Friday, August 2, 2013

Former Foster Friday: Brutus

A post by the momma:

Corbin let me take over the blog for this, oh-so-special, Former Foster Friday.  Last Saturday, while I was at our adoption event with Amelia, I was so excitedly greeted by my big, blue Brute!
 
Who, me?
 
Those of you who have been following our blog for the past year must remember our dear Brutus.  For those of you who are relatively new readers, I'll give you a quick recap (editing note: it wasn't so quick!).  Brutus was in a kill shelter in Kentucky that the rescue I work with regularly pulls from.  I was taking in a female pit bull from North Carolina from a woman who's family lost their home after her and her husband lost their jobs and they were relocating to Albany to live with family while they got theirselves back on their feet.  They weren't allowed to take their dogs to their temporary home due to allergies, so through some miracle, she got in touch with me and I agreed to take in her pit bull, Eva and her lab mix, Duke with the rescue.  With our home ready to be filled with a new foster, and most of our other homes filled, we didn't have room for Brutus.
 
Tell me the story again, foster momma.  The one where you saved my life.
 
I agreed to take Brutus anyway.  We'd work it out some way.  One of our fosters would double up for a week or two and take this handsome fella.  I couldn't let him die.
 
Brutus got off of the transport that Saturday morning and I fell in love.  And, I mean Fell. In. Love.  This wiggley, friendly, drooley pup was just melting my heart with each passing minute.  By the end of our adoption clinic that afternoon, he was coming home with me.  We'd be that foster home doubling up on dogs.  I brought him home and he and Corbin got along right off the bat.  Later that afternoon, I picked up Eva and she joined the pack seamlessly.  In front of me, I had 3 pit bulls that I could easily see myself looking at for the rest of my life.  They fit so perfectly together.
 
Three little Pit Bulls, sitting in a tree...
 
Brutus found his first home at a large adoption event.  I thought it was great, he'd have a large farm to run and play on, another dog to play with, and humans to love him.  I was wrong.  When he left me, I had a bad gut feeling.  I figured it was just because I loved Brutey and didn't want to see him go.  That day taught me one of the most valuable lessons in foster.  Always trust your gut.  3 weeks later, Brutus returned to my house, scared and thin.  He spirit wasn't popping out of those beautiful eyes, his legs weren't bouncing crazily around my house and his tongue wasn't handing out his sloppy kisses left and right.  He didn't return the dog he was adopted out as.  But, thankfully, it didn't take Brutey long to get his bounce back.  He was happy to see Corbin, happy to snuggle with me and Adam, and happy to be "home."  We thought hard about keeping him, but realized there was a better life for him. 
 
What? They didn't love my drooley face?
 
Brutey's second adoption came almost two months after he was returned.  His new owner loved him SO much and enjoyed every second.  I kept in touch with him and when concerns started popping up, I spent hours on the phone trying to find solutions.  In the end, Brutey's new owner realized he didn't have the time for Brutus and felt awful leaving him home for 10-12 hours a day, since he had to pick up an additional job after Brute went to live with him.  Unlike the first time Brutey came back, this time he was healthy, happy and visually well cared for.  No doubt in my mind, his temporary owner made the best decision for Brutus, as difficult as it was for him.
 
Seriously?  Who wouldn't want this dog?
 
Brutey was returned on my birthday, just a few days after my dad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  Having him back in the house brought me so much joy.  His snuggles helped me make it through the days.  As much as I wanted Brutus to have a home of his own, I was glad we'd have him around for a while again.  Although, that wasn't the case.  Half way through his first week with us, I chatted with a guy interested in Brutus.  He seemed too good to be true and I fought hard not to get my hopes up... or down!  The more I talked with him, the more I thought this was the perfect home for my big blue moose. 
 
Will this new place have sticks for chewing?
 
I met him at our adoption event the following weekend.  He came with his dog, a female pit bull about Brutey's age.  They all hit it off so well, and I just knew Brutey wouldn't be coming home with me that week.  I was so hesitant about letting him go after being back for just one week, but I knew I couldn't pass this home up.  I said goodbye to the dog who stole my heart.
 
How do you say goodbye to a dog your heart loves?
 
It was a heartbreaking time in my life.  I lost my dad just a few weeks after Brutus left.  To be honest, I missed his snuggles, his soulful eyes that looked so deep into your heart, and his giant, drooly smile that spread a smile right across my own face.  But, his new dad sent me pictures and updates and it made me so happy that Brutus found his perfect home.  As much as I missed him, I knew he was happy. 
 
