I don’t remember things being this tough in the past (then again, we all know I have a short memory for the bad stuff).  I keep trying to remind myself that this will pass.  At the moment, we have four very difficult fosters… it will get better.  In the meantime, I am feeling down about it. 

‘Course… faces like this help:

Goofball Duke

Duke is a huge goofball and we love him.  He is impossible not to love.  But, I can’t trust him out of my sight for a second.  The other day, the neighbor was walking her dog along our driveway (she walks her dog there at dusk for safety reasons).  She thought the dogs were in the house, or she wouldn’t have wondered that way and gotten the riled up.  Duke saw her before she saw him.  He barged through the fence using his amazing bulldozer-like head (that thing could take down a building).  He pushed his way right through the fence and tried to play with her (aka:  he jumped on her).  91 pounds of slobbering, huge dog coming at your face is enough to scare anyone.  The poor lady was completely freaked out.  He would never hurt anyone.  But, it was enough to leave her and I both shaking.  The neighbor calmed down eventually (thank goodness for nice neighbors) and we reinforced the fence.  The dogs are no longer allowed to be outside when we are not watching them.  We used to let them play outside while we were inside with the door open.   

Duke

Duke followed up that stunt by putting a huge hole in my nice sweater.  He pulled it off a chair and ran with it (I forget everything is at his eye level).  I ran behind him trying to take it away – turned out it was caught on his tooth.   Later that day, he walked through the entire house peeing.  It looked like he was trying to write his name with it.  Again, I ran behind him screaming at him to stop.  Okay, now that makes me chuckle to think about it.  At the time it was NOT FUNNY!

Tally

Tally, the 9-year-old Min Pin mix, the one that has been with me for 19 months… you know the one that has been adopted and returned four times.  The other day we received a very pleasant surprise that Tally received an approved application.  The couple sounded perfect – amazing Vet reference, another dog, fenced yard, home all day… I spent the entire weekend prepping Tally (and myself) for the day when she would meet them.  She even got a bath and a nail trim.  Sadly, three hours before our big meet-and-greet, the couple backed out.  No explanation, just changed their minds. 

Who Me?

While I am very happy to say that most of the behavioral issues she was having (housebreaking problems, jumping, barking) have improved greatly, I did wake up to this mess this morning.  She likes to “nest”.  Don’t worry – that chair was headed for the trash a long time ago.  It officially became the “dog chair” months ago.  This weekend it leaves the house for good – I am way tired of cleaning up stuffing!

Spirit

Then there is Spirit.  After months of working with her, I am totally conflicted on what to do with her.  Some days are great.  This morning, we took her to the Vet for an evaluation to determine her adoptability and discuss our options.  She shocked us with her good behavior… she walked pretty well on a leash, jumped in the car, entered the building and even let people pet her.  Yet, she is still very shy and timid – afraid of everything. 

Spirit

Spirit’s sister, Maggie, has been at the Adoption Center for several months with no success finding a home.  She is smaller and less shy than Spirit.  I fear that neither of them will ever find parents.  It will require a special family to enjoy their small milestones (and Spirit’s amazingly soft fur – she feels like a cotton ball).  After talking with the Vet, we all agree that Spirit is not dangerous and therefore, deserves more time.  We are hoping to be able to foster Maggie and put Spirit at the Adoption Center for a while.  That would give Spirit some exposure and give Maggie a break.  More on that to come. 

LC

Then, there is LC.  The biggest heartbreaker of all.  Every time I look at that girl I melt.  After long discussions with trainers, Vets, other volunteers and myself (lots of talking to myself about this one)… we have had to admit that the best we could ever hope for is to “control” her dog aggression.  Sadly, it will never be “fixed” and that is a risk we just cannot take.  There is a post in the works that will explain how we reached this conclusion.  Unfortunately, this Saturday morning, LC has her “final” appointment with the Vet. 

 Has fostering always been this hard?