November | 2011 | Fostering Chester

Archive for November, 2011

Current Available Fosters, as of 11-20-2011; and some memorable mishaps

November 20, 2011

I promised this list a week ago, but I have been digging my way from underneath a mountain of freshmen essays. Morven tried to eat some of them, to help me out, I’m assuming; but, I did the responsible teacher thing and pried the essays out of his jaws.

And I’m still not completely caught up with my grading, but I’ve decided that I have to take a half hour to update my blog, since Scott went doggy-adventuring with me today (to drop off latest Chesters Carlyle and Dewee, who are going to rescue), and he would not let me pull any additional fosters from the Richmond County Shelter, even though Allison was up to her chin in dogs, as always.

See, below, Scott’s steely expression:

As soon as Scott turned his back, Allison said, “Oh my God, don’t bring him here again! Bring Casey next time.”

Allison and I asked Scott to take some photos for us, since we were sure he’d fall for the dogs we made him view for an extended period of time through a lens. First, we tried these Cocker Spaniel/Hound mixes:

But, of course, the one on the left tried to do her best Gremlin impression when she caught Scott’s eye. Scott shuddered. Then, we asked him to photograph a sweet Jack Russell girl:

Still no sell. I walked Scott around the entire shelter, and he constantly whispered in my ear the following phrases in perfect rotation:

1. “The holidays are coming up.”

2. “You are already at your 3 foster at a time limit.”

3. “You have papers to grade.”

So, alas, I made my first trip to Richmond without bringing any fosters home. But, I promised Allison that I’d try to find homes for my current fosters as quickly as possible, so that I can make up for it next time.

1) Chester2 Lexington

Pulled: Friday September 2, 2011 from City of Columbia Animal Shelter

Update: Chester Lexington has been adopted!

Lexi is a 1-year old Norfolk Terrier. See, below, Lexi with Jack right after we brought her home. Her foster mother, Sandra, reports that she is an energetic girl, who would be perfect for someone who likes a walking buddy, and who isn’t too committed to a peaceful environment for backyard squirrels. Actually, if you’re annoyed by squirrels, Lexi is your girl.

2) Chester2 McBee

Pulled: Saturday September 3, 2011 from Melissa Ann McLaughlin-lein

Adoption commitment: None; still available.

McBee, renamed Roo by foster dad John, is a 6-month old Rat Terrier mix. John and I joke that he’s a ferret disguised as a dog, since his long legs and nimble body allow him to go just about anywhere he wants. I visited recently, and he can make it from my lap to around my shoulders with both ease and speed.

He played fetch with my then-foster Dewey. Actually, Dewey fetched and Roo jumped over him while he ran — left then right, right then left — as though Dewey were a cone on a race track obstacle course.

Here he is, below, with snuggie #1:

And, here he is with John, his snuggie #2:

3) Chester2 MorVen

Pulled: Friday October 21, 2011 from Richmond County Animal Shelter

Adoption commitment: None, still available

I adore Morven. — so much so that I will only be able to give him to someone who I know personally and who will grant me foster mother visitation rights. Maybe it’s because of the way he and I bonded that day in the animal shelter, when I stretched myself out on the floor in front of him. Maybe it’s because of the way he makes my life easier by his attentiveness to Jack. Maybe it’s because he has soft, curly hair, like a teddy bear’s.

Seriously: is it just me, or does he look like an angel with the sunlight shining behind him?

Whatever the reason, I am the ONLY person (besides the kids) in this family who likes Morven. He’s disliked to such a degree that Scott has given him nicknames reminiscent of none other than Lord Voldemort, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Half the time he’s Morfin (Voldy’s crazy uncle), half the time he’s Marvolo (Voldy’s crazy grandfather).

Scott’s reasons for not liking Morven? (1) Morven pees whenever Scott touches him, probably because he’s freaked by the guy who doesn’t know his name; and (2) Morven destroys things in the way that most 8-month-old puppies do.

See our window screen, below:

Of course, this wouldn’t have happened if Mom and Scott had let Morven inside. As a nanny dog, he has to be with Jack. Otherwise, he gets a little . . . upset.

The “last straw” for Scott was when Morven got one of his shoes. Of course, that wouldn’t have happened if Scott had picked up after himself.

That scene played out as follows:

Scott: Verbal explosion of some sort

Me: “What’s wrong?”

Scott: Throws shoe

Me: “DON’T YOU DARE HIT MORVEN WITH YOUR SHOE!”

Scott: “I was trying to hit YOU!”

Me, pacified: “Oh. Okay then.”

Apparently, Scott was madder at me for bringing Morven into the house than he was at Morven, for destroying his shoe. So, he went for the ultimate insult in the Arab world.

Since then, we’ve been trying to teach Morven the difference between acceptable and unacceptable chew toys. See an acceptable one in his mouth below:

Well done, Marvolo.

4) Chester2 DalZell

Despite the fact that the place name DalZell sounds feminine to me, Z2 (renamed Zeus) is a boy. He’s a 2-year-old Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkie mix). This cute little guy has a rescue that has committed to him on December 3rd, but if I find a home for him before then, the rescue coordinator will hopefully take another in need.

Foster mom, Trina, reports that Zeus is sweet with both people and other dogs. And that he is especially fond of blankets. Also, she reports that she is now able to put away the homemade male wrap (to prevent urine marking). Good boy, Zeus.

And, thank you, Trina, for being such a resourceful foster mom! If only I had met you sooner . . . the Trina-brand male wrap is MUCH less expensive than the two Simple Solution male wraps I bought for Edisto at the pet store.

5 and 6) Chester3 Ariel and Beaufort

Pulled: Friday November 4, 2011 from Richmond County Animal Shelter

Update: Chesters Ariel and Beaufort have been rescued!

Ariel “Penny” and Beaufort “Otis” are a Shepherd and Beagle mix, respectively, and both are less than a year old. See the two of them below, leaving their soft beds in Scott’s shop to enjoy the sunny day:

Otis is a sweetheart, and he has such interesting coloring: mostly brown on his head; white and black spots everywhere else.

And, like the character Flynn Rider in Disney’s Tangled . . .

Otis has nailed “the smoulder:”

How can you resist?

As for Otis’s best girl, Penny, you’ve never met a dog with nicer brows. She looks like she had a fight with black eyeliner but came out the better for it:

When I pulled Penny, she was terrified. She hid behind the car seat the entire ride to Columbia, trembling. She’s submissive, timid even, but she loves to be loved. I’ll hear her paws against the glass on our back door: her way of letting us know that she’s outside and needs petting.

Every day, she comes out of her shell a bit more. Today, she played fetch with me. She nailed both the retrieving and the relinquishing part. Here she is standing proud, below:

Let me know if you’d be interested in adopting or fostering any of these impressive dogs! As soon as you do, I’m off to pull a new one in Pam Murray’s honor. Pam, my friend Ashley Smith’s mother, donated to the Fisk Foster fund, and I was thinking of how to spend the money. Should I buy a new, taller baby gate for Morven, who has Edisto the Wonder Dog’s super jumping ability? Should I use the money to pay for Zeus’s neuter surgery (something I’ve been putting off b/c of cost)?

Nope. I’ll let Ashley’s donation go towards the baby gate and Zeus’s neuter surgery. I’m letting Pam’s go to future foster E cubed. E is such a great letter after all.

Posted in Current fosters | 5 Comments »

Chester Edisto the Wonder Dog: ADOPTED at last!

November 13, 2011

Pulled: Thursday June 2, 2011 from a local rescue

Rescue commitment: Saturday, November 5th by Lindsey Schick

Only Chester Edisto, Wonder Dog that he is, would thwart adoption since June only to be adopted as a kick-off to National Shelter Dog Appreciation Week.

