Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Confessions of a Foster Failure
Yup, that would be me. I know you must be thinking “OMD! It can’t be true!” Ah, but I am happy to say that it is. Miss Lacey (formerly Lucy) has officially become one of the Whitefield Pack.
This poor, stoic girl has gone through so much in her short 3.5 years. First to be born in a puppy mill and then being bred every single time she came into heat just to line this a##&)*e’s pockets. Then to add insult to injury, once the puppy miller was done with her, he/she dumped this poor, HW positive girl in a local kill shelter and coolly walked out of her life.
Next after being rescued by DRC, Lace was in safe arms. But luck was not on her side. One evening while getting ready to go for a walk with a DRC foster aunt Lacey broke from her leash and bolted for the woods (hey, you would have too if your only experiences before DRC were people who treated you like chattel). Lacey (then known as Lucy) spent 2 weeks on the lam in Atlanta near busy streets and a major interstate nearby. Droves of local people and volunteer organizations keep searching for Lacey. She would be spotted but would run from anyone who tried to approach her (even with food in hand). Miraculously, after not being spotted for a week, Lacey was once again spotted near her foster aunt’s neighborhood. A large “life trap” was set and Aunt Frannie fried up a batch of pork sausage. The smell of the sausage was just too tempting for poor Lace (who had lost 15 pounds during her time on the run) and she was caught.
Lacey came to live with us on July 11, 2011; we were her foster family. She would stay with us while she underwent HW treatment and then spaying. It broke my heart to see this beautiful girl cowering in the corner of our family room or our bedroom, trying to make herself as small a target as possible.
This Sunday, September 11 will be the 2 month anniversary of Lacey staying with us. It has been a long trek for her. She is now HW free and has gained back 12 of those 15 lost pounds. She is still very shy, backing away from people approaching her and still needs to be led outside on a leash. But she is now eating her breakfast and dinner with people in the same room as her. And she looks forward to her bedtime cookies & chew bone. This week she has even begun to come greet me (with small tail wags) when I get home from work.
Lacey didn’t mean to, nor did we, but she worked her way into our hearts so deep we just couldn’t imagine Lace not being part of our family. So this weekend we officially submitted our application to adopt Lacey. DRC graciously accepted our application and Lacey became Lacey Whitefield on Labor Day.
Please join me in welcoming Miss Lacey to the Whitefield family.
Now for your next question… “Now that you have adopted Miss Lacey will you continue to foster?” The answer is an emphatic YES!!!
This poor, stoic girl has gone through so much in her short 3.5 years. First to be born in a puppy mill and then being bred every single time she came into heat just to line this a##&)*e’s pockets. Then to add insult to injury, once the puppy miller was done with her, he/she dumped this poor, HW positive girl in a local kill shelter and coolly walked out of her life.
Next after being rescued by DRC, Lace was in safe arms. But luck was not on her side. One evening while getting ready to go for a walk with a DRC foster aunt Lacey broke from her leash and bolted for the woods (hey, you would have too if your only experiences before DRC were people who treated you like chattel). Lacey (then known as Lucy) spent 2 weeks on the lam in Atlanta near busy streets and a major interstate nearby. Droves of local people and volunteer organizations keep searching for Lacey. She would be spotted but would run from anyone who tried to approach her (even with food in hand). Miraculously, after not being spotted for a week, Lacey was once again spotted near her foster aunt’s neighborhood. A large “life trap” was set and Aunt Frannie fried up a batch of pork sausage. The smell of the sausage was just too tempting for poor Lace (who had lost 15 pounds during her time on the run) and she was caught.
Lacey came to live with us on July 11, 2011; we were her foster family. She would stay with us while she underwent HW treatment and then spaying. It broke my heart to see this beautiful girl cowering in the corner of our family room or our bedroom, trying to make herself as small a target as possible.
This Sunday, September 11 will be the 2 month anniversary of Lacey staying with us. It has been a long trek for her. She is now HW free and has gained back 12 of those 15 lost pounds. She is still very shy, backing away from people approaching her and still needs to be led outside on a leash. But she is now eating her breakfast and dinner with people in the same room as her. And she looks forward to her bedtime cookies & chew bone. This week she has even begun to come greet me (with small tail wags) when I get home from work.
Lacey didn’t mean to, nor did we, but she worked her way into our hearts so deep we just couldn’t imagine Lace not being part of our family. So this weekend we officially submitted our application to adopt Lacey. DRC graciously accepted our application and Lacey became Lacey Whitefield on Labor Day.
Please join me in welcoming Miss Lacey to the Whitefield family.
Now for your next question… “Now that you have adopted Miss Lacey will you continue to foster?” The answer is an emphatic YES!!!
Comment
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Comment by Nina & Duke the Doodle on September 17, 2011 at 1:17pm
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What a wonderful story! Blessings to you all!
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Comment by Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty on September 9, 2011 at 8:17pm
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I can't even tell you how happy I am!! You are so wonderful. I'm overjoyed!
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Comment by Leigh & Allie on September 9, 2011 at 7:42am
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I, for one, would love to see a picture of the happy family!!
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Comment by cheryl & oliver on September 8, 2011 at 6:04pm
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Oh Wow, what a wonderful ending to such a tragic life for this girl...Now she has her family and love and safety, she will be fine, she is coming along so nicely with you..Bless you and you certainly have earned those angel wings that shine so brightly on your shoulder....Bless you for doing this...
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Comment by ERIC A. NATER on September 8, 2011 at 5:57pm
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Congratulations on your adoption. I am Fostering Cassidi the other Girl rescued with Lacey, and she will be a great pet for someone. I failed on my last DRC Foster a year ago, and Claire has been a wonderful gift and has become a wonderful family member. I am so glad you have Lacey, and I know with your love she will overcome her fears, and have a happy life. Thanks
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Comment by Lisa, Daisy & Dexter on September 8, 2011 at 5:33pm
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Nina, I have goose bumps and tears. I am so happy for all of you! Can't wait to hear more and more of her wonderful story to happiness.
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Comment by Suzann, Rosey & Bandit on September 8, 2011 at 4:16pm
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Hooray!! This is fantastic news for you and Miss Lacey!!
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Comment by Doris on September 8, 2011 at 1:54pm
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goosebumps and tears! Congratulations!
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Comment by Pat and Traveler on September 8, 2011 at 10:16am
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Ahhhhhhh...what a great story! That little girl is so lucky to have found you. Kudos to the Whitefields for giving this sweetheart a loving home.
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Comment by Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira on September 8, 2011 at 9:33am
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What a wonderful beginning for your sweet Lacey! You and she have a beautiful journey ahead! Life is good!
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