FINDING A GOOD HOME-SO WORRIED

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

This blog is dedicated to all the loving foster parents out there!  I really have so much respect for you and the patience, dedication, and love you have for all your fosters.  I really do not know how you are able to open up your hearts and lives to these precious creatures and then have to say good bye.

Last week, we brought home a dog that was in a horrible situation in hopes to find him a better home.  He was not a stray but a puppy we once knew and his life has just spiraled downwards from the time that he started to grow out of the cute puppy stage.  He was outside 100% of the time and his only human interaction was when they came out to toss food into his bowl once a day.  That bowl was dirty and his water moldy.  His living area was infested with mice/rats.  I can only imagine what it was like when they took over at night because all I saw was a disgusting amount of droppings.  He is a sweet, trusting, intelligent dog and he just wants to be loved.

We have had him for a week and I am so in love with him but we can not keep him.  We cut out all his matted fur, bathed him, and have him close to us most of the day.  He loves just sitting by us and getting petted.  I am working with a rescue to find him a foster home and I am emotionally exhausted waiting and hoping.  We are close and I expect to send him off this week or next.  This got me thinking...I am beside myself with worry!!!  What if they don't love him, what if they are not nice to him, what if they are not patient with him, what if they don't know him like I do and won't know his needs and wants, what if he doesn't like them, what if they don't bond??  There are so many "what if's" running through my head and I am just so heart broken from thinking about all these things.  I guess this is when fosters become "foster failures" but unfortunately 3 dogs is too many for us.  I wish it wasn't but I know it is.  I know it's better for him and he will have a better life but I can't help but want the absolute BEST for him.  How do you do it?

So here he is!  If anyone or anyone you know (in Los Angeles or Orange County) is interested in adopting him please PM me.  

He is 3 or 4 years old, around 35 lbs (underweight), male, neutered, terrier/golden mix(?), and SUPER sweet!

*UPDATE* I just checked facebook and they reposted their search for a foster.  I guess the ones they had didn't work out :(  I feel so devastated.

Please help to repost on Facebook if you can...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151888930771322&set=a...

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Update:
Yesterday we went to an adoption event and Miles went home with a temporary foster. I wish we could've brought him back until a permanent foster was found but we are out of town next week and since the rescue is located in Orange County it seemed it was better to have him in oc. I met the temp foster and her adorable, sweet, funny Aussie and I feel at ease that he will do fine at their home for now.
The volunteers with the rescue are all wonderful people! They are so helpful and so genuine. I asked them if I could keep on touch with Miles and they were so excited that I wanted to and was so supportive. I respect and live what these people are doing to help all the dogs that need homes so I am confident that they will find my little guy a great home!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thank you everyone! Thanks for posting Pam :)
Colleen... Thank you for fostering and helping all those that you helped. It is exactly how I feel.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Thank you for all you and your family have done for this special dog.  As a former foster mom for doodles all I can say is how hard it was for me to let go of them.  It was hard keeping them due to all the stress and worry but it was hard to let them go.  I did learn though that there are people just like me that LOVE and take care of their dogs as good or better than I do!  Be at peace that you were able to help get this dog closer to his forever home.

[Pam & Trixie]

Oh My He looks like the sweetest thing. That was so good of you to take him in & love him right now.

I hope they can find the perfect Furever home for him.

I will share his fb post

[Pat and Traveler]

Awww....Joanna, you are a hero for taking this little guy in and giving him loving care.  I hope you'll be able to see how he does once he gets to his family.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sure he would, but he's not in the DRC program yet. She could contact the Lab rescue who has him and adopt him directly from them. Here's his listing: http://labrescuers.org/RP_AdoptMe.asp?aid=3318

[Lynda Kamrath]

Karen - As I told Joanna, a old friend of mine contacted me by e-mail and asked if I was still doing doodle rescue.  She is a single woman and lives in the Santa Barbara area.  She wants a dog to be her jogging partner.  Do you think your doodle would like to live in a quiet household and get a lot of exercise?

[Camilla and Darwin]

What a sweetie. You are great, and I'm thinking of this guy and hoping he finds the perfect family!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Joanne has it exactly right!  Thank you for loving this adorable boy and taking him into your home. You're putting him on a path to a better life and a loving home.  I hope you get a say in who adopts him and that they will stay in touch.  He does look super sweet and you're super special for doing this.

[Kary, Sparty & Stella]

He is adorable. I love his eyes. I pray his new family finds him soon.