Happy New Year!
I hope this has been a good year for you and you are looking forward to another one!
I can get so busy that big dates creep up on me...on Friday evening, my daughter, grandson, and I went to dinner. The hostess asked us if we had plans for the next night. I looked at her blankly and asked what was happening then. Duh! My daughter wasn't surprised. She knows what a busy last few weeks I've had...anyway, I usually enjoy quiet New Year's Eves so this one isn't likely to be different. I'm disappointed that I forgot so I won't get to pig out on spinach and artichoke dip with chips and Diet Coke but maybe I'm unconsciously starting a New Year diet? Or, at least, a resolution to eat healthier? Maybe not. One of the dogs is about to be invited to go with me to get a Diet Coke and ice cream sunday at the local drivethrough to compensate.
Speaking of dogs...I'm starting the New Year with one less -- the little dog I wrote about recently. We're still at full house numbers...I have an elderly dog with a heart problem who keeps ticking along like the Energizer Bunny, then I adopted a "bonded pair" of Chihuahuas -- Zoe and Lucy -- that had lived together for several years. Then I saw one of those photos of a terrified little Chi at a high kill shelter that was posted on Facebook and asked if anyone could help me get the dog. A woman I didn't even know drove her much of the way up here and I met her and her boyfriend and brought sweet Abby home.
That was it. I thought. Then the rescue that helped me reunite Zoe and Lucy after they were separated and put in two different shelters reminded me that I said I wasn't going to adopt more dogs but would foster one in an emergency. That's how I met one of the sweetest little dogs ever: Amber, a Chi and Jack Russell Terrier mix. She took over not only the end of my bed at night, I'd sometimes catch her sleeping on my pillow before I remembered to take it off the bed in the a.m. She'd look disappointed but after that, most days I'd find a gingerbread stuffed dog toy replacing it when I'd walk in the room. I didn't have the heart to shut the door and deny her the bed after I heard her family lost their home and so then did Amber. I spent a lot of time reassuring a scared little dog who even made herself half-sick taking a ride in the car because she evidently thought she'd end up at the shelter again.
Today, I followed through on my determination to find her a good home with the rescue's help. I thought about keeping Amber but realized that I was feeling overwhelmed at the number of dogs I had...it's not the little bodies -- I had the room. It's not the food -- I can pay for that. But worrying about if they get sick...you know vet bills...When this nice lady returned to see Amber and walked to a nearby counter for a pen for the adoption application, I saw the way she cuddled a dog that still shook with fear away from our house. It was so heartwarming to see the way she was rocking Amber in her arms the way we do a baby. I've already heard that Amber got taken to the beach to go for a run, that Hubby thinks she's cute, and she's fitting in well and "chilling" as she sleeps on a sofa. Amber's new mom thanked me for giving her up. I started to cry when I hugged Amber for the last time outside the adoption event and then watched as she was tucked into a rectangular laundry basket that had a rug in it in the back seat. I hugged the new mom and told her to ignore my tears -- I was sad to lose Amber but so happy to see her get what looked like such a good home. The dog the woman had actually even seemed okay about taking Amber home with him.
I'd say I'm never going to foster again because I discovered I get too attached but while I was there getting Amber at the shelter I stumbled on a tiny Chi puppy being cradled by a slightly older, bigger one in a little cat bed looking like "us against the world." They had been dumped at the shelter by a puppy mill and several of the dogs didn't make it. The've been here about a week and a half, joined by another dog in the same batch of dogs that seemed to need company. They weren't being adopted because the puppy has what looks like a deformed shoulder and the other dog has two deformed feet so he walks on his knees. The third dog is fine and can be adopted out soon. The puppy had sort of good fortune Friday -- he got sick and it turns out he has pneumonia. But while he was there, the x-ray needed to confirm the pneumonia revealed he has a dislocated shoulder that can be operated on and may be as good as new. The vet is tracking down an orthopedic dog vet of all things. I hope to get a grant available from an organization that funds such surgeries for needy dogs. I'll be taking the other dog in soon for an assessment. I'm so hoping to one day see both dogs run in the back yard and go to good homes.
