Letting Go of A Foster Dog

This was our latest Springer Spaniel foster dog from ESRA.  He was full of inexhaustible energy, constantly challenging our couch potato nature, but so full of joy.  How can I deny him one more walk?  Whew!  Every new dog is a learning experience for us and I'm grateful for each opportunity.  They all have different issues and personalities.  It's like earning merit badges.  With every foster dog, we grow in dog rehab skills.  

This gorgeous foster dog had me wrapped around his finger with those eyes from the very first day.  

He went to his new home last week and is doing very well.  I used to worry about my foster fur kids when they left.  They are always fine.  They have gained confidence and trust in humans, are finally in good health, and are happy, cheerful dogs when they leave.  I would fret only to find out they were blissfully content with their new lives.  Isn't that the goal?  

Is it about me? Or is it about saving a good dog?

It's like sending your children to camp.  You worry yourself sick all week while the kids are having the time of their lives.  The dogs don't leave here sick or traumatized as when they arrived.  I have learned to trust more in the dogs they have become, rather than dwell on who they were when we first received them.

Our dogs help rehabilitate too.  Charlie shows extra grooming love.  The fosters learn how to trust a stable pack.  

Letting go is sad.  But letting go is never as hard as I think it's going to be. *sniff* The building up to the good bye which I know is coming is what is so difficult.  *sniff* I keep thinking how much I'm going to miss them.  *sniff*  They look into your eyes with so much affection and faith and you feel as if you are about to betray them.  I wonder if Abraham must have felt this when looking into Isaac's hopeful face walking up the mountain.  But once they are given to their new home, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.  Plus I make my husband do it.  Bah!  I can't watch.

Barkley loved to sit with me while I sewed.  Those eyes!!!  You're killing me Barkley!  Look away.  

Letting go starts from the very first day they arrive.  I force myself to believe they are not my dogs. They belong to another wonderful family.  We just haven't found them yet.  And while we search for their forever home, I'm going to love the heck out of them.  When their forever home is found, it would be selfish of me to deny that family the love this beautiful animal has to give.  How many animals can I keep anyway?  Do the best thing for the dog and share the love.  Let the other family experience the joy too. 

I know, I know.  Easier said than done, right?  

Anyway, once they are gone, I'm fine.  I'm so good, I actually feel a little guilty.  "Shouldn't I be crying more?"  We have one less dog to trip over.  4 fewer muddy paw prints to mop.  The dogs are good.  The new family is good.  Everyone is good.  And we did a good thing.  Yay!  Yay for good things in the world! Let's all do good things and encourage each other in good deeds.

Barkley was the Eric Northman (vampire) of Springer Spaniels.  Looook into my eyyyes....Hypnotic....he could talk me into anything.  LOL  I really loved Barkley.  Such a sweet boy.  Of course I miss him.  But I'm not sad. Really!!!

I share this with you not to brag.  I'm so awesome!  I can foster a dog and turn it over and not cry.  Go me.  

I share because this is the #1 reason why people won't foster.  They know it will hurt.  And I wanted you to hear how I deal with it emotionally.  So.  With that said; GO FOSTER A DOG...OR A CAT.  You're stronger than you think you are.  And you are needed. 

Think adoption first.  

Have you ever considered fostering animals?  If yes, here are 10 Good Reasons to get the thinking process started

If you are a foster, how do you deal with letting go?  I'm very interested in this and am anxious for feedback and ideas.  Please (please, please) share in the comment section.  

Be blessed and be a blessing.  

Be kind.  

Encourage one another.  

Come like Sweet Woodruffs on Facebook

And here I am on Twitter.  (I love Twitter!!!)

  

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on 

toward love and good deeds."

Hebrews 10:24

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My Springer Spaniel Valentine

Posting this for no other reason than to just show off my little girl.   

She's ready for bed.

Follow our Springer Spaniel rescuing adventures.

You can read what we've learned through fostering dogs here.
Give it some thought.  You will love it.
We need new families involved in taking in animal fosters from shelters. 

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We adopted Olivia through ESRA.

If you want a sweet dog for your family, 

consider adopting a Springer Spaniel. 

Click here for available Springers.

There are bunches in foster care, waiting for their forever homes.

10 Reasons To Foster a Dog

I have a 2014 New Years Resolution for you. If you've always wanted to help animals but never took the plunge into fostering (or adoption), this is your year.  If you're doing the One Word thing, your word is "Foster", or courage, or fearless, or rescue, or care.... :)

You're stronger than you think you are. You can do this. 

