Brittney is Home. Happy Easter Brittney!

I got this email from Brittney's forever mom on Easter morning. I would tell you how cute it is, but my voice goes all "SQWEEEE" up to registers undetectable to human ears. Instead, I'll let Brittney's mom tell it in her own words:

I am so excited I just had to e-mail immediately. I just looked out the window and the dogs were playing together - wrestling and running. I have never seen [Brittney's Brother] interact with a dog that way before. It was so much fun to watch them. I didn't see them get started, would have liked to have seen that, but when they would stop to rest, [BB] initiated the play again. I am so thrilled.

We been doing the ball, and I could see Brittany wanted him to try to take it from him, but he would just turn his head. Today, though, she actually let him eat a chewey without taking it away from him and I haven't heard any growling all week. We've been trying to get him more comfortable with playing, so I don't know what happened today, but I am thrilled!!! I really wanted a companion for[BB] as well as me and this is a whole new world, to have a playmate.

So, girlfriend definitely has a home here. She is a sweetheart.

As are you, Brittney's mom. Thank you so much for everything you do for her!

xoxo
KP

Send Good Thoughts/Prayers for Edward

Hi everyone!

If you're still following Edward's story, please send him some good thoughts and/or prayers. This morning I got this email from his poor dad:

Just wanted to send a quick update to let you know
that Edward had to undergo emergency surgery last
Wednesday. I noticed that Edward was unable to stand
up by himself or use his legs so I took him to the
animal hospital where he was admitted overnight.
After an MRI, they noticed he had a disc rupture,
where part of the spinal cord and appending cartiledge
breaks off and lodges itself into a different area of
the spinal cord, suppressing it and leaving him
paralyzed. He underwent surgery and he's home now,
although in a lot of pain =( He's slowly beginning to
walk again though his recoup will be about 2-3 weeks.

Just wanted to let you know that he's OK and will be
back to normal in a short time.

Edward's dad is a hero for giving him the surgery, and our family as well as Young At Heart is wishing Edward a speedy recovery. Poor, poor puppy!

We love you, sweet-eared Edward! Feel better, baby!

KP

The Happiest Day of Brittney's Life

Today, darling reader, Brittney's mom brought her new doggy brother to meet her. They got along as well as two strange dogs could possibly be expected to get along. Lots of sniffing and wagging and woofing. Brittney's new brother is a doll. baby.

Because of the wonderful meet-and-greet today and because Brittney was obviously, instantly smitten with her mommy and vice versa, Brittney went home. She went home with a bag of things that smell like our house, and treats and all the love we could give her to help her on her way.

Her forever home is not short on anything, but is SUPER full on love. UBER LOVE.

Of course, there is no guarantee. Even the best of love, the best intentions and the best care doesn't mean that everything will always work out. Independent of love, sometimes it just doesn't work. If that happens, peeps, we'll take her happily back into our home and she'll feel like she went on a short vacation. We are always interested in not just happy dogs, but making happier families. I'll update her site and let all of you who've inquired know she's available again.

To be perfectly honest, though, I don't expect it. She certainly looked like she was going home with her family today.

Once again, our foster dog goes on to a family that can give her more time, attention, love and adoration than even we could. I love it when they trade up!

We love you forever, Brittney! Congratulations on your new home!

xoxox

Your foster mom, dad, boy and brother

We Can't Keep Her or: Why we foster

I'm sure there are people out there who have been following Brittney's story who are wondering why, if she's the perfect dog, we don't just keep her. After all, she gets along with our whole household, she's great with kids and she's gotten the all-clear from the vet and shouldn't be expensive. Why would we want to give her up? What's the catch?

Please believe me when I say that I wish we could. I wish we could keep her. I would love to keep her. There is no catch. She's perfect. The thing is, Peeps, I always want to keep them all.

The number of people out there willing to adopt an older dog FAR outweighs the number of people out there willing to foster an older dog. The idea of having to say goodbye to a loved family member is daunting to a lot of folks. I understand that. It's hard to do, and the first dog we fostered we wound up adopting. We had to build up our fostering chops before we became a good foster family.

Another reason we're limited is that we have a tiny house that can't hold more than two dogs at a time. (Really, it doesn't hold more than one if that one is big old Bruno, but we pretend we're not cramped). The day we adopt another dog permanantly is the day we stop fostering. Three would not be workable.

Every time we think about keeping a dog we have to think about what happens to all the dogs would have saved.

That's the thought that keeps us going. That's the thought that makes me smile instead of cry when our dogs go on to new and better homes. The thought that now, one more dog will not have to die. One more animal who deserves safety and adoration and love will get it.

