Lisa's First Week

When doing rescue work, I generally don't foster at my home. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Penny and Lisa were both fostered at American Pet Spa. I thought it might be a good transitional place for the dogs before bringing them into a house. Here, they would receive increased positive socialization, both with humans and other dogs. This magnificent kennel does a wonderful job of caring for the animals that board there. The staff are phenomenal from the owner on down. They are so generous to me with my fosters and allow me to come and go at will. While my fosters are there, I go and visit them every day. Spending time with them allows me to get to know their personality and better define what their forever home should look like. In addition, we work on training or socialization, too.

With Penny off to her forever home, I was now free to concentrate exclusively on Lisa. Each day with Lisa was better than the day before. She was noticeably weak in a muscular sense. This weakness gave her an old lady-like waddle. Her sense of smell was impeccable. She had taken a huge liking to one particular kennel attendant and could follow his scent trail. I'd let her walk around and lead me where she wanted, she took me right back to the employee break room where he had just been. Lisa left an paw print impression on everyone she met. I say this figuratively and literally! If you stop petting her, she paws you to continue as if to say, "I didn't say you could stop." Of course, we're reinforcing this behavior by continuing to pet her, too! :-)

Lisa is special girl; she is so gentle, except for when she wants you to pet her. The owners of the kennel had taken a special interest in Lisa; I held a glimmer of hope that they might adopt her, but no. Having just lost their older dog, I can understand. They did give Lisa a brand new bed to sleep on, for which we are ever grateful. Lisa would have stayed a bit longer there, but she needed to have her teeth examined by a dog dental specialist. The masses in her mouth were of major concern to my vet and myself. The dog dentist did wonders for Penny's mouth and helped to get the extensive periodontal disease under control. Lisa had an appointment with the dentist the next day, so she had to check out of the kennel. It was a tearful parting for all involved; that's what rescue dogs do to you.