Friday, December 30, 2011

Former Foster Sister Friday...

Ok... so I've been holding back on some news regarding one of my former foster sisters.
Well, if you are new to the blog or don't remember Oreo... Here's a quick recap.  Oreo was a local owner surrender that we took in earlier this year, March 27th to be exact.  Oreo had some anxiety issues when she first came to us... she was super missing her family and always paced and whined and stared out the window waiting for them to come back.  Mom had a behaviorist come over and help her and dad to work with Oreo because they weren't really sure what to do to help her.  Ms. Nancy, the behaviorist, gave them some really great tips and told them I was a crazy dog and Oreo was so much better afterwards.
Mom and dad went on a mini vacation to Baltimore at the end of April and Oreo stayed with another foster family.  She went to clinic that Saturday and a family decided they wanted to adopt her.  Mom even took 10 minutes to talk to them on the phone to make sure they understood Oreo was not a perfect dog and that they would need to work with her and give her time to settle in.  The guy assured mom they had difficult dogs before and they really liked Oreo and they would work with her.  Heather and Charlie (the foster home she was staying at) also spend most of the adoption clinic talking to them about her.  So, after hearing it all, they adopted her that Saturday.  Sunday was Easter and mom and dad flew home that morning.  Mom picked me up at Heather's and then got a phone call that the people decided they didn't want Oreo anymore.  24 hours.  So, Mom met them and picked Oreo up and told them they should go to the mall and pick out a stuffed animal dog because that's all they should own.  Hehehehe.  But seriously, I was with mom and they watched mom walk away with me AND oreo walking nicely next to her side - they said she was terrible on a leash.  Really?  My Oreo?????  We walked together with mom every morning.  Anyway, enough about those dumdums.
So, Oreo got to come back and spend some more time with me, which was fine in my books.  Then Oreo found a nice older couple who fell in love with her.  Mom spend 2 hours on the home visit and went over everything again... they saw her anxiety in the house, they heard her bark, so they knew what they were getting into.  They wanted to do a trial period - which the rescue usually doesn't do.  Mom was pretty comfortable and confident with these people... ya know, that line "She's our dog now, we'll do everything we need to."  Two weeks later, Oreo came back to me.  She chased the rabbits in the back yard (duh... what else are we supposed to do with them?) and barked when people came to the door (really, people?).  So, again... okay by me.
So Oreo and I spent some more time together... then she went to a big adoption event called Pet-A-Palooza.  A woman and her daughter fell in love with Oreo.  They were really nice and Oreo came from a family with a single mom and her little boy... so Oreo loved them right back.  They decided to adopt Oreo, but later realized Oreo was a bit too strong for them and she got loose one day.  They were afraid if they kept her and she got loose again, she might get hit by a car or something awful.  So, they lady and her daughter had to say goodbye and give Oreo back.  It was heartbreaking for everyone... but Oreo was back with me.
Then this man fell in love with her picture online and came in to see her.  She reminded him of his last dog who was about her size and, according to him, had all the same issues.  Mom again spent HOURS talking to this guy and making sure he understood her.  Urged him to contact a behaviorist because that would help them.  He agreed and off Oreo went.
A month later, he claimed Oreo gave him a heart attack and what a horrible dog she was and it was an unlivable situation.  Well, idiot, why didn't you call the behaviorist like we told you to do?  The rescue would have covered the cost.  Nope, this guy knew EVERYTHING there was to know about dog training and THIS dog (Oreo... couldn't even be called by her name) was untrainable.  Right.  Ya know, because she didn't live in our home like a normal dog.  Maybe you're the untrainable one, jerk.
So, back Oreo came... but this time, I had Mia as my foster sister because she was returned after living in her home for 3+ months. Mom was working on some issues that had gotten worse while she was off being ignored in her home, so we couldn't take Oreo back.  Oreo went to live with Heather and Emmett, where I think she was happier because sometimes I'd try to put her head in my mouth, and she might not have liked that all too much.  Mia was high energy and we played a lot together.  Oreo was lower energy and enjoyed lounging on the couch with Emmett.
Oreo stayed with Emmett and Heather for a while... waiting for the right family to come along.  There were a few interested in her, but many scattered off after learning her issues.  Finally, November 19th, a beautiful family with 2 young kids came in and fell in love with her.  They were going out of town for Thanksgiving, so they were going to contact Heather when the got back into town.  Mom and Heather had heard this before, so they didn't get their hopes too high, but this was a really great family, so they were praying they followed through. 
They did.  And Oreo went to stay with them on November 29th.  There have been a few bumps along the way, but they have worked with her and will continue to do so.  I've waited in telling everyone because I fear another failure for Oreo.  But, this one seems to be perfect for her.  She has another dog to play with and kids to love and a big yard to run around in.  They said it took her a while to get used to the noises of the house, but she's finally settled in and doesn't bark at the little noises. 
Oreo is finally in her furever furever home... Please cross your paws and prey this is really furever!  Oreo will always have that special place in our hearts...