Wick Photography

1. Because you are needed.  It saves lives.  Every animal taken in by a foster family, means there is more room at the shelter.  Every foster dog adopted, means we can take on another.  It's a cycle. Shelter-->Foster-->Adopted-->...then we go back for more.  See how it works?  We need you. 

Gorgeous Mr. Bingley was a former Puppy Mill stud 

2. Because you are a project oriented person and love a good challenge.  Seeing progress and recovery with a traumatized foster is the most rewarding thing you can imagine.  You'll have to think outside the box, trying different things to help each new dog.  You'll grow in knowledge and when you see a rescued puppy mill dog run for the first time (maybe in their life), your heart explodes.  

Marshall's so proud.  He wants me to watch how fast he can run. 

3. Because you are a great admirer of "feeling happy" and you like smiling. "Petting a dog for just 15 minutes releases the feel-good hormones serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, and lowers the stress hormone cortisol, a University of Missouri–Columbia study says."  

Our Charlie...

4. Fostering a shelter animal can be healing.  My husband had been horribly ill with Graves Disease for over 2 years, possibly longer.  My husband felt like he was DYING. ALL. THE. TIME. We took the leap into fostering, and his health immediately improved.  His mood improved.  His spirit improved. His color improved. He was eventually announced "cured". I know the big turn around for him started the day we got our first foster, Charlie. 

Charlie was severally abused.  He bonded with Tim immediately and Tim started feeling better too.
They healed each other. 

5. Because you're bored, in need of entertainment.  Let's face it. Dogs are fun.  We are never bored.  We're always playing with our kids dogs and cats.  Who needs TV?  We've got our own comedy troupe right here in our house.  

BFF's

6. Because the relationships in your home could use some strengthening.  I can affirm, this has been one of the most rewarding things my husband and I have ever done together.  Our home is an empty nest now. We've raised 2 fabulous human beings (you're welcome). Now what? We've both been living our own lives.  I had my interests and he had his.  We know, together, we are really good at projects and parenting.  When fostering dogs, both our awesome skills are used, bringing us back TOGETHER.  You have to communicate and work as a team to help each animal. 

Wick Photography

7. Because your children need to learn the world is not about them.  They learn compassion, servanthood, nurturing, responsibility and develop a generous spirit.  Having a sick or severally traumatized animal in your home forces you to think before you act.  I see how our son has learned to think responsibly towards pet ownership.  He sees the BIG picture.  Just because you're dying for a Boxer, doesn't mean you should have one, right now.  (If more people understood this...we wouldn't have such a big problem with pet abandonment)

My daughter's adopted English Bulldog, Bruiser

8. Because you need exercise and you're unmotivated.  Your dog needs to go to the bathroom. Now!  And a 2 minute walk isn't enough.  It needs to burn off that energy, learn how to be a dog outside of a cage, socialize with neighbors and sniff things. Voila! You've just burned calories and got some Vitamin D.  

9.  Because your other animals are open to new companions. Our dogs need socializing too and they enjoy having fur friends. We have 3 dogs, all have been rescued, with their own set of issues.  Having new dogs come and go has been good discipline and training for them.  They in turn, have been very good for incoming foster dogs, teaching and showing them the ropes.  Mill dogs especially have no idea how to "just be a dog".  

10. Because you're stronger than you think you are.  Of course, you bond with them. Yes, it hurts to give them up.  But you can give them to a new, beautifully perfect family and be at peace.  

This is Marshall's new family. He bonded immediately. We are so happy for all of them.

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I have a 100 more good reasons to foster, but for the sake of brevity, I stopped at 10.  Do you have some to add?  I would love to hear from you, and discuss this subject further, so please leave a comment.  

If you have any questions about fostering, I'm happy to answer as honestly as I can. 

If you're interested in fostering, you can call your local animal shelter and find out more.  Also, if you have a favorite breed of dog or cat, there are specific organizations all over.  You can volunteer for them.  We volunteer for ESRA and rescue Springer Spaniels.  

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I hope you'll follow me and keep up with our fostering shenanigans.  :)  Lots of good times, with occasional animal drama 

Cats and Quilts go together like Peas and Carrots.

THINK ADOPTION FIRST

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP

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Morning Dog Walk with our Springers

I hope you are healthy, well and 

savoring all there is to be admired in Autumn.

My favorite thing about Florida autumn:

WE CAN GO OUTSIDE AGAIN!!

