“I’m a failure!” she exclaimed. “The very best kind,” said we.
On an earlier post, I shared that Kate and her family were fostering Maggie, to give her a soft place to land while she recovered from recent medical procedures.
I am pleased to share this updated capture of our board clearly showing Maggie moving from the Foster to Adopted column.
Which makes Kate an official “Foster Failure!”
Congratulations to all…and happy life, sweet Maggie. We were kind of hoping it would go that way.
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.
A garden is a reflection of its keepers. Tidy and structured;
casual and carefree;
or untamed and wild.
It inherits our priorities – not by birth, but by effort and example. So too, our children.
“Whatever you would have your children become, strive to exhibit in your own lives and conversation.” ~ Lydia Sigourney
Kate is a dedicated Homeward Bound dog walker. Despite juggling a full life with young children and a husband’s doctor hours, she shows up every Sunday to get the dogs out – rain or shine.
She has an eagle eye for the first sign of a sneeze, limp, or matted ear – and an enormous heart for those most in need. In 2014, she extended it to George. As a Black Lab with insecurities in a place surrounded by sought-after Goldens, she was worried that he would be overlooked forever. So she took him home.
And while he is still unsure when he encounters dogs on his walks, it turns out that he is fine with dogs in his home. Go figure. This, of course, makes him a perfect host for fostering, which he has taken to very nicely following Kate’s example.
Last week, Kate saw that Maggie needed a soft place to land as she recovered from recent medical procedures.
With George and family in tow, an introduction was planned.
It did not take long for Maggie and George to give the “all clear.”
The kids cheered.
Rescue runs in this family. Kate and her husband, Christian, see to it by living the example. The love, respect, and concern for animals that they have inspired in their children is obvious.
Because of that, Maggie is in their foster care today. She has an opportunity to get well in the comfort of home, and to be loved upon while she waits for her own furever family.
Fostering. A gift for the dogs.
A great way to inspire a love of rescue in children.
“We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming.
We cannot stop the spring or the fall
or make them other than they are.
They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse.
But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives.” ~ Gary Zukav
To the person who left sweet, thirteen-year-old Emmie at the shelter, emaciated, sick, and alone – in the winter of her life that she could not stop from coming;
thank you for this gift from the universe that we could not – and would not, refuse.
She brings light to our lives,
and purpose to our days. Our contribution is surrounding her with love and kindness, for whatever time is left.
Regardless of the sadness we know is coming,
this is what we choose. It is your loss that you could not do the same.
Update: Sweet Emmie passed peacefully and gently, surrounded by our volunteers the week that I wrote this post. We knew her time would be measured in days, not weeks or months. In a very short time, she touched so many hearts, not the least of whom was the woman at the shelter who alerted us to her need. Upon Emmie’s passing she writes: “I cried tears of sadness and anger when I got the call from the former owner stating she was bringing her to the shelter I work at. I am now crying tears for her passing. I am eternally grateful to Homeward Bound and for being there to show her love…she deserved nothing but the best, yet her owner was tossing her away. I will never understand that. Big hugs of thankfulness to every person at Homeward Bound! You are an awesome group of people.”
Fly free, sweet Emmie. You are our gift to heaven, now.
Thanks to Rob Kessel, of robanddog.com, for the beautiful photos of Emmie.
‘Twas two weeks before Christmas, and all through the rescue –
All the creatures were stirring, believing something would ensue.
Whispers and wishes hung in the air,
In hopes of Bilos’ special someone. Could we dare?
Bilos is blind, born without eyes,
But we knew when we met him – he was a special prize.
Smart, and sweet, and anxious to please,
He surprised and delighted and adapted with ease.
Special needs dogs need special humans as well,
It takes patience and commitment to help them excel.
We understood it would take time, but impatient we grew,
Bilos was truly deserving of love, this we all knew.
And then…
A quiet visitor arrived not once, or twice, or even thrice,
But over and over, seeking answers and advice.
With great thought and great care she made her decision,
And two days before Christmas, took Bilos home on provision.
To first foster our boy she dispatched –
With paws crossed and prayers said,
We hope for a forever match.
In her first update she writes that she feels lucky and blessed,
Our joy and gratitude, we cannot express.
A Christmas wish whispered and delivered with speed,
Merry Christmas, sweet Bilos! With prayers answered, indeed.
In the big dog Park, the rough and tumble play.
But on the other side of the fence is where the sugar lives.
Sugar Shack Acres is home to Homeward Bound’s most senior dogs: the sugar faces –
our sanctuary dogs – like once-and-forever feral Red –
and dogs who just love being with other dogs – like Lucy, who is only five, but desperately needed to lose weight. After a couple of weeks with her Sugar Shack friends, she dropped nearly ten pounds (and was on her way home!)
These pups may be a little slow,
But they still get around.
And everyone gets along.
As they say: it takes a long time for a soul to get this sweet.
Some of our volunteers spend all their time in this sanctuary – where the dogs have their own house and a large open yard so they can come and go freely.
Some just pay a visit after walking, feeding, and cleaning up after our “dorm” dogs – only to be mobbed by smiling faces, tail wags and kisses.
And when the young dog pack leaves the Park…guess where the sugar flows?
Oh the weather outside was frightful…but rain in California is delightful. We are so grateful for (count them!) two storm systems this week, moving through our drought-dried state. While it dumped in buckets, it was still very manageable (for most of us…sorry little bee!).
The walkers who braved it today were rewarded with a brief blast of sunshine by the end.
And of course, dogs!
This is pre-El Nino cheer bringing hope to our thirsty state.
The weekend also delivered on the hopes of five of our dogs. Our ”going homes” include Booker – who is the perfect foil to his new human, Mark.
Talk about mugging it up for the camera.
Charlie got the thumbs-up from gorgeous alum Goldie to come home and stay with her (and to shed a few pounds!)
Babe couldn’t wait to get in the car and go (not that she didn’t appreciate her time with us!)
And Precious and Lexi. These two came to us when their person could no longer care for them. I hope it brings them comfort knowing they will be in good and happy hands.
Dogs going home. A kennel that is half empty. The garden nearly put to bed for the winter. And rain.
The perfect way to end a weekend.
Run free, sweet girl.
We have had four full fall seasons since we began our effort of building a Memorial Garden for the dogs and volunteers to enjoy. The garden continues to evolve as foundation plants mature, and the more temperamental succumb to our ongoing drought.
Season One was full of overflowing Zinnia’s and Dahlias.
Season Two was the year of Rudbeckia, huge Mexican Sages and gigantic mums.
Season Three delivered towering Sunflowers and Amaranthus.
Missing this year altogether are the Dahlias, Amaranthus and beautiful purple Basil which never took hold. The Rudbeckia and Zinnias passed through half-heartedly; the Mexican Sage, herb garden and mums are but a shadow of their former selves.
“Despite the gardener’s best intentions, Nature will improvise.” ~Michael P. Garofalo
Still, we have some constants: the roses,
Ina’s magnificent Asters with divides now populating the entire garden,
our faithful Yarrow,
flowing Fountain Grass which somehow survived the winter,
the return of tiny frogs,
Maria’s harvest-inspired decorations…
And dogs. Always dogs.
Going home this weekend: Jenny,
Ginger,
and Marley.
As long as there are dogs that need to go home, there will be a fall garden at Homeward Bound –
in one form or another.
Gardens For Goldens 