Letting Go

And just like that, in seemingly no time at all, it was done.

Lexi is home.

 

To follow her adventures in forever, visit Lexi’s new blog!

Making The Most Of It

That’s what we’re doing tonight, Lexi’s last night in her foster home. I’ve said quite a bit this week, so I’d like to leave it as Lexi brought it – enjoying ourselves on the upholstery. Goodbyes will come tomorrow. Tonight, The Couch.

Goodnight, Gallump. Here’s to more couches, and a wonderful family to share them with.

Nearing Departure

Here we are, then, with a few days between us and the realization that Lexi will soon be going home, and a few more between today and the actual parting of ways. We’ve had some time to process (a bit), and to begin to make plans, and to prepare. It doesn’t quite feel real yet that Lex will be leaving us, but little things are beginning to drive that home – the email correspondences with her new family, the sudden thoughts throughout the day of little things that need to be picked up, or washed, or found before packing happens later this week. One thing that is becoming increasingly clear is that, thanks to all of you, Lexi is going home with quite the dowry – her wardrobe alone is impressive!

Lexi’s going away present – a version of one of Sadie’s toys that Lex has coveted, filled with little Sadies so that she can remember her foster sister!

We have also been reflecting on our time with Lex. The last 6+ months have been joyful and frustrating and unpredictable and, above all, irreplaceable. We have had numerous successes as well as our share of challenges, but one thing we have never had to do is to face any of them alone. We would like to thank everyone for so many encouraging words throughout this process, and for the shared joy at this momentous time. I have fostered many times over, but never have I done so with the level of support that we have experienced, and that has made all the difference.

Watching geese with Lexi before she met her soon-to-be-family, one of so many wonderful moments captured to remember long after she goes home.

One statement we have been hearing over and over is “It must be so (awful/terrible/difficult/sad) to give her up”. And you know what? Those statements are true. It will be sad. So much emotion has gone into this process, so much bonding, it won’t be possible to drive away from her without feeling like we are leaving a part of ourselves behind. But we want to add that it will also be wonderful, a victory of sorts. We have known from the start that this was not permanent, and we have discovered along our journey that, love her as we do, with our schedules, our pet filled home, our way of living life, we just aren’t a permanent fit – and that’s okay. What makes us such a difficult fit for the forever is exactly what made us such a ideal spot to recuperate. We gave her what we had when she needed it, and now it’s time for someone else to welcome her home and we knew that this was how it would be from the start. When the time comes (and it’s coming quickly) to leave her in the hands and homes of another family we will be sad and thrilled and lost and anxious and pleased and confused and conflicted but, above all else, we will be confident that she is in the best place she could be and thankful for her wonderful new start with such a special new family.

Finally, some of you have asked what our resident hound Sadie will do once Lexi is gone. Well, never fear…if her actions when Lexi spent the day meeting her family are anything to go by, I think we’ll be A-OK:

What Gallump?

We will have at least one or two more postings between now and the final drop off this Friday, so we won’t say a full goodbye yet. I would also like to let you know that a little bird told me that Lexi’s new home is preparing a blog of their own to chronicle her life with them (see? we told you they were great)! So, don’t feel like this is an end of a story, simply the end of a chapter. There’s plenty more to come, and thank you all so much for following with us this far!

Yes.

Today is a big day. A huge day. A monumental, giant, important … well, you get the idea.

Today is the day someone said, quite simply: “Yes”.

“Yes” to the wiggle butt, “Yes” to the head-tripping, “Yes” to the snoring and the couch hogging and the hugs. They also said “Yes” to the allergies, to the medications and doctors visits and training and support.  “Yes” to the best and the worst and the whole of it.

Today, someone finally said “Yes” to our Lexi.

I will have plenty more to say on this later, but wanted to share with you what has already caught the eyes of over 1,000 (one thousand!!) people on Facebook.

Because, really, this wonderful couple is not the first to say “Yes” to Lexi. Thousands of people (like you) have been saying “Yes” to her for the nearly 7 months she has been living with us in foster care.

Handsome Dan’s Rescue said “Yes” when she needed more help than a general admission shelter could give.

Donors said “Yes” when she needed expensive medical care, filling her ChipIn within hours.

Supporters said “Yes” every day when they left encouraging notes (or even simple ‘likes’ on her pictures and updates), notes that meant so much to her foster family particularly on those rough days.