Congrats, foster #5 out of 56. So many of us, no doubt, thought that we’d never see that beautiful red stamp.

And here are the Top 3 reasons that Lindsey, my new facebook friend by the way, is perfect for Sto:

3) She has one dog already, so Ed will have a buddy. Here he is, below, with his new brother, Ray.

2) She understands Edisto’s unique needs. One of the first things she told me about Edisto is that he’s easily scared. Well, actually, the phrase she used was “terrified, with a capital T. ”

Me: “Yep. Did you read the post about the butterfly?”

So, Lindsey has fashioned a safe place for Ed, where he can get away from loud noises and butterflies and anything thing else that he finds terrifying: her bedroom closet. See, him, below peeking out from behind her clothes.

1) I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Lindsey knows Harry-freaking-Potter. We’ve always had Hollywood ambitions for Ed. Maybe Daniel will hook him up.

The only thing that seems to be missing is a girlfriend for Ed. But, seeing him below, so happy and content, makes me think that he’ll let Lindsey have that distinction.

All our love, Ed. You’re a good Goober of a dog.

Posted in Chester Edisto: Adopted! | 1 Comment »

A Big Fat Veteran’s Day Disappointment and unfortunately memorable mishap.

November 12, 2011

Those of you who have been reading this blog know how proud we were to send Abbie Faith, Duncan, Fairfax and Hilda to Dog Tags In Virginia, a 501 nonprofit organization that trains service dogs for Veterans suffering from PTSD and other disabilities.

Well, we’re sorry to say that Whitney from Last Chance Animal Rescue/Middle Mutts is in Virginia now to pick them up, as I type. And it’s not because Abbie Faith and the pups couldn’t cut it. It’s because animal control has closed down the organization Dog Tags, because the founders have gotten in over their heads.

SIGH.

Whitney has visited Dog Tags twice and has communicated often with their board of directors. Those who work at the McGuire VA animal hospital praise their work, and their 14 certified service dogs.

BUT, because of a series of unfortunate events (losing some foster homes; illness; etc.), the primary board member/foster parent was busted for having too many dogs in too small a space. From what I understand, she was in the process of constructing several 10×10 roofed pens for the dogs to stay in while completing their training, after which point they would live with their veterans.

Note to Dog Tags: Next time, construct the pens BEFORE you get 60+ new service dogs in training. Also, next time, admit your limitations and ask for help.

Scott: “This is a cautionary tale, Nicole.”

Me: “If I ever have 60+ fosters, please commit me.”

That said, I do understand how easy it is to get in over your head. After all, 18 dogs at one time was a lot. — now, granted, I had no way of knowing that Chester Iva would have SIXTEEN puppies.

Currently, I have five, although that’s not counting the three that friends are fostering for me.

Scott: “What happens when your friends go home for the holidays.”

Me: SIGH.

So, tomorrow, we’ll have an updated list of Fisk fosters for everyone to share. The goal: to find homes for them all before Christmas. Otherwise, they’ll be handed out as Christmas presents to friends and family. Let me know if you want to be on my Christmas list. Or not.

Isn’t the above painting fabulous? Kudos to Chester Z’s talented mother, Kathy Schrum Peck.

In the meantime, a special thanks to Whitney Knowlton for driving from New York to Virginia to get our Abbie Faith and pups. Foster-in-crime, Trina, and I are especially thankful, since we were <this close> to making plans to drive up to Virginia ourselves.

I, of course, had my sight set on the girls, Abbie Faith (above) and Hilda (below):

Trina had her sight set on “the boys” as she affectionately refers to Duncan and Fairfax:

Well, she also refers to them as Yin and Yang.

Wonder woman that Whitney is, she’s offered to take ALL the dogs from Dog Tags, and to find homes and rescues for them. This means that she’s paying $6500 in fees (since the dogs are being kenneled until they can be transported).

