Marshmallow is Adopted!

Well it was a whirlwind three weeks with Mel that ended with a hard decision, and a happy and lucky forever family.  It was worth breaking all my “no puppy” rules.  I did enjoy having that little peanut in the house!  It was amazing to watch her grow, learn, and explore the world around her.  I was able to socialize her with so many people and other dogs.  I know she has a solid foundation to build off for the rest of her life.

Leroy and Skylar

Lets go back in time, one week ago.  I was babysitting Skylar while her moms went on vacation.  Skylar was adopted through LCPO just about one year ago when she was a tiny love, right around Mel’s size.  Skylar lives a wonderful life.  She has great manners and is one of the most socially appropriate dogs I know!  Leroy loved her polite, yet friendly disposition. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that she was in good hands since she was a puppy.  But she also has the pleasure of being a “shop dog” at a local soap store.  Her mom totes her into work where she behaves like an angel and greets the costumers with a friendly wag and some kisses.  At night she goes home, happy and content from working the day away 🙂

I shared this video with Skylar’s mom and posted it on facebook.  Amanda and Cheyanne watched this video together while sitting on the beach.  Amanda said they loved it!  They were smiling and laughing and crying and she said, “Is this our dog?”.  Cheyanne was looking for a dog for quite some time… But she didn’t want to rush into anything.  The right fit is important!  But after watching this video, they decided that their dog had actually found them ❤

Sisters ❤

This is actually the moment that sealed the deal for me.  There were three amazing families that wanted to adopt Marshmallow.  While I knew Skylar and Amanda, I still was torn.  Each of the families were great and would love and care for Mel for the rest of her life.  But which was the best fit for Marshmallow?  Well, it’s safe to say that this picture put my heart at ease.  Marshmallow was already quite content with her new sister.  Playing or cuddling; they were a happy bonded pair.

Marshmallow, now Ryan, and Skylar with their forever mommies.

 

So Happy Adoption, Marshmallow.  Enjoy your new family and your sister, Skylar.  You deserve the best and they will give that to you. Grow up to be confident and happy.  Learn good manners from Skylar.  Practice training with your moms.  Give them lots of kisses.  Meet as many people ad you can.  Be proud when your moms say, “This is Ryan.  She is a pit bull, and we saved her life.” ❤

Happy Tails Update!

Every time I see a picture of Jora *now to be referred to as Bella* in her forever home, my heart grows 10x it’s original size.  So I wanted to share some of them with you 🙂  Not only did Bella get exactly the forever home that I wanted for her, but her mom came out to volunteer at LCPO’s 5k!  I’m hoping to see both of them soon at another event and catch up more.  So here she is: happy, gorgeous, loving Bella.

Happy Tears and New Beginnings

Jora  was a very special foster dog.  The last time I saw her I was sad weepy nostalgic pathetic emotional a complete wreck.  I had to admit to myself, I adore this dog.  She wiggled into my home despite my “no puppies allowed” rule.  And truly, she grew up with me.  Jora had more meet and greets than any other dog, yet none ever panned out into the right fit for her. She was looked over since she was a scrappy pup of only four months old.  After a handful of meet and greets, a two hour adoption, and a trial adoptive home that decided not to keep her; I was stunned time and time again that these people did not see what I saw.  I was heartbroken that she didn’t have ‘her people’- the ones that would love her as much as I do, but more.  I knew she would find them, but I was becoming impatient, confused, torn, and sad for her.  I wanted to yell to the world, “This dog is amazing and you’re missing out!  It’s your LOSS!”  But I kept it in and tried to be patient.  The hardest part, was loving her so much.  I wanted her to feel the difference between foster love, and forever love.  I wanted someone to look into her eyes and say, “You will be with me for the rest of your days.  Your troubles are now my troubles.  I will be here for you, and never leave you.  I promise- I will never leave you.  You are not ‘homeless’ anymore.  You are mine.  And I am yours.”   And sometimes, I wanted to be the one to say that to her.

This is the lifelong struggle of a foster mom.  I battle with this every time I allow a dog to feel love, often times their first love, but I call it temporary.  Sometimes it hurts more than others.  And with Jora, I just felt that she was so deserving and ready.  I wanted her to be home.

My dad was quite smitten by her as well.  To paraphrase very accurately quote him, “Jora, we’re not allowing any more living things in this house.  None!  But if we were, I would let you stay.”  Leroy and Jora had an amazing bond as well.  She followed him around, played, snuggled, learned, and loved.  And for as amazingly tolerant as Leroy was with all of her puppy antics and instance on playing for 10 hours every day, he really loved her right back.