You can read more about Oreo's adoptions and returns and how we dealt with them HERE in a blog post I let Mom do in July.  It wasn't easy and a very emotional time for my Mom.

32 comments:

  1. YAY for Oreo! This gives me hope for Miss Ginger, as she has been returned twice through no fault of her own. Congrats and we'll keep our paws crossed for her!

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  2. I'm sure this has been heart wrenching for you and your Mom. I have been quietly following the saga of Oreo and truly hope she's found her furever home. My husband and I met Oreo in the spring and really fell in love with her. Our plan was to adopt after our wedding but upon our return she had already been adopted by that first family. We ended up adopting another dog from the rescue, which has been an amazing and life-changing experience, but we've never forgotten about Oreo. I have gotten a little choked up every time I've seen her picture pop back up on the rescue's facebook page. She is a sweet girl who just needed some patience and tlc. I really hope she's going to thrive with her new family.

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  3. YIPPEE! Oh, I am so very much happy for Oreo. It does sound likes she has found her Most Perfect Home That Ever Was...FINALLY! Thank you, thank you for letting us know. Yay! Yay! Yay!

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  4. This do be why mom has givened up on doing rescue. After 10 years of dealing with Stoopids, she can take it no more. The adopters wozn't all Stoopids, most woz pawsome, but the few wot woz the Stoopids made it to where mom not be trusting nobuddy no mores. Wot you is eggsplaining is eggzactly why me, Dixie and Sydney live here furefur and efur coz peeples did not lissen when mom spent HOURS eggslpaining our "isshoos" to them. Hey, wot isshoos? I think we is all perfect and mom thinks so too. I sure do hope Oreo now has one of the pawsome adopters wot thinks she be perfect fur them.

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  5. Wow what a journey. I hope that this Oreo has found her forever home and will be happy!! Thanks to you and your mom for helping her on her way.

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  6. That sounds like it is sticking. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Oreo deserves a great home with a loving family.

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  7. Oh thank goodness for Oreo!!! Peoples can be so stupid and unwilling to work with critters. We ain't perfect either and need help too! Jeesh!! Hope the new year is full of fun for Oreo...and you!! Kiss!

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  8. OH! We are SO pleased to learn that Oreo has found her furever home!! She's such a beautiful girl. Way to go Corbin, she couldn't have done it without you!!

    -Bart and Ruby

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  9. Hiya Corbin - long time no sniff. Sigh....I'm just reboundin' after hearin' a story yesterday about a pit bull who was "rescued" and when it didn't receive the proper obedience teachin' and lunged at a kiddo, it was put down. So although your story is frustratin' in that it took way too many times to find Oreo her pawfect home, at least the good 2 leggers in her life kept on tryin' until they found the right fit. Keepin' my paws crossed that she lives a long and happy life with her new family.

    HaPee New Year!

