Fostering Sadie was one of the best things I've ever done. She's my third foster dog from the Western Montana Humane Society.
She was surrendered by her former owners because they didn't want to have to go through her recovery from a knee surgery they knew she needed. She was only 2.5 years old when they dumped her.
I got a call from the Humane Society telling me they had an injured dog that needed a rest from the shelter. Nobody was interested in taking her because she had an immediate price tag of over $2000 for the TPLO surgery her knee required.
I took her home and loved on her and made her comfortable and happy. Daisy, my second foster dog who still lives with me (and will never live anywhere else, she's mine!) didn't take to this little youngster right away. She thought Sadie was a nuisance. But, soon, they were pals.
I went to my Facebook community and asked for donations so that Sadie would be able to have her surgery. Over one weekend, the money was raised and we were on the surgeon's schedule. It was nothing short of pathetic when I picked her up after surgery. She was so sad and so unable to function. All she wanted was to snuggle. So we did.
Sadie recovered from the procedure just fine, and yesterday we went to meet a potential family for her. They loved the little beast! (of course, she's a star) I took her home with me, and cried all last night and all day today...and this afternoon dropped her off with her new people. A forever home...what every shelter dog in every state in this great nation is hoping for every single minute. I hope for them too.
My friend Amber commented on a post I wrote about Sadie- she wondered how I have the strength to foster dogs when I know I have to give them up...she said it would be heartbreaking. My response was that my heart breaks for them either way, so I mind as well foster. Through all these tears, I've been thinking about what Amber said. And in some moments I asked myself why the hell I do this. But seeing Sadie go off with two people who are going to take care of her for the rest of her life was worth it.
Here's to you Sadie, I love you. I always will. You can come back anytime.
No comments:
Post a Comment