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.

Let me show you my LOOT!

Santa called, he said I was a good boy.
Fork over the presents.

Yep, that's the stuff.

I KNEW I was a good boy.  All of this is for ME!
Ok, and some for Brookie too.

Mom & dad got me a new holiday collar from our friends at Sirius Republic!
I think it makes me look extra handsome for Christmas.

What the heck is up with my ear?

Oops... I guess the candy canes on the collar aren't for eatin'.

And LOOK at my new tag!  It says my name and momma's phone number.
Incase I ever get lost.  This is also from the great Sirius Republic.

What did you say mom?
That's not all???

If you turn my tag around, look what the back says!
Foster Brother Extraordinaire!
THAT'S ME!
This was a gift for my Gotcha day :-)  Thanks M&D!

This is the rest of my stuff that I get to share with Brookie
while she's still with us.

Brookie??? Are you still with us???
She runs to her crate when the camera comes out, but she's still here!

I'll take one of these, thank you!

I also got a bungie lizzard!

3 new squeekie tennis balls!

A 16 squeeker alligator!
Most of the squeekers are gone already...

I also gots a Jolly Ball, but after I opened it, momma quickly said "that's an OUTSIDE toy!"  I got 6 days of doggie daycare! Lots of treats!  A rope ball that seemed to have disappeared.... More treats!  A frisbee toy that I have't had a chance to destroy play with yet! A rope toy for the lake next summer! And more treats!

I got to see my girls on the big day!

We played with the ribbons

We're pretty festive!

Then I got to spend the day at Grandma Lynda and Grandpaw Dave's!
With Uncle Harley and my Greta!

Grandma Lynda snuck us some Christmas cookies!
Shhh, don't tell my mom.

I'm sleepy just thinking about my busy day with all my toys and goodies!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday too!

Wordless Wednesday: What the.....

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of my friends a very Merry Christmas! I hope your holiday is filled with family, friends and yummy food! I can't wait to tell you all about my day... starting with presents from Santa Paws with Brookie, mom & dad, presents with Grandma Nancy, Grandpaw Jack, Bethany and Avery, spending the day with Grandma Lynda, Grandpaw Dave, Harley and Greta, and getting presents from Grandma Laura and Uncle George! What could be better?!

Enjoy! Hope Santa Paws treated you well :-)

Thoughtful Thursday: A poem

A Poem for Foster Mom's and Dad's

There I sat, alone and afraid. You got a call and came right to my aid.

Tessa

You bundled me up with blankets and love. And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

Bethany

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold. That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold. 

Gracie

You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend. You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

Cranberry

And just when I thought you'd done all you could do, There came along not one new lesson, but two.

Fancy

First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go. I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."  

Patches

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss. Along came a new family, they even have kids!

Donnie

They took me to their home, forever to stay. At first I thought you sent me away.

Duchess

 Then that second lesson became perfectly clear. No matter how far, you will always be near.

Bethany and Avery

And so, Foster Mom and Dad, you know I've moved on. I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

Belle

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day. You never really give your fosters away.

Oreo

You gave me these thoughts to remember you by. We may never meet again, and now I know why.

Mia

You'll remember I lived with you for a time. I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

Hannah





I didn't write this, neither did my mom.  We don't really know who did, but we loved it and thought we'd share.  Remember all those without homes this Holiday Season... Do what you can to help: Foster, Volunteer, Donate, Adopt.

Thanks to everyone who opens their home to foster dogs... and to those who adopt... may you celebrate the lives you've saved!

Somebody snitched on me

I stepped all over Mommy's head,

Somebody snitched on me.

Destroyed all the pieces of my dog bed,

Somebody snitched on me.

Got lots of mud on the kitchen floor

Somebody snitched on me.

I chewed my KONG until it tore,

Somebody snitched on me…

I’m getting nothing for Christmas,

Sandy Paws thinks I’ve been bad.

I’m getting nothing for Christmas,

And this makes me very sad.

I played the bitey on foster sister,

Somebody snitched on me.

I let a growl out at next door Mister

Somebody snitched on me.

I knocked over Mommy’s plants,

Went in the bedroom and ate her pants,

Dug up the yard to find some ants,

Somebody snitched on me.

I’m getting nothing for Christmas

Sandy Paws thinks I’ve been bad.

I’m getting nothing for Christmas,

And this makes me very sad.

So next year I’ll be good, whatever I do,

Because if I’m not, my toys will be few,

Sandy Paws won’t even bring me two!

And, again, I’ll get nothing for Christmas!