Today we have a very special guest on our blog. Kim Bruck from the Arizona Basset Hound Rescue is sharing her good wishes to the moms that have one of the hardest jobs of all… foster moms. Kim is an amazing woman that is very dedicated to her work in rescue. She was recently awarded the Treva Slote HOPE award by the Phoenix Animal Care Coalition (PACC911); an annual award that goes to one outstanding voluteer that exemplifies the hard work and dedication that makes such a difference to animals in need.
Thank you Kim for all that you do for rescue. A Dog’s Life Photography wishes you and all of the moms of 2 and 4 legged kids a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Foster Moms of Four Legged Furry Friends!
This blog post is dedicated to YOU and for all the animals that have come through your home over the years either to move on to their forever home or to live out their days as a forever foster. Whether you foster for a breed rescue, animal shelter or a humane society, you are the reason that four legged friend is alive. As we say in the Basset world “AROOOOOO to YOU”.
Fostering can be very rewarding while at times it can break your heart but in the end you know that you have made a difference in a life. Over the past 3.5 years I’ve fostered over 20 dogs and probably another 20 that have come for a day or two on their way to a foster home. Today is a day to reflect and look back at all those whose lives you have touched by fostering, transporting or caring for them if only for a day or two.
From one foster mom looking back…….
A call went out for someone to foster Naomi whose family dumped her in the dumpster behind a McDonalds in the east valley of Arizona. You see, Naomi had terminal cancer both in her organs and in her bones, so she needed a quiet foster home to spend her days until it was time to travel the journey to the Rainbow Bridge. Naomi was a sweet, petite Basset Hound who enjoyed 6.5 weeks of loving, pampering, steak dinners. On the way to the vet on her final day when the pills could no longer provide her the quality of life she deserved, a double cheeseburger and fries like her Auntie Robin promised her when she came to AZBHR was on the menu. Even though Naomi was only in my life for a short time, she will always remain in my heart….Fly free sweet Naomi. Your foster mommy misses you!
Lotti and the puppies arrived via transportation in Uncle Mike’s van along with many other dogs coming from puppy mill country. Robin Martin, AZBHR’s Vice-President and I headed to meet up with the transport and loaded up Lotti and the puppies into my BUV (Basset Utility Vehicle). Now let me tell you, the smell of the dogs was unbelievable and even with all windows open…you could still smell it….well you get the picture. We arrived at Deanna’s, their new foster mom, where we bathed them all, feed them and watched them fall off to sleep knowing they have a warm, safe place to live. Before cleaning up Lotti, we cut off the chain around her neck that held her mill #153 tag…You see, to a puppy mill owner, the dogs are just a number and breeding machine so they can make money.
The dogs are not given shots or vet care, may live in cages or kennels with many other dogs, food maybe limited and many are not socialized. Lotti is thriving in her new forever home and was our 2010 Calendar girl.
As for Lotti’s puppies… 3 of the 4 survived but unfortunately one was very sick and her body just gave out. Fly free sweet Chanel.
Phoebe came from a puppy mill along with 49 other Basset Hounds in February and August of 2009 from AZ. Many of the dogs were not socialized at all with humans and were living outside in 110 degrees, with no food or water. When she came to AZBHR, she was only weighed 37 lbs, was sick with Valley Fever and was pregnant. She delivered her litter of pups on September 3rd while she was under the care of her wonderful foster mom, Sabrina. Phoebe and her puppies have all been adopted to great families.
Fostering a dog that has come from as bad of a situation as these dogs can be very rewarding. Dianna & Donica arrived with the February group and they were very different dogs. Dianna was very insecure, would fight with my Joanie, run from people and was even more afraid of men, loud noises or items such as rakes, etc. Donica was the opposite and loved everyone and didn’t care about other dogs just wanted humans to love on her. Both have found their forever homes and are featured in “Tails of Rescue” book by Susan Richey-Schmitz www.tailsofrescue.com. (PS Order yours today to see so many heartwarming stories about rescued dogs).
When AZBHR got the call that all the Bassets were now out of the mill and at Pinal County shelter, three of the dogs from the mill came to my house over a period of months. Mercy, the escape artist, was very timid around people but after time once she got to know you she was your best friend and loved to snuggle with you. Frieda, the 23 pound mini Basset came to AZBHR with puppies and there was concern of Parvo. So she spent some time with her puppies at the vet’s office. Once she was ready for a foster home, Frieda (AKA Frito-Lay) came to my house. What a sweetheart she is. It was fun to have a small Basset to hang with. Treasure was fostered by Betty (one of our many awesome foster moms) as she was treated for heartworm. Once she was cleared, she came to my house until her forever home was found. Treasure….well the name fit her, as she is a Treasure.
My Joanie was used for backyard breeding and my Herbie came from a puppy mill in Oklahoma.
I’m not against the breeding of dogs, as there are many reputable breeders. I’ve seen how many reputable and show breeders have teamed up with their local rescue groups to help foster, volunteer and donate to help save these animals.
A few days ago I received an email about Granny Ma… a forever foster who would have turned 20 this year with Golden Gate Basset Rescue. She was fostered by Sara & Jan to live our her senior years. Foster moms like this are ANGELS to the dogs they foster!
Many say, “I can’t foster because then I’ll want to adopt them all”….yes, I have “foster failed” two times in 3.5 years with my Joanie & Herbie but many have come and gone. Keep in mind that for every dog that is adopted, you save 2 dogs: The one being adopted and the new one that will arrive for you to foster! Some you are grateful they are leaving while others make you cry tears of joy and sadness. Princess was my hardest foster and was with me for six months. Yes tears were flowing before, the day of and after her adoption but Princess came back to visit her foster mom and meet her “foster” grandparents, my mom and dad last year… and she remembered me! Princess is doing awesome in her forever home and that is what fostering is all about…giving these dogs a second chance on life when no one else will.
Love that Drool,
Kim Bruck, President & Basset Ball Coordinator, Arizona Basset Hound Rescue
www.azbassetrescue.com and join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/azbhr
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