A former student heard I had eight dogs and said, "I think I read that story about an older woman with eight dogs." I told him it's too bad he's too far away to hit for the older woman comment and besides, I appreciated him serving in the military too much to do that anyway.
Both my adult children think I'm a little nutty to have so many dogs and pretty suddenly at that. It just happened in one year. And we never had more than one or two at a time in the past. But the numbers will be reduced soon by the fosters being adopted out after they have their surgeries and unfortunately, Energizer Bunny can't last forever. I'm so grateful I've been able to do this because I have so much love and company from these fur babies as I sit in my little home office and write my books. And I'm just "paying it forward" for all the caring and work others have done to save the dogs I love and am surrounded by now.
I hope you have someone who gives you love each day. And I hope you have a wonderful New Year and are making plans for all the goals and dreams for it.
Blessings,
Barbara
I can get so busy that big dates creep up on me...on Friday evening, my daughter, grandson, and I went to dinner. The hostess asked us if we had plans for the next night. I looked at her blankly and asked what was happening then. Duh! My daughter wasn't surprised. She knows what a busy last few weeks I've had...anyway, I usually enjoy quiet New Year's Eves so this one isn't likely to be different. I'm disappointed that I forgot so I won't get to pig out on spinach and artichoke dip with chips and Diet Coke but maybe I'm unconsciously starting a New Year diet? Or, at least, a resolution to eat healthier? Maybe not. One of the dogs is about to be invited to go with me to get a Diet Coke and ice cream sunday at the local drivethrough to compensate.
Speaking of dogs...I'm starting the New Year with one less -- the little dog I wrote about recently. We're still at full house numbers...I have an elderly dog with a heart problem who keeps ticking along like the Energizer Bunny, then I adopted a "bonded pair" of Chihuahuas -- Zoe and Lucy -- that had lived together for several years. Then I saw one of those photos of a terrified little Chi at a high kill shelter that was posted on Facebook and asked if anyone could help me get the dog. A woman I didn't even know drove her much of the way up here and I met her and her boyfriend and brought sweet Abby home.
That was it. I thought. Then the rescue that helped me reunite Zoe and Lucy after they were separated and put in two different shelters reminded me that I said I wasn't going to adopt more dogs but would foster one in an emergency. That's how I met one of the sweetest little dogs ever: Amber, a Chi and Jack Russell Terrier mix. She took over not only the end of my bed at night, I'd sometimes catch her sleeping on my pillow before I remembered to take it off the bed in the a.m. She'd look disappointed but after that, most days I'd find a gingerbread stuffed dog toy replacing it when I'd walk in the room. I didn't have the heart to shut the door and deny her the bed after I heard her family lost their home and so then did Amber. I spent a lot of time reassuring a scared little dog who even made herself half-sick taking a ride in the car because she evidently thought she'd end up at the shelter again.
Today, I followed through on my determination to find her a good home with the rescue's help. I thought about keeping Amber but realized that I was feeling overwhelmed at the number of dogs I had...it's not the little bodies -- I had the room. It's not the food -- I can pay for that. But worrying about if they get sick...you know vet bills...When this nice lady returned to see Amber and walked to a nearby counter for a pen for the adoption application, I saw the way she cuddled a dog that still shook with fear away from our house. It was so heartwarming to see the way she was rocking Amber in her arms the way we do a baby. I've already heard that Amber got taken to the beach to go for a run, that Hubby thinks she's cute, and she's fitting in well and "chilling" as she sleeps on a sofa. Amber's new mom thanked me for giving her up. I started to cry when I hugged Amber for the last time outside the adoption event and then watched as she was tucked into a rectangular laundry basket that had a rug in it in the back seat. I hugged the new mom and told her to ignore my tears -- I was sad to lose Amber but so happy to see her get what looked like such a good home. The dog the woman had actually even seemed okay about taking Amber home with him.