Please consider donating to Last Chance Animal Rescue, to help with the expense:

PO Box 1661

Southampton, NY 11968

And send your best thoughts and wishes to Abbie Faith and pups! High hopes that they’ll be adopted at the next LCAR adoption event. And that we’ll get photos of each of them in their new homes as cute as this one:

Or this one:

Or, this one. See, below, one of the most recent photos of Cassie, Fisk Foster Z. (Remember: Kathy, artist of the fabulous Christmas present painting, is Cassie’s mother).

May all dogs be so loved that they get to dress as their favorite animal for Halloween.

Posted in Memorable Mishaps | 2 Comments »

Chester3 Carlisle and Dewey (Dewees Island)

November 5, 2011

Pulled: Friday November 4, 2011 from Scotland County Humane Society

Rescue commitment for Carlisle: November 20th, 2011 by Dog World Rescue

Adoption commitment for Dewey: November 20th, 2011 by Kerri’s friend, Nina. Kerri works for Middle Mutts!

Meet Chester Carlisle, a 10 month old Corgi/Pomeranian mix. Carlisle is up-to-date on vaccinations and neutered. And, yes, he looks very much like a fox. And, yes, that’s how I plan to pass him off if any animal control officers come knocking on my door.

Carlisle is a friendly playful guy, who plays a mean game of fetch. He’s smart too. Foxy smart. When I stopped at my parents’ house on the way back to Columbia, I put the new fosters in the one area of fenced in yard — the family cemetery. Mom had given me strict instructions NOT to come home with any additional fosters, so I thought I’d just leave them, unseen, in the family cemetery until I was ready to go. I drove into my parents’ garage with an empty car.

All was well, until we saw Carlisle running around the front yard. Apparently, he had jumped onto a bench and then over the fence. He wasn’t interested in running off, though. He was interested in running into the nice, heated house.

Mom: “What’s that?”

Me: “I don’t know. It looks like a fox.”

Mom: “How many did you get?”

Busted. SIGH.

Ah well. We think the name Carlisle fits him perfectly. It’s a fancy name, for a fancy fox of a guy, with a curly tail.

And meet Chester Dewey, a 3 year old Pekingese/Border Terrier mix. Dewey is up-to-date on vaccinations and neutered. And, yes, he has a bit of an under-bite, which makes his smile a little crooked.

But, as you can see from the close-up, he’s still an adorable little guy. And I don’t know his story, but I’m sure he was cared for at some point. He seems completely trained. He walks well on a leash and sits on command. And he hasn’t had a potty accident yet, though past experience has taught me never to promise that an animal is house-trained. See #3 of the “Top Ten Memorable Mishaps” blog post for details.

He also plays a mean game of fetch.

If you’d be interested in adopting or fostering Carlisle and/or Dewey, send me a message!

Posted in Chester3 Carlisle and Dewees Island: Rescued and Adopted! | 2 Comments »

Chester3 Ariel and Beaufort

November 5, 2011

Pulled: Friday November 4, 2011 from Richmond County Animal Shelter

Rescue commitment: Friday December 2, 2011 by Last Chance Animal Rescue

Meet my first two Chesters cubed, Ariel . . .

. . . and Beaufort.

Ariel is a 4-5 month old Shepherd mix, and Beaufort is a 6 month old Beagle/Basset mix. Both are up-to-date on vaccinations and altered.

And both are super sweet, and good with other dogs. They were kenneled together at Richmond County Animal Shelter when I pulled them, though they were going by the names Penny and Otis. Cute names, but I find it easier to keep track of my fosters when I go through the alphabet using my own names.

Ariel is more timid than Beaufort, and rightly so, since she was adopted and brought back to the shelter, because her owners decided that she would “get too big.” SIGH.

She rode from Rockingham to Columbia tucked behind Jack’s car seat, trembling all the way. She’s getting better, though, and is especially fond of Arina.

Beaufort, on the other hand, rode in my lap the entire way to Columbia, trying at a couple of points to take control of the steering wheel. /shudder

Why weren’t they in the crate, you ask?

Well . . . I had transported my goatadoodle, Yabby, to Rockingham in a plastic crate and was planning on using it to take my replacement foster/s back to Columbia.

When I got to the shelter, though, I saw Allison (who looked like she hadn’t slept a wink) running around, trying to round up enough crates for the weekend transport to rescues in New York. I told her that I would donate mine, since Yabby was already settled, and I went outside and folded up my seats to prevent any chewing disasters on the way back home. Yay for Honda Elements and seats that do this:

I was planning on picking up two small fosters from a neighboring shelter (Scotland County), and two small fosters only. BUT, Allison told me about the 20+ dogs that animal control dropped off the day before. 20+ dogs from ONE home. 20+ extra dogs in Allison’s already full shelter. Allison is trying so hard to be a no-kill shelter, and doing a fantastic job, so I hate it whenever she gets dealt a bad hand.

We went to the the garage/storage space, and Allison showed me the dogs that she was having to keep in crates until they could be vetted and moved into space she didn’t have.

“I’ll take Otis and Penny,” I said. “That will completely free up one pen.” And Allison was so excited that she went outside and smoked a celebratory cigarette.

I set to work, doing some laundry and washing some dog dishes and getting some bleach on my favorite black sweater (SIGH), while waiting on the Scotland County fosters to arrive.

Luckily, Otis Beaufort and Penny Ariel were perfectly willing to share their space with their Scotland County neighbors.

If you’d be interested in adopting or fostering Ariel and/or Beaufort, send me a message!

Posted in Chester3 Ariel and Beaufort: Rescued! | Leave a Comment »

A-Z: Where Are They Now? Second edition.

November 5, 2011

52 fosters. We’ve made a second trip through the alphabet. So this is A-Z: Where are they now? Second edition.

27) Chester2 Abbie Faith. Rescued by Dog Tags.

Remember Abbie Faith?

The photo, above, is of Abbie heavily pregnant in the Marlboro County Animal Shelter. She came through our door with her pups shortly after she delivered. She was so happy to be out of the shelter that she smiled the entire first day, despite the fact that her ears seemed to have been recently cropped with a razor blade.

Now, Abbie Faith and three of her seven pups are in training to be service dogs. They were rescued by the organization Dog Tags; the company overview reads as follows:

“Dog Tags is a Veteran run organization, committed to changing the stigmas associated with shelter dogs and Veterans with PTSD. We rescue, rehabilitate and train shelter dogs into Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD and other disabilities and support Veterans in their quest to train their own service dog.”

Their motto: “NO VET is a throwaway, and NO DOG is either!”

Agreed!

Update:https://fosteringchester.com/2011/11/12/a-big-fat-veterans-day-disappointment-and-unfortunately-memorable-mishap/

SIGH.

28) Chester2 Bradley. Adopted by Catherine Eisner and Bryan Germann.

I’ve mentioned before that I have the best neighbors ever. Even newest neighbor, Colin, has been super supportive of living next to a constantly rotating pack of dogs.

The first time I met Colin, if I remember correctly, I was crawling under a bush in his front yard, trying to coach York/Pepper out of hiding. Since then, he’s alerted me to dog poop on my shoes, has stepped in dog poop himself while visiting the puppies, AND he found a home for one of Abbie Faith’s pups!

His friends, Bryan and Catherine, decided that their girl, Tilly (below), needed a sibling.

Enter baby brother Bradley. As Catherine writes, “Who can resist that face?” Or those Harry Potter green eyes.

29) Chester2 Cayce. Adopted by Lauren Eyler and Dawn Perry.

