Tonight we have the stories of how two foster dogs became forever dogs! One a pup and one an oldie!
As you have heard us say many times we much prefer our pups to go into foster than spend any time at the refuge. This is because they don’t have a strong immune system and could catch a variety of nasties and it’s so much better for their socialisation to be in a home environment.
Our fosterer Shirley has had many pups. Some, like puppy Elsa she knew were just waiting until they could go to their forever home, some like Polly really needed lots of tlc as they are terrified and have clearly had a bad start in life. As a fosterer you take each pup as it comes and do your best to prepare it for its forever home.
Here is Shirley and Poppy’s story:
“As a foster ‘Mum’ puppies come and go. Some capture your heart more than others. There is always a tear or two when they move on to their forever homes, but they are tears of joy and pride in a job well done.
I have often been heard to say “you don’t choose your dog they choose you” so it was with my others dogs and is now with Poppy. From the day I was asked to take her, when I sat on the floor of the SPA office and this frightened pup climbed onto my lap it was game over!
I tried the sensible approach! “I’m not looking for another dog” “3 dogs is too much” “She is going to be too big”. However slowly but surely Poppy, aided and abetted by my 4 year old X Labrador Jake who plainly adores her, wormed her way into my home and my heart.
So here we are today, the papers are signed, I have formally adopted her, she is part of my pack, my family. It’s not sensible at all but it will be great fun!! ”
The second lucky dog to be adopted by his forever family was Alfie ( ex Tis). When Alfie arrived at the refuge he was nearly 12 years old, abandoned because his owner was ill. Despite his age he loved his walks but like most oldies he hated refuge life. Luckily for him Jane agreed to try him out with her ‘pack’ and luckily all went well. Alfie will be retiring to Guernsey so we are sure to have lots of great photos of him on the lovely beaches! What a lucky boy!
Alfie is not the first SPA dog that Jane has adopted. She adopted Rooky, another oldie about 7 years ago and she had cheeky Charlie , another oldie in foster for a long time. It takes a lot of time and patience to care for an oldie so many thanks to Jane for all of the love and care she has given to our doggies past and present.
Many thanks to both Shirley and Jane for taking Poppy and Alfie into their hearts and homes. We will have regular updates of how puppy Poppy is doing and watch out for snippets from ‘Poppy’s training diaries’.
Poppy and family!
Alfie..adopted by his foster mum!