City Slicker
Platinum Member
A few months ago I began checking out the possibility of getting a rescue dog.
The rescue org I have been in contact with said they also really needed help with foster homes too and that I could get a sense of what it's like to have a full time dog through their foster program.
This morning the rescue called and said they have an emergency foster - a big guy that was just taken out of a bad situation with several other dogs, neglected mostly and in poor health.
The one they have in mind for me is big, he's about 6 years old and he's extremely fearful but not aggressive.
I met him this morning and I love this boy already. When I first was taken to his crate to meet him he averted his eyes and curled his body and tried to hide in the corner against the brick. He shook so badly. Then he peed. Most of his fur has fallen out and he's severely underweight.
I sat just outside his crate for about an hour and then I opened the door and still sat there. I had some treats and over the next two hours I tossed treats for him and waited for him to approach me. After close to three hours total, he finally came and sniffed me - I was careful not to move too fast because as I held my hand out to him he flinched. So I sat still while he sniffed and took in the new people smells.
Finally he let me touch under his chin and I could feel him relax his muzzle into my hand. I think that's called the 'alpha hug' where their moms would wrap their mouths around their muzzles - but i kept my hand underneath is jaw and I could feel his warmth - I hope he could feel mine.
When I got ready to leave he let me stand up without flinching and he came over and lay at my feet with his paw on the toes of my boots.
I will be bringing him home tomorrow. I am headed to get him some things he will need - and some gates to make a crate for him where he can feel safe - and an electric blanket because he has no real fur left and he's very thin. He's on medication and so I will get him some nice food treats for when he has to get his injections.
It's amazing to me the timing of things in life. When he finally met my eyes, so briefly, I felt this boy had chosen me and not the other way around. I get the unconditional love thing a lot better now.
The rescue org I have been in contact with said they also really needed help with foster homes too and that I could get a sense of what it's like to have a full time dog through their foster program.
This morning the rescue called and said they have an emergency foster - a big guy that was just taken out of a bad situation with several other dogs, neglected mostly and in poor health.
The one they have in mind for me is big, he's about 6 years old and he's extremely fearful but not aggressive.
I met him this morning and I love this boy already. When I first was taken to his crate to meet him he averted his eyes and curled his body and tried to hide in the corner against the brick. He shook so badly. Then he peed. Most of his fur has fallen out and he's severely underweight.
I sat just outside his crate for about an hour and then I opened the door and still sat there. I had some treats and over the next two hours I tossed treats for him and waited for him to approach me. After close to three hours total, he finally came and sniffed me - I was careful not to move too fast because as I held my hand out to him he flinched. So I sat still while he sniffed and took in the new people smells.
Finally he let me touch under his chin and I could feel him relax his muzzle into my hand. I think that's called the 'alpha hug' where their moms would wrap their mouths around their muzzles - but i kept my hand underneath is jaw and I could feel his warmth - I hope he could feel mine.
When I got ready to leave he let me stand up without flinching and he came over and lay at my feet with his paw on the toes of my boots.
I will be bringing him home tomorrow. I am headed to get him some things he will need - and some gates to make a crate for him where he can feel safe - and an electric blanket because he has no real fur left and he's very thin. He's on medication and so I will get him some nice food treats for when he has to get his injections.
It's amazing to me the timing of things in life. When he finally met my eyes, so briefly, I felt this boy had chosen me and not the other way around. I get the unconditional love thing a lot better now.
Last edited:
