Pulled: Thursday September 22, 2011 from City of Columbia Animal Shelter
Rescue commitment: Sunday October 16, 2011 by Dachshund Rescue of North America
Rescued, again: July 13, 2012 from Dachshund Rescue of North America
Apologies that it’s been so long since I updated my fostering blog! As I’ve mentioned, we moved to a new house, and my fostering has subsequently come to a halt. Scott’s new house rule is 1 foster at a time, and since Morven seems to be the permanent foster (much to Scott’s chagrin), I have only been able to pull dogs for people who request them. So, it’s pull and immediate transfer, although that’s worked out nicely for Chesters Jude and Kimball.
But, alas, I was forced to break my one foster at at time rule on Friday. I’m sure my readers will remember Quinby, but for those of you who are just catching up, here are some highlights:
1) Way back in September, I was at the City of Columbia Animal Shelter to rescue the wayward Kincaid a second time (which is a long story in itself) when I met a man who brought in Q to be euthanized.
2) Q was paralyzed from the waist down, although I could tell by looking at her that she was this dog in spirit (despite her rather pathetic, flea-ridden appearance at the time):
3) So, I brought her home, Scott made her a wheelchair, and voila! Only the leaves are missing.
See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJs0byo9SVs
4) I surprised all by getting a rescue commitment for Quinby faster than I’ve been able to get an adoption or rescue commitment for Morven. I contacted Dachshund Rescue of North America, because I knew they had experience caring for disabled dachshunds; DRNA agreed to take her, and then homed her with one of their best and most capable fosters. We were grateful and thrilled, as was Q and all of her Fisk foster siblings.
Six months later: I received an email from Quinby’s foster mother, Karen, who said that she was becoming more arthritic and facing knee surgery, both of which were making it more and more difficult to care for Q. She told me she was leaving DRNA but that she was trying to find Q a new foster home before she did.
Okay.
Three months later: I received another email, asking if I would take Q back. Scott, of course, said “no.” He pointed out that (1) we have foster dog Morven and family dogs Mr. Knightley and Emma; (2) we have two kids; (3) we have a longer commute now from work; (4) Q has special needs (some of which include diapers when inside and assistance when getting in and out of her wheelchair); (5) we would have to board her, b/c of her special needs, and we can’t afford to do that every time we go away for the weekend. And there are probably more, but I zoned out after a certain point.
I related all of the above to Karen and asked if we could foster her for DRNA, thinking that being able to depend on the larger organization for reimbursement of boarding, etc. would take away some of Scott’s objections at least. Here is Karen’s response:
“I’m afraid DRNA told me to have her put to sleep, so I doubt they would assist even with medical needs, and they don’t usually pay for boarding of fosters, special needs or healthy. I have the same problem that no one will take care of her while I am going to be incapacitated. I have not been able to consider putting her to sleep, but if you can’t take her, I’m afraid that is her fate. I don’t say this as a threat, but fact. Please don’t feel guilty if that is the way it has to be. She had a second chance because of you. I’m the one who feels I let her down.”
I read S. the email, and he didn’t tell me not to go get her, so I took that as a yes and made arrangements (unbeknownst to him) to pick her up at the end of the week. I made sure she looked her best for her reunion with Scott, which was very sweet:
I heard all five points (about why this is a bad idea) again; in response, I read S. the email again. He listened. Then, he said: “I’m glad you got her back. They don’t deserve her.”
Indeed.
And I have to believe there is value in sacrificing a bit of comfort to make life better and kinder for someone (or something) in need.
Who knows? It may be easier than we think. Tracy has suggested that we train Morven (who is butting into the photo, below) to take care of Quinby. I think that’s a brilliant idea: a service dog for a handicapped one.
Welcome back, Quinby.
Fostering Chester 