Confessions of a First Time Foster

Message from Kristen:

Well, thank heaven for small miracles. Einstein is home safe but definitely a different dog. He just ran in my front door as my son was heading out to play and ran into his kennel. He will have to be shaved down tomorrow but he is home safe.

Message from Marilyn:

We are in communication with a couple that had thought breeding their bichons and selling the puppies would be an easy way to make some quick money.

Unfortunately, they did not take into account the expense of caring for puppies, and are unable to sell puppies without shots. The puppies are now 4 months old and have never seen a vet. The mom and dad bichons are only 2 years old. The owners ask us to take the dogs, as they have to move and cannot take the dogs.

We arrange to get the dogs, but then they stop taking our calls and we do not hear from them again…

Message from Joan:

My vet is still trying to figure out how a little dog raised in a cage can get so strong.  When Charlie ran even the vet tech who ran track couldn’t catch him.  When you catch him ( I have confidence you will) leave him on a leash.

Marilyn sent me some chain leashes which he can’t chew to death – but it does mean that it sounds like Casper the Ghost all night when he drags it around my ceramic tile floors.  When I wash the cloth one I’ll put him back in that.  That is if I can get close enough to take the leash off.  These dogs had a strange life before and I wish I had more details.

Maybe if you take the food away every now and then he will get curious.  That trick did work on Charlie.  He got to the point that he even went into the kitchen looking for his bowl.  On the other hand I got him in bed with all of us and he stayed there until about midnight.  I think that they were also drugged at some point.  Every tranq the vet gave him made him crazy hyperactive.  She said that is often from over use of the drugs.

I found myself wondering if they would ever find humans to be o.k. for them.  I know he thought that being in bed with all of us was wonderful.  He took a giant sigh and settled in to sleep like a log.  I wish I saw more of that.

Just remember that if you can see [Einstein] he really didn’t want to run away from you – he’s just confused.  Otherwise, he’d be in the next county by now.  Good luck

Message from Kristen:

Einstein is lost!!!!! Our yard backs up to a cattle ranch (several acres away)- anyway a cow escaped and was in our front yard, Einstein got scared and bolted through the fence where the cow had destroyed. He has a bratpack tag on [with the phone number] if anyone should call.

(later)

We see [Einstein] but can’t get close. Every time he hears a cow moo he darts back into the woods. I am surrounded by ranches so he has thousands of wooded acres to run. I did call the vet and got a “kick-butt” tranquilizer and placed in some food. We are watching it to make sure nothing else gets the food. He will not let us get near him- I have taken Glory out in hopes that he will come to me. This dog is soooo fast it isn’t even funny.