ADOPTING OUT ISN'T EASY

 

It's amazing to be part of rescue, rehabilitation, medical checkups and/or stabilization, and the final process of adopting out. It is rewarding to bring a little dog into a YTNR foster home, and even more amazing to find it just the right forever home.

 

 

Home at last...

 

It sounds so easy and much like a fairy-tale ending - but to "find the right home", where a little one can live happily to ever after, is extremely difficult, and at times heartbreaking to many who were wonderful, and hopeful. To me it is the most difficult part of fostering. As a rescue we often receive many applications for some of our doggies, and few for others. Often the teeny ones are swamped with interest, and once in a while not. Sometimes the older ones receive little interest, and the ones with chronic issues, are sometimes left behind - even if it's a small issue, easily managed with medication. These old doggies, or doggies with chronic issues, need the same love as the healthy ones, maybe even more.

 

The little ones who are blessed with many applications, have a foster parent trying to keep up with reading the applications, the reasons why someone fell in love with a specific little dog pictured, and responding back to all in a timely as possible manner. We are all volunteers, some retired, some working full time, and all with multiple responsibilities at home, including the care of our own dogs. While we are readying this special little one to be adopted out, we are also keeping up with our other rescue responsibilities.

 

 

Life of a foster parent

 

Personally, I so appreciate the personalized applications, the people who talk about their own doggies, still with them, or now across the rainbow bridge. I appreciate the time they take to tell us why they would be a good parent to a specific little dog, and I appreciate that they check back in. I love when I check in with people, and they gush about their animals, and when they ask a lot about the little one up for adoption. I love when they ask for more pictures, when they ask about their mannerisms, about how they are doing, why they came in, how they are adjusting, etc. It tells me they are interested in the little one, and if they are the right match, not just in love with a cute picture. As a responsible rescue, our adoptions are not done on a first come, first serve basis, we carefully review all applications.

 

Some of our doggies are very photogenic. They pose like pro's and take the best pictures. Others are shy, and don't look the camera in the eye, or don't stand still long enough for a great picture. It doesn't mean they are less pretty, or less sweet, they just have a different temperament. I so wish all future want-to-be adopters will understand beauty comes from within. Some of my little ones, both ones that were adopted out, or ones I have adopted, did not look cute when I first met them, but oh my!, did they become the sweetest little boys and girls once taken care of and showered with love. All doggies blossom when they have a loving parent and a stable home! In my eyes, all Yorkies are pretty, all Yorkies are sweet, some just come with a lot of baggage that they have to work hard on overcoming. For those little ones we need parents who are open to help them learn about love again, who are patient, and will support them when they start doing well, not focus on scolding them when they do not do well. Like humans, they grow with nurturance and with love. Unlike many humans, they never had a say, can't speak their little minds, and just have to trust and hope - and they do, which places a lot of responsibility on us.

 

 

When you're pretty and you know it

 

 

What I personally find difficult, when reviewing applications for my vulnerable little fosters needing placement, are the one liners: "does the dog have medical issues?", or "does it pee in the house", or "is it still available, if so, I'll complete an application", or "please contact me, I'd like to know more about her/him". If you are interested, please honor the little doggie with an application, since completed applications take president over inquiries.

 

 

I appreciate the questions, but I would hope that enquirers will understand that we are a rescue, who adopt out little ones that may not always be "perfect" in manners and training. They come to us, at times with no history, at times with a sad history, and very occasionally, well-loved and well cared for until the day of surrender. So yes, some may be fully potty trained, but even so, they are Yorkies, and they may have an occasional accident. Whether because you did not get up on time, because the potty pad got run over by Roomba, or they were very upset, or just could not hold it, it may happen. If your carpets are too expensive to have an accident on, then think again if a little dog is the right dog for you. If you are not able to continue training, then maybe do not consider a Yorkie. All dogs need reminders and ongoing work on their behavior, this includes Yorkies. If you are concerned about medical issues, maybe do not get a doggie. All dogs will eventually have medical issues. Just like humans, they grow old and their little bodies start to struggle. They will need to see a veterinarian when they appear to not do well, young or old, when they need their annual check-up's, when they need their yearly vaccinations, and especially in the case of Yorkies, their yearly dentals. It is cruel to have a dog struggle with tooth aches and rotten teeth, it's painful to them, and it's toxic to their little bodies. If you are not willing to provide adequate veterinary care, please do not consider adopting a dog because it is cute. It is a sentient being, that feels pain and struggle, just like we as humans do. They need more than love; they also need veterinary care.

 

Sometimes our histories are sad, and our medical issues many...

