Gus (fka Owen) & Pudgie Pie Updates

First Pudgie Pie - unfortunately she wasn't a good fit for her adoptive family, so they've returned her to the rescue...so if you were sad you missed out on her, now is your chance to scoop her up!  She seemed to have some potty issues, but it sounds like it was marking, not accidents.  So if you have a home where Pudgie doesn't think she has to be the alpha, she might be perfect for you!  I maintain that she is just the sweetest dog, and if I wasn't so stubborn about retiring from fostering, I'd take her back in a heartbeat (I'm trying to set up a play date with her as I type).




Gus is doing well in his adoptive home!  I received this email from them last week:

- He loves to play with his toys, but his favorite one is the toy bucket. 
- His nickname is Goose. 
- He has potty bells on the door, he rings them when he has to use the restroom. He also rings them anytime he feels like he wants to go outside.
- Gus is a tough dude, he was found living on the streets in Alabama. Under that toughness is a cuddly boy that has to stop and say "hi" to everyone we pass.
- We live next to Chuck and Don's and Gus loves to stop in and pick out his own bone. He always picks one longer than him.
- I haven't set an alarm clock since he moved in.

Seriously so handsome with a proper haircut!

I can't believe they got him in a sweater...I  put him in a santa jacket once and I got glared at the whole time.

Such a spoiled and happy little boy!  I'm so happy to see he's doing well!

Pudgie Pie has been Adopted!!!

That's right...my adorable little Pudge has found her forever home.  She has a fluffy big sister (also from Fluffy Dog) that I just know she is going to annoy the pants off of.  :-)  As with every foster dog, I'm so excited to see Pudge go off to a good home.  She is so truly deserving of a forever family, that I couldn't possibly be sad for losing her myself. 

Pudge makes foster #23 that has come through my house in the last 3ish years.  I somewhat reluctantly say that I am in need of a break, so I've decided to (at least temporarily) stop fostering.  When I started this journey, I had no idea I would see that many dogs.  Sure...it didn't hurt that most of the time I had 3 fosters at once (one time I had 4 fosters, plus my own little guy!).  But that's 23 dogs and 23 families that I've seen have one of the happiest days of their lives.  Yes, there were hard times.  A few dogs I regret giving up.  Disappointment when a family was initially interested but then changed their mind.  Excitement when a dog did get adopted.  Sadness the next day when it was a little quieter around the house.  But I can honestly say that I wouldn't do any of it any differently.  My decision to take a break has nothing to do with no longer enjoying helping dogs.  I just felt now was a good time to be by myself.  As some of you may know from reading past entries, my own dog was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma in January.  He went through 4 months of chemo and was declared to be in remission.  Unfortunately, his cancer came back very aggressively and I had to make the tough decision to put him down on July 5th.  I was very fortunate to have Minaki and Pudge with me those first few weeks to keep me busy.  Because of that, those 2 will always have a very special place in my heart.

I can't say I'm quitting fostering forever.  But I've made the commitment to myself to be dog free at least through this winter.  If anyone reading this has ever considered fostering, I strongly recommend you do it.  It is easily one of the most fun things I have ever done.  Though I'm not going to be fostering, I will continue to post updates here on any former fosters if I get them.  And the email address will remain active, so if anyone wants to learn more about fostering, I'm happy to answer any questions!