Colleague Lauren Eyler decided to gift her then girlfriend/now fiance Dawn Perry (congrats, again, girls!) with a new puppy. So, they came to my house one Saturday to meet the pack. Dawn fell for the puppy with the guitar-shaped mark on his head, rock star Cayce. They’ve renamed Cayce “Truman,” as in Truman Capote. This is the perfect name, since Truman’s sibling sister is named Harper, as in Harper Lee. Yes. We’re book nerds. See sweet Truman, below, nestled in Mama Dawn’s arms.

And here’s Truman with big sis Harper. They look like they belong to each other. — although Harper will abandon baby brother in a minute to come inside. I know. I’ve pup-sat. Truman will stay in the backyard playing with the other dogs. Harper is “over” the outside in like 5 seconds, Truman be damned.

Funniest Truman memorable mishap: Dawn and Lauren report that Truman may prefer being outside and playing with other dogs at my house, but that he does NOT like to go outside to pee while at theirs. When I asked if Truman was house-trained yet, they reported that he is trained to a certain extent. He pees whenever he sees the leash, to avoid having to go out. /giggle

I know it’s annoying, Dawn and Lauren, but I take immense joy in the fact that I’m not the only person in Columbia, SC constantly mopping up dog pee.

30) Chester2 Duncan. Rescued by Dog Tags.

Duncan is the first of Abbie Faith’s pups to have been picked for a special project with Dog Tags: 11 Service Dogs for 11 Veterans on 11/11/11 (Veteran’s Day).

Duncan is one of the 11, and is probably, as I type, walking the halls of the Maquire VA hospital in Virginia. Board member for Dog Tags, Shelby Sargent, explains the program, below:

“We’re working with Maguire VA hospital [training] 11 service dogs for 11 veterans for Veterans Day. We have a program where we help the VETERAN train their OWN service dog from the GROUND UP from puppy! Most of the work is done with Therapeutic services right there at the hospital, and is just that . . . very therapeutic for the veteran. It’s so much fun and works on many levels . . . and is an amazing thing to watch.”

And we’d very much like to watch it. Video please, Shelby?

Update:https://fosteringchester.com/2011/11/12/a-big-fat-veterans-day-disappointment-and-unfortunately-memorable-mishap/

SIGH.

31) Chester2 Elloree. Adopted through Middle Mutts/LCAR.

Elloree is the third of Abbie Faith’s litter to be adopted. Someone with connections to Middle Mutts fell for her photo, so she made the long trip to NY and is now living it up.

Kudos to Elloree for finding a home! And kudos to me for taking such an awesome photo! [pausing to pat myself on the back now]

32) Chester2 Fairfax. Rescued by Dog Tags.

To think that we very nearly lost Fairfax due to a respiratory illness. And now, he’s the second of 11 service dogs for 11 Veterans on 11/11/11.

Hurrah for second chances! (and third, and fourth, and fifth and so on) — both for humans and for dogs.

Update:https://fosteringchester.com/2011/11/12/a-big-fat-veterans-day-disappointment-and-unfortunately-memorable-mishap/

SIGH.

33) Chester2 Gaffney. RIP

We lost Gaffney, despite Sandra’s and Mark’s best efforts. They generously offered to hand raise this little girl, who had difficulty getting her fill of milk. Yes. Middle of the night feedings and all. It’s tough being the runt of the litter, though not as tough when you have friends like Sandra and Mark.

I think it’s appropriate to share one of my favorite “dog” quotes. It’s one that I repeat to myself after “losing” each foster, but it also works for more permanent loss:

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” Author unknown.

Thanks, again, Sandra and Mark. — for everything.

34) Chester2 Hilda. Rescued by Dog Tags.

Hilda is the third service dog for the Dog Tags 11/11/11 project and is a favorite of Shelby’s, who wrote the following after seeing her photo:

“Awww! I can’t wait to get Hilda into a vest and get her romping through Maguire VA hospital with her Vet, showing the world JUST what a puppy can do.”

Yes! And pictures please, Shelby!

