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]

thank you F, I hope so too.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You were so good to take him in and I hope a good home is found soon.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thank you Joanne for those encouraging words.  yes, it's totally an emotional roller coaster.  Unfortunately since i am not the foster parent I don't think I can be a part of the application process for either the foster or the adopter in the future.  I don't even know if I am able to have their information to keep in contact :/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Joanna, it's okay. You really do feel like all foster families feel: protective, dedicated, and committed to getting this adoption right.   What you are going through, in my opinion in normal.  It is part of the very up and down emotional roller coaster each person goes through. 

Sometimes we want to rush the adoption for fear that we are becoming too attached. That's normal too.

You will know it when you see the right application, the right family, the perfect home.  And it will happen.  Hugs to you, Joanna.  I know you need one right now.  You are doing a great thing for this dog.  Someone is going to fall in love. Someone out there is going to be the perfect fit.  It is at that moment, you will know, you got it right.  But right now... it's really emotional.  Here is to hoping you get a lifetime of phone calls and Christmas Cards from the new family. I do. 

It takes long after the adoption to know that it is all good. It is all right.  What you are going through is normal.