One year!

How time flies! This weekend was the one year anniversary of Jax arriving in our lives.  Looking back, I can't believe that the notion of giving him up for adoption ever crossed my mind.  I can't imagine our lives without him now.  He is the sweetest dog.  He loves everyone he meets, human and canine alike.  He is extremely sensitive and has such a tender heart.  I may be a little bias, but I'm pretty sure he is also one of the cutest dogs ever.  I can't say enough good about him.  He means so much to me.

Then...

Last year, day one...can you see the sad in his eyes?

And now...

I'm gonna be a diamond someday!

(Hit play on the song above, it's Lincoln's song )

After knowing Lincoln for only the weekend, it's no surprise that he was doing so poorly in the clinic kennel.  He is an absolute sweetheart who completely thrives on human contact.  The lack of attention and companionship was really holding him back.  He has made himself at home very quickly and it's honestly hard to imagine him being so depressed.  Moving him here was definitely the right choice!  

He is sick, yes, but I honestly think he will be just fine.  A little TLC (and a few daily medications) is all he needs. His mange has cleared up a lot in the last month.  He still has some edema in his front feet, making them red and swollen.  His skin is extremely hot to the touch.  We know he is uncomfortable and itchy, but his spirits are high.  He only has fur left on about half of his body.  He has none on his legs, chest or belly, and very little on his face, but I'm hoping most of it grows back.  I assume he will have some scarred areas, but hopefully they will be minimal.  He is about 10lbs underweight, but is happily eating everything we give him.  You can see that he will be a very handsome boy when he is all better.  I can't wait to see him.

He was by far the easiest dog to introduce into the pack.  Dixie has had her issues with strange dogs, but she always accepts the fosters as if she understands why they are here and it was no different with Lincoln.  A quick walk through the neighborhood (I'm always a little bit expecting the police to show up at my door when I walk the fosters when they first arrive!)  and they were fine.  He doesn't, or should I say didn't, know how to play, but is learning quickly.  Saturday and Sunday, Jax gave him (and me!) a bit of the cold shoulder.  My Jaxy is a total moma's boy and was a little jealous.  I guess he is over it now because they played all evening and slept curled up together on the ottoman afterward. When Lincoln gets healthy, he may be the first dog ever to be able to keep up with Jax and play every waking minute. 

We think that he is younger than we were told.  It's hard to tell the age of a dog in such bad physical condition.  Calista first got called "about seven" and as she improved, our vets agreed that she was closer to three.  Although the vet in Texas guessed him to be around three, Jonathon and I think Lincoln is actually only about a year old.  He has some very juvenile behaviors.

This is another great, great dog that I am so happy to have in our home.  It's such a shame that he suffered for so long.  No more.

Meet Lincoln

A new dog will be joining our household this coming weekend.  We have been totally consumed by work for the last few weeks, hence the delay in getting a new foster dog.  Still, when one like Lincoln comes along, I can't resist helping him.

Lincoln is in dire condition.  He was actually pulled from a shelter in Irving, Texas, by our rescue on the date of his scheduled euthanasia.  That was about a month ago.  He was a stray, clearly living on his own for a very long time.  He has been staying at a veterinary clinic down in Texarkana, getting constant medical care.  Unfortunately, he just isn't responding the way everyone had hoped.  He is just too depressed there.  He curls up in the drain of the kennel floor and sleeps there all day.  The vet has decided that he may do better in a home environment.  Sometimes, mental health needs to improve before physical health can.  In other words, Lincoln needs the will to live.  I am hoping that we can give that to him. 

He has a severe case of demodectic mange (totally non-contagious to humans and other animals).  He is also extremely underweight and has an injured back leg.  This is what becomes of abandon dogs.  People that think that they can "set them free" when they don't want them anymore are so very wrong.  Dogs are not wild animals and have very little chance of survival on their own.

My new role.

I have some exciting news!  Starting in March, I will play a bigger role at the rescue that I foster for.  I have been asked to be an adoption coordinator!! (the main coordinator of  like15 years parted ways, suddenly, with the group, leaving a huge void to fill)  Now instead of helping only my current foster dog, I'll will be able to constantly be helping find forever homes for the dogs in all of the foster homes!  It comes with major commitment, and plenty of stress, I'm sure, as a lot goes into finding homes for these guys.  When these dogs come to us (as my past fosters have clearly shown), they have usually had hard lives.  It is our goal to make sure that they never have to suffer again.

It will entail screening adoption applications, calling veterinary and personal references, setting up home inspection visits, and arranging meet and greets between foster families and potential adopters.  Most importantly though, it will be matching the right people with the right dogs.  There is a dog for everyone, but not every dog is for just anyone...make sense?  Some of our dogs are dog-aggressive, or can jump fences or are too rough for little kids, or absolutely adore kids!  Does the family need an active young dog or a more laid back, mature dog?  It's all about finding the right "fit."

I think this is the right "fit" for me:-) 

One By One

 

This is a poem that is displayed on our rescues website.  It is about giving senior dogs a second chance.  It amazes me how people can abandon dogs that they have had for years simply because they are "too old."  I have a soft spot for old dogs.  They have a certain "something" that I can't quite describe.  A kind of dignity or wisdom that dogs don't possess until they reach a certain age.  It makes me cry every time one of these grandma or grandpa dogs shows up in a shelter.  They are so confused and sad.  You can see it in their eyes.  They are usually listed as "urgent"  because unfortunately, most elderly dogs don't do well in shelters.  It's too stressful and it wears on them quickly.  It takes a special person to adopt a dog that may only have a short time left.  I think this poem says it all when it comes to why it's so worth it.  (warning...it's a tear-jerker!)

 

 

 

One By One

One by one, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,

 I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,1
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
 And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

 - Author Unknown

Moving on.

Great news!!!  After five long months with us, Calista has found her forever home!  I am both overjoyed and broken hearted at the same time.   She will definitely take a piece of my heart with her when she goes.  She has fought so hard to become the dog that she is today and I couldn't be happier to have been a part of her battle to survive. 

She will be moving to her new home on Sunday.   Her new family has an acreage about an hour from Little Rock, where she will have plenty of room to run and play with her new doggy siblings.  Denise, her future "mom," told me that she did great with her two little dogs.  I wasn't surprised, as Callie doesn't seem to have a mean bone in her body.  I'm sure she will adjust quickly and be very happy there for the rest of her life. 

Until then, I will treasure her last days with us.  I know that it will be very hard to say goodbye, but she is ready to move on.  I will never forget her.

Two good things...

Calista was spayed last week and is recovering well.  It was a very good thing that she had the surgery when she did.  As if the poor dog didn't have enough issues, she also had a very icky uterus.  According to the doctor, it was close to becoming a pyometra (which is basically an infected uterus).  This condition is rarely diagnosed until it is showing symptoms at which point it is extremely serious.  It can certainly be fatal if not treated immediately with an emergency hysterectomy.  Finally, a lucky break for Callie! 

More good news!  I found out today that there has been another application put in for her adoption!  I have not spoken to the lady myself yet, but she is aware of Callie's hip problem and the heart murmur and is fine with both issues.  I am hoping to set up a meet and greet and then hopefully a home trial as soon as her incision is completely healed. 

I am so praying that this is Calista's forever home!   Lately there are so many dogs listed as "urgent" meaning that they are on death row.   If Callie moves on, although I will miss her like crazy, it will open up our home to a dog that might otherwise live it's last hours in a crowded shelter.