We had been fostering dogs with MFDM for about 6 or 7 months when our 13 year old dog Nana really starting heading downhill.
Nana was my first dog, and a true family dog. She was one of the main reasons that when I met my husband, I decided he was a good guy, because she actually ran and jumped into the car with him after meeting him. Nana loved everyone she met but was leery of men, and I knew it was a sign that Nana decided he was okay. She ended up being a great family dog, and loved it here in Colorado. I knew there would NEVER be another dog like her. She passed at the end of July 2015.
Our family was grieving, including the rest of our pack. My boy, wasn’t eating and would barely lift his head when I talked to him.
We were all lost.
And then, we got this bonded pair of very scared dogs in to foster. They lived for each other. They were these tiny, crouching, scared little beings that were mistreated and dumped by their previous owners at a high-kill shelter. They didn’t trust anyone. They were dog-aggressive, and I was feeling so down I couldn’t wait to get them adopted. I wasn’t emotionally ready to deal with their problems. All I could think about was mine.
I missed Nana.
Then, Nikki came over and helped us reintroduce the dogs, and after about a week’s time, these sweet little dogs integrated into our pack. I watched my depressed dog initiate play with them. I watched the puppies climb their way into my kid’s laps and lick their faces, and be silly. I saw my kids laughing. Myself too. No one was immune from their antics. We were all laughing and smiling again.
We got a call from Nikki asking how they were doing. She asked us to have the girls change the dog’s names because they’re weren’t really good.
I think at that point, when my daughters renamed them, Audrey and Luna, I realized just how attached they’d become.
A week later, I walked into the living room and saw my step-daughter with tears in her eyes holding Audrey like a baby in her lap. And 2 days later, Luna jumped up on Rory’s bed at bedtime and laid her head down on Rory and sighed the biggest sigh of relief, and Rory started bawling.
I knew then, it was time to talk with Eric about making it official. We talked about finances, and responsibilities, and knew it would be tough, but ultimately these dogs came in and helped heal this family, and we realized that we absolutely couldn’t let them go. These dogs were now a part of our pack, our family, our hearts, and souls. And we haven’t regretted a single day. They surely didn’t replace our Nana, but I truly believe that they were meant to be here with us, and I am so thankful for My Fairy Dawg Mother Rescue.