Sunday, April 29, 2012

120 lbs of Chocolate Love
























This is my new 120 lb Foster Boy. I picked him up yesterday after he was dropped off at neutral pick up/drop off zone....a vet clinic near my house. He's been the loving dog to a family for 8 years. Apparently he loved to roll around on the floor with the kids and they used him as a pillow while watching TV. He also had a best friend...a cat...with whom he lounged on the sofa. Apparently the dad got a new girl friend who had allergies, so he had to be re-homed. The whole getting rid of your dog thing makes me very sad. I can totally understand not being able to keep a dog. Financial, living, medical, work reasons come up and circumstances change. I just wish this boy couldn't have stayed at his home until they found him a new one. Plus, the girlfriend could be gone in 6 months.... Anyway he's so huge, he got stuck between the front passenger and driver's side seat while on his way here. He tried to get through to the front, despite me trying to stop him, and got properly sandwiched between the seats, causing me to have to pull over and try to push him backwards. He would't (couldn't) budge. I had to get out and pull him through to the front then bring him around to the back again. 

My last Foster Dog, Hunter made the transition very easily. Besides incidents such as eating 6 bananas from the fruit bowl, he was happy and relaxed. Not this Boy. I would have to describe yesterday as a day of mourning for him. He paced, panted, cried, barked and was generally very unhappy and upset all day. Which physically is very hard for him A) because a dog stresses leaving his home and B) because he is so overweight (35 lbs) he has exhausted himself from pacing and panting. He is having a lot of difficulty with the hardwood floors. I've had to make him stepping stones from rubber backed bathmats. He can't do stairs, although he managed to climb onto my white sofa!  I don't have to worry about the cat because she's no match for this 99 year old man. 

Despite belly rubs, lots of short walks, hand feeding him (he's too upset to eat) and a cozy bed in the office, he's still not happy today. He sleeps for 5 minutes, then grunts and groans and paces and then settles again, making little pining noises.  It's breaking my heart. 

28 comments:

  1. He is so cute.......!! i melt......love Ria....xxx

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  2. That is so sad! I hope he settles soon, or the dad realises what a jackass he's been & ditches the girlfriend on the way over to reclaim his baby. Poor Darling, he is lucky to have you.
    xx

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  3. Humans just plain stink sometimes. Wishing you both a better day today.

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  4. Oh gosh, the poor thing. I can't imagine what it would be like to be pulled, unknowingly from your family and left, not understanding what is going on.
    I'm sure all your love and care will help him to transition to his new temporary home.

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  5. I would be tempted to photograph him in distress and send it to the a** that he used to belong to... I hope his girlfriend leaves him.
    I hope your day with him goes better and he relaxes a little. I imagine he will exhaust himself .. perhaps a chewie/rawhide thingee would give him something to concentrate on ?
    I have a mini video on my phone of Pup a day or two before he died, on his big bean bag, chewing the life out of a rawhide bone :)

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  6. You are a "golden person!". A title I have given to very, very few!!! This chocolate boy breaks my HEART. What does it say about a guy who would give up his dog for a girlfriend who may not stay around for the long haul! Poor thing. . . . Keep us posted . . . I need to worry about this cute guy! Love his face . . .

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  7. Oh this is so sad. Thanks for being there for this cute pooch. We have a choc. Lab named Max.I can't imagine any man letting go of his best friend for some chic.... I think the guy should have kept the dog and thought twice about the new girlfriend.

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  8. Oh dear. This makes me sad/happy/angry. I cannot imagine letting go a part of the family like that - especially with the kids. Is GF not allergic to cat? Hmmmmmm. I am happy that you are helping him adjust. Poor thing, but I know he will eventually settle down and enjoy his time at your place. Hope it goes well Chania and I hope his eventual permanent home is as thoughtful and loving as yours is. Ann

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  9. Poor guy!!!!! I'm glad he has an understanding foster home!!!!....what would it be like if he had gone to a shelter??? The poor kids are probably crying their eyes out too!!! I mean really....get a new girlfriend....don't be so mean to the dog and kids!!!!What is wrong with people?...lots of pets and scritches please!!!!and bad karma for the so called dad.......

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  10. Poor guy! We have a chocolate lab female too and they love to eat. We have to really watch snacks and treats or she would gain too much weight too. She might also be missing the kids (and I'm sure they are too!) Hopefully it won't be long until he settles.

