I did a thing.
If you’ve been reading the blog over the last 9 months or so, you know that I’ve been thinking about getting another dog. Three times I was moments away from hitting the yes button and didn’t.
I got all sorts of advice from people saying if I didn’t, I wasn’t ready…others saying just go for it.
Then I had people right and left telling me that I needed to try to adopt one of the 4000 beagles from the testing facility that were released to the Humane Society. If you don’t know about that you can read more HERE.
I did look into that but the beagles haven’t gotten this far into the Midwest and apparently, it’s really hard to get one as people are adopting them much quicker than regular adoptions.
Then I’ve seen all of the posts that Mary at Chicken Scratch Country Threads blog has done on fostering dogs.
Between planning for adopting one of the test facility beagles and seeing Mary foster, that sparked me into rethinking about doing foster care. I did foster care for dogs back when we lived at the farmhouse.
Kramer, my husband, wasn’t really into it. I didn’t mind it. Then we bought this house in town and it needed so much work that I took myself off the foster care list. I didn’t feel I could give the dogs the attention they needed while trying to work on the house…then once in the house, I started in-home childcare, and the thoughts of fostering passed. Life was busy enough.
Here are some of the fosters we had in the past…
Buster…
Dixie…
Polly…
and Little Dog.
Those experiences were all pretty good…and… I decided that I am going to do foster care again. I’m not making a lifetime commitment to it but I’ll try a few dogs (one at a time) and if all goes well, I’ll keep it up.
I have been approved for foster care. I was even contacted about taking a dog the day Anders, my new grandson was born. I said no to that one as I didn’t know how much Kalissa would need me with Carver and Gannon or Anders.  But I was contacted again…and this time I said, “YES”!
I’ve been talking to the grandkids and the two afterschool kiddos. I’ve been working with them and trying to talk them all through this. So far, they are all onboard. I told the kids we have to teach the dogs how to be a part of a family and do all the dog things…walk on a lease, sit, house trained, kennel trained…all of it. I think they will actually be quite helpful and have a good time with it.
This morning I went and picked up my pup. I had a little information in advance. They sent a picture of matted pups that needed attention…all of them were said to be 5 months or so old. I’m not sharing that picture as it will likely break your heart.
There were three puppies. Apparently, these were “leftovers” that didn’t sell so they were left to run. A lady was able to get these three along with five others. She sold the five others and turned the last three over to HEART, the rescue I am working with. You can find HEART’s website HERE.
When I came to get the pup I had no idea how everything works so the gals, helped me figure it all out. The first thing I found out is that I name the dog. Of course, anyone who adopts her can change her name. I didn’t know so had nothing picked out for a name.
The dogs were sick in the car on the way to meet the foster moms. So once they arrived in town, all of them got a bath. They were also microchipped. Then we headed home.
She has a grooming appointment on Thursday. She has a vet appointment and will get a spay on October 20th. After that, she will be listed on Petfinder and will be ready for her new home.
After consulting with the family, she has become Izzy…because her hair is frizzy. That’s what happens when someone like me has dogs with short hair their whole life and has to name a fuzzy-haired dog.
Izzy LOVES the kids. Under the kitchen table is her safe spot. I can find her there ALL of the time.
She loves the kids a lot. Already I know I would have no problem with her around kids.
Her favorite is Gannon and Gannon really likes her too. He keeps telling her, “It’s okay to be shy.”
I have explained to the kids and keep reminding myself that she has never lived in a house in her whole life so everything is strange and weird. Noises, people around 24/7, no wind or elements…it has to be a huge change for her.
Happily, I think most of the changes are for the better. It’s just day one but as of right now, I’m just thrilled that I am doing foster care again. I told a friend of mine that it’s a great way to volunteer and not have to work with people. HA!!
Izzy is working on some leash training already. One of the things that is hardest for her is going up steps…I suppose if she’s lived her entire life outdoors, steps likely haven’t been a part of it.
Izzy will likely be listed as a six-month-old Aussie/Doodle that is very kid friendly.
Again, she will be available through HEART Rescue. Anyone can put in an application to be approved to adopt. Then once Izzy is listed on the site, you can submit your preapproved application. That will get you in quicker.
So…You’ll likely get lots of dog pictures in the upcoming month as Izzy checks some boxes before she can be adopted. For now, she is making me so happy I volunteered to foster.
Good for you, Jo! And I’m sure you’ll be as good for Izzy, as Izzy will be for you!
She’s adorable!
Great post, good for you Miss Jo! You’re an
You’re an angel
You’re an angel!
Good for you! How is Rosie liking her new sibling? All the people coming and going at your house will be good socializing for the pup. Congratulations. She is a doll.
Congrats on fostering! I love fostering…….the excitement of a new dog…and then it can move on, and the excitement starts all over! You got a cutie! PS, cats are fun also.
Izzy is adorable!!
Izzy was our dog’s name. Your Izzy is a cute dog…not meaning ours wasn’t. Ours was part Aussie and so smart. Bless you for fostering.
