The Great Foster Adventure: Our First Year in Review

Thought I'd let everyone know that Drew and I are taking a much-needed fostering break for the holidays. Coming off of a ten month foster bonanza, we need a minute to catch up with each other, things around the house, and of course our own pups. I feel like we were trying to take a break since early summer, but it just didn't line up that way. I can't believe we're down to just our three dogs again for the first

time in almost a year! It is insanely quiet and calm. I can tell they're super happy. They need a breather as much as we do. Having said that, it's not even been two weeks and I'm already going through foster withdrawal. I haven't been to the shelter yet during this time and I know it's going to be hard to go without having the option to take someone home. Must resist! With law school exams lurking right around the corner, I need this time to focus on life beyond dog stuff. It sucks, but that's how it's got to be for a little bit. Plus we're going away for Christmas, so we'd need a foster-free house for that period anyway.

Anyhow, I think it'd be nice to write a few posts on my

own 

doggies during this down time. I also have a couple more product plugs lined up. So even though there won't be any new dogues invading until after Christmas, be sure to check back every now and then for other posts. Rest assured, come the new year we will get back on track! In the spirit of reflection, check out the pictures of all the pups who 

passed through our home this year. What a great bunch! Paws up for all of them and their wonderful new lives! This first year of fostering was incredibly rewarding and super fun. It has been such an adventure...can't wait for the next chapter! As always, thanks for reading!

Happy Tail: Cindy Lou's Adoption

Looking snuggly in NY!

Cindy Lou Who, our sweet little foster Chi, was adopted today from Pets Alive rescue group in Middletown, NY! Hurray, Sqwindy! And it's one week to the day since she left on transport for NY! This is super pawsome news and I am so thankful to Pets Alive for their diligent updates, posts, and pictures. It was so very tough to let Cindy go, but knowing she went to such a wonderful group made me feel tons better. From the looks of her adoption picture, Cindy Lou even has a cute little Chi sister!

Cindy enjoying some snowy sun

Pets Alive is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. They help thousands of homeless animals from across the country find the lives they deserve. Pets Alive isn't just for dogs! They are an animal sanctuary for dogs, cats, birds, exotic animals, horses, goats, and just about any critter you can think of. If you're looking for a worthy cause to support or would like more information about Pets Alive and their mission, please visit their website: http://petsalive.com/index.html or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. PAWS UP for Pets Alive and PAWS UP for Cindy Lou! 

Update 2/17/14: Cindy Lou's new name is Roxie! In addition to her Chi sister, she recently gained a Basset Hound brother! I hear he's a typical "in your face" kind of puppy, but Cindy Lou is patient and does well tolerating his antics. As if that's not enough excitement, Sqwindy also has a brand new human sister! Her mom says Cindy Lou is in love with the baby. She constantly lies next to her and licks her head. Haha!

Cindy training at Pets Alive

Cindy resting at Pets Alive

Ladybug Cindy at Pets Alive

Smile for Petfinder!

Pengihuahua!

Cindy and her new family!

Goodbye, Cindy Lou

Me and Sqwindy

I'm typing this with a broken heart this morning. Drew and I handed little Cindy Lou over to Friends of DeKalb Animals (FODA) yesterday afternoon. She went on transport to a top notch rescue group in Middletown, NY where she'll wait to be adopted. FODA is an amazing group that works only to rescue animals from DeKalb County Animal Services, raise funds for their vetting, treat for heartworms if needed, and then transport to awaiting rescues in PA, CT, NJ, and NY on the FODA van. One of the co-founders of FODA personally drives the transport van full of shelter animals every other weekend up to the Northeast. Rain, sleet, snow, or shine, FODA makes sure these pets get to safety. The Northeast has much stricter spay/neuter laws than we do in the South, so they don't have the overpopulation problems that we do. Thus, these rescue groups are able and thankfully willing to accept our animals in an effort to give them a second chance at life. The same awesome woman who drives the transport van has personally visited, worked with, and approved the handful of rescue groups that receive FODA's animals. I trust her judgment.

Cindy Lou about to board the FODA transport van

So, although it was incredibly painful to let Cindy Lou go, I know that it was the right thing to do. She is in great hands and has an awesome future waiting for her. She kicked her cough completely, gained strength, and put on a pound in the week we had her. I broke down pretty hard last night thinking of how scared she might be riding in the van or waiting for an adoptive family in the shelter, but to keep her would have been a great injustice to the other animals at DeKalb waiting for a foster opening. Yes, I miss her a ton and it hurts really badly, but it will be ok. Our little Sqwindy will get the home she deserves and we will get to help so many other pets in need.

