Oh Bill. This is wonderful. We fostered for Golden Rescue. It is always the most vulnerable of the dogs that broke our hearts to give up but we knew they were going to great homes. At least until the last one we fostered. He came to us at age 3, starving and dehydrated, incontinent and riddled with disease, including untreated Lyme Disease. He went through two surgeries, painful drugs to shrink his oversized bladder, and he couldn't be left alone with even a sock because he ate anything, anything, to fill his empty belly. But he turned us into foster failures. We could not give our Mr. Coodge up and he is now a healthy, happy five year old.
Invade our hearts? Oh yes. We call Sophie "the center of our universe". Love the phrase "foster failures"!
A few years ago I had the experience of volunteering for the Great Dog Rescue of New England. That was where Sophie came to us from. I performed "Home Visits" - reports were filed. I met so many terrific prospective owners and saw a wide variety of homes. From McMansions to lovingly messy apartments. I was the final approval guy - rarely did we cancel an adoption. But I got to talk to people about dog ownership (some are naive and clueless). I hope I helped a little.
Covid put a stop to that. Now they do it virtually.
Anyway, I was especially moved by your story. A long while ago I had a big old black lab (with white chest :) named Brutus. His brother was Caesar. One day I got a call to rush home because he couldn't get up. He was 16 and it was his time. It was messy. It was a very sad day. Fortunately the vet stayed late and I could bring him over. They wouldn't close up until I had fully said my goodbyes... it is SO hard...
My husband is a tough guy. Hardened, seasoned Captain from a very busy fire hall, who looks like a heavy weight prizefighter who probably should've got out of the ring a lot earlier. But our dogs absolutely love him, and he them. Nothing wrong with cat people, but us dog people are my kinda people.
"Sophie's Choice" for sure. She knew your hearts the minute she stepped paw first into your home. The interesting thing is; you and Bonnie have that effect on people too; you're a place of refuge in any storm in any season and Sophie "instinctively knew" you two were "home". Afterall, "home is where the heart lives... and you two; are all that and more.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story...and since we're speaking about "hearts"...I know you made so many hearts smile with your "gift" of Sophie's "Canine Christmas Story"...I know mine is!
Fantastic story about Sophie.
You’ve outdone yourself here, Bill. What you and B have done for Sophie over the years is heartwarming. Thanks for sharing on Christmas in particular
Sophie is loved unconditionally, what more can any creature want..:)x
Oh Bill. This is wonderful. We fostered for Golden Rescue. It is always the most vulnerable of the dogs that broke our hearts to give up but we knew they were going to great homes. At least until the last one we fostered. He came to us at age 3, starving and dehydrated, incontinent and riddled with disease, including untreated Lyme Disease. He went through two surgeries, painful drugs to shrink his oversized bladder, and he couldn't be left alone with even a sock because he ate anything, anything, to fill his empty belly. But he turned us into foster failures. We could not give our Mr. Coodge up and he is now a healthy, happy five year old.
They invade our hearts, don't they?
Invade our hearts? Oh yes. We call Sophie "the center of our universe". Love the phrase "foster failures"!
A few years ago I had the experience of volunteering for the Great Dog Rescue of New England. That was where Sophie came to us from. I performed "Home Visits" - reports were filed. I met so many terrific prospective owners and saw a wide variety of homes. From McMansions to lovingly messy apartments. I was the final approval guy - rarely did we cancel an adoption. But I got to talk to people about dog ownership (some are naive and clueless). I hope I helped a little.
Covid put a stop to that. Now they do it virtually.
Anyway, I was especially moved by your story. A long while ago I had a big old black lab (with white chest :) named Brutus. His brother was Caesar. One day I got a call to rush home because he couldn't get up. He was 16 and it was his time. It was messy. It was a very sad day. Fortunately the vet stayed late and I could bring him over. They wouldn't close up until I had fully said my goodbyes... it is SO hard...
My husband is a tough guy. Hardened, seasoned Captain from a very busy fire hall, who looks like a heavy weight prizefighter who probably should've got out of the ring a lot earlier. But our dogs absolutely love him, and he them. Nothing wrong with cat people, but us dog people are my kinda people.
Wonderfully heartwarming story
I love this story about Sophie. Her reactions are so similar to our Charlie's ❤️
Hendrix the pit mix rescue approves of Sophie's story! Merry Christmas Bill.
I love reading this story over...and over...again.
It so wonderfully describes our first, close encounter with Sophie aka, Gigi. She has become our world! 🌎
What a beautiful story. I’m so glad you found each other.
Second read through. Warmed my cold heart for the second time.
👍
"Sophie's Choice" for sure. She knew your hearts the minute she stepped paw first into your home. The interesting thing is; you and Bonnie have that effect on people too; you're a place of refuge in any storm in any season and Sophie "instinctively knew" you two were "home". Afterall, "home is where the heart lives... and you two; are all that and more.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story...and since we're speaking about "hearts"...I know you made so many hearts smile with your "gift" of Sophie's "Canine Christmas Story"...I know mine is!
Namaste
What a lovely, heartwarming story for the holiday season! Thank you for sharing. I think I've fallen in love with Sophie too!