If I could, Peeps, I would keep them all. Every unwanted animal. I'd bring them into my home and I'd take care of them. Unfortunately, the world doesn't work that way and the difference we make we have got to make one dog at a time.

We would keep Brittney and hold her close and love her forever, like we would have kept Luke and Max and Candie and Pearl and Buddy and Edward, except that somewhere right now a sweet doggy who has only known love and security is being dropped off at the pound where he or she will be stressed beyond reason, and where he will have just a few days or hours before he is killed; killed for no other reason than inconvenience.

Every dog we foster is a dog that will never again be in a pound, sleeping on concrete, not understanding and afraid and miserable.

Young At Heart Pet Rescue does amazing work. This year they have launched a fundraiser to build up money to buy some land in order to build a sanctuary. A place where older dogs can go and live out their remaining years in safety, with rolling hills and a pond and sunshine. A place to meet their adoptive families in security and happiness. A slice of the Rainbow Bridge on this side.

The director's dream is to have a sanctuary because she's the one that has to go to pounds and choose which dogs we'll take and which have to stay behind. She has to look in little eyes and say no. That, to me, is soul-crushing.

If you can run a rescue, then do that. I can't imagine doing it.
If you can foster for a rescue, then do that; our family has the heart and space to foster, so we do.
If you can adopt a fostered dog from a rescue, then do that; you will have saved a life. The domino-dog-saving effect.
If you cannot adopt another dog, donate money to rescues that save animals' lives. It will make a real difference in the world.

There is no catch to Brittney. She is perfect and deserving of love, just like the next foster dog we get. That is why our home is not her forever home, even though she will have our forever love.

KP

10 for 10!

Thyroid results normal!

That's it. She's been tested with other dogs, cats, kids, men, women, for days and days. She fetches, sits, stays, loves walks, plays and is brilliant. She is house trained and sweet and protects her home by barking if she hears strangers.

She's now been through a battery of health tests and has essentially passed with flying colors. Her liver, thyroid, heart, eyes and teeth are all in great shape. She's fit. The doc says she's got six to eight more years.

If you've been reading here wondering if she's the right dog for you, I'm here to report that Miss Brittney doesn't get any righter, as far as dogs go.

She's just glorious.

To fill out an adoption application on this sweetie, go to http://www.yahpetrescue.com and submit it directly from the site!

As Perfect on the Inside as She is On the Outside

The doctor just called with the great news! Brittney's blood pannel came back absolutely clear! She's just fine. As good as gold through and through!

The only last thing we're waiting on is her thyriod results that come in tomorrow.

We had someone ask what her prognosis is long-term regarding the hip displaysia, and the doctor said that it is very mild and he thinks that while she may be a little sore or tender in the back end, that is all that should come of it.

Good news all 'round. Go, go superdog Brittney!

Vet Says: SUPERDOG!

Hello my friends,

Today I went to the vet's office and got a full checkup. I am now all up to date on my shots and the doctor was very impressed with how young I seem. He asked several times if my fostermom was sure I'm 10, because if I hadn't come with an age he said he would have guessed six or seven at the most.

Specifically my eyes and my teeth are in very, very good shape.

I do have a fatty lump on my side, that is just a fatty lump. If I was into cosmetic surgery I could have it taken off, but really I don't even notice it's there and doesn't bother me or my foster parents at all. After all, at ten I think I've earned the right to be gorgeous, lumps and all!

I also have a minor hip displaygia, which explains why I get a little tender in the evening after a full day of playing with Bruno and running full-tilt up and down the stairs. The doctor said to keep going with the glucosamine and he put me on a mild pain killer for the evening just to take the edge off.

I was an absolute lady at the vet's office and they all fell in love with me. What can I say? I have that effect on people. I love life and I'm happy and healthy and it just kind of makes everyone around me feel good.

Essentially; health-wise I'm healthier than most six year old dogs you'll meet. I've got a gorgeous coat, good healthy eyes, ears and teeth. I have a minor hip problem easily fixable with some very inexpensive medication, and the doctor says that I could easily live a full and active life for another six or seven years.

Superior genes, dears. Superior genes.

I also had blood taken and we'll get the results of those tests on Monday or Tuesday. I'll post here when we get them in. Right now I have to go give Bruno kisses (he's a very affectionate boyfriend) and then I'm going to sleeeeeeeeeeep. Vaccinations will take it out of a girl, and it was a big day!

xoxoxo

Brittney

PS - Brittney not only was wonderful at the doctor's office, but was pure gold when we went to the PetCo afterward. There were other puppies and dogs there and she was curious and polite, but I managed to get through the whole store and buy all the supplies I needed while wrangling a shopping cart, an effusive three year old, and Brittney. She's an absolute gem.

KP - fostermom

A Smile Worth a Thousand Words

Hello, everyone! I continue to do really well! I'm playing, behaving and generally still being the perfect dog.