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  11. Poor sweet soul, he doesn't deserve this, for a new girlfriend no less. Guy is clearly a jerk. You are clearly a saint. It is admirable that you foster, I could never do it--I become attached immediately and they would never leave.

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  12. Oh the poor guy....and just when he settles into your loving home he'll be moving on again. Have you tried some music or tv? Depending on the dog sometimes that'll help. My poor Justice is so deaf now that often she thinks I have left the house and she starts to howl. I have found if I leave the tv or stereo on while i'm outside or upstairs she seems less afraid..What about a play date with another friendly pooch? He'll soon respond to your loving hands..
    I'd like to be angry with the owners but here in Vegas I've seen far too many families in crisis mode and know many had to relinquish their pets for many reasons (Walking in another man's shoes)...

    Hope he settles in soon, and what a good soul you are<3
    xx
    z

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  13. What a heartbreaking story, but I do hope he is able to settle in and that he will find a wonderful new home. At least he is with you and will have the best possible change of transitioning. I wonder how the poor kids he left are doing?!

    Kat

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  14. Given that he HAS to be in a transitional home, he couldn't be in better hands Chania. Hang in there, just love, love, love him.

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  15. Chania...what a sad story and a sweet face. I just don't understand how someone could let this sweet boy go. I hope he finds a loving home.....one that will love him forever. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful foster mother.......

    PS...you have slip covers, right?

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  16. Chania I'm so GLAD this fellow has you to look after him until he's rehomed....I think his former owner should be fined though....What a jerk....An ABSOLUTE & utter JERK....I don't get care if his new girlfriend has allergies....Boofreakinhoo....Take a pill.........!!!!!

    Cheers,
    Tamarah

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  17. That is so sad. I wish the father could read this post. Disgusting. I wonder how the kids feel about it. Their father gets a new woman moving in and they have to give up their dog.

    I'm glad you have him. Poor fellow.

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  18. I can not decide which is worse...
    a) a father who would separate his children from their dog for a girlfriend.
    b) the woman who would let a man separate his children from their dog.
    I feel sorry for the children and that lovely heartbroken 120 pound heart.

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  19. Oh my.....he needs so much lovin'....so happy he has you!

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  20. This is so sad for this dog. I'm trying not to pass judgement but really?!! Anonymous nailed it - what kind of man would do that to his dog or his children. pitiful.

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  21. Oh the poor baby. It's just not fair. I hope he settles and that he finds some happiness soon. You are fantastic for helping out Chania x

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  22. I honestly like animals better than humans for just a reason as this. So upsetting that this man could dispose of the dog that has been part of the family for eight years over some bimbo. Thank God he is with you now, is all I can think to say. If he can get past his grieving of being dumped, it will be you that saves him. I feel for the poor kids, but that man doesn't deserve him back. Wonder if they dumped the cat too. My 15 year old cat is dying and I'm doing EVERYTHING in my power to keep her as comfortable as possible during these last days.

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  23. Poor baby! I hope he settles in soon. Animals grieve their losses just as humans do. After my son's death, our German Shepherd grieved deeply for 2 weeks. We were more worried about him than we were about ourselves. By the end of the second week, he started to eat and play again. Thankfully, the old boy ended up in your loving home for the time being. Good luck to you both.

    xoxo,
    Anne

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  24. I agree with Anne. I'm sure that animals feel sadness and rejection as much as the rest of us. I think You're brilliant with animals Chania. At least he's having some respite now.

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  25. Oh, I am teary reading this story. How did life get so difficult ~ for all of us! Its a question I have been asking for a bit now. Thank you Thank you Thank you! You are a special person, no I mean a really special person. Thank you for sharing and I hope and pray all works out but I know i am appreciating the fact he has you! Our Special Hound is so spoilt by each and every one of us and I wouldn't have it any other way. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  26. Poor darling so sad the kids must be missing him also! Lucky to have you to care for him.
    Carla x

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  27. Wow, I cannot believe you would move into a home where a dog is part of the fabric of that family and ask for it to leave!! How heart-less is that. I don't understand either how somebody can agree to that. Our golden lab, 11 years old would have a very hard time adapting. That family has taught their children some poor lessons about animals and the role they play in a family. I agree whole-heartedly with everyone.... good thing for him that you are fostering him.

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  28. How could anyone get rid of the family dog after EIGHT YEARS??? Shame on the new girlfriend for letting the family go through with it! Jeez. Thankfully he has you now.

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I love to read each and every comment and are thrilled that you take the time to send one. Thank you so much. Chania