A rare opportunity came our way this week. For years my husband and I have talked about starting a rescue for older dogs. And recently, spoke about becoming a foster home to a small dog (due to the size of our home with already having two large dogs). We openly said we would love a Boston Terrier. In fact, for some reason my office had started to fill with dog pictures-Boxers (my own) and Boston Terriers (pictures of clients dogs). However, we never started the search to rescue a BT.
I guess none of that mattered. God had other ideas/plans.
Last week a new client, to the social service agency I work for, had a dog that needed a home.
Well guess what! He is a Boston Terrier (maybe a mix,but cute nonetheless), named Buddy.
The home Buddy came from was very troubled.
He was living with an owner who has probably early stage dementia combined with a physically/verbally abusive meth addicted son occasionally living in his home. Needless to say, after the son was arrested and the client was taken to a nursing facility, Buddy was invited into our home.
So let's go on an adventure to look at what these are...
1) 5yrs old and not housebroken;however, we have him about 90% housebroken. Yes after only 5 days!!! (crate training/food schedule)
2) He is quite fearful of new people coming into the home/being outside for too long.
5) He is a fully intact male....please I am not going to jump on my soapbox...moving on
Although, we haven't had a problem (with biting) since Tuesday,it's clear dogs are like us. They have their good and bad days.
After visiting with his owner today, I realized how important these little beings are to our well-being. It was a great visit for both owner and Buddy.
This experience has taught me patience and has made me think... what a great idea it would be if there was a group of people who would offer their homes to Dogs/Cats of older people going into facilities that did not accept animals,but would allow occasional visits.
How neat would that be? Hmmm, I bet you all would agree.
The Always Truthful,
~RMG
P.S. I almost gave up after one day,but Nick (the husband, for those that didn't know) said let's give this guy a chance. And, how blessed and happy I am that he said this to me. To be honest, I was scared and uncertain. Now it's clear, we can do this. And, so can others. My only fear now is, how will I react when/if Buddy leaves this home.
Final Thought- Let's stop sending these precious creatures to Kill Shelters and open our homes. Sad to say, that was almost Buddy's fate.
I guess none of that mattered. God had other ideas/plans.
Last week a new client, to the social service agency I work for, had a dog that needed a home.
Well guess what! He is a Boston Terrier (maybe a mix,but cute nonetheless), named Buddy.
The home Buddy came from was very troubled.
He was living with an owner who has probably early stage dementia combined with a physically/verbally abusive meth addicted son occasionally living in his home. Needless to say, after the son was arrested and the client was taken to a nursing facility, Buddy was invited into our home.
The transition into becoming a Foster "parent" has had it's challenges/rewards.
Due the sons abusive nature and the clients possible forgetfulness, Buddy has come with a set of unique issues.So let's go on an adventure to look at what these are...
1) 5yrs old and not housebroken;however, we have him about 90% housebroken. Yes after only 5 days!!! (crate training/food schedule)
2) He is quite fearful of new people coming into the home/being outside for too long.
3) Cannot walk on a leash (we had a break-through today, he is walking on the leash!)
4) Sometimes likes to BITE!!!!!! not because he is aggressive,but from FEAR of mistreatment.5) He is a fully intact male....please I am not going to jump on my soapbox...moving on
Although, we haven't had a problem (with biting) since Tuesday,it's clear dogs are like us. They have their good and bad days.
After visiting with his owner today, I realized how important these little beings are to our well-being. It was a great visit for both owner and Buddy.
This experience has taught me patience and has made me think... what a great idea it would be if there was a group of people who would offer their homes to Dogs/Cats of older people going into facilities that did not accept animals,but would allow occasional visits.
How neat would that be? Hmmm, I bet you all would agree.
The Always Truthful,
~RMG
P.S. I almost gave up after one day,but Nick (the husband, for those that didn't know) said let's give this guy a chance. And, how blessed and happy I am that he said this to me. To be honest, I was scared and uncertain. Now it's clear, we can do this. And, so can others. My only fear now is, how will I react when/if Buddy leaves this home.
Final Thought- Let's stop sending these precious creatures to Kill Shelters and open our homes. Sad to say, that was almost Buddy's fate.
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