Generous fans said “Yes” when Lexi needed special supplies to get (and stay) healthy – a special coat and boots, toys to teach her to play, supplies to keep her safe in her foster home, special food and medications to ease her symptoms.

You all have been saying  “Yes” to her for a while now, and that is why she is finally having this day, this day where someone saw her and said:

“Yes. Lexi. Come home”.

Warmth and Cheer in the New Year (please)!

I know, I know…it’s been a couple of weeks. All the holiday season-crazy set in and, well, we’ve had little time for anything else! Here we are, though, back with plenty to report. You might consider this our Year End Brag Sheet!

First and foremost is that Lexi is still looking for her forever home. We’ve had a couple of close calls, but so far nothing has stuck. We’re not letting it get us down, though! We see what a special girl she is, and we have faith that the right family is out there.

Most recently, we would like to share (with a giggle) that our Winter Weenie has, without a doubt, figured out the radiators. The moment that tell-tale New England ticking of steam starts up, she bolts to one of the two radiators with convenient padded seating close by, and hunkers in as close as she can to wait for that sweet, sweet blissful heat to come.

Me: “Hey, Lex, come ‘ere! Wanna cookie?”
Lexi: “You’re kidding, right? It’s, like, negative a MILLION in here and this baby is just about to fire up. No dice.”

Me: “So, would your jammies make you any warmer?”
Lexi: “JAMMIES? Why didn’t you say so?! Radiator-schmadiator. You can go, now. Pink Monkey Jr. and I have some business to attend to.”

Oh, and that silliness reminds me – the jammies came, and Lexi LOVES them! A huge thanks to Dozer’s Designs for a great product, and to you all for some great taste in warm evening-wear! Lex has been sporting these puppies most days. Just tonight I came home and mentioned to Brian that Lex seemed off, a little out of sorts. He pointed out her lack of jammies … yeah. Problem solved. She turned into a jumping bean when she saw them, and could barely contain her wiggles while I put them on her (barely, but she did contain them, because she’s a really good girl).

As expected, the first major snowfall of the season was met with wildly different responses from the 4-legged set: Sadie, our resident snow-hound, went berserk with glee while Lexi gave a very firm ‘don’t wanna’ while trying to walk without any foot actually touching the ground. They may be getting along, but they sure don’t agree on much!

Speaking of getting along:

Playing by themselves, together!

Stack-A-Pup

Lex makes a great kitty-pillow.

TWINS!

And in case you thought it was all sleeping…

Goober Battle!

Crazy hound face, met with patience and plans for a good pounce.

Ears!

Sadie found this really comfy blanket to sleep on. It’s strangely lumpy and it snores, but that’s normal, right? Oh, anyone seen that darn foster dog?

She’s still here? I still have to be good? You have more treats, right?

Antlers work. Antlers are good.

Butt-(foster)sisters!

‘Nuff said.

Lexi has also spent the last month plus as both a model and a muse, and she’s pretty stellar at it. I have found myself inspired to get back to drawing like never before since Lex has been around. This spurred a project I’ve called Dog A Day, where I sketch at least one dog a day, every day. It’s been going really well, and if you check it out, you may recognize a certain wrinkly, piggy face over…and over… and over again (she’s just got such a look!):

Lex, doing what she does best. One of the early sketches.

Lexi and her foster dad!

Sleeping Peanut, done quickly in ball point pen.

The most recent project, a series of coasters! Seriously. Great. Model.

Sure, we’ve had some setbacks, some hard days (namely yet more reactions to a former -yes former– medication), but we haven’t let that get us down. We are coming up on a full 6 months with The Gallump, overall a great 6 months. I love her to pieces, and desperately hope that the day comes, sooner rather than later, when someone else has the heart and vision (and, yes, maybe even patience) to see what a great girl this Peanut is, and what a great friend she is ready to be. In closing, we’d like to leave you with a lesson on proper napping form:

For a novice napper, it is always good to start on a lap.

No lap? No worries. The more adventurous can make do with almost any pillow.

Maximum droop with minimum drool is the goal. But, if it’s not your pillow, don’t worry about the drool thing.

You don’t need a fluffy tail to pull off The Snowfox – just the right attitude.

No thumbs to order that As Seen On TV Snuggie? Chew a hole in a blanket – tada! They’ll buy you your own jammies for napping in no time.

Always, always look like you are enjoying your nap.

Don’t want to be bothered? Make it super clear. After all, that’s why your face can reach your own butt.

Don’t like napping alone? That’s okay. No one does. Go ahead and get all up in your friend’s business. They’ll thank you (probably).

Supportive Napping – not for the faint of heart! Cozy on up to your sickest bud and turn on the sleepy charm. Better than Nyquil, and they’ll return the favor when they’re feeling better.

Nothing here fit your style? That’s okay. When in doubt, just go flat. Goodnight.

And The Winner Is …

Well, the ballots have been cast, votes have been counted (twice), and we have a winner! The Winter Weenie is all aquiver with excitement – she just can’t wait to give up these rotten blankets and lounge about freely in her new fleece jammies! She was a little bummed (as was I) to learn that the Pirates (come on, Pirates are pretty cool) didn’t win, but that’s okay. A close second went to Rock and Roll, which she felt was a pretty solid choice. And, if Rock and Roll and Pirates couldn’t win, Lex and I are super excited that her fans had the great taste to chose…

(drum roll)…..

SOCK MONKEYS!

Didn’t win. No, not at all.

A close second place

Ta-Da! The Winner!

That’s right! Our Gallump, Silly Monkey Face Goober Butt, is going to be strutting her stuff in a fine pair of Sock Monkey Jammies! We just can’t wait to get them and share some super adorable photos with you all. Aren’t you excited?!

Many thanks to all of you who voted, and to Heather at Dozer’s Designs, who will be making the awesome new addition to Lexi’s wardrobe. And, for all of you with dogs over 50 lbs who want them to rock Lexi’s look (or something like it), check out the rest of the Dozer’s Design products and support small business that supports dogs!

Help Dress The Weenie!

Baby, it’s cold outside! And, as our Winter Weenie points out … it’s going to get even colder before it gets warmer. Here in New England, things can get pretty chilly! The Weeny has stated, in no uncertain terms, that she sure as heck will not be going outside unless she is properly bundled. She has also insinuated that said bundling better look snazzy. Well, we’ve looked high and low, and we think we’ve found just the thing! Not only is it about the warmest getup out there for a pup, but it’s made by a small craftsperson, a person who supports dog rescue, AND it’s stylish! Behold the Fleece Dog Jammies, custom made by Dozers Design on Etsy!

Now, this is where you come in! We’re going to get Lexi an early holiday present, but we just can’t decide which adorable pattern to choose… so we want you to pick for us! We’ve narrowed it down to the following choices:

Please help us pick by deciding which one you think would look best on Lexi and commenting with your answer! The deadline will be Tuesday, November 27th, and we’ll reveal the winner for next week’s post. We can’t wait – and neither can The Weenie!

Giving Thanks, Weenie Style

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Sure, there are flashier ones, and ones where you get presents, and ones that have fireworks or theme songs. But Thanksgiving, to me at least, has family. I don’t just mean your parents and siblings and even in-laws – Thanksgiving is about the family that you have created around you. Your friends, those people you see that add a little brightness to your day, those who you have chosen to spend your days or your life with. It’s about your constructed family, both human and non. Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by the concept that there is this special time, this special day, where you can celebrate not by rushing around or buying things or making the best decorations, but instead by looking at those you have around you and thinking “gee, I’m so glad you’re in my life”. To me that is magical. Not the magic that is for kids, and that fades as you grow up – this is the kind of magic that can, that should, become stronger as you age.

You see, each year we have more to be thankful of and for. Some years you may have to look for it a little longer or harder than others, but it’s there. This year, Lexi and I both have so many new friends to be thankful for. In this last year I got to know the amazing folks over at Handsome Dan’s Rescue, and through them we welcomed Lexi into our home. Through Lexi, we have gotten to know so many hundreds of people who have donated so generously towards her care, who have followed her story, who have given words of encouragement and advice as we’ve worked through these last nearly 5 months together. I know that all of these people, all of you, have made my life richer for our meeting.

