A few weeks back I posted about my first foster dog Macy. When I was asked to foster her, all I knew was that she was saved from a kill shelter – pulled by Red Hook Rescue of Brooklyn, NY. I later learned that the rescue had pulled her for someone who fell in love with her sweet face and wanted to save her life. From what I understand, this person then discovered that he or she could not keep this dog (then named Gorda). I believe a family member was recruited to take her but, due to what was probably a lack of experience, it did not work out. Gorda was then sent to a boarding kennel. It was at that point that I was asked to foster her.
The shelter had done her no favors with the behavior evaluation she was given. The shelter notes say she was trembling and fearful and tried to escape. Well, who could blame her? A smart girl like Gorda probably knew she was not in a safe place and wondered why she was not still in her home (she was surrendered for reasons unknown). The assessor felt she should go to an experienced home with no children.
The shelter had done her no favors with the behavior evaluation she was given. The shelter notes say she was trembling and fearful and tried to escape. Well, who could blame her? A smart girl like Gorda probably knew she was not in a safe place and wondered why she was not still in her home (she was surrendered for reasons unknown). The assessor felt she should go to an experienced home with no children.
When I picked her up she was terribly frightened and understandably so, considering that, in a span of only three weeks she had been in three different homes, a kill shelter and a boarding kennel and was now coming to yet another unknown place. Fortunately, my friend Lauren came with me to New York City to pick her up and help me get her home.
Once home with me though, she settled in very quickly. She bonded with my dog Mickey and with me and I renamed her Macy, which means enduring, happy and upbeat – all the things I knew she was and could be. For two weeks she barely left my side and when I was not able to be with her, Mickey was there to comfort her. It was as if he knew she needed a friend and did his best to show her the ropes and make her feel welcome. When she had to be in her crate (which she hated) he let himself into the room and stayed with her. Honestly, I think Mickey was more instrumental in her transition than I was.
Every person I told or showed her picture to said unequivocally that I was going to get attached to her and want to keep her and all of them were right. I loved her – a lot!
Every person I told or showed her picture to said unequivocally that I was going to get attached to her and want to keep her and all of them were right. I loved her – a lot!
She made friends everywhere she went. When Matt's dog Cam visited, she was just one of the boys!
Being that I was in Connecticut and the rescue was in New York, I knew I would not be able to bring her to adoption events and figured I would have her for quite some time. Imagine my surprise when, after only three weeks, a family in my very own town applied to adopt her. When I saw that it was a family with children and another dog, I knew that she would like it there and that they could probably give her things that I could not. Plus it was in my own town and I could visit her. It was a win-win.
But, as I frequently say, everything always seems to turn out as it should. The day we were supposed to meet, it poured and we had to postpone. In the meantime another application came in for Macy from a woman who lives about 15 miles away. I arranged to take Macy to meet both potential adopters on the same day. When we met the first family, the introductions to both their dog and their three-and-a-half year old daughter went perfectly (remember the shelter said no children – well that was obviously inaccurate). However, since their first contact they had decided that it might not be the ideal time to adopt another dog and wanted to wait a few months.
Being that I was in Connecticut and the rescue was in New York, I knew I would not be able to bring her to adoption events and figured I would have her for quite some time. Imagine my surprise when, after only three weeks, a family in my very own town applied to adopt her. When I saw that it was a family with children and another dog, I knew that she would like it there and that they could probably give her things that I could not. Plus it was in my own town and I could visit her. It was a win-win.
But, as I frequently say, everything always seems to turn out as it should. The day we were supposed to meet, it poured and we had to postpone. In the meantime another application came in for Macy from a woman who lives about 15 miles away. I arranged to take Macy to meet both potential adopters on the same day. When we met the first family, the introductions to both their dog and their three-and-a-half year old daughter went perfectly (remember the shelter said no children – well that was obviously inaccurate). However, since their first contact they had decided that it might not be the ideal time to adopt another dog and wanted to wait a few months.
I was a little disappointed, but not terribly. The worst case scenario would be that she would stay with me, but a few hours later I took her to meet the second prospective adopter – a very nice woman with two small dogs. Now it was time to see if the dogs would get along. One – the older of the two – kept his distance. The younger one seemed to like her. The house was on a private street overlooking a beautiful lake. From the living room you could look out and watch the boats. It is gorgeous there and very peaceful. I was hoping this nice woman would want to adopt, not only Macy, but me as well! During the course of our visit, I learned that she had recently lost her husband and her children and grandchildren all live in Florida. She fell in love with Macy at first sight and it was clear to me that she needed Macy more than I did. Everything worked out perfectly, I did not have to choose between two wonderful adoptive homes and, if I was not going to have her, I knew she was going to a home where she would be loved and treasured. Of course I made sure to secure visitation rights!
Macy went home last Wednesday, October 8, 2014. I only had her for a month and a day but she touched my heart like few ever have.
If you have never fostered a pet, I would highly recommend it. It is an experience I will never forget and I am already thinking about fostering another. Fostering saves lives, but it is really only one step in the process. Even though the initial placement did not work out, without the person who advocated for her and sought rescue support, and without the rescue that pulled her and took responsibility for her, Macy would have died in the shelter. This beautiful, sweet dog would have died needlessly, scared and alone. The saddest part is that it happens to thousands of dogs like her every day. We need to do better.
But, for now, let us dwell on the positive. For this one dog, there was a happy ending.
I will just say “so long, Macy,” because it is not good-bye. I am one of the lucky ones – because I had you in my life and because I know I will see you again.
Enjoy your new life, Macy. Mickey and I will miss you.
I will just say “so long, Macy,” because it is not good-bye. I am one of the lucky ones – because I had you in my life and because I know I will see you again.
Enjoy your new life, Macy. Mickey and I will miss you.
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