I'd say I'm never going to foster again because I discovered I get too attached but while I was there getting Amber at the shelter I stumbled on a tiny Chi puppy being cradled by a slightly older, bigger one in a little cat bed looking like "us against the world." They had been dumped at the shelter by a puppy mill and several of the dogs didn't make it. The've been here about a week and a half, joined by another dog in the same batch of dogs that seemed to need company. They weren't being adopted because the puppy has what looks like a deformed shoulder and the other dog has two deformed feet so he walks on his knees. The third dog is fine and can be adopted out soon. The puppy had sort of good fortune Friday -- he got sick and it turns out he has pneumonia. But while he was there, the x-ray needed to confirm the pneumonia revealed he has a dislocated shoulder that can be operated on and may be as good as new. The vet is tracking down an orthopedic dog vet of all things. I hope to get a grant available from an organization that funds such surgeries for needy dogs. I'll be taking the other dog in soon for an assessment. I'm so hoping to one day see both dogs run in the back yard and go to good homes.
A former student heard I had eight dogs and said, "I think I read that story about an older woman with eight dogs." I told him it's too bad he's too far away to hit for the older woman comment and besides, I appreciated him serving in the military too much to do that anyway.
Both my adult children think I'm a little nutty to have so many dogs and pretty suddenly at that. It just happened in one year. And we never had more than one or two at a time in the past. But the numbers will be reduced soon by the fosters being adopted out after they have their surgeries and unfortunately, Energizer Bunny can't last forever. I'm so grateful I've been able to do this because I have so much love and company from these fur babies as I sit in my little home office and write my books. And I'm just "paying it forward" for all the caring and work others have done to save the dogs I love and am surrounded by now.
I hope you have someone who gives you love each day. And I hope you have a wonderful New Year and are making plans for all the goals and dreams for it.
Blessings,
Barbara
oh, Barbara, my heart just felt so warm when i read your post. How darling...i live on a farm (Canada for 7 months/year) and have 2 dogs that found our home and stayed (we asked them to take down the sign they had on the highway that told all dogs that Barkman Farms is a great place to stay when you have run away from home or been dropped or left behind). In winter i am in Arizona and have to leave my precious dogs at home (with other family members) but i have yet to meet a dog i couldn't love!
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Just reading this made me cry. You are their guardian angel. Bless you for caring enough to DO something and not just talk about it.
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Thanks for caring for man's best friend
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Barbara, All I can say is God Bless you .
I cried when I read about the Amber. I am glad she has a good home. It saddened me beyond tears to hear about the poor deformed babies. I hope all goes well for them. I just lost a beloved friend and companion dog to heart disease and my heart is still heavy and sad. I will heal. Happy New Year and may God Bless you abundantly in all ways. Cindy
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Barbara, bless you for looking after those dogs. They certainly need all the help they can get. If I were able, I'd do it too. I tend to get way too attached though, and with limited finances and living in a rented house, it's unfortunately not an option.
I'm sure they give back to you in love and companionship, as you share with them.
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Think its great that you do this for the dogs. We currently have 2 dogs, 2 cats and at various times we did have a total of 6 animals. Different people in the last couple years have tried to get us to adopt other animals but we are in our late 50's and have decided we don't want to take/get anymore animals in case something happens to us that we can no longer take care of them or that we die. Our dog Jack has cancer and has only a few months to live and he has been the best pet. I have diabetes and he has woke my husband up when my blood sugar gets really low and need some soda to get it back up. We got him at the pound when he was 3 years old.
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What a beautiful thing you do with the dogs. They are so special. I have a dog now that someone dumped out here where I live. He is the nicest dog and just came and acted like he had always been here. We made room for him and now he is so happy. Dogs are so loving and loyal. They don't judge and always love you. Blessings ~Lissa
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