Update:https://fosteringchester.com/2011/11/12/a-big-fat-veterans-day-disappointment-and-unfortunately-memorable-mishap/

SIGH.

35) Chester2 Isla. Adopted by Krystal Branch. Renamed Lucy.

I love puppy makeovers. And I think that Isla wins the most dramatic makeover in A-Z, second edition. She went from this, a canine version of Swamp Thing . . .

. . . to Golden Girl . . .

. . . to Lucy, beloved Branch family pet!

You’ve come a long way, girl!

36) Chester2 James. Adopted by Amy Bolger. Renamed Murphy.

Remember Chester James? He was renamed Micky by foster dad John. One day, John was walking Mickey, and Mickey met Amy Bolger. And it was love at first sight, for both of them. See Mickey, below, living his new life as Murphy Bolger. Murphy has two human siblings to adore.

And one canine sibling, with whom to nap.

Life is good.

37) Chester2 Kincaid. Rescued by Nuts for Mutts. Renamed Jackson.

Kincaid is currently in Rochester, New York, being adored by the rescue organization Nuts for Mutts. Seriously. Right after his arrival, we got a “Kincaid is awesome!” email. He’s made many new friends and is learning how to charm prospective adoptive parents.

He’s disappointed, because he wasn’t able to meet his sponsor, Ashley Smith, during her last visit to Rochester. But, he promises to save some kisses for her, in hopes of meeting her one day. Until then, we trust that the Nuts for Mutts volunteers will work on finding him his forever home.

Best of luck, Kincaid-y!

38) Chester2 Lexington. Still available.

Interested in this sweet girl? Read all about her, and send me a message!

https://fosteringchester.com/category/chester2-lexington-available/

Here she is, below, looking for her forever home. Until then, she’s happy with her wonderful foster mom, Sandra Keller.

39) Chester2 McBee. Still available.

Interested in this fun boy? Read all about him, and send me a message!

https://fosteringchester.com/category/chester2-mcbee-available/

McBee, renamed Roo by foster dad John, seems to be a rat terrier mix. So, I’m sure he’d be an expert at ridding your home of pests. If he could learn not to be afraid of them.

40) Chester2 “Harley” North. Adopted by Frank and Dianne Plyler.

Mom and Scott LOVE to try to curb my enthusiasm for dog fostering. And, knowing me so well, they know the two most effective ways to do it:

Clean freak that I am, Scott goes for “Our house smells like pee!” — or poop, depending on his mood.

Hypochondriac that I am, Mom goes for “Your kids are going to get worms.”

But, Harley is PROOF that, deep down, Mom is as much of a softie as I am. She attempted to foster for me. And is a foster failure. Harley is so happy in McBee that she’s offered him a forever home there.

Watch out for worms, Mom. 😉 Love you!

41) Chester2 “George” Olar. Adopted by Jacq McConkey.

Another dramatic doggy makeover to rival Isla’s! See poor George, on the left, in the Marlboro County Animal Shelter. See the new and improved George, on the right, after being spoiled by wonderful foster mom Jacq McConkey.

George was in such bad shape at the shelter that we assumed he was a senior dog, when in fact he’s only 5 years. — prime trick-or-treating age, as you can see in the photo below.

Jacq is another foster failure, and George couldn’t be happier. He’s home.

42) Chester2 “Gertie” Powdersville. Adopted by Ina McCoy.

Gertie, I trust, is recovering nicely from her FHO. She’s probably more of a “Gert” now than a “FrankenGert.” She has a wonderful new home with dog lover Ina McCoy and a senior canine sister.

Thank you, Ina, for understanding the wonderful thing that is senior dog adoption!

43) Chester2 Quinby. Rescued by Dachshund Rescue of North America.

How we miss our Q in the Fisk household! But, as you can see in the photo above, she’s perfectly content with Karen of Dachshund Rescue of North America. When she’s not napping by Karen’s bed, I’m sure she’s enjoying autumn in Georgia, in a style similar to the handicapable dog below.

