When Marshall first arrived, he was so frightened, he literally slid his body low to the ground under his kennel bed and hid.
In hindsight, we’re pretty sure it was a ploy. The dogs talk, you know. And word has been passed from yard to yard that there is an awesome Foster Daddy who lives next door to Homeward Bound. Getting picked to go with him for “rehabilitation” is like winning the dog lottery. Marshall was determined to be selected, so he made himself look as pathetic as possible. And Marshall can do pathetic pretty well!
It worked, of course. Once there – his true colors came out. Marshall treated humans just like puppies treat each other. He probably never learned any better (yeah…we’re going to go with that!).
Instead of gratitude, Marshall tried to turn his Foster Daddy into a chew toy with tugging, tackling, and flat out conquering.
“There’s not much to like about this guy,” black and blue Foster Daddy muttered in utter frustration. Foster Daddy is pretty darn patient – but this one was a true test.
Good news for Marshall…Foster Daddy does not give up. He exhausted his playbook of training methods: rewards and ignoring, yelps and silence, time together and time outs. It was probably not one single thing, but the cumulative effect of all that turned the tide. Or maybe Marshall finally came to the realization that no matter what he did, Foster Daddy was not ditching him. And then – he was a different dog.
“I’m going to miss that guy,” Foster Daddy wrote. Marshall had hit his second jackpot: a home. And not just any home…a home with one of Homeward Bound’s dog walkers.
Photo Credit: Rob Kessel
Marshall take note: Foster Daddy and your new Daddy have traded notes. They are both wise to you! So be a good boy…and visit us often.
And don’t forget to say “thank you” to your Foster Daddy.
Note: Foster Daddy is kind of shy…so I haven’t mentioned his name. But if you look closely, you’ll find it. Just sayin’.
Update: Foster Daddy has outed himself. For his post about Marshall and a gallery of photos, visit here.
Gardens For Goldens 
Awwwww, lucky people!
Foster Daddy is awesome. He doesn’t give himself enough credit for the wonderful work he does.
I totally agree. Foster Daddy is the best. Great pictures especially the last one.
🙂
Very true!
Love this story. And that shot of Marshall looking up is priceless.
Foster Daddy establishes amazing bonds with the dogs he works with. It is seen over and over in looks like that.
I love this story! And that photo that second from the bottom is priceless – love the look on Marshall’s face! Bliss!
That’s goofball, Marshall! Those adorable faces are probably what inspired Foster Daddy to mush on!
What a wonderful story. Everybody wins!! That’s the way it should be. Marshall is beautiful. God Bless all involved..
Exactly. 🙂
Aw…I love this story, and what a great boy “foster daddy” helped Marshall prove he could be! That man has a special place in my heart..as I know he always will in Marshall’s!
He’s building quite a club of canine groupies! We should rename them “The Used-to-be-Brat Pack!”
LOVE IT!
You guys need your own Golden Dog Award and this special guy (whose name we won’t put in print) should be one of the first ones in line to get his. 🙂
I second that. 🙂
Aww
Hope he knows Foster Daddy is still around
Since his new Daddy is a volunteer, he’ll be visiting often and he’ll have plenty of opportunity to visit with Foster Daddy. Best of all worlds. 🙂
Another happy story. It warms my heart.