I know that, to Lexi, your presence in her life has meant the world. Dogs may not have an understanding of the concept of holidays, it’s true, but I know from living with her that Lexi gives thanks each and every day, with every fiber of herself. They don’t need a special day for it, that’s just what dogs do. However, today, I’ve sat down with Lexi and we’re making a list of those things that she’s thankful for to share with you all on the eve of this special day, this holiday of all holidays. Here, then, is Lexi’s Thankful list (we encourage you all to make one for yourself, too – you’d be surprised how long it could be!):

1. Couches (and futons)

2. Pumpkin

3. Antler Chews

4. Squeaky toys

5. Doggy Boots

6. Hugs – even (especially?) when you steal ’em!

7. Thick, cooshy beds

8. Wubbas

9. Interesting smells

10. Calming Doggy Music

11. Not having tummy troubles

12. Cyclosporine

13. The Snood

14. A Foster Sister who tries very hard to be nice

15. Warm coats (and sweaters and jackets and blankets and…)

16. The HDR Family – Each and every one of you, wherever you are

17. Her Forever home, wherever they are, and the moment they realize she’s The One.

Snoods are brilliant!

We’re sure there are many more, but we think this is a pretty good start. We’re also pretty sure that, tomorrow, we’ll be able to add number 18: Sweet Potato, baked just for me! (shh, don’t ruin the surprise).

So, with that, we would like to wish you all an amazing Thanksgiving. We hope you all have as much as Lexi does to be Thankful for this year, and that you have friends and family to share thanks with, and that you enjoy this day as much as we will. Don’t be afraid to let somebody know they matter to you, and understand that you are important to someone. We are all fortunate enough to be part of this amazing community of caring people who really do make positive change in the world, and even if we don’t celebrate it as often as the dogs in our lives do, we hope you are able to take a few moments tomorrow to do so.

With all our love, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You!

-Lexi and her foster family

Here’s To Tomorrow

Tonight, we were going to post about how well Lexi has been doing – how excellent her coat has been, how well she’s taking her meds, how she’s been gaining weight again and loving life and looking better than she ever has. We were looking forward to telling you all about her recent antics with her foster sister, and the adorable things she’s been doing, like climbing into my lap for a movie long hug that turned into her snoring into my armpit for about 80 minutes.

Instead, Lexi is having sudden onset tummy troubles which led to the loss of all of her dinner (and, we suspect, her evening meds). She has not had any of these troubles for quite a while, so this caught us off guard. Lexi is extra bummed because Jesse, one of her favorite people on earth, came by to visit, and arrived just after her illness struck. She heard his voice and wagged the only tail wag we’ve had all night – I’m sure she’d rather be snoring on his lap, but she is feeling too cruddy to come out of her room or do much more than wag that little tail.

So, instead of a long post about how great she’s doing (and she has been overall awesome lately), I am going to be sitting with her and rubbing her back (and using up lots of paper towels) and making sure she’s feeling better and resting. Here’s hoping this is just a little upset, and all is better by tomorrow – poor, sweet Gallump!

 

I will still leave you with a silly moment. Here is proof positive that airplane noises can cross species barriers when it comes to helping medicine go down better. Effective, and a lot healthier than a spoon full  of sugar (though a spoon full of pumpkin does help):

A Gallump is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Four months.

As of this Tuesday, Election Day, Lexi has been sharing our home for 4 whole months.

This is a long time to spend with someone and it’s amazing, looking back, just how far we’ve come. Thinking back to that skinny, itchy and walled-off pup who installed herself on our futon back in July, it’s difficult to reconcile that little dog with the lazy, crazy gallump who has slowly taken over our home.

Lexi and Bula, sharing a nap with me.

You can’t help but enter an arrangement like fostering without having some preconceived notions about how it will work, about what life will be like together. Despite my best efforts, despite trying to keep an open mind, I am guilty of making assumptions too soon, of figuring that certain things were just the way it would be. The biggest surprise has been how well Lex has integrated into our animal-filled household. While interactions are still supervised and we still strictly crate when out of the house, any separation while home has become almost more about keeping that distance that is so much a part of fostering, rather than a safety precaution. Lexi could care less about the rabbits; she has made it her mission to get Bula the cat to not just approve of her, but to really like her (jury is still out, by the way); and Lexi has gone above and beyond to win over our crotchety hound Sadie. I strongly believe that, in this regard, she has done us a real favor. While Sadie still has an air of mere tolerance rather than affection (as with her last foster sister), that tolerance is amazing. After a rocky few days, Lexi has shown an amazing ability to work with what Sadie gives her, and to be happy with it. I have never seen Sadie so, well, tolerant of a dog, particularly one she still so clearly doesn’t like too much. She’s gaining social skills I never thought she’d have, and I never thought we’d have Lexi to thank for that.

