Confessions of a First Time Foster

The BFCACT was contacted about four puppy mill Bichons that needed out of their situation asap. We agreed to take the four, one male and three females.

Our representative met the transport and took these sad babies directly to her vet. The dogs were thin, smelled horrible, had sores all over their bodies and were lethargic.

One looked pregnant.

The vet was appalled at the condition of these dogs. The male was in such bad condition that it was recommended he be put to sleep. The others were not out of the woods. These dogs had been starved.

The sores were from the poor condition in which these dogs were living. The vet would not allow the three females to leave. They were given IV’s, medication and fed every few hours.

Yup, one girl was pregnant and had an ultrasound. Yup, there were live puppies in there. We we worried that the pups would not survive due to our girl, Marti, being malnourished.

As soon as the other two girls were healthy, they were spayed. One was put into foster care but Bailey and Marti went to an experienced rescuer in New England to whelp and Foster. Within a week, Marti gave birth to four girls and a boy. Five fat, healthy babies!!!

Having been a puppymill girl without much care, Marti learned how to survive and adapt. She was dehydrated and would take water from her bowl to clean the puppies. She knows who has fed and will move the puppies around to make sure ALL get enough milk. The little piglets are moved to the side so the others can eat. This is truly a remarkable momma.

Below are pictures of Bailey. You can see curiosity and affection in her eyes, but also how she is still healing from her physical ordeal. She will be available for adoption via bichonrescue.org this week.

The cost to Bichon Rescue for the transportation and Vet care for these poor sweet dogs was close to $3000. Yes, three thousand dollars.

Ok, ok, so here’s my pitch for a new game show…ready?

Singers: Are You Smarter Than a Fluff Puppy…yeah there’s gonna be a test yuppie….

I enter the living room to discover Jackson and some poo. Taking a paper towel from my pocket (as I am always prepared), I picked up the poo, held it up to his face and said “Bad Jackson! We do that outside!” pointing toward the window for emphasis. “Outside! Jackson poops outside!”

The logical half of my brain says that I’m only doing that to blow off steam. The other half is secretly hoping that somehow I’ve sent him enough telepathy so he picks up the idea.

So I take the poop to the other room to dispose of it, and grab a fresh paper towel for my pocket. As I return to the hallway my nose tells me I have another package. But I don’t see Jackson…

Tracking the smell, I find him happily making a deposit behind the sofa, directly underneath the window I’d been pointing toward. He looks up at me with an expression on his face that says, I have no idea why you want me to poop here, but whatever!

You can’t make this stuff up.

Singers: Are You Smarter Than a Fluff Puppy…

I’m losing my little buddy. Jackson’s being a real boy and bonding with Brother — I’d become accustomed to him sleeping on my foot under the desk, but now he’d rather spend time out on the sofa with his pal.

The three of them blitz. It’s hilarious. Jackson can fit in places they can’t. He also likes to fly, especially from the ottoman to the sofa and back…that’s about three feet. If I take a nap on the sofa, he now leaps onto my feet and takes a couple of boings up to my face, not to crash into it like he was, but to perch on top of my head! And he tries to nibble my ear tops and my barettes.

And today he got swooped by an oriole! I had no idea there was an oriole trying to nest in the lilac bush. I’ll have to remember to take the camera when we go walking by there next time. And later I saw the bird on the hanging basket. I’ll have to buy an orange and set slices out so I can get a really good shot.

He needs groomed soon, I guess…but I love his natural puppy look. And he’s getting lanky again. Must be another little growth spurt. I still don’t see him going over 15 pounds.

Sigh…the little boy is growing up!