That is one cute puppy….I am sure she will get adopted quickly. Any dog that has ‘poodle’ genes is very smart. So she should be easy to train.
Thank you for all you do for foster pets now and in the future!
She’s a cutie!
Bless you for doing this!
I’m in love with Izzy and I live thousands of miles away and would love to have her in my family. Thank you for being a foster mom and showing these poor pups that there are people who love them and will give them excellent care.
And what does Rosie think of this “mut”?? hehe Interesting to see how the kids approach this. I have a friend who has fostered again for about a year for boxers. I am just amazed that each dog ends up with a different problem and solution…… you go girl.
It is much easier for a dog to find the perfect home when someone like you has figured out some of their own personal doggie needs and likes. These are the necessary things adopters dont get when they get an animal directly from a shelter without a foster family having some time. Also helps reduce a lot of stress for the animals to have some normalcy of a home. Thanks for what you do. It is so important.
Looks like Izzy hit the jackpot when she got you as a foster mom and family! So glad you are able to do this for her.
She’s adorable.
Sweet puppy is finally safe and warm and gets to be loved.
Gannon is spot on. Yep, it’s okay to be shy.
YAYAYAYAY!!! I’m so glad you’re fostering again, Jo! Fostering teaches dogs how to live in a family and not in a cage and it’s so rewarding. My last foster was a failure as I couldn’t give him back so his name is Keeper. He’s not beautiful but he has a sweet gentle soul and I know I did the right thing.
She is a cutie glad she is with you and the kids will make her easier to adopt
Maybe Gannon will need to adopt Izzy! haha! What a darling little dog. I wonder how big she will get. I am so glad I told my husband no dogs after our older Bichon is done here on earth, or I would be so tempted. I just need a doggie break, but after a break, I’m sure we will have another. Fostering is a great service!
She looks exactly how our Goldendoodle pup, Eddy, looked when we got him at four months old. Even the white/gray on the legs. He is a wonderful dog other than he is afraid of kids and runs and hides. We are working on that. Just don’t have any kids in our family right now. They’ve all grown up. Good luck with this cutie.
Gannon is so sweet to tell her it’s ok to be shy. He is such a good little fella.
She looks to be a sweetie. Gannon is a darling.
Good for you Jo. Gannon is a darling and Izzy looks like a good dog
Bring on the dog pictures! This is such a great solution to your second dog quandary! Hope Rosie will have an easy transition too.
Bless your heart, Jo. We are a rescue dog family–we have five beloved rescue dogs right now, each of whom is in the “family” rather than “pet” category. I am so grateful for the rescue groups and shelters that found them and for the loving foster families who nurtured them before they came to our home. I absolutely treasure the photos they shared with us of our dogs before they came to us–little hints of who our crew was before we knew them. You are building a foundation for happy days ahead.
My heart melted when I saw Izzy, then again when I read Gannon keeps telling her ‘It’s okay to be shy’. He is such a lovely boy.
Good for you, Jo. You have so much love and kindness to share.
My Midnight was a rescue due to be put down- we were her last chance. Yes she has certain issues or bad behavior problems. Tied on a harness run and unfriendly to other dogs. We think abused. A constant work in progress as the first three yrs of her life must have been really bad. She is my absolute best buddy. I can’t think of a better thing to do than help show an animal they are loved and valued. You may not have Izzy long but you have set her on a better path to be adopted. Midnight also loves children- they don’t represent the threat us adults do. I’m glad she has you for her friend. That’s a gracious thing to do.
Thank you Jo for deciding to be a foster mom again. Gannon is such a sweetheart to tell Izzy it’s okay to be shy – melted my heart. I’m sure Rosie is a good influence on Izzy too. It would be hard for me to let her go.
What a wonderful way to have another dog not only for Rosie but you. I love how Gannon told her its okay to be shy, how sweet is that. Izzy is a good name for her.
I think this is great! You do good, and satisfy your yearning for another dog.
Izzy is a darling name for her. Frizzy Izzy! She is a very cute dog. You will have absolutely NO trouble placing her if there aren’t any issues that come up that you haven’t seen yet. Wish I could have a dog but my hubby is not a pet person at all so I enjoy my friends’ dogs and they are often a “little bit” mine because I make a fuss about them. You seem like a person that would love dogs. Also, you have SO much free time (ha!) to devote to a new endeavor. Your schedule makes me tired reading about it but your life is so interesting and you present it in such a great way……..
Izzy is a darling name for her. Frizzy Izzy! She is a very cute dog. You will have absolutely NO trouble placing her if there aren’t any issues that come up that you haven’t seen yet. Wish I could have a dog but my hubby is not a pet person at all so I enjoy my friends’ dogs and they are often a “little bit” mine because I make a fuss over them. You seem like a person that would love dogs. Also, you have SO much free time (ha!) to devote to a new endeavor. Your schedule makes me tired reading about it but your life is so interesting and you present it in such a great way……..