AFTER THE ADOPTION

I've had a LOT of fosters here this year.  Many of the Christmas rescues were here for a while, a short time, or a long time.  The character of the house changes with every addition and every adoption.  

When the Christmas dogs first came, they found security in each other.  But as time went on, they learned to be themselves and became whole.   It was so much fun to have them all here-- healing, finding they were loved.  Seeing the changes in them was like watching little miracles happen.   I loved it.  

Missy Mistletoe was such a sweetheart here.  I didn't know if I could let her go.   But, after 22 years of rescue, I knew I could if I found a home where she would be cherished.   And that happened, Missy went to her new home this week.   And she IS cherished there.

And when that happens, the atmosphere of the home changes-- again.   The toys are still there.  The home dogs are still there.   Routines pretty much stay the same, with less dogs.   

The sound of the house is different.   Paddington notices it.  So do the rest.  

Missy is doing very well in her new home-- she is adjusting, it's all new.  But, it will become normal to her-- just like our "new" will become normal for us.   She has continued to sit on the back of the chair, while her person gets a sliver of the front.  LOL

She curls up beside her new mom and is slowly finding that out her new dad might just be a good guy.  💜

It's a different kind of quiet here.  But Cinnamon likes that she can get right next to me.  Missy always liked to be the closest.  And I loved it.  But it's Cinnamon's turn again. 

Dickens is still here.   He has improved a lot, but he will always be special needs.  It's okay that he has compromised walking.  It's okay that he doesn't see well.   Everyone knows this isn't a house of perfect dogs, but they are all loved.  

Things are in a new normal.  The dogs still bark at the door to warn me of danger outside. (The UPS or Prime trucks are so dangerous!)   Rescue means changing all the time.  We've had a lot of change here.  A lot of chaos and peace, and medical crises and healed dogs.   And I love it.   Rescue has been a wonderful mission for me.   What has been a huge part of your life?  
 

MAGOO AND HAWAII

Magoo came into rescue almost five years ago.  He was part of the Potomac Six from NC. 

Since he was adopted, he has traveled so much!  Italy, Germany— and now he has moved to Hawaii!  

He visited some friends on the way there. 

It takes a long time to get your furniture all the way from Italy.  Magoo has a lot of empty space to play in. 

A lot!  

All your things will be there in a few months.  The ship has a long way to go to get to your new home.  

His new yard is big, too. 

And Magoo is already becoming right at home there. 

He has a very big bed to rest on until everything’s gets there.   I can’t wait to hear about his new adventures in the Aloha state. 🌊🌊
 

MISTLETOE GOES HOME

Mistletoe came in the second group of the Christmas rescue.  She was w me for seven months.  I thought she might just live her life here.  She was my little shadow. 

I had interest in her but it just wasn’t the right fit.  In rescue, we are so careful to try to find a GREAT fit for each one   And Missy just found that   This is her new friend Taz. 

Missy Mistletoe was one of the healthier ones in the group. That’s Kringle beside her, Dickens behind her and Winter in the lower corner. 

Dickens and Mistletoe were 2 from the group that stayed w me.  There had been five others (plus my 3).  We had a crowd for a while.   And Hunter was still here.   They all did fine. 

Missy got so healthy. And her cost was so shiny and beautiful.  

Missy hung out w Dickens a lot. 

She is so photogenic. 💕

Monday we went to Williamsburg to meet her new family. It was a hot day so we met at Lowe’s.  We just found seats in the patio furniture section and let Missy spend time.  I wasn’t rushing her.  She even went up and kissed her new moms nose. 

Her new dad is winning her over by hand feeding her.  She’s eating it up. 😂

Like at my house, Missy thinks 

 

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Sometimes dogs think they’re hiding- but we can see them!   Dickens can’t see much. Maybe he thought he was hiding.  🙄

Tuk Tuk's boy is learning to drive.  Tuk Tuk WANTS to hide. 😂 Look at his eyes!

Dave my grand dog wishes he could be ANYWHERE but the pool.  He has a life preserver (he needs a separate one for his huge head).  But he is terrified of the water.  The pool area is gated but they wanted to see if he would enjoy the cool pool.  Nope.  Absolute no. 

