(The Dirty Dozen number for November can be found at the end of this post.)
I went directly from church to Patriots to pick up Willie. Deb suggested I take him on a walk before I took him with me so when they brought him out to the reception area I was surprised to see a pretty heavy medium sized dog. He had a harness on and they handed me his leash and outside we went.
He wasn’t keen on walking but I kept going. When we got to an old van in the lot next door, he dived under it! I kept ahold of the leash but didn’t dare pull him out because his leg had come out of the harness and I knew if I pulled he’d be loose. Nobody could see me from the office so I just had to wait until a car pulled in and I waved the guy down to inform the office that I needed help.
One gal came first and we tried coaxing him out. Then the second gal came out and she pulled on the leash and instantly he was free! He ran as fast as he could north of the building – the busy highway is just a half mile north and he was headed that way.
People came out of the woodwork to chase after him as I stood there crying hysterically. He made a turn to the East and kept running. Then a couple cars drove in his direction trying to cut him off near a business in that area.
Finally he dived under a pickup again and they brought him back arms around his chest carrying him into the shelter. Who knew this overweight dog could run that fast? He finally got tired and they got him.
I was so emotionally exhausted that I said I was just going home and I’d be in touch about a foster dog. They did show me Sam, a deaf one year old that would need training with hand signals. That’s maybe more than I can take on.
I’m calmed down now but sorry about the whole incident!
And that leads me to the Dirty Dozen number for November which is one! Number 1 is your project to finish before the end of the month.
The time is all off today and I’m ready for a beer and a football game. These are the words I need right now – BE STILL.
Oh Mary! I’m so sorry you had such a bad time with Willie. He is probably just terrified but it hard to tell him it’s ok. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
I’m so very sorry that Willie didn’t work out, he looked like he could have been a great dog but guess you can’t tell till you meet them. You sure didn’t need a problem on your hands, especially a big strong one. Glad he acted up when he did and not when you had gotten home. God was watching over you I think.
I’m so sorry that happened! It must have been scary and distressing for both of you. When my doxie went deaf I started using hand signals with her but we were used to each other so we worked on it. A one year might be another thing. Enjoy your beer and your game. Hugs,
Mary I am crying with you! What a stressful few months and in the midst of Covid! Be gentle and easy on yourself the few weeks. You have such a tender heart. The Lord will find the appropriate dog for you to foster in good time.
What a day you have had! I am sure the poor dog was as frightened as you were. Put your feet up, open your beverage and enjoy what is left of the beautiful first day of November! Tomorrow is another day is what my mama would have said. Blessings to you, Mary!
So sorry this happened to you and Willie. This was so traumatic to you and Willie that both of you will need to take a little break from each other. I wonder if Willie had a bad incident of some kind and just wanted to run from anything that he thought would hurt him. I am sure you were upset too over the whole thing. Go have a cold beer and watch a football game and things will look better in the morning.
You’ve certainly had an emotional rollercoaster ride. I don’t think I told you about my high school friend, Susan, who fosters cats for a shelter. She got one kitten who had very bad eyes and eventually they had to remove them because of severe glaucoma. I think she was born with it. Anyway, it was very painful and none of the treatments worked. Little Daisy is now doing great! It truly is amazing how the other senses become heightened. She has toys for her that are sound activated and Daisy quickly learned her way around both the house and the cabin near Yosemite. I think she’s a keeper. Susan said she was going to have to make sure she herself lives another 20 years! Her husband, who was also in our class, passed away from cancer about 9 years ago. You’ll find the right dog for you.
Oh Mary. Your dear woman!
Mary, So sorry you had to go through another traumatic time. Was he the same dog as the one in the picture? He sure didn’t look over weight. It is too bad, he doesn’t know what he would have missed.
The dog you asked about a location on today on FB…I think is in Helena, MT b/c the person who posted it is from there, but not sure. I suggested Tails as Old as Time, the organization who found a home for my two babies in 2019. They were so good to me. I believe they are in a happy home now. The new owner had them professionally groomed…I didn’t recognize them, so that helped me cut ties. I miss them so much, so Ihope they are happy.
Enjoy your football game!
Oh! Mary. Willie must of had a reason to run. When they lose trust it takes time to return. I’m glad you had help at the shelter.
My grand dog, Loki, was trained with hand signals and lip reading. After he went deaf, he obeyed by hand signals and lips. Watch a YouTube before you make your mind up about Sam….tomorrow.
I must share a wonder bit of news.