Annie's adoption wasn't very difficult for me, but this was a true test of determination for us. We did it. I'm pretty sure that Cindy Lou will be the toughest foster I'll ever have to let go, so in a sense it should all get easier from here. It will probably take me quite a while to not get a lump in my throat when I think about how much I miss Sqwindy and her adorable little sweater-loving gentle personality, but I'm so glad we're doing this. I love dogs. Every single one is probably going to be tough for me to let go, but this is what I signed up for. Let's do it! I will keep an eye out for updates on Cindy Lou from her new rescue group and hopefully we'll see a happy tail pop up soon. In the meantime, our journey continues along with Cindy's. Good luck, sweet girl! We love you.

If you would like to learn more about FODA or donate to help them transport animals from DeKalb County Animal Services to safety, please visit their site: http://friendsofdekalbanimals.com/

Cindy Lou Who and her foster brothers the day before transport

1 Week Update on Cindy Lou

Cindy Lou's first week out of the shelter has been wonderfully uneventful. She fits right in with the rest of our pack and has gotten sweeter by the day. It's been so fun to watch her personality come out a little more each day as she grows increasingly comfortable. Sometimes it's hard to name fosters quickly because you never really know their full personality right away, but Cindy Lou turns out to be a perfect fit in this case. She really is just like the little Who: quiet, polite, inquisitive, and loving.

Cindy Lou and Flea

With the help of some Nutri-Cal to supplement her regular meals, Cindy Lou is definitely gaining strength little by little. She is becoming playful in spurts and loves rolling around on the carpet to scratch her back and get her belly rubbed. She still isn't too interested in toys, but I think she's just trying to be cautious around the bigger guys when they bound around playing. She's pretty good at avoiding Oliver's clumsy feet, much to my relief. She has mastered the stairs pretty well, although she sometimes still needs a little encouragement to climb up the inside stairs because they're slick. The back porch stairs give her no problems at all.

Cindy went shopping with me the other day. She just rode along in my purse and watched the world go by without uttering a peep. No one even noticed her until we were in line at the last store in front of a little girl who asked if she could pet her. When we got back in the car, I set the purse down on the seat next to me expecting Cindy to climb into my lap. She just curled up in the bottom of the purse and slept in there the whole way home.

There really isn't too much to say; this little girl is practically perfect! She's still available for adoption, so please email jsmartinez@dekalbcountyga.gov if you're interested in giving Cindy Lou the forever home she needs.
 
Here are some links to videos of Cindy Lou settling in. Be sure to select the highest viewing quality before watching. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBHzad27cCY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0x1c01vGuM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk4BD7SE7dI

Meet Cindy Lou Who!

Cindy Lou's freedom photo

Exciting news: we have a new member of our pack! Her name is Cindy Lou, as in Cindy Lou Who. We settled on this name because of her teeny weeny size and quietly charming personality. Plus, it's Christmastime and who doesn't love to stick it to the Grinch?

You can see how skinny she is

We are fostering Cindy Lou through DeKalb County Animal Services. An officer picked her up as a stray running along New Peachtree Road on December 7, 2012. As is typically the case with extra small dogs in shelters, Cindy Lou shut down and cowered in the back corner of her kennel. The wonderful staff knew she'd be more comfortable in their office area away from the kennel noise.

When we walked into the shelter yesterday to pick up a foster dog, Cindy Lou was ready to go. One of the rescue coordinators knew she'd be a good fit into our household (oddly enough, she even matches our three dogs in color and she's a dead ringer for Flea). So far, she really is the perfect little foster girl. Oliver and Bunkin don't mind her at all. Flea is completely smitten. She is happy to observe all the goings on around the house and isn't afraid to politely let the boys know if they invade her personal space.
 
Cindy Lou appears to be in good health. She's spayed, potty trained, heartworm negative, no ear/eye problems, and no indication of fleas or other parasites. She is a rather bony 5.8 pound Chihuahua and needs to gain a little, but other than that she seems great. The shelter thinks she's an adult, maybe between 1-5 years old. She loves wearing her sweater, trying out all the cozy dog beds around the house, and following me wherever I go. We are so excited to watch this sweet little Chi girl fatten up and learn the ropes!

Cindy Lou is available for adoption through DeKalb County Animal Services. Even though she is out of the shelter, she still needs a home. In order for us to foster more shelter animals, we must get Cindy Lou adopted so our home can be open for another homeless pet. This little girl can't wait to meet her forever family! If you're interested in adopting Cindy Lou, please email jsmartinez@dekalbcountyga.gov