I don't know if my foster mom told you, but I have a killer smile. When I'm happy to see you, or I'm apologizing for something, I squinch my eyes right up tight and lift my upper lip so you can see my teeth and I wag my tail for all it's worth. That is my patented "Gee, I LOVE YOU!" smile. It's a killer. Everybody falls for it.

Mom is trying to get it on camera, but it's very fleeting. Man, is it cute, though. She says I think I'm people.

This Saturday I have a vet appointment in the afternoon. After I'm done there mom will be able to tell you a lot more about how I'm doing and I'll be updated on my shots. We'll also see about an inexpensive arthritis med to maybe ease the last of the stiffness away. I'm still very active and I do play, though! Bruno and I were wrestling today. We love each other.

I would love you, too! The interest on me is starting to pour in, so if you think I might be your dog be sure to get in line! What if I'm waiting for you? Come and get me!

I'll even smile at you, I promise!

xoxo

Brittney

Introducing Brittney!

Hello, everyone!

Mom thought that now she is in a place where she can properly translate the things I had to say. Since I came to the house I've been on my very best behavior and so she's had a hard time knowing my personality.

Well, my family took me to the pound and dumped me there. Can you blame me for wanting to be really, really careful and make sure it doesn't happen again?

Finally, I'm starting to trust that my foster mom is not going to suddenly disappear. It's a great place to finally get to; to really sleep.

So things are going well. I have a bed upstairs next to foster mom's side of the bed so that I can sleep off the floor in the warm. For a while there I was taking a Glucosamine pill at night and it made me feel a lot better! So much better, in fact, that now when my foster-brother Bruno wants to wrestle, I actually feel up to it! We run and play and throw each other around. Unfortunately at the end of the night I'm all sore again because I've done so much playing during the day!

He's at least 10lbs heavier than me and about seven years younger, but I totally hold my own. I'm very proud of that.

Also, being sore because you're playing in the snow is a damn sight better than being sore just because.

Mostly I love Bruno. He's keeping me company and he's good for kisses and snuggles. Unfortunately I get worried when my food bowl gets low and so I get a little protective. Not from the people in the house, but from Bruno. The guy is BIG. I worry that he's going to eat all my food.

Mom wonders if maybe not being fed regularly was one of the things I was suffering before winding up at the pound, so she keeps my food bowl full all the time to try and ease my worry. I'm not telling. Mostly I'm trying to forget the worry and stress of all that.

I've been very, very good. No accidents in the house. I eat nicely and will let anyone including my Foster-Boy Kid take food out of my mouth. I recently got to show off my "drop it" skills when playing fetch, so nobody has to stick their hands in my mouth to get the ball back. That's a great trait when playing with kids, I think.

Mom says that she can't believe how good I am with cats, but I say, what's the big deal? It's a cat. Big whoop. They are nice to have around, I guess, but I pretty much think of them as part of the furniture.

I still need to go to the vet's office, so my mom is going to try and arrange that ASAP. I need shots updated and everything checked out. Currently I'm acting like a puppy and don't feel bad at all (except for the wrestling-soreness) but it's nice to make it official.

I'm a very good girl. I listen and snuggle and lay quietly like an older dog, but I'm still up for a good game of fetch and a quick walk around the block or two.

If you're looking for a sweet girl with a toothy grin who does as she's told pretty much every second of the day; one who doesn't chew and doesn't piddle, but who knows all the good games to play and will bring a ball back and put it in your lap; I'm your girl.

Won't you fill out an adoption application today? I really, really, really, REALLY want to go home.

Thanks, everybody.

Brittney

What to Say?

We were gone this weekend, fair reader, so I apologize for the length of time between posts.

The thing is, while we've been busy and I haven't been able to post, I also don't know what else to say. This post is just going to be more of the same.

We got Brittney a new collar, so the one she has now is a pretty butter color and is girly and looks lovely. She started on the Glucosamine and in three days it's made a world of difference and she's totally and utterly bouncy now and wrestles happily with Bruno in the snow.

She's a dollbaby. She doesn't do anything she shouldn't and does everything she should. She stays close without having to breathe the same air you're breathing. She follows instructions like "Go over there and lay down" by, you know, going over there and laying down.

She's absolutely leaving the cats alone. She's wonderful to Wallace (my three year old), she's bossy to Bruno and he totally deserves it. She's obedient, faithful, gorgeous and perfectly behaved.

WHAT ELSE CAN I TELL YOU?

Usually by now I'm listing "quirks" that families should know before adoption but other than her age, which she doesn't seem to feel at all, she's the absolute perfect dog.

Want to adopt perfect? Okay, then! Get in touch!

KP