August 2020
This is the time of year Tessa and Sophie like, when they can be out in the yard alternating between running and playing and napping. Sophie’s sister Fena is still with Kathi, and doing better with each passing month. We’re certain if we could find another foster home for one of our two that they both would benefit, but after two and a half years here we haven’t had any takers.
We put off finding a home for Max while we tried to decide what to do about his clogged tear duct. While we have a good veterinary ophthalmologist here in the area, she is booked out several months and we don’t want to wait that long to place him. In the months he has been here he changed from an independent dog who wouldn’t look us in the eye to a loving dog who wants to be with us. The difference is truly remarkable. If we didn’t have another male in the house who doesn’t care for boys, he would already have found his home, but he deserves to be the only dog with some lucky family. We decided we’re going to make it a requirement for his new family to take him to a veterinary ophthalmologist, and we will pay for the procedure.
Last month we had Sonoma and Nala, two litter sisters who originally came from a home where the owner died. They were taken in by a family that already had a Samoyed, but two of them together were just too much so they called us. They went to Melissa to foster, and Nala went from there to a great home in northern Idaho. She had been in so many homes already they named her Gypsy. She has been spayed and had a small hernia repaired and is doing well; she should soon be playing with her new doggie brother again. Sonoma has a new home too, due to something we call foster failure. Our policy has always been that a foster home gets the first chance at the dog they have, and Sonoma is no longer a foster dog. She still lives with Melissa and Terry, but now it’s a forever home. Her new name is Roxy, in tribute to another dog. Splitting up the two girls has been a positive thing for both of them.
Rory is a seven year old in Mercer Island, looking for a home before his human mom leaves to move back to Georgia after her husband’s death. We referred a prior adopter to him, but after three weeks he decided not to adopt this time. Although it put us in a bind timewise, we were able to find someone else, also a previous adopter, who is going to meet him a few days after this report’s deadline. We think the match should be excellent. If not, we’re the safety valve and can take him here. It’s not ideal with two other boys in the house, but it’s why we have so many gates.
This month we’re happy to tell you that Luna has a wonderful new home. Her family has had multiple Samoyeds in the past, understands the breed very well, and at six years old Luna fits their lifestyle. She lives in the Salem area with a Sheltie and a Chihuahua, and is already settling in and playing with them. While we are delighted she is in the right home, we will always miss Luna. In a breed with such wonderful, gentle personalities, Luna was one of the sweetest girls we ever fostered.
Nanuk is a twelve and a half year old foster dog who lives with John and Theresa in Kalama. Last month he had surgery to remove his spleen and a tumor on it. It was an emergency, and rescue paid for it. Their regular vet said he was bleeding internally, and transferred him to an ER vet in Portland where they did the surgery. He came through it with flying colors, and was here for a short visit on August 12. He looks wonderful, and is acting normally five weeks post-op. The vets predict the tumor will return in two or three months, and while we all hope that is not the case, John and Theresa will give him the best life possible, as long as possible.
