You are very wise Janet. I think you have some excellent ideas for what this dog requires and needs from a new owner, and again, I applaud you for making sure that the dog gets into the right home!

You are an excellent foster to these dogs! I just have tremendous respect for people who are so dedicated to doing foster care work!
Considering the number of dogs that get misplaced originally, it is just great to know that caring people, like yourself are there to make the difference and find the dog a good home.

Just an update on Dudley!

He has made so much progress in the last couple of months. It's just amazing. He has made up with everyone in my home and some of the neighbors. I think he'll always be a little skiddish, but his confidence has improved 1000 times over.

So, yesterday, a couple came to meet him. They had put in an application for Dudley, and I called to discuss his specific needs. They were fine with coming to the house a few times before they took ownership and respected the way I wanted to introduce them. It went beautifully! He even came up to them and sniffed hands! The man even got to pet him. They were so patient. Their 10 year old shepherd mix died in March. The husband has been really down since until he saw Dudley on Petfinder. So, it looks like Dudley has a new family! We are taking a couple weeks for meetings and I will take him to their home around the 25th. I'm so thrilled! We are keeping in touch so that I can take care of him when they travel, as I don't think he is a dog that should ever board.

Thanks for all the support with this guy. He's taught me so much and is so dear to me.

Fantastic job, Janet!

Thanks, Connie!

Our whole family is excited. He made quite an impact on us...and particularly my husband. He never had dogs until he married me and really just didn't get it. But Dudley is such a sweet loving soul...many mornings, I'd wake up and find them outside together, Dudley halfway on his lap. Steve has said a hundred times, "he really is getting better isn't he." Dudley opened Steve's eyes to why I do rescue.

Oh Janet, what a great outcome for this wonderful boy.

It really is something isn’t it, taking them from their former shells to the wonderful, confident companion animals they can be.

I love what you’re doing with the introductions too, it’s so important; as much for your analysis as it is for him.

And so great that you’ll be keeping in touch. I always left that door open too, still is. I’m always prepared to get that phone call or knock on the door – can you take him back? And of course, they were all so special, I’d make room somehow.

Great job!!

THanks, CJ.

It really is amazing how they can transform and are willing to give each new human that enters their life a chance at earning their trust.

Just one last update on Dudley.

I took him to his new home yesterday. He did a fabulous job...jumped right out of the car, a little hesitant to enter the house but did on command. He sat at my left side while finishing up the paperwork and I stayed for about an hour until he started roaming around sniffing. When I left, he was sitting at his new owners left side being pet and loved up on.

Ears up, tail up and just the slightest bit unsure, but still confident enough to take a treat. I just couldn't believe it.

I woke up at 5 am in a bit of a fog, walked into his room and opened an empty crate before I remembered he was gone. But, it could not have ended any better for him and now my guys have my full attention.

Thanks for the advice, encouragement and support with this guy. He has been my favorite foster, and taught me more than any other dog I think.

Hooray for Dudley!

Will you foster another one?

Not right away. I have a lot of work to do with my pup, so my plan is to continue volunteering administratively...doing flyers and working events and stuff like that. But, you never know. When they call with an old fella that no one will take for whatever reason, I might change my mind. I just really want to get my pup on the right track, so we'll see. There are only two fosters that I know of that will take dogs that are considered "behavior problems". Puppies are easy to foster out, it's the 2-10 year olds that aren't house trained and aren't boxers or golden retrievers that are hard to place. Sad really, of five adult dogs that weren't houstrained that I've fostered, I've had one accident in the house. The older ones are really so much easier to work with.

Janet, that is just awesome! Congratulations on all your hard work and to Dudley for getting the home he deserves!

Thanks for the update, I will be looking forward to any future foster dogs you might have in the future! Again, great job!