Atlanta will miss you Bixby!

[Frannie & Callie]

Bixby Foster Doodle is leaving today on the first leg of his journey to his forever home. He will be transported to New England, where Liz Syring from the DRC will be fostering him for about 10 days until his wonderful new forever family comes back from vacation. The reason for this is two-fold...first - Bixby is so super attached to me and to Callie that we worried about the bond continuing to strengthen over time. Then, I loved having him around so much that I worried less about that (yes, I freaked out a little) and decided that I would keep him until his family was ready...and then it turned out that the transport won't be back through Atlanta until September and this plan is really the only workable one. Wah!

A little on the family...this is a mom with two daughters aged 10 and 12. They have two cats (who reportedly like dogs). They live in a neighborhood filled with dogs of various sizes and ages. The girls are dog-crazy...they walk the neighborhood dogs and every time the mom askes the 10 year old "Guess what?" the daughter responds "we're getting a dog?!?!". The mom saved this as a surprise for the daughters until they were home from camp. Once told about Bixby, they were over the moon! Bixby is wonderful with every child he has met and I genuinely wanted him to go to a home with kids. Bix met my neighbor's cat as a trial run, and it was fine (the cat wasn't super interactive with Bixby, but Bix didn't try to attack it or anything, so I call that a success!).

I've enjoyed having Bixby sooo much. All of my friends thought this would be the foster that I couldn't bear to see adopted out. In some ways, they are right. Bixby melded very well into our lives (our being me, Callie, and the neighborhood). I've been super sad all day. Bixby is a wonderful dog, and I feel completely happy and comfortable about his new family (and I know he'll have an amazing time with Liz and her crew in the interim!). That won't make me not miss him though!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Callie, Have you heard anything more about how Bixby is doing?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This post made me cry. I just wish every dog had a loving home and never had to be a rescued dog. I don't know how the foster moms and dads do it, but I am glad you do. Please keep us posted on Bixby and let us know how he adjusts to his new life. I hope Callie gives you lots of doodle kisses tonight for a job well done.

[Joyce & Wilson]

Shedding some tears with you Frannie... you and Callie do such an awesome job and put your whole hearts into it! Thank you for fostering : )

[Deborah & Emmett Vaughan]

Frannie and Callie: You have had the best foster doodles, but Emmett, Boomer and I have to say that Bixby was the sweetest. You two are a "fostering team" We can't wait to meet the next foster doodle.

[Frannie & Callie]

I went with a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich. And some cheese and crackers. And a glass of wine (Allyson - I can't do whites but I had a nice light glass of pinot noir, so I joined you in pinot-land!). Deelish! I toasted y'all with each! I cried and cried when I left Bixby at the transport. He sat on my feet and cried and he had to be picked up and carried to his on-board crate...I was little unglued at that point, but rallied on the drive home. Looking forward to my next foster opportunity!!!!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Frannie you are such a wonderful foster mom. Thanks so much for being you. Hopefully Bixby's new family with join DK so we can all stay in touch with them.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Nice work Frannie. Sending some cheer. Good luck Bixby!

[Anna and Achilles]

Karen, it's Ben and Jerry's Fish Food for me!

[Anna and Achilles]

Hugs and kisses from us. You are incredible!

[Yvonne N]

You are a star....and will always have a place in Bixby's heart. Hugs from Astro.