Percy (aka Nicholas) is hiding. We can see part of him.  Maybe he can’t see Phyllis, so he thinks he is incognito. 

Nice try Elwood.  Great job hiding but we see your tail.  I give A+ for effort. 

Tulip (aka Timsel) isn’t attempting to hide.  She just wants to cuddle. 

Rosie. Was she hiding in plain sight, or was she just ignoring her mom as she called her name? We will never know.  Hint: She was probably ignoring you. Lol

Catherine “hides” — do you think the wall makes you invisible?  

Rosie Too used to hide under the rocker.   We SEE you. :-)

❣️

Dee Gee. Seriously!!  I had to ask who was behind the mask.  Is that your naughty mask when they need to put in your eye drops?

Josie used to get in the shrubbery. You were  still visible sweet one. 

Melrose used to get in the ivy, too.  Just like Dickens, Tuk Tuk and Paddington. 

Travis really can’t see much at all. He must think he’s hiding. 

Penelope Baby couldn't see either-- she must have thought she was tucked under the side of the bed.  Whether they all want to hide or just hide in plain sight is fine with us.  They're precious either way.  

 

FACES I LOVE

I was scanning through my phone pictures.  (Missy)

Tuk Tuk and Gigi are part of my family.  Grand pups! 

Dave is the newest granddog.  His head is huge and he weighs over 100 pounds so far.  He’s a gentle soul. 

He’s best friends w his sister Lily.  Love all my granddogs. 

I was thinking, “I love that one… and THAT one. 

And there were so many that went through here as foster dogs that I just loved.  Some stayed, many were adopted. 

Toasty was Lisa’s foster dog but he’s now my granddog. He might be going to NYU w my granddaughter as she begins her Phd.  Her roommate there is so excited!   

Young Granger when he visited my house.   He’s coming again soon. 

This one of Cinnamon— let’s play!

The expressions that Cinnamon can have are amazing- and I’ve saved so many pictures of her.  There will be many more coming. 

Paddington is stunning and has grabbed so many hearts. 

And there will never be another Starlight. Her button eyes and absolute love for us were amazing  

Tuk Tuk and Toasty will be visiting son.  I know I’ll take many pictures. 

The blue light effect on Toasty’s face is heart taking. 

Baby Tuk Tuk when I first got him. 💚

My Zoey.  She was my hospice girl.  She had bone cancer.  But she was mine forever. Oh I loved her. 

Zoey and Minnie. ✨✨

Zoey again.  I could carry her like a baby. 

Sissy became a hospice dog.  She had a brain tumor we think. Her face was precious. 

Some of you might remember my Cranberry.  💕

She couldn’t walk at the end but in the snow, she was fast as she pulled herself around. She LOVED the snow. 

Christmas Zoey. 🎄

Kenobi.  So sweet. Too short a time but full of love. 

Tiny Clara. 8 pounds of sweetness.  She was a hospice girl too.  (Brain tumor) 

Max and Kai Kai.  No one adopted them so they were mine!  I’m so glad they stayed. 

Kai Kai saw w his heart. 💙

Lexie was my first IMHA foster.  I learned so much. 💗

People were always surprised how our mighty tiny Starlight could love little children so much.  But she did. 

Callie— the big girl in a small dog home. She brightened our lives so much. 💕

Minnie loved her toys.  She was one of many one eyed fosters I had.   She stayed too. 

Piper- this pictures just brings a huge smile to my face. (He is sleeping on my lap as I write.)

Max again.  We called him grumpy but he was really a teddy bear. 🧸

Scooterbug- Cranberry's brother.  The sweetest boy ever. Not bright but SO sweet.    

Beebee and Nala. My second and third IMHA dogs who also has massive seizures.  Sisters-  BeeBee died before Nala of IMHA. Nala took part of my heart when she didn’t make it. 

Missy Mistletoe -  That face. She has so many expressions.   I know there are so many pictures you’ve saved, too.  Show us your favorite- I know it might be hard to choose. 🥰