Today I meet up with my kids in Fort Collins to eat outside cuz it is so nice and winter is coming. There is a high spot along I25 where you can see Pike’s Peak. That’s about 180 miles away. Today, because the air is clean and no wind, I saw Pike’s Peak! I almost cried. What a glorious day the Good Lord gave us.
Oh, Mary, I’m so sorry you had such a traumatic day. Poor Willie doesn’t have any idea what he missed out on!! He clearly has some trauma in his past that caused him to bolt. Glad you had help getting him back to the safety of the shelter. You will find the right next foster. It may just take time. Go enjoy your cold beer and football!!
Holy Cow, Mary. You sure had a stressful day! Poor Willie was probably just scared. Too bad all of us can’t tell him that your house will be the best experience! Hope the beer and game helped. Iowa State and Ohio State won yesterday😊. The Buffalo Bills won today. . Be still.
PS. It snowed a little here today. .
Sorry for the dog pain and thanks for the laugh. Dogs are such a hoot at times.
All I can say is, “Wow”. Perhaps you should give yourself a break in between sharing your heart. I would have acted just as you did, cried and then, nope, not happening with this pup, and went home. Enjoy your football, and as Scarlett O’Hara would say, “Tomorrow is another day”.
Take care and, Be still.
I’m so sorry to hear that your time with Willie didn’t work out the way you had hoped. Like someone else said, good thing it happened while you were still close to the shelter and not back at home. You are such a kind soul!!! There will be another that needs your special touch. ❤️
Take a break for awhile. Do something nice for yourself. Have the beer and enjoy football. Willie will be better with someone else. It is ok. A hug to you. Be still.
I am so sorry that Willie didn’t work out but I sure there is one out there waiting for you that will be a perfect fit.
Oh Mary…Don’t worry too much. There will be other dogs that come along.
Oh my goodness what an upsetting thing to happen! We’ve had several rescue dogs escape in our town which is surrounded by highways and busy streets. Most have just gotten adopted and get away during a storm or when a child opens the door. We have lots of dog lovers who will go out to help look. It’s so sad as these poor dogs are just so scared they can’t see they’re in a safe place. Hopefully Willie will be able to calm down and eventually find a good home.
I’m sorry it happened to you and glad they were able to catch him.
Enjoy some quiet time (and a beer). Hugs!
I don’t think I can add much to what everyone else has said but I am so sorry for how terribly upsetting today turned out to be, and after your last to “magnificent “ days as well! Hopping you had a relaxing evening and that Monday is another magnificent day again! Sleep well and…yes, Be Still
😊❤️
Think everyone said it all. Could be that God is telling you that you need a break from too many dogs. It isn’t fair to Hazel and your other dog to keep making them share you with strangers. Winter is coming and do you really want an extra, large wet muddy furry friend to share your home, with all your other critters out side to care for too. There are many ways to support a shelter besides fostering. Donations of food, bedding sponsoring spay and neuter , vaccinations. I think it is wonderful that you have such a big soft heart and want to share with homeless critters. But just maybe you are being called in another direction. Like teaching 4H kids sewing or animal care, or Girl Scouts. Or volunteering with a food bank. At 81 just keeping up with one spoiled older dog, and a bunch of bird feeders all winter is enough for me. Plus my husband of 57 years.
I am sure that you will find the right fit for your next adventure soon love hugs and prayers! Be Still Jan in Oregon.
Jan, You hit the nail on the head. As I see it, the shelter should only send a larger, strong dog with a larger, stronger person. It’s was an unfair situation for both you and the dog. Mary, maybe you need time off to enjoy the pets you already have.
I hope you’re not still feeling bad about the incident. The shelter should have evaluated the situation better. I know they’re probably happy to get whoever they can to foster their dogs, but they should have known how strong and frightened he was, and maybe should have walked him out to your vehicle to see he was secure before letting him go. Years ago someone told me that we can’t be all things to all people, and the same goes for animals. We can’t be all things to all pets. Some people are better fits than others, and perhaps this is what it took to get the shelter to look more closely at matching up fosters and fosterees.
Carole S. – I took it as a sign from God that this was not the dog for me but I still think about him being so terrified! It was horrible.
Oh, Mary, what a time you’ve had with “your” dogs!
To paraphrase a popular saying, “It’s just one dog thing after another!”
Maybe Willie will calm down some at the shelter, and maybe he’s just not the right fit for you.
Mary, do you think you could have another try with Willie, this time have two leashes and Deb from the shelter should go with you. I think the dog was scared and on a mission to get away. They are great dogs. Hope you are up to it. Take care.