Tales & Tails of New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

The words from an old Jimmy Rodgers song come back to me, while delighting in and taking care of my latest foster dog (pictured above), "Nemo."

 

Those who regularly read this blog, will probably note that Nemo looks a great deal like "Baby," the little Bichon mix fostered some months back who was one of my very toughest adoptions.

 

"Tough" from the standpoint that Baby was very suspicious of strangers and took time warming up to new people.  A couple of potential adopters, Baby, in fact, tried to bite!

 

For that reason, I had Baby for several months before finding sensitive, qualified people who could be patient with and understand him.

 

But, Baby was tough for another reason --  I made the mistake of "falling in love" with him.

 

Baby and my dog, Tina were great together and seemed to develop a real fondness and closeness to one another.

 

They had similar energy levels and both enjoyed, brisk, long walks in the park.

 

When Baby was finally adopted, Tina was noticeably depressed for several days. She ran up to every Bichon or Baby look-a-like in the streets seemingly seeking her lost, little "boyfriend."

 

As for me, I was a basket case when Baby was adopted.

 

That little sad face staring out to me from the back seat of the car with his new people.  God, it was a scene I will never forget.

 

 

The guilt lasted for days until I was assured that Baby was indeed adored by his new people and, after a day or two,adapted perfectly and happily to his new home.

 

It was the right thing to do -- but, so so hard at the time of the actual adoption!

 

Well, now there is a new "baby" in our foster home.  And Tina has a new, little boyfriend who seems to bring as much delight to her as the old one.

 

I have even been able to hook Nemo's leash to Tina's retractable and walk both dogs on seemingly one lead.

 

Nemo and Tina are perfectly intuned to one another and walk/run like two Huskies in front of a sled!

 

Nemo is a 4-year-old, Maltese/Poodle mix who was dropped off at the shelter by people who claimed "Allergies."

 

This is very hard to understand, considering both, Maltese and Poodles are considered "Hypoallergenic" dogs!

 

When I first brought Nemo home, he was frantic to find his former owners.

 

Looking into and searching every human face on the street.  He paced, non stop in my apartment that first night, at times, pitifully whining and crying.  He refused to eat anything at all.

 

Nothing I did could console the "lost" little dog.

 

But, after a day or two, Tina (who has been through this sort of thing so many times before) helped the little fellow understand that the old life had ended and a new one begun. 

 

And hey, the new life ain't so bad!

 

Funny, how dogs seem to have their own "language" to help each other understand and adapt to the changes.

 

Within a few short days, Nemo was secure, happy and like Tina, jumping up ecstatically when it was time to go out.

 

And, Nemo has, like Baby, become very attached to me.

 

So much so, Nemo can be trusted off-leash during the early morning "off leash" hours in Central Park. He constantly watches where I am and doesn't dare venture beyond comfortable sight distance.

 

It's really wonderful to see Nemo running, chasing and playing so gleefully with other dogs!  He is just like a happy little puppy without a care in the world!

 

Tina, my dog, has never been into "playing" with other dogs, as much as she is comforting and being "Mommy" to the lost little ones.

 

Nemo is, of course, advertised for Adoption and I have received a number of calls on him.

 

But, so far, nothing has materialized into an adoption.

 

Perhaps, I am once again, becoming extremely "picky" about who will be lucky enough to acquire Nemo.

 

They have to be willing to WALK and exercise, Nemo! They have to understand that Nemo is a very loyal and devoted dog to whoever has him.  He's not going to run up and jump in a stranger's lap and plant doggie kisses!  Just like Baby, Nemo needs time to get to know and trust someone new.  (That is, in fact true of most dogs -- especially little ones.)

 

It is generally, a rough time in adoptions right now for most rescue groups and shelters.

 

We're two weeks before Memorial Day, one of the biggest "get away" holidays of the year.  (Especially, it seems, in New York City.)  The weather's beautiful.  Memorial Day represents the first taste of "summer getaways and fun."

 

At least two of my dog fosters are going away for Memorial Day and we are fast scrambling to find temporary situations for the dogs.

 

Meanwhile, there's a Pitbull mix at the shelter who I recently pulled off the Euth list and need to figure out something quickly.

 

But, the "good news" is that Juliet (Siberian Husky) was adopted today -- by the same people who fostered and later adopted her brother, Romeo.

 

It was really nice to see the two dogs finally and joyfully reunited!

 

That opens up a foster for us now.

 

And for now, also leaves a smile on my face with the little Nemo on my lap.

 

"Oh, oh, I'm falling in love again!  Oh, oh!"  -- PCA

 

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