Exhausted? Pressed for Time? Foster!
Why, one might ask, would someone who has more work, more responsibilities than any single person should rightfull have, go seeking more of the same? Self-flagellation? Guilt, that the days are insufficiently compressed? An urge to see just how much more of a burden one can absorb before complete collapse becomes inevitable? All of the above?
So now, despite having a full-time job, a young daughter, a fair-size house to look after, plus seven dogs, one cat, six rabbits, we have obligated ourself to fostering a large dog whom its owner can no longer maintain. Giving said animal a safe and sympathetic home until such time as a compassionate dog-lover will come to the rescue and adopt the animal permanently.
You've got to feel for an animal whose comfortable world has suddenly collapsed. The people who have dedicated a year and a half to socializing, feeding and caring for him have parted ways. And finally, the man has determined he can no longer keep the dog. Confusion? Bereft, feelings of abandonment? Surely. In the interim, there can be some comfort, and hope for the future.
A group dedicated to the rescue and placement of unwanted and/or abandoned pets, B.A.R.K. in Ottawa reached out for volunteers and she responded. The owner brought his year-and-a-half-old black, 91-pound part German Shepherd, part Collie over on Friday evening. Her heart fairly broke as she witnessed the affection between owner and dog. The young man had recently moved from Toronto, in the wake of an emotional break-up with his girlfriend. He has tried, but finds it impossible to keep his dog. Then he left.
She spoke beyond my obvious exasperation: You've got to see him, Mom, he's a really lovely dog. He's affectionate and sweet tempered, well-adjusted and responsive. Yes, most animals do appear that way to her. She has a way with animals, they respond to her. But when we saw him the following day her descriptive praise was accurate beyond doubt.
The owner told her the dog is shedding copiously, and she told him that might be as a result of it being under considerable stress. And the dog indeed lent itself happily to the grooming process. And in response to her warm voice and kind words, showered its affectionate kisses on her.
Her big Iqaluit rescue German Shepherd-Malamute mix keeps telling the new one not to forget who is the Alpha male, and it isn't him. They do gambol together nicely, though. And he is gentle with the small dogs, also, evincing little interest in the caged rabbits, but making an awkward start with Tibby, the cat, by half-heartedly beginning a chase. Tibby became immediately incommunicado, most unlike bold, brash Tibby, but he'll adjust.
I've taken photos of this new dog, sent them to her, with a short narrative to be forwarded on to B.A.R.K. who will now post these on their web site for prospective dog owners. I can only hope the process will not be too prolonged. She urgently wants this "lovely" dog to find new owners who will appreciate his sterling qualities, and give him, in return for unrestrained loyalty and affection, the same in exchange.
This dog likes children, too. He had quite the introduction to a bevy of happily noisy little girls yesterday afternoon, cooling off on a hot summer day in a new swimming pool in the process of erection and filling. There doesn't seem to be much this amenable animal dislikes. Other than an uncertain future. Lack of love. In essence, its needs reflect quite accurately those of any animal, including the human animal.
Nice dog.
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, June 18, 2006
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