What a way to kick off my new blog of adoptable dogs than with pictures and the story of an adored foster I just couldn’t let go of ♥

Toodles and Fergie, March 2011

Toodles was one of my 1st fosters this year.  He was rescued from the Orange County shelter on March 17th.  He and another adorable sweetheart (Fergie) came to me later that evening.  Fergie was pretty laid back and adjusted well to home living.

Toodles was a completely different story.  He was SO scared and refused to leave Fergie’s side for the 1st few days.  Then he decided I was safe and had to be on top of me all the time.  I never even saw him dare to venture to the water bowl for a drink and it would be almost 3 months before he would wag his tail  

Toodles' Shelter 'Mugshot'

Poor Toodles had spent almost SIX weeks in the shelter and it really did a number on him.  The shelter can be an absolutely terrifying environment for a small and sensitive dog like him.

He was brought in as a stray and his previous ‘owner’ saw him on Facebook, called the shelter a couple different times saying she was coming for him.  But, she never showed up.  All she did was make his stay longer and botch rescue efforts.
Fortunately, a friend visiting the OC shelter saw him in there a week after his owner was supposed to have come from him!  She immediately let Toodles’ rescuers know he was still there and, everyone went in to action and Toodles was finally rescued, on St. Patty’s day!

ICARE Adoption Event, September 2011

Seven months went by and 3 near adoptions fell through.  He had worked so hard to be brave and trust us.  After about 4 months here, I would say Toodles was pretty well adjusted.  Happy, playful, loving and much more tolerant of unfamiliar people.  He was a maniac at adoption events though!  He would just cry, squeal and scratch at the cage anytime my roommate or myself went anywhere near him.  It wasn’t the real Toodles, AND it wasn’t helping him get adopted.  I made this video to help expose who he really is…TOODLES’ Adoption Video.

As a foster of a shy and sensitive dog that isn’t adopting, you have to ask what YOU feel is really best for this dog.  After a lot of consideration, I decided that Toodles shouldn’t have to adapt to a whole new life elsewhere, especially considering how hard it would be for him.

On October 26th, I officially adopted the cute little son-of-a-gun!  He is a perfect fit in our fur family and I couldn’t imagine life without him! ♥   Celebration photos to come!