Anyone who has experienced fostering an animal will relate to the feeling of joy and relief you have when your new charge first relaxes into your presence and home.
I’ve heard people talk about the happiness of hearing the huge sigh that comes from a pound dog when they lie down inside on a comfy bed and realise they get to sleep in peace and warmth for the first time in weeks.
Or for those amazing people who take on the abused and fearful, it might be the first time that animal allows itself to be petted, or even simply allows you to approach without cowering from your presence.
I’ve had the honour of fostering a number of gentle, senior dogs who’ve found themselves abandoned and alone at the age of 10 or 12. For them the moment I look for isn’t when they first show me affection or lie down beside me. These dogs without fail have instantly clung to me. I can only assume they worry that I might go away like the people they loved their whole lives did.
The moment I wait for is the one where I can leave a room and they don’t feel like they have to follow. That’s when I know they’ve finally settled. Sometimes it happens within the first week or two, sometimes a little longer.
This time it took 7 weeks.
7 weeks of watching this girl haul herself up every time I moved. 7 weeks of her NEVER going outside unless I was with her, or had shut the dogs outside for some reason. 7 weeks of seeing her sad face staring out the window when I left to go out, and still there when I came back.
As a little bit of background, Sandy is a 10yr old Ridgeback x who was picked up as a stray at the pound and then surrendered by her owners. She was covered in lumps that the wonderful team at the RSPCA removed and tested. Unfortunately many of them were Mast Cell tumours so Sandy’s prognosis isn’t great. Vets predict she probably has around 7mths of good quality life. Rather than let her die alone in the shelter, the amazing staff at the RSPCA and Fresh Start Rescue decided to try to find her a loving home to live out the rest of her days.
And that’s how she came to stay with Henry and I.
This time, my job isn’t to look after her until her new family comes along. My job is to make her feel as loved, relaxed and comfortable as I possibly can, and then to hold her paw when its time to say goodbye.
And all of that explains why this is one my favourite photographs ever.
You see, in this photograph, I’m inside and Sandy is happily relaxing outside on the deck without me there. For the first time in 7 weeks.
Omg love this pic and the story behind it is touching 🙂 thank you for sharing
Beautiful Kel.
Gorgeous
Beautiful. thanks for caring for her.
and that is why we foster 🙂 small but incredible joyful moments 🙂 well done Kelly!
Goosebumps Kel! Beautiful story.
Simply beautiful, thank you for opening your home and heart to this precious girl and for sharing such an beautiful touching photo
You’re AWESOME! Brought tears to my eyes!
I absolutely agree with “that moment” when. With my latest rescue (Skye the Malamute), it was when she stopped coming to check every 30 minutes or so that I was still there and when she allowed me to rub her belly. All the best to you and Sandy – I hope you have more than the few months more you’re expecting.
The best story I have read this week!
Just beautiful – thank you for caring and sharing this moment with us…x
How beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes!
omg tis bitter sweet thank goodness Sandy has you tyo look after her