Post #19 - A Foster Story: Sweet "T" Takes on the Deep South

If Tina was unloved in her previous life; those days are over now. From the moment I found out this wonderful dog was coming to live with me, I fell in love. When I first heard about this situation, I knew that two of the dogs were very old and didn’t have long to live. I offered to take in the oldest and give him a good life until the end; sadly Mr. Diesel did not get the chance. When I was told I could bring Tina home I was honored and very excited. Not only do I get a beautiful senior to love and spoil, Tina has a chance at a forever home with a family who will love her. As a foster, this is the outcome I always hope for.

I followed Tina’s story and searched her out in any pictures of the Fabulous Five I received. Everyone loved Tina, including me and I had not met her yet.

On Sunday morning, my friend and I drove up to a town in South Carolina and met Tina. The poor thing had thrown up in the car and was sick to her stomach. But, the first thing she did was give me a kiss. How amazing is that? A dog who has been neglected and has absolutely no reason to trust humans, accepted me at first sight.

Bringing in a foster dog is always stressful. What if the resident dogs and cat don’t like her? I have taken this dog all the way to Georgia, it isn’t like I can pick up the phone and say “guys it isn’t working, come get her!” Even though I knew my pack was accepting of fosters, I was still worried as I drove home.

Tina and Harry Chill'in after the walk

We arrived in Savannah with the temperature reading 99! Tina would have to make her introductions with my pack through three separate walks outside. These first introductions had to go well. Failed first intros can doom a relationship. We brought out my old guy, Harry Potter, the honorary GSD. They walked, Tina checked him out; all was well with the world. Then we brought out our saucy young female GSD, Dezzie. She likes dogs, but she lives in a house of boys and she is… well let’s just say, “high-spirited!” She was very curious about Tina, but Tina didn’t even look at our girl. Good play Tina! Make her think you don’t care.

 

Tina and Asher helping mom cook. "Want some hair with that?"

Then, the moment of truth…we have a 6 year old male Foster Failure (meaning I fostered him and on purpose failed to find him a home!), named Asher. He has a RAP sheet and a history of dog aggression. Even though in the three years he has lived with us he has become a new dog; it is ALWAYS a worry when introducing fosters. Do something wrong in the introductions and it is over! My husband brought Asher out and Tina transformed! The girl actually started wiggling!!! She was flirting with Asher! All she wanted to do was get to him! I had to use a lot of muscle power to keep her from running to him! Asher began walking with her. He had his ball in his mouth (typical jock) and played it cool. He didn’t even look at her! Of course Tina, being drawn to the “bad boy” persona, wanted him even more.
I didn’t know it then, but this was the beginning of a friendship that would become important in the days to follow.

Let me OUT!!!

All of Sunday evening Tina paced and paced. When I took her outside in the yard, she frantically looked for an escape. Inside the house she tried to claw through the front door. Even though the kennel where she spent 9 years of her life was no home, it WAS the only home she knew. Tina would have done anything to return there. When rehabilitating a dog, the worst thing you can do is feel sorry for them. You must live in the now for the dog to be able to get passed the past. But, this was so hard. It broke my heart to watch her trying to find home. She was so unsettled.

I wondered if she would ever calm down. My husband kept saying, “seven days” to me over and over again. I know that during the first seven days dogs change and build trust. I know this, but I had never, in all my years working with dogs, seen anything like this. To add to the stress, Tina refused to use the bathroom and she would not eat.

Monday was much of the same. She paced, tried to find a way out, but had moments of peace. She followed me everywhere and wanted to be with the pack, even if she preferred to be in a closet and watch the pack from there. 

Pretty Tina

Tina has almost no muscles in her hind legs, so walking is extremely important. I first walked her with Harry Potter, my senior male. Harry is not a GSD and NOT a confident dog. Even though Tina seemed to like him, walking with him stressed her considerably. Since she liked Asher so much, I decided to walk the two of them together instead. WOW, what a difference. It was almost like Asher recognized the stress Tina was under and took it as his mission to be her protector. Each time I walk the two, Asher is all business, showing Tina that she is safe and that walks are good. They make a very impressive pair walking together. We were stopped several times on our walk. Each time, Tina was friendly and accepting of the people we met. She wants to love people and trust them. Again, Amazing!

However, as of Monday night, still no pee!

Asher and Tina go to the vet

Tuesday morning was the day of breakthroughs. Tina woke up and after 42 hours of holding it, went outside to relieve herself. CELEBRATION!!!!!! Tina had a vet appointment that morning and Mr. Asher; her protector, decided that he was going with her. Asher is an exceptionally strong 95lb dog and when he decides he is going somewhere, it is difficult to convince him otherwise. So, off to the vet we went. With Asher as her escort, Tina was very calm in the car and at the vet. The vet examined her and had a couple of concerns that we are going to address in the weeks to follow.

Turn around mom and I will get you again!

When we returned from the vet, I took the dogs in the backyard. As I was standing there I heard a strange little snapping sound behind me and then felt a tiny pinch on my toosh! I turned around and Tina had the goofiest, big grin on her face and she nipped me again! Tina was playing with me!! Instead of trying to find a way to escape, she seemed happy to be “home”. As the day went on, Tina ate some food, played with me some more and interacted with the pack. She had fun jumping on me and trying to “sneak up” on me to nip my butt! I started crying in the yard that afternoon. No matter how many times I see the transformation of a dog that has been neglected, it never ceases to amaze me! Tuesday was a GOOD day.

I am here mom!!

One of the funniest things Tina likes to do is get in the shower when I am finished. She watches with fascination and the minute I open the door, IN COMES TINA! I guess there is literally NOTHING I do alone anymore!

Why did you get out?

This morning Tina woke me up with kisses and asked to go outside. I am still in wonder trying to figure out how a dog who lived in a Kennel all her life knows to go outside to the bathroom, but I am not arguing! Now that Tina has begun to eat all the “fun” issues have started with upset stomachs and diarrhea. This is just an inevitable step in Tina’s recovery. I will continue to hug her and kiss her, comfort her when she throws up and let her nip my toosh all she wants.

The first three days with Tina have been amazing. Fostering a senior dog, to me, is the most rewarding experience. Every time I foster a senior I tell them they are my dog, they have a home with me unless I find someone better. I couldn’t love Tina more even if I had her since a puppy. She is one of my pack and I am honored that she is allowing me to be part of her life.

Tina and her new pack checking for squirrels

Tina has made amazing progress in three days. I can only imagine what will happen in the next four. I can’t wait to share the stories with you.