Well...SORT OF!! 

(Seriously, I took the dogs to the dog park yesterday about 4:30 PM and they overheated. Ugh)

It's best to take them into the woods first thing in the morning.  

We turn them loose and set them free...

THEY. GO. CRAZY. 

Springers "SPRINGING", 

 frenzied with activity is fun to watch.

There are wild turkey and dove all over.  

So many delicious things to smell and track

Olivia sticks close to Mom and Dad.

I like this picture of Marshall.  He is "springing" here. 

Marshall and Charlie are crazy hunters. They stick together and tag team tunnel through the grass.

Marshall can fly! WhooooooBoyyy! He can run. Fast as a Greyhound. A Gazelle. A Cheetah. 

Blink and you've missed him.  He LOOOOOVES TO RUN!

I asked Olivia to pose beside the wild morning glories. This was all she would give me. :)

"Wait up Dad!" 

Charlie, our heart breaker.  The grass is very tall.  He tunnels, gets tangled and goes honey badger. 

Charlie is ONE. TOUGH. SPRINGER. 

Except he is scared of thunder. And zombies. He hates zombies.

My 2 girls. The lights of my life.  LeeLee the Cow Dog never, ever leaves my side. 

Homeward bound.  Until tomorrow.....

If you don't know the story, all our dogs are rescued. 

(And Marshall is a foster dog through ESRA )

I'm not against "GOOD", principled dog breeders (and would maybe buy one if I could afford it), 

I just like to kindly and gently suggest people 

"Think Adoption First"

So many dogs in foster care of all breeds are waiting for a family and home.

Visit their web pages and shop the abandoned, rescued and waiting dogs first. 

Visit this link and view the map for available Springer Spaniels around the country.

Springer Spaniel Florida Foster ~ Marshall

Thank you to all my new followers. 

I promise I'm not ignoring you.  I will try to respond as soon as I can. 

I had a little accident with my eye and it made looking at the computer screen painful last week. 

All is well now.

Onward....

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Time for an update on Marshall Waitforit...our foster Springer through ESRA

(He answers to Marshall, Marshy and Marshmallow)

He has gorgeous Topaz brown eyes

Marshall's health has improved significantly. 

When we first got him, he was COVERED......seriously covered...

as in one. solid. mass.

of giant scab from flea bites, scratching and chewing. 

His skin was in terrible shape. 

He had several bald spots and very thin hair. 

He was an owner surrender. 

Emotionally, he was well cared for and loved. 

Because of a family crisis, they could not afford his medical care.   

It was very, very painful for them to surrender him and after fostering this precious soul for many weeks, I know what they were going through that night we took him. 

How do you surrender the perfect dog?

(and he really, really is)

He honestly and truly has nothing wrong with his personality.  

The only naughty thing he has done has been counter surfing! 

Oops!  Gotta put the food up. 

He has the BEST manners and is so chill and easy going. 

Nothing bothers him!!!

Wonderfully happy, cheerful and playful, but not crazy-hyper. 

He loooooves hunting lizards and he is as fast as a greyhound.  Whew, he can fly!!!

He loves us and has bonded well with everyone.

He is shy and is a little reserved, although, not skittish and nervous. 

When he first meets new people, especially men, he is cautious.  He will stand behind our legs and hide.  He eventually might sniff you, but he won't show an interest in you.  After he has met you several times, he finally starts trusting you.  It took him maybe a good week not to be cautious with us. 

We take him around to say hi to neighbors on his walk. 

He is meeting new people and gradually being friendly with them.

My favorite little thing he does: when he wants a hug or wants to show affection, he will stand next to you and kind of put his body up against you.  Not powerfully, but just enough to let you know he is there, he likes you and will you please give him a hug? 

Although he fits in, loves everyone and gets along with all the dogs in our home and neighborhood, even the cats!!!...I can't help but feel a little sorry for him.  Our pack has been together awhile and it's almost like he is an outsider or odd man out.  The girl dogs hang out with me.  And Charlie hangs out with Dad.  I feel like Marshall is ready, waiting and wanting his own special person.  Charlie isn't always in the mood to share Daddy and Olivia isn't always in the mood to share Mama. 

Marshall needs his own family.  He had children to love at his other home.  He is meek and gentle and will do well with children again.  He was home alone for up to 16 hours a day in the past.  I hope in his new home, he will have someone with him.  I would hate to see him crated and alone all day. 