But as it always happens with patience and a deserving dog, we got an email for Jora.  And this one was the one. ❤  Yes, I am happy to announce that Jora has finally found her forever home.  One of the most special dogs that I’ve ever known is officially adopted.  And on top of that, I think that she finally found the most perfect home that will love and appreciate her for all she has to offer.  When you have an adoption where everything just clicks, it’s as if the two souls were just waiting to find each other until the right moment in time.

First family photo 🙂

Jora, now Bella ❤

Congratulations Jora, you finally got your turn. I will love you forever my little Peanut ♥

Ten Commandments

Being a dog owner parent is a serious responsibility.  It comes with for some, a basic set of requirements.  Sadly for some, this may be only food and water.  For most (or I hope and convince myself that it is most), being the  mom or dad of a pet means much more.  As parents, we provide love, training, discipline, structure, playtime, fun, cuddles, love, vet care, food, water, shelter, love, and much more.  We can think of it like wedding vows, “in good times and bad, in sickness and in health..”.  These are of course, the type of home that I want for my fosters.

I came across something cute today and I thought I would share it.  A few weeks back I wrote about my most important foster, Dillon.  These ten things make me think about him.  They make me think about my perma-dog, Leroy… and also every other foster that’s passed through my home.  I hope that they all are blessed with families who listen to these ten things.

 

Dillon- Rest In Peace

Ten Things Your Dog Would Tell You

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting to old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: “I cannot bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you.

 

And I’ll add in my personal mantra: Love is an infinite resource. ❤

 

If you have any questions about Tofu, Jora, becoming a foster parent, or the adoption process- you can email me (Leroy’s mom) at Casey@caseyheyen.com

Sponsor me here: All donations are tax deducible and benefit the rescue dogs of LCPO

Why I Do What I Do- Take One

In thinking about why I foster and why I wanted to take a break  for my last semester in school, I started thinking about how it affects my life, Leroy’s life, my families and friends lives, and how we adjust and do things differently when there is a foster dog here instead of just a perma-dog.  

Leroy generally enjoys the transition time between foster dogs.  He doesn’t especially love to share his toys.  He takes some time to adjust and feel comfortable with each new dog I bring in.  He doesn’t always want to share me either- my bed, love, kisses, and attention.  So I always have justified that he likes being an only dog as much as he likes having a brother or sister.

After a few weeks with the foster dog, things always settled in nicely and he will play and cuddle with them.  He is a pretty tolerant guy (Jora was always following him around and trying to play).  He is a great foster brother and cuddler to the new pups.  Leroy also helps with training and showing them the ropes of this household.  He does like having a friend.  He just needs to take his time to get to know and trust them.  And this is OK with me.  

However, while Jora has been staying with her new foster family, I’ve noticed that Leroy is more prone to stress than usual.  He gets more nervous about leaving the house, getting into the car, going to the vets office.  He always gets a little humpy  mouthy after a foster leaves.  He’ll spend a little more time trying to get me to wrestle with him.  Maybe he’ll grab a blanket or pillow and try to make love play with it.  Let’s just say, he is a little bit bold for the first week or more after they leave!  

Needless to say, I’m excited to have Tofu as our newest foster!  She’s expected to arrive this weekend.  And maybe in the future we will find another perma-dog to keep him company throughout the transitions.  But for now, the reason I foster is because I can save another dogs life.  Every day that I wait for Tofu I think of her living outside in this terribly cold weather.  I picture her being passed from scum to scum breeder to breeder, kept outside and used for her puppies that were all taken away too soon.  

There is always a dog like that who is waiting to be saved.  So that is why I foster.  

And to show you the long term benefit, I wanted to introduce a happily adopted, previous foster dog of Leroy and Co- Adele!!  

Here is her write up from when she was up for adoption-

Introducing, Adele Belle! The one of a kind girl that only the Philly ACCT could have! Adele is a beautiful 6-12 month old Pit Bull/ Boxer mix with silly Boston Terrier eyes. She practices doga (dog yoga) every day, she loves to rub against your legs for attention, she makes adorable and very funny noises while she eats, and she’s a wiggle butt! She is busy learning some basic commands and eating lots of food so she can lose the nickname, Tiny. Adele loves her foster brother (Leroy) and showed no interest in cats while at the shelter. She is waiting for her perfect forever home 🙂

She was skinny, has a paralyzed tongue, definitely  possibly inbred, and now she is ADOPTED!

Happily Adopted for 1+ years 🙂

Little Adele Belle got SO big 🙂 Her momma loves her very much. It is the perfect home for her!

 

So this is my first Happy Tail.  Adele from Philly ACC, saved from a high intake shelter- now loved and enjoying life in her forever home. ❤

 

If you have any questions about Tofu, Jora, becoming a foster parent, or the adoption process- you can email me (Leroy’s mom) at Casey@caseyheyen.com 

Visit http://www.lcpoinc.org for more information on our organization!