Christmas – Iffy Dog

Recently, my 10 year old daughter was asked, what do you want for Christmas? –A puppy! she replied. The thing is, I’m not sure if she was serious, or if she has mastered the adult sarcasm in the family. We have had over thirty dogs here in the last year, and most of them would count as a puppy. We’ve even had a few of the newly weaned, just taken from the momma dog type. We love puppies. I tell people: they are a total pain in the ass. Because they are. They are untrained pee machines. But I’m like the puppy-grandma, I get to love on them and cuddle on them for a short time, all the while knowing we will be sending them on to a forever home soon, making another family very happy. Knowing they are temporary changes your attitude about the rough parts. Maybe the reason that I am good at fostering and letting go is that I have changed countries, continents, jobs, schools, and friends so often that my mantra is: I can handle anything, because soon enough everything will change and I’ll be starting over. You would be amazed at what you can deal with if you maintain this attitude. Pretty much everything in life is temporary in one way or another, so appreciate the good parts, the bad parts will pass.

I hope we will be lucky enough to foster some tiny puppies over the Christmas holiday. The fact that grandparents are asking about Christmas gifts reminds me that I really need to stop procrastinating Christmas planning. This year we are having a very modest Christmas. I am seriously on a minimalist mission to get rid of stuff. Having a house with 6 to 8 dogs and their cages and dog beds is making me very happy, but all of the life clutter around them is stressing me out. What is the point of amassing more stuff?

I’m not a total Scrooge. I have a bad habit of overdoing gifts for my family. I love giving people things that make them happy! My family is getting harder and harder to shop for though. Now that the kids are 10 and 13, they just aren’t into toys. Ask them what they want and you get a blank stare, or nothing; my son actually said nothing. I think it’s great. I’m super happy that they aren’t materialistic to the point of having detailed lists. I still want to find them a gift that makes them smile though. Maybe our gift should actually be giving. Maybe it will make them smile if I give them each a gift card, and we go to the store and buy toys and treats to deliver to the homeless animals at the shelter, and toys and clothes for kids in need.

I want all the dogs for Christmas! If you’ve followed my blog, you know that I love beautiful dogs. I would like to foster one of every shape and size, I would like to love on them and cuddle them, photograph them, and send them happily off to their forever families. I want a St. Bernard and a Berner and miniature Dachshund. I love them all. I love the mutts too. My dog Bailey is a weird mix of Chow, Lab, Dachshund and English Bulldog. He’s funny looking. I think he’s beautiful. Ollie is a Chihuahua mixed with so many things that the DNA test was inconclusive. He’s funny looking too, like a hound/Greyhound.

My latest fosters are both beautiful. Otis is a gorgeous full blooded chocolate Labrador Retriever who is is only with us a very short time. He has an adopter ready for him.

The other new foster is Hope. I have no idea what breed mix Hope is. She looks like a herding type dog. She is a beautiful white. You wouldn’t look at her and see any kind of perfection. Hope was born partially deaf and partially blind. She has a milky, glass eye. She can see some movement. I’m not sure how well she can hear. Hope has spent her life living in an outside pen. Otis, on the other hand, is well trained and healthy and has been an inside dog. Hope is afraid just being inside of the house. It feels strange to her, the hardwood floors, the cushions. I’m happy to give Otis a place to stay between families. He knocked over a rambunctious toddler and was given up. That sucks, but this boy has lived a pretty good life. Hope hasn’t. She is kind of a mess. She has bad scars where dogs have attacked her. She needs to have several fractured teeth extracted. She has heartworms that have gone untreated.

Hope needs a forever family. First, she needs to learn to be an inside dog. She needs to learn to trust people again. She needs some serious decompression time. I’m so glad that Hope is with us for the holidays. I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas than loving on her. She is so very beautiful to me. I told Hope that her bad parts have passed, they are behind her. The good part of life starts here and now.

Maybe I think they are ALL beautiful? That’s because of the joy they bring me. Look at that beautiful smile on Hope’s face as she hugs my daughter. I’m glad that I’m giving this sort of a life to my children. I’m proud of the way that they have stepped up and take responsibility for our many four-legged guests.

I have been given so much in life. I grew up in a nice house in nice neighborhood, and I’ve never been hungry or cold. I’ve been safe, coddled even. (Thank you Mom and Dad!) Now that I am all grown up and settled in a warm, safe home of my own, now that I have two healthy, wonderful children, and I have travelled all over the world, now I want to give more than I receive. That’s why I love rescue. These dogs give me so much day after day, that it’s hard to believe that I am actually giving more than I receive. I think that’s why I am drawn to dogs like Tres and Hope. Dogs that have big needs, needs that I think I can meet. It feels really good to help them.

Still thinking about what my modest family Christmas is going to look like. I’ve ordered blankets and durable dog chew toys to take to the shelter with the kids. Of course, the freak snow days came and went and the blankets have not arrived yet. Ugh. Waiting…In the meantime, I’m not totally preachy and unmaterialistic…..I’ve come across these cute pillows. These all made me smile. Perhaps you have someone in your life who needs a gift like these? (You know, if they can’t rescue a puppy for some reason.)

ASPCA Pillows

https://www.pbteen.com/shop/girls-bedding/teen-decorative-pillows/

How cute are these?