If you are interested in adopting Marshall, he will be listed on the "available Springers" board soon. 

Click HERE and watch the South East board.

There are Springer Spaniels in foster care all over the United States.

If you're interest in a Springer Spaniel, please consider adopting.

Also, ESRA can always use volunteers. 

You can foster a dog, help with transportation and pick up,

or donate $$$ which helps with food and vet bills. 



Wordless Wednesday



Marriage, Empty Nesting and Rescue Dogs...

Charlie and Olivia; both rescued dogs from ESRA. 

 

Our kids grow up and do mean things such as have their own lives,

fall in love and move away. 

 

Our NEW babies wont move away or get married.

They will never bite the hand that feeds them. :)

 

I have to say, we've been married 19 years and it's never been easy. 

Love and commitment was never a question, although staying together is

Very. Hard. Work. 

I've had many people say to us, we act like newlyweds and make it look easy.  Thank you for the compliment, but it's never been easy.  We're both stubborn, strong willed people with lots of baggage.

 

Having a passionate love affair over something we believe in so strongly has been one of the best things we've ever done for ourselves.  It seemed outside of our children, we had so little in common, or so we thought. 

Once the kids left....now what???? 

 

 

Combining our affection for animals, and my husband's life time love of Springer Spaniels, we have found ourselves joyfully challenged.  Caring for our foster fur-children has forced us to communicate more frequently

and work together for a common goal.

 

 

   If your nesting an empty house, you're miserable and you and your spouse don't know what to do next.....rescue and foster a breed you love.  

Every breed has an organization and is in desperate need of

volunteers and foster homes

 

 

You start out saving animals, but they end up saving you. 

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 Sunday Snapshots with Ni Hao Y'all

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Be blessed and Be a blessing

Choose Joy

(and Springer Spaniels)

 

 

Pooh says hello and thinks dog lovers are boring. 

I hope you'll follow my blog to the right.
And follow our fostering adventures on Instagram too.  :) 

 

Our New Foster Springer Spaniel

Marshall was an "owner surrender".
He is our 4th English Springer Spaniel foster through ESRA.  He is an unneutered male, born in April, 2012.

(If you love Springer Spaniels, follow our fur family journey on Instagram ~ sweetwoodruffs )

 

Going to someone's home to remove a surrendered family pet is not something I want to do again.  This was our first owner surrender pick up.  I did not enjoy it.  The family was upset and the dog was confused.

 

All went well.  I'm grateful it wasn't as dramatic as it could have been.  You feel so sorry for the family saying good bye.  I can't imagine.  She was a single mom and couldn't afford to take care of Marshall any more.  As painful as it was, she did the right thing and shouldn't be faulted or judged. So many people just dump their dogs or worse.  She contacted ESRA and surrendered this beautiful boy to a safe foster home for eventual re-homing.

 

Marshall had been living in a bad flea infestation for awhile.  It's been a very wet summer here in Florida.  Once you get fleas this badly, it's hard to get rid of them.  His skin is in terrible, bad shape. He is badly scabbed from chewing himself to pieces. Has substantial hair loss all over.  He has allergies I guess from flea bites, as well as possible food allergies.  As bad as he is, we have seen MUCH worse.  This is nothing a good vet, good nutrition and round the clock care can't clear up.  His hair will be growing back in a few weeks.

 

His mental, emotional health is fine.  He was alone for 12 to 16 hours a day.  I think he is happier here with a pack to play with.  He walked into the house and was immediately made to feel welcome.  No issues at all with the other dogs, which surprised me.  He bonded with my husband quickly, of course.  Everyone bonds with Tim the Enchanter quickly.  :)  Marshall is sooooooo easy, gentle and sweet!!  He gets a long with all the dogs, cats and children.  Minds his manners. A PERFECT dog.  He is a little clingy, and I could see where separation anxiety could be a problem, but that is normal.  Springers aren't called "Velcro Springers" without reason.  We can manage separation anxiety with walks, toys and games.

So far so good.  He will be up for adoption when he is neutered and healthy again.  Maybe a month or two.

"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."

~ Albert Schweitzer ~

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Marshall is in Florida.  If you love Dogs, know anyone who loves to support rescues, or someone who might be looking for a new family member....especially a Springer Spaniel...... please forward or pass this along.  We NEED and WANT exposure for ESRA and English Springer Spaniels.

Choose Joy!

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Pooh says hey.  He is cool with the rescue dogs.
He catches all the action from the bannister above.