Confessions of a Foster Failure

[Nina W, Georgia Director]

Yup, that would be me. I know you must be thinking “OMD! It can’t be true!” Ah, but I am happy to say that it is. Miss Lacey (formerly Lucy) has officially become one of the Whitefield Pack.

This poor, stoic girl has gone through so much in her short 3.5 years. First to be born in a puppy mill and then being bred every single time she came into heat just to line this a##&)*e’s pockets. Then to add insult to injury, once the puppy miller was done with her, he/she dumped this poor, HW positive girl in a local kill shelter and coolly walked out of her life.

Next after being rescued by DRC, Lace was in safe arms. But luck was not on her side. One evening while getting ready to go for a walk with a DRC foster aunt Lacey broke from her leash and bolted for the woods (hey, you would have too if your only experiences before DRC were people who treated you like chattel). Lacey (then known as Lucy) spent 2 weeks on the lam in Atlanta near busy streets and a major interstate nearby. Droves of local people and volunteer organizations keep searching for Lacey. She would be spotted but would run from anyone who tried to approach her (even with food in hand). Miraculously, after not being spotted for a week, Lacey was once again spotted near her foster aunt’s neighborhood. A large “life trap” was set and Aunt Frannie fried up a batch of pork sausage. The smell of the sausage was just too tempting for poor Lace (who had lost 15 pounds during her time on the run) and she was caught.

Lacey came to live with us on July 11, 2011; we were her foster family. She would stay with us while she underwent HW treatment and then spaying. It broke my heart to see this beautiful girl cowering in the corner of our family room or our bedroom, trying to make herself as small a target as possible.

This Sunday, September 11 will be the 2 month anniversary of Lacey staying with us. It has been a long trek for her. She is now HW free and has gained back 12 of those 15 lost pounds. She is still very shy, backing away from people approaching her and still needs to be led outside on a leash. But she is now eating her breakfast and dinner with people in the same room as her. And she looks forward to her bedtime cookies & chew bone. This week she has even begun to come greet me (with small tail wags) when I get home from work.

Lacey didn’t mean to, nor did we, but she worked her way into our hearts so deep we just couldn’t imagine Lace not being part of our family. So this weekend we officially submitted our application to adopt Lacey. DRC graciously accepted our application and Lacey became Lacey Whitefield on Labor Day.

Please join me in welcoming Miss Lacey to the Whitefield family.

Now for your next question… “Now that you have adopted Miss Lacey will you continue to foster?” The answer is an emphatic YES!!!

[Kathy Janes]

I'm so glad!  After all she has gone through, there won't be another home change for her.  You all will grow together, and one day she'll help with another foster so that he/she can learn that this is a home and family you can trust.  Hooray for all of you and Congratulations on your new Doodle!

[Tante & Jordan & Annie]

Congratulations!

We would of failed as fosters with Eli, and Chloe, but Brian says If we keep (which he is always OK with) we cant foster.... Fostering wins in the long run. Eli is with the perfect family,Harley is with the perfect family,Chloe is with the perfect family....I am sure one will come along in which we will fail....Its only logical. I feel it will be older Doodle, maybe some health needs.... Shhh Dont tell Brian my plan :)

God remember when she was lost....so horrible! I am Happy for you all!!!!

[Gail Notestine]

Join The FF club.

[michele, puddy & milo!]

Wow, that is a story to make me cry. Thank you so much. Congrats to Lucy and the Whitefields!

[Diane Marra]

congratulations. Would love to hear more about how you help her get over her fears?   You have done a wonderful thing adopting her.

My Bella is about 3 and we have had her for almost 18 months. Rescued from a puppy mill in KY. She is so much better than when I got her, but she is still so fearful of humans, and of coming when you call her. She is scared to come in the door into the kitchen.

[Debbie Kaikaka]

Congradulations!!!! Sorry this is late. Welcome to the F.F. Familys. That stands for Foster Failure Family. :) I myself am a foster failure.  I always said that if I was going to fail at something let it be fostering. And remember being a foster failure makes you a special person who has helped a dog to see that all humans are not mean. Now I will leave you with my famous line that I share with all my fellow foster failure friends and clients. " Surely the world will not change if one dog gets rescued, , But.. surely the world will change for that one dog!!!!  Keep us posted on Lacey's progress.

 

[Ned, Clancy, Charlie, Jinkxy]

CONGRATULATIONS!  I am so happy to see that Lacey has found such a wonderful and caring forever home.  You are such a wonderful dog person, I am certain that before too long we will be hearing of Lacey's adventures and accomplishments.

[Rachel]

Congrats Nina! Lacey is one lucky girl.

[Karen and Jackdoodle]

I am so moved by Lacey's story and by what you and your family have done for her, Nina.

She was, quite simply, meant to find you. Thank God she did.

[Mariah and Josh Judd]

What a wonderful story of failure :D

 

Congratulations to Lacey and to the Whitefield family, sounds like a win win win win win to me!!!