We were introduced to petfinder.com and the word "rescue dog" when we began to search for a puppy summer of 2008. We were looking for a blond mixed breed and spotted (and adopted) Cricket listed with Fluffy Dog Rescue. She was a 3 month old Alabama girl listed as a spaniel/retriever mix. When she stopped growing at at 17inches and 37lbs, we thought how could this be a retriever mix? We ordered the DNA kit from Fluffy Dog Wellness and guess what --- no retriever in her. She is mostly Cocker Spaniel, some English Springer Spaniel, and a dash of Dachshund, just perfect for us.
We enjoyed Cricket so much, we decided we wanted another dog. Lori (from Fluffy Dog) had a rescue friend in Alabama who watched out for a "Cricket look alike" for us and found Callie
(called Lexus on petfinder). We thought we would foster first to see how the two females dogs got along. Callie was listed as a spaniel mix that we later changed to spaniel/retriever after we met her. She was thin (like many are) and knew nothing. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed. Amazingly, with some training and encouragement from Lori and Bridget, by the end of only one week, she had manners and knew a few basic commands. Callie was a great dog, very smart and affectionate and loved humans. Unfortunately for us, the two young females dogs were not the best of friends. She was adopted two weeks later by a couple in Whitefish Bay. She is Bella now and has a wonderful life. Recently they send us pictures of her riding in a boat, swimming in a lake, and napping with her new dad. It really felt good to see Bella and her family so happy.
Fluffy Dog was taking in a large group of puppies in June 2009 and we signed up for Cooper. (called Oodle on petfinder) He was four months old and listed as Wirehair terrier. He was soft and fluffy so we changed his listing to Bichon mix after meeting him. He was so sweet and very submissive. I didn't send Lori a new picture of him for a week as we contemplated, do we want to keep this one. Crickets energy was a bit much for this mellow puppy so I took some new pictures and Lori had several applications on him within days. (this really demonstrated what a great picture does in getting these dogs noticed) He is Finnian now. He lives with a great couple in Hartford and their adult daughter and is very loved. We had the pleasure of dog sitting him when they went on vacation in September. Still the mellow, sweet lad (a bit bigger now).
Well, now I don't think I want another forever dog. I think I'll just keep fostering. Seeing how they progress from the day you get them and then seeing the happy families is the best. Mika, another foster mom, said to me once, if I keep one of the dogs, then I can't foster anymore. I think this is where I am at.
MORE ADOPTION HAPPY TAILS:
We signed up to foster Sparky in October 2009. I began my blogging with Sparky - (that is why the word Sparky is in my blog address). It was funny that Sparky's mom's friends noticed the blog link from his petfinder story before her and told her "he has a blog". She followed along with his journey until able to meet him. His new mom drove all the way from Chicago for him. She was searching for a Border Terrier and spotted him on petfinder. He is called Buster now and has lots of love not only from his mom but also from her parents.
After the transport was cancelled two weeks in a row due to bad weather in Kentucky, Brent finally arrived in Wisconsin Valentines weekend. He now has a new mom and doggie brother in Wales. When he met his mom, he just melted into her arms. One of his favorite things was a doggie bed. His new mom already has them scattered throughout her home so he will be in heaven. His new name is Reilly and he will be loved dearly.
We were going to take a fostering break to focus on some home projects when I heard Bernard "Bernie" was going to be left behind at a shelter in Alabama since there was not a foster home for him. I tried to keep my volunteer hand down but it went up or should I say the email was typed and he had a foster home to come to. Lori and Becky in Alabama scrambled to get his vetting/immunizations done and the next day he was on the transport to Wisconsin. I took a few quick new photos for petfinder the day he arrived and Bernie set a record for me, an application that same night. He has a home now with three young boys and their parents in Grafton. He will get so much love and attention and is the perfect dog for young children. They surprised me when they said they are keeping his Fluffy Dog name -- Bernie.