A friend of mine sent me the above photo, which is now one of my favorites. Dogs don’t have our egos. Being handicapped bothers them much less than it does us. And by “much less,” I mean “not at all.”

44) Chester2 Ravenel. Adopted by Wendy Faulkner. Renamed Roxy Sparkle.

Wendy fell in love with Ravenel’s photo as soon as Whitney posted it on the LCAR adoption page. See Ravenel, renamed Roxy Sparkle, below, with her human siblings.

Wendy and I have chatted since Roxy’s adoption. We know that she’s in the right place, especially since Wendy has a Jack of her own, who also loves Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

45) Chester2 Salle. Adopted through Middle Mutts/LCAR.

Yay for Salley! Salley traveled to New York last weekend, and LCAR has already placed her in a home. I love seeing the big Adoption stamp on her photo. And I fully expect to meet up with her again one day, on the streets of the Big Apple. She’ll be in her adoptive mom’s purse, of course.

46) Chester2 Timmonsville. Adopted by David and Miriam Crow. Renamed Scout.

I love it when Fisk Fosters are adopted locally, and none have been adopted more “locally” than Scout. He’s living next door, with the Crows. He has a canine sister, Trinka, who he loves. He seems to think Trinka is his mother, Miriam reports, and tries to nurse. — but she has no patience for that nonsense.

So, Scout contents himself with being mothered by sweet human sister Hannah.

Apparently, Scout LOVES being a purse dog. And we love having Scout as a neighbor! Thanks to the Crows for giving him such a wonderful home!

47) Chester Union “Chance.” Adopted through Middle Mutts/LCAR.

Union Chance’s adopter saw the photo, above, on Middle Mutts’ page, and fell in love with Chance before he even left the shelter. So, he had a home before I pulled him. May all shelter dogs be so lucky.

Enjoy your home up north, you sweet ball of fluff!

48) Chester MorVen. Still available.

Interested in the best nanny dog ever? Read all about him, and send me a message!

https://fosteringchester.com/category/chester2-v-morven-available/

49) Chester Williston. Adopted by Trina Shealey.

My foster-in-crime Trina is our third foster failure in this batch of Fisk fosters. Willie, she said, is too cute to pass up. And being dachshund lovers ourselves, we agree. Willie joins canine sister Spot and who knows how many future foster brothers and sisters!

Thanks for all you do, Trina!

50) Chester BordeauX. Adopted by Lisa Bailey. Renamed Sissy.

Sweet Daphne BordeauX was a favorite at the Richmond County Animal Shelter. And, now, she’s a favorite in the Bailey household. She has been renamed Sissy, in honor of the fact that she’s sister to Lisa’s favorite boy Pepper (formerly Fisk Foster York).

Sissy is teaching Pepper how to be a puppy. Pepper is only a year old, still very much a baby himself, but his difficult life as stray and shelter dog has made him grow up before his time. Sissy is on it, though.

And Lisa, and human sister Hannah, and Pepper are all on the job of caring for Sissy. As the runt of a litter of Chorkies, she’s only two pounds. Lisa reported that both she and Pepper woke up constantly during their first night with Sissy, to make sure she was still breathing.

Sissy was, of course, still breathing. You can see her, in the photo above, winking as though she knows that she has the entire Bailey household wrapped around her very little paw.

51) Chester “Yabby” Yemassee. Rescued!

Yabby, who likes to eat cars, has found rescue! I took her to Rockingham yesterday, where she was united with her sister Gabby, before leaving for New York! — in a plastic, metal crate that she tried to chew. Casey calls her my “goatadoodle.”

We wish Yabby the best. Despite the damage to the car, even Scott has a soft spot for her. She’s one of the most loving, grateful dogs we’ve fostered. And she has an admirably strong jaw and set of teeth.

52) Chester “Zeus” DalZell. Still available.