    Woofs and 2012 slobbers,
    Chester ;0=)

    Woofs and

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  10. What a lot for you AND Oreo to go through! I am learning a lot about rescue work right now and it's so hard for me to realize people often aren't as genuine and dedicated as they appear.

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  11. How could we furgets Miss Oreo...her has had a time with stoopid peoples. Hopefully dis will be her furever home at last.

    Hey why you not post a current foto of you today...sigh. Dat means I has to wait til MONDAY!

    Puddles

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  12. What a wonderful blog post. You bet we're purring for this to be her Furever Furever home. We have our paws crossed too.

    Have a great day.

    pawhugs, Max

    Oh... stop by if you have a chance. We're having a New Year's party from now until 2012. The grand prize is a $50 shopping spree at Mr. Chewy on line.

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  13. Oh gosh, I am SO HAPPY for Oreo. My paws are crossed that this time is forever!

    Your pal, Pip

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  14. I'm so thrilled for Oreo and hope that it works out this time.

    Happy New Year to you and your peeps, Corbin!

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  15. Our paws are crossed. Sounds like she's found her family.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy

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  16. WHEW... at furst I thought it might be time to change her name from Oreo to YoYo or Boomerang.. beclaws she kept comin back.. BUTT this sounds soooooooo good fur her. WHEW
    I have my PAWS crossed fur Oreo.

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  17. Corbin!

    We is so happy fur Oreo! Mom has been wondering how her was doing and now we know! Max and me will keep our paws crossed fur her and her new family.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

    PeeS Mom says WooHoo 'bout your tickets to da game!

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  18. We are so happy for Oreo! We hope this really is her perfect forever home!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  19. We are so happy for Oreo!! We will keep our paws crossed that she has finally found her furever home!!

    Pugs & Kisses,

    Yoda, Brutus & Ellie

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  20. Poor Oreo but now lucky Oreo! We so hope this works out well for her. She has had a tough time, and your Mom has been so good to keep working with her. Paws crossed this family will be keepers.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  21. are paws arecrossed evrything works out for the babes
    Benny & Lily

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  22. Oh wow corbin.. you and your momma couldn't do anymore. Oreo we have our paws crossed. Pawfect dogs are overrated anyways.... I don't know why humans dismiss your information and then are surprised. Ugh. Paws crossed here.
    norwood

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  23. OH Corbin! and Jenn! I'm so happy to hear that Oreo may really be in her furever home!!! praying this sticks!!
    <3
    JBenz

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  24. Corbin, we are so glad Orea had you to look out for her. Some people are so infuriating!!! Just hearing about these people makes my mum's blood boil. We did laugh at your mum's comment about getting a stuffed animal hehehe. Anyhoo, yay for Oreo and her new family. We wish them a lifetime of happiness. Hugs to your family for helping dear Oreo. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  25. Poor Oreo being bounced around so much. I sure hope this one is the forever one and it remains a perfect match. :)

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  26. Wow, poor Oreo.. that is a lot of rejection to have to go through! But it sounds like she never gave up on humans and was always willing to try again. What a great dog! We hope this new home is REALLY FUREVER!

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  27. Wow that was quite the ordeal. Poor Oreo! So glad she appears to have finally found her furever home! Paws crossed for her :)

    Happy New Year to all of yaz! :D

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  28. Corbin - You and your family saved Oreo's life, as far as I'm concerned. You met a lot of stupid people along the way... who don't deserve to even be in the same room as a real dog. But, I hope, with all my heart, that this home is Oreo's final forever home.

    Thanks Corbin. Your devotion to helping Oreo is amazing.

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  29. Yay Oreo!

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  30. We're a little teary over reading about Oreo. We remember the stories you told before about her being returned and how heartbreaking it was each time - for you and us! We're so hoping her new family sticks by her side! We just know she will love them forever if they never give up on her! Wishing Oreo and her new family the best of everything!

    The Road Dogs

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  31. Hurray for Oreo and wll done for you an mom bein so payshunt. We wish all of you all da best wiv this latest adventure but we feel sure dis be a real furever ome for Oreo.

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