 

And for the inquiries who ask about "the dog", would you please read his or her little name, and ask about him or her. I would so appreciate that. My little foster doggie is special, she or he has a name, and is loved - she or he will not go somewhere and be "the dog". She or he will go home to be a family member. I believe how we think about an animal, influences how we act towards it.

 

Then there are the sweet family members who apply for grandma, without letting her know. Please, work with your family member when you apply for him or her and let us know it is the case. We can surely work with you and your family member to address it the right way - but we do need to start off from a position of trust.

 

 

Please also do not ask about adopting my little rescue as a birthday or Christmas gift for someone. A little dog is so much more and deserves to be so much more than a "gift". Some of the little ones we receive, were gifts once. Did not work out well for them. It will not happen to them again.

 

We're not holiday gifts, but celebrate it with you

 

When we receive applications, we review them and talk to possible parents on the phone, to get a better idea of how well they will be able to match him or her. Then we do home-checks. It 's important to see how a settled little dog will react to a new prospective sibling, how a little dog may be able to adjust in a home. Can they navigate stairs if need be, can they go outside, where will they be confined when you are not home, and do they appear comfortable in your surroundings, and with the prospective parent(s). And do you appear comfortable with them.

 

 

 

On the way to do a home check...

 

Finding the right match between a doggie and his or her potential forever family is very much like being a match maker. Sometimes the doggie doesn't show any obvious preference or aversion towards a certain person or people. When this is the case, we do our absolute best to choose on their behalf, taking into account their history, temperament, medical needs and personality, as well as those of the potential adopters. Other times the doggies seem to instantly know when they have found their forever person or family. We have seen this happen so many times over the years, and it is so heartwarming to witness the moment when both people and pooch recognize each other as forever family. Our little companion animals are not just part of the family, they ARE FAMILY.

 

Home check visit

 

We check in with prospective adopter's veterinarians, groomers and friends or family - references the prospective parent choose. This is the most difficult off all. There are so many lovely people out there, and sometimes only one doggie. It's a heart-breaking decision to only be able to make one person happy, but we all have to remember, it's all about this little rescue, who cannot make decisions for itself, and trusts us to do the right thing. I'm always so appreciative when someone tells me upfront, they hope to be the chosen parent, but they would want what is best for the little one - so to please do what I believe is right for the little doggie looking for a forever home.

 

At times there may be many "rights", and we are lucky, at times what appears right, may not always work. Our little rescues, just like the siblings they may join, may not always be perfect. They may not get along, they may not fit in, they may have allergies to the new environment, or there may be another issue. No questions asked, they are always welcome back. For me it's important to keep up with the new adopter, since I placed a little life in their hands. I so appreciate when new parents let me know how a little one is doing, how they are doing together, and I appreciate the honesty when they alert me to a struggle. Sometimes we can address a struggle, sometimes it is better to surrender the little one back. We do not have that happen often, but on occasion, we have a little returnee, that we welcome back with open arms. Personally, I cannot express my gratitude enough for a parent who chose the make the difficult decision, with the doggie's best interest in mind. It's so heartbreaking, for both them, and for me to witness the process. But it is the best for the little one, and doggies adjust again, they love again, and they become happy again. It does not mean they forget, or forget you, just that they live more in the moment than us and adjust to the here and now better than we do.

 

Waiting for my perfect home...

 

Luckily that happens very seldom. That is why it is so important to keep to our procedure of a completed application, reference checks, and home check. There's a lot of thought, a lot of work, a lot of miles, and a lot of emotion going into this decision and the check-ins. It's a hard choice to make, and I never envy anyone doing it, since I know how heartbreaking and worrisome, I find it. But the end goal pays off - a happy home is a home with a happy dog!

 

So, if the process seems tedious, and outdrawn, please bear with us, because at times it is just that. It can take time to address medical issues, even small ones, and it can take time to do home checks, since some are very far away from where we live. If you apply for other doggies, please honor us with letting us know you were successful in adopting another lucky little dog, so we can close your application, and rejoice with you for having found a new little love.

 

 

Dental time to get medically ready

 

Last, but not least, thank you to all who have opened your hearts and homes to a rescue, thank you to all who have forgiven us if you were not able to adopt our little one at the time, and thank you for those who hung in until the right one came along - whether through us, or another rescue. Having been there as a prospective adopter, with my hopes up and my heart full of love, ready to give, I understand the sadness when not selected. Please understand if I ever place you in that position - that I tried what I believe was best for our little one, and that having to make a final choice when the options are amazing - is so very difficult - and does not in any way reflect on you. If you have the love to give - please reach out again! Your little soulmate is out there somewhere - the universe just has to guide him or her to your home.