The Joys & Struggles of a Foster Dog
The Joys & Struggles of a Foster Dog
Foster mom seeks inspiration and encouragement
Hi, Milo,
Bella (wildish dog) and I (tamed senior citizen) need a poem to keep us inspired.
1-1/2-year-old Bella has never lived inside a house. This dog had one constant, her mother. When the pound picked up the pack, Bella's mother was sent North for adoption.
Bella was not thriving on a cold concrete pad in a noisy shelter, so I chose to foster her and help her become adoptable.
3 days in, we have had a few insights and breakthroughs:
Bella does not consider me "safe" but I am the safest thing she has.
Bella is incapacitated with terror by male pedestrians
She needs to learn to not tear down the curtains inside a house.
Bella is learning to enjoy food stuffed chew toys in lieu of constant barking.
She asks for morning exercise/training walks but comes home overstimulated.
She loves a deep sleep in the afternoons
Late afternoon is the best time for fun walks.
Last night she cuddled at my feet and accepted a massage.
Bella and I have a long journey ahead. If you write us a poem we will post it on our refrigerator. When Bella is finally adopted, perhaps I will give the poem to her new owners.
Thanks for reading, and if you are inspired, thanks in advance for a poem.
Susan S.
Dear Susan,
I really admire you for taking on that responsibility. Your generosity and patience will help make her a great pet for some lucky family.
—MiloThe Wildish Dog
Not long ago, you told yourself,
"I need some chaos in my life!"
Your home was happy. Things were good.
But what you really sought was strife.
"Perhaps I'll start a barroom brawl,
Or sue the local synagogue...."
But, then you had the bright idea
To usher home an untrained dog.
A shelter beast who sh*ts indoors,
and flips her lid at every sound,
and scratches up the hardwood floors.
Yeah, that should turn things upside-down!
A feral ball of teeth and fur
who tears the draperies apart
and stains the carpeting, and then...
she absolutely steals your heart.
So yes, your life is in upheaval.
Yes, your home is disarrayed.
But shelter beasts are rarely "evil."
Usually, they're just afraid.
Remember that she needs some time.
She'll settle down and soon adjust.
Stay patient, tender, firm, and kind,
and help her learn to love and trust.
A dog needs weeks to decompress
from all the shelter noise and smell.
For being only three days in,
it seems you’re doing really well.
She's starting to accept your touch,
and finding out she needn’t fear.
It may be difficult at times,
But please, I hope you'll persevere.
The noblest thing that one can do
Is take a wildish dog on loan,
To love, and teach, and ready her
For life in a furever home.
--
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Feedback
About A Plea to an Alcoholic Friend
“You are absolutely amazing. This is beautiful…. I gave it to [the poem’s subject], and he loved it… Good news: he’s been sober since Jan 1. For now, I have my friend back! I hope it lasts. I am very optimistic.” — K. B.
“I absolutely LOVE this one.” —Janelle C.
“Beautiful, Milo.” —Rick B.
About DQ Customer Pays It Forward and Starts Something Big
“This was such a remarkable story. I followed the link to the news article and was blown away that it was actually real. Fantastic storytelling on your part, by the way.” — Joan M.
Favorite Quotations
“Prejudice, though, doesn’t depend on logic. It distorts images; it is like viewing a pebble through the waters of a stream. And like water, it slips through your fingers. There is nothing to grasp hold of, wrestle with. It can always find another opening. It leaks into everything, and in the end, if it drains away, it leaves everything damp. Still the same, but slightly stained, with a tide mark around the edges.”
— Aminatta Forna, from The Devil That Danced on the Water: A Daughter’s Quest (submitted by Andrea B.)
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