Addison was a very popular girl on petfinder.com. Lori was bombarded with inquires with the same question "does she shed". Breeds listed on petfinder are just the rescues best guess and Addie's listing was Westie/Wheaton from the southern Illinois shelter she came from. Well, she probably wasn't either breed and she did shed some. After seeing her wet, I liked the Sheltie mix thought. Lori received several applications on her and asked if I would take her as she wouldn't be around long. (Lori knows I have a soft spot for blond dogs) She ended up being with us two weeks as she developed kennel cough and needed to be well prior to being adopted. It didn't seem to phase her though and she was such an awesome puppy. Addie lives in Madison now with an awesome family. She has a mom that is off for the summer and will have lots of time to spend with her, two great kids, and a dad. She will receive loads of love and attention from all especially her 8 yr old girl. (Addie will love every minute of it)
In June 2010, Fluffy Dog Rescue received a litter of 7 puppies from TN. They were called Great Pyrenees mixes since they were whitish colored and had double back dew claws that Pyrenees are known for. The pups looked very different from one another so were probably a mix of several breeds. We chose to foster Raegan since her face and markings reminded us of a spaniel. She was so very sweet, friendly and playful. She was also mellow for a puppy.
A wonderful family from Waukesha met several of the pups and choose her since they loved her personality and her coloring/markings reminded them of their dog that had passed on several months ago. She will have a wonderful life in Waukesha with three kids and a doggie pal. They think they are going to keep her petfinder name ---- Raegan.
Duncan was from a shelter in Georgia. He had long soft grey hair and was listed as a Bearded Collie. His initial picture from the shelter didn't even show his face but his new mom had Beardies in the past and sent in an application within days of his posting. That beautiful hair was horribly matted and was shaved but his rescuers did save the hair on his face. Duncan was such a happy-go-lucky pup, so easy to have around here. His new mom drove all the way from Eau Claire to adopt him. She just retired, so he will have sooo much love and attention. She said she is keeping his name Duncan (a Scottish name). She thought it was very distinguished for him. Have a wonderful life Duncan.
Lori from Fluffy Dog Rescue received an email the beginning of August asking if she would take a mama and her three pups. The story we heard was an eight year old girl walked into the Alabama shelter crying holding a box with the pups. She said they needed to give her up because she had puppies. Two weeks later the four were on their way to Wisconsin. When they arrived the pups were six weeks old. When they were ten weeks old, it was felt that mama Deena needed to find her own foster home and receive some individual love and attention. (She had been such a good mama.) A young gal south of Milwaukee saw her on petfinder and met her (and loved her) at a Meet the Pups event at Tailwaggin Doggie Daycare. Deena stayed with us for three more weeks until her spay and then she finally was able to go to her loving forever home. Her new mom eagerly waited for her and arrived to pick her up with lots of girlie things ie. new pink collar and leash. Deena is Mina now and she has a Westie older brother that she seemed to really like when she met him. We have a house of boys here (13 & 17) and it has been so funny to see a little Chi/Pom mix warm her way into their hearts (husband also :) We will miss you Deena but are so very happy for you.
Charlie and another Fluffy Dog were surrendered together to a shelter in Alabama. We did not know the reason why, but felt they were well taken care of as they were not shy or thin. It was nice that the person surrendering them did give their known names as most do not. Charlie was listed as a poodle but he had short legs and a broad chest so we later changed his breed to Poodle/Bichon mix. He was such a tiny guy at 8lbs and such a dear. He followed me everywhere I went never being more that 10 feet away. Wow, when he was adopted, I really felt a loss but he has the best home now, way better than I could give him. He is now with Carol in Men. Falls. She is retired and home with him everyday which is so perfect for him. (Charlie loves his "person" and did not like to be alone for long periods of time.) I can't imagine a more perfect mom and home for him. Have a happy life Charlie!
Dumpling was suppose to go to a new Fluffy Dog Rescue foster mom but the transporters sent word that she was ill so Lori asked me to take her for a few days for observation. She had a mild case of kennel cough and something new for me....reverse sneezing. The first time you witnessed a reverse sneeze, it looks alarming. I thought she was wheezing so took her to the vet. It probably was triggered by her post nasal drip and small dogs are more prone to it. I was told to encourage her to swallow with a treat if she started this and by the end of the week she was doing great. She received an application with in days so I just kept her at my home. Dumpling has found the perfect family in Waukasha. Her dad is home with her everyday and she has a yorkie brother. Her new name is Coco.