Good Luck George! Happy tails
George is a 10 year old toy poodle mix, who was dumped by his owners at the Baytown Animal Shelter. He was found there by Lou Sisk, and Holly Dool found him rescue with the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance. I’m fostering George and updating his story to show that rescue dogs straight from the shelter make wonderful pets.
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Wow it was a tough morning. Last night was difficult too.
I know that George is going to a really good rescue, and I’m glad to have been a part of helping him, but I’m not really good at saying goodbye.
George’s health is so much better overall, but the heart worms make him cough. Once he gets to his rescue foster, he’ll have another vet appointment and will start treatment for heart worms.
Last night, the poor little guy coughed a lot and so neither one of us slept much. Plus I was dreading having to let him go today, so even when he stopped coughing and fell asleep, I couldn’t. I finally got out of bed at 5 a.m. and started getting ready for the drive.
I woke George to potty and eat, so he could take his medicine before we left. I felt terrible waking him up because he was finally sleeping, but I had no choice. He didn’t each much and fell back asleep. For George, this morning was going to be no different from any other morning and he would normally have plenty of time to sleep and eat and eat and sleep.
So I got ready and packed George’s things –food, meds, and instructions for the person taking care of him tonight (he will drive for 2 days before reaching Virginia); his paperwork and health certificate; his harness and leash; his medicines; his collar and tag; and a sweater because he might be cold up in Virginia. I also sent his little bed and two cases of dog food.
George’s stuff
I packed everything in a tote bag except the harness and collar. I went in to wake George again and started to cry just watching him sleep! I woke him up and he stretched lazily, still thinking that today was like any other day. He let me put his collar on, and his harness, and he walked happily to the door.
After I took this video, we walked into the garage and George looked up at me, expecting me to open the door and walk him into the house, as I always do. My heart broke, but I put his bed on the passenger seat and put him in it.
George in the car on the way to Virginia
My eyes were so puffy from crying and poor George didn’t know what was going on.
Crying
George and I got to Clearview at 7:30 and met the two really nice folks that would drive the next leg of George’s trip. They were truly kind and I’m sure that with all my crying, I didn’t make things any easier for them! They put George’s things into the trunk and put his bed in the back seat. One got in the back with George to comfort him and make him feel secure, while the other drove.
I said goodbye to little George and sat in my car in the Exxon parking lot where we’d met for the transfer. I sat there for a good 20 minutes, crying and blowing my nose, and then finally drove home.
I know that George is off to a wonderful foster home and to get the care he needs to get rid of those heart worms, so I am happy for that, and grateful to the rescue that saved him!
And I think I proved my point. There is no reason, and frankly, no moral excuse to ever buy a dog from anyone who profits from the breeding and sale of animals. There are so many dogs like George, diamonds in the “ruff,” in high kill shelters all over. Whoever adopts this little guy is going to be a lucky person!
This is how I will always remember my little diamond in the ruff, happy in the sunshine. Happy tails George!
George in the Sun
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