When Lexi first came home, it struck me how little I felt I could see of her, how turned inward she seemed to be. That, too, has changed drastically. What I feel I’ve learned the most about Lexi is her desperate need to know how things stand, where she fits in to a situation, what is expected of her. Much like me in some ways, Lexi needs rules. She is visibly uncomfortable in situations that she doesn’t understand, and often looks for guidance anywhere it may be available. Don’t get me wrong, she is not misbehaved or out of control or any of that – quite the contrary, the majority of her default behavior is perfectly polite, in fact. I think of her a bit like a social sponge – she observes reactions and behavior around her, and responds accordingly. She is incredibly smart, has great focus, and if you give her time she will work things out. She’s a big thinker – that is, when she remembers to think (we all forget sometimes). Training with Lexi has been both a challenge and a joy – a challenge in that she is a much more outgoing, more energized and focused dog than I usually work with, and a joy often for those same reasons.

Digging for exactly the right toy

These thoughts (and so many others) bring us to today, as I hear running throughout my head the oft-repeated query “why hasn’t she been adopted yet?” And I don’t really have an answer to that. Not a complete one, anyway. As with any adoption, there is an element of luck to having the right person stumble upon the right dog at the right time. There are also more obvious hurdles between dogs like Lexi and a forever home; hurdles like her breed type (elephant in the room). We all understand the issues facing our beloved blockheads, but fortunately for Lexi she is positioned in exactly the right place to catch the eye of fans of her ilk – Handsome Dan’s Rescue for (those oh-so-awesome) Pit Bull Type Dogs. So, you’d think that shouldn’t be so much of an issue, right?

Our gorgeous girl…

Well, there’s also the (not so) small matter of her allergy issues, which I’m under no delusions about. I’m sure some people have considered her, only to change their mind because of that word: Allergies. In fact, I know it to be true. And I wouldn’t want someone to commit to Lexi without fully considering her care needs. Dogs with allergies can be expensive – medication, special diets and supplements –  and their care can take more time – cleaning, medicating, monitoring – than other dogs. They can also, however, give just as much (or more) love in return and lead full, healthy and happy lives with much less fuss than I think many imagine. Yes, we have had ups and downs with Lex, sure. We’ve had to trial-and-error this a bit, and thanks to generous supporters of HDR, we’ve had the wiggle room to do so – which means Lexi’s future family won’t need to. The luxury of being able to tackle Lexi’s allergies while in foster care means that she is now on a drug and diet routine that works for her, and that should make daily life for her nearly indistinguishable from a dog without allergies. Her miracle drug, Cyclosporine, can be costly, but generics and the reduced maintenance dose she is heading for will make the ultimate cost more within reach – about $30-60 per month (vs. hundreds of dollars that some fear). With this medication functioning in her system, Lexi’s family will likely not need to worry nearly so much about environmental irritants and food. Lexi will also head to her future home with a complete file of all of her medical care to date, eliminating much of the testing and work many families have to go through with their pet upon diagnosis of allergies. A good point raised by a handful of people is that, with Lexi, her issue is a known quantity. Any dog can have health issues or allergies – with Lexi, we already know about them and have taken (many) steps to alleviate them. As her primary caregiver for the last four months I can say that, yes, Lexi has been more work than some other dogs, but then she has been less than some, too. We have adjusted smoothly to her care, and are confident that her new family will, too. We do want anyone considering taking Lexi home to know what they are getting into, but we also know that there is a family out there that will be able to see past the big ugly label Allergies and see the whole picture. Could Lexi cost more? Sure. Will she take more time and work? Possibly. Is she worth it? Absolutely. And the person who sees that is the person who is right for this girl.

The Gallump is always game for a good cuddle.

We know that person is out there. Maybe we haven’t met them yet, or maybe we just haven’t realized it , but they’re there, and we can’t wait for them to figure out what they have been missing this whole time. The stolen hugs and love attacks, the crazy fits, the quirks and silly habits, the complete and utter devotion that our Lexi delivers in a manner quite unlike any other. Someone is missing all of this, but we are happy to enjoy it in the interim. After all, a Gallump certainly is a terrible thing to waste.

Lexi is waiting…