No worries, foster momma... I have plenty of places to snooze here.
 
And, a beautiful sister to snooze with.
 
And, I have a great dad who loves me lots!

And, boy was I right.  His dad had always offered to meet up with me to see Brutus, but my life has been so hectic lately, I just didn't have the time.  So, when I was in New Jersey a few months ago for my future sister-in-laws bridal shower, I received a text message picture of Brutus from a friend.  He had stopped into clinic to visit me, but I was 3 hours away.  I literally cried in the car.  So, we made arrangements for them to come visit a clinic that I would be at!  I waited and waited with so much anticipation all morning, and finally he arrived.  I ran out the door and ran right over to my wiggley, happy, smiley boy and hugged the life out of him.
 
1 happy, healthy Brutey!
 
Brutus looks fantastic.  His coat is great and his personality hasn't changed a bit.  I know deep in my heart that Brutus found the place he was always meant to be.  People say all the time "I don't know how you can foster, I'd never be able to give them up."  The truth is, I don't ever give them up.  Each of our fosters lives in my heart and when I get the chance to see them living the life they deserve, it reminds me why I do this.  I help save their lives so they can make it to the life they were meant to live.  Yes, my heart breaks when each one leaves, but it's mended when a new one arrives.  They've all left their pawprints on my heart, I will never forget them.
 

21 comments:

  1. For a reason - as I always feel -

    After all, the dog I originally went to see at our SPCA was already adopted -

    But there was 'Whitney' -

    And yes, trust the gut -

    Thanks for sharing Brutus with us -

    AND for letting him go so the ones destined to be his could have him!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra's Mom ;-)

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  2. That is the most wonderful post and Brutus is so happy...he looks wonderful

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  3. We gots to say this blog postie turned out way better than the silly marriage type thingie we were worried we was gonna read!

    Way to go Brutus! So, so happy for you!

    Sam and Pippen

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  4. Nobody could have said it better. What a touching post. You've got me in happy tears!

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  5. "The truth is, I don't ever give them up. Each of our fosters lives in my heart and when I get the chance to see them living the life they deserve, it reminds me why I do this." <-- Spot on, friend. Happy happy tears for my Friday! So glad you got to see big Brutey!

    Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie
    www.ourwaldobungie.com

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  6. Aw... what a great post... it gave me feel good goosebumps... now if you'll excuse me I have to go love all over Boomer and Dottie!

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  7. 'Scuse me, I gots something in my eye. Momma says the same thing about our fosters. They're always part of you, no matter how rarely you see them!

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  8. Awwwwww!! This is such a great update and great news about Brutus! Glad that he is doing so well and has such a wonderful family! Thanks for making me cry!

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  9. tearing up over here. Such a great post. Love the photos and so happy to hear Brutus is doing great. I try to send the rescue we got Swyatt from updates (maybe too many lol). I can never thank them enough for rescuing him.

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  10. Oh, Corbin Mama...you made me cry. I'm sending pictures of Otto to the gal who saved him RIGHT NOW!!

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  11. What a fantastic tale! I remember the saga of Brutus so well and like everyone else could not believe this lovable lunk was not being adopted. I am so glad he found the perfect home for him AND that you got to visit with him again.
    Love Noodles

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  12. Great! Moms crying. Great story
    Benny & Lily

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  13. What a wonderful story....not the first bits...but the ending. We love a happy ending.

    XXXOOO Daisy, bella & Roxy

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  14. You didn't warn us that we needed tissues! We are so happy for Brutus ☺

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  15. What a lovely post. So happy for Brutus and for you. You are the best storyteller!

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  16. Awww that is soooo good. We've loved seeing Brutus again. He certainly looks happy and so loved. That is what makes fostering so good. The happy endings!! Sending you, Corbin's mum, slobbery kisses cause this is a great post! No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  17. I have a great respect for foster families and what they do for our pups. We love taking Millie and Walter to see their foster parents and the pups love seeing them too. Oh yeah the foster parents love it too. Millie goes absolutely crazy when she sees hers and it makes everyone happy.

    Cindy

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  18. I remember Brutus!!!! I'm so glad he found such a wonderful home - third time's the charm, I guess!

    Your pal, Pip

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  19. I remember Brutus and I am so glad that he has a loving furever home now. Thank you so much for the pupdate.


    Loveys Sasha

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  20. OK, sooooooo not what I guessed! I thought you were either getting married or having a baby boy. This is just as good though!

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