***Adopted***Fostering a Very Broken Dog
ogey38
Posts: 563
Hi All. I have been fostering Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs for about a year now. and have really good luck with finding all of them great homes. My latest foster, a girl that I renamed Pearl, (for obvious reasons), is a cream colored French Bulldog.
Her story breaks my heart. She is 6 years old and was rescued from a puppy mill in May 2011. She lived in a wire kennel her entire life. Her only objective - according to the breeder - was to breed. I have no idea how many litters he had, but she has a very thick C-section scar (French Bulldogs cannot normally give birth vaginally because the puppies' heads are too big), and she is very timid. The breeder had several dozen dogs, all in wire cages stacked upon each other. Pearl was in a bottom kennel. When the breeder cleaned the kennels, all he did was hose them down from top to bottom. All of the poop and mess came down right on Pearl.
Pearl came to me from the rescue group in November, 2011. She is not housetrained and wears a diaper. She is afraid of everyone except me, and won't drink from the community water dish that I have for my other dogs. The sounds of the water swirling makes her jump out of her skin. So, she needs to be given water out of a metal dish several times a day. Luckily, she gets along really well with my three other dogs. I'm thinking of adopting her and discontinuing fostering because she is so broken and I just can't have more that four dogs in my house. I truly have fallen in love with her.
Despite all of this, she is a sweet, loving girl. She takes kisses and pets (from me) without question. It's gonna take a long time to help her to overcome the life she has had.
Happy New Year everyone. Best of everything to you! My goal for 2012 is to make life a bit better for both humans and animals in 2012. I am very greatful for what I have now!
Her story breaks my heart. She is 6 years old and was rescued from a puppy mill in May 2011. She lived in a wire kennel her entire life. Her only objective - according to the breeder - was to breed. I have no idea how many litters he had, but she has a very thick C-section scar (French Bulldogs cannot normally give birth vaginally because the puppies' heads are too big), and she is very timid. The breeder had several dozen dogs, all in wire cages stacked upon each other. Pearl was in a bottom kennel. When the breeder cleaned the kennels, all he did was hose them down from top to bottom. All of the poop and mess came down right on Pearl.
Pearl came to me from the rescue group in November, 2011. She is not housetrained and wears a diaper. She is afraid of everyone except me, and won't drink from the community water dish that I have for my other dogs. The sounds of the water swirling makes her jump out of her skin. So, she needs to be given water out of a metal dish several times a day. Luckily, she gets along really well with my three other dogs. I'm thinking of adopting her and discontinuing fostering because she is so broken and I just can't have more that four dogs in my house. I truly have fallen in love with her.
Despite all of this, she is a sweet, loving girl. She takes kisses and pets (from me) without question. It's gonna take a long time to help her to overcome the life she has had.
Happy New Year everyone. Best of everything to you! My goal for 2012 is to make life a bit better for both humans and animals in 2012. I am very greatful for what I have now!
Mid-America Center Council Bluffs, IA - Jun 13, 2003
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
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"reached my heart - in thin air"
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
You my friend have a huge heart and have made Pearl's world a vast world of love and discovery
My Hat Is Off To YOU!!!
I adopted a 3 year old female beagle Ginger - She was abused and lost "vocal" ability in a house fire - Sweet as pie this dog is, until a male raises his voice in just "Hey, Honey whats for dinner?" - Over the past 10 months her improvements has been great and when we adopted a 7 week old puppy Ginger really came out into the world to join me - Some jerk guy was also just too damn mean to her
Ginger and Lucy (now 16weeks old) are now bonded so deeply in so many ways
I wish you all the best with Pearl - You story just touched me so deeply, correction, your abundant kindness touched me deeply - 6 years in prison for a crime you didn't commit and you will start Pearl on the next long years walking the world knowing LOVE
Best on the web - check them out
http://www.youtube.com/user/cantkeepmehere
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2008 Bonnaroo - 2009 Philly 2&3 - 2010 MSG 1&2
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
I completely realize that Pearl may never be "normal"....who really is? And, who set the standard for "normal"?We do the best with what we can. Tolerance is the key, I think. Overlook the warts and find something good. And Pearl has a lot of good. Need to focus on that and bring out the best in her.
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
For those who showed some interest, I decided to adopt my Pearl. I just couldn't see her living with anyone else but me. So, she has now joined the family, which consists of 1 other French Bulldog, a Boston Terrier and a Great Dane/Boxer mix.
Pearl is not quite as broken - still have a lot of work to do. She's coming along, and the other French Bulldog (Missy La Rue) is helping her. MIssy sometimes gives her a "WTF" look, but they are very close.
Wish us luck!
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011
Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Wrigley Field - July 19, 2013
Lincoln, NE - Oct 9, 2014
Global Citizen's Festival, NYC - Sept 26, 2015
I missed this thread first time around. Kudos to you! Thanks for fostering and adopting those that need help. All of our animals are strays that we couldn't find homes for and I wouldn't trade them for the world, but it is not always easy and gets expensive too. Again congrats to you and Pearl and the rest of the family.
Absolutely wishing you (and all who've given such kindness to those previously deprived of it) much luck on the journey. These animals need that luck, and they need you.
Though I know it's not a motive, I hope that the love you've given comes back to you.
I bet it already has, and then some
This is my first read at this thread and you've given a sad story a happy ending. I think its amazing what you do with those poor dogs. It must make you feel so good to see Pearl happy and healthy now. I'll never understand the coldness people can feel towards animals. Congratulations on the newest member of your family!!!!
much luck to you and yours
I love a happy ending ... thank you for this