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A local rescue group has encouraged me to foster a rescue dog, and so I agreed. Last Monday I picked up a little schnauzer. Here is what she looked like when I picked her up.


This poor little girl had been in the shelter a long time, and when she came home with me she was suffering from shelter shock. It was like she was trying to climb inside my skin. Slowly she has started to relax, allow herself some space between us and venture forth a bit. I took her for a walk, and I realized that -- for me at least -- that her name is Little Miss Maizey.

Then I had her groomed ...


A very pretty girl.

A possible adoptive family came over yesterday and I discovered that while Maizey likes adults ... children not so much. She was actually aggressive -- growling and lunging. She reacted when the 7-year-old girl climbed into her grandfather's lap. Also when the 10-year-old boy had the audacity to get up off the lawn. That was it ... I pulled the plug. Maizey clearly needs an adult household. A woman called about the dog for her adult son who is