and cats we foster, thank you for your hard work. Yes its always really sad to see them go. I usually ask them to send me a pic of my foster kittens when they are year old. Regardless, they all go to a good loving home where they can get more than a fair share of attention.

We may cry for few days. Sometimes I wonder how my foster kittens from years past are doing... I know I'm making a difference in my small way. Big way for the lucky ones who get to call my house their home even if its just a short time.

You and I know that we will open our homes and our heart again.
And thank you from all of us
Sincerely

smilingcat

sbctwin

03-10-2008, 03:09 PM

I applaud all those who can foster furkids. I just couldn't do it. I get to emotionally attached and to let them go would really be too much. I finally have me a knew kitty, Smokey. I told myself I wouldn't get another furkid after loosing Kallie because loosing them is to difficult. Smokey landed in our home and has really made himself 'AT HOME'....

DDH

03-10-2008, 03:35 PM

Oh, I love German shepards. What a beautiful guy!!

sundial

03-10-2008, 05:39 PM

I told myself I wouldn't get another furkid after loosing Kallie because loosing them is to difficult. Smokey landed in our home and has really made himself 'AT HOME'....

When you lose one, another one comes into your life at the right time. They always know. My Kali girl came along 2 days after I lost Ana to the Bridge. :) I really believe they know when to send another one into our life.

Luke is doing great! As I watched him load up in the car, all I could do was smile. I always knew deep down inside he was never really mine. He has a special home and job to do that only he could do for his new mom. I'm so very proud of him and his new mom just loves him to pieces. He will never want for anything again. :)

Thank you all for your words of comfort.

Zen

03-10-2008, 06:50 PM

I can't remember, do you have other dogs or do you just foster?

Six months is a long time to have a foster, I'd be attached too but it makes me happy to see them go to just the right person.

sundial

03-11-2008, 03:32 AM

Zen, I have 3 of my own. The energy is different with just 3 dogs.

Brandi

03-13-2008, 10:56 AM

When you lose one, another one comes into your life at the right time. They always know. My Kali girl came along 2 days after I lost Ana to the Bridge. :) I really believe they know when to send another one into our life.

Luke is doing great! As I watched him load up in the car, all I could do was smile. I always knew deep down inside he was never really mine. He has a special home and job to do that only he could do for his new mom. I'm so very proud of him and his new mom just loves him to pieces. He will never want for anything again. :)

Thank you all for your words of comfort.
Oh that made me cry! You are way cool to be a foster mom!

Bad JuJu

03-13-2008, 06:39 PM

Luke is doing great! As I watched him load up in the car, all I could do was smile. I always knew deep down inside he was never really mine. He has a special home and job to do that only he could do for his new mom. I'm so very proud of him and his new mom just loves him to pieces. He will never want for anything again. :)
Jeez, but that has to be hard to do. You're a remarkably special person, and the world needs more like you.

rij73

03-14-2008, 05:35 AM

Wow... My heart really goes out to you. I know I don't have the strength to foster, so I make donations to a foster organization and help them with transport and home checks. You did a wonderful thing for Luke who looks like a total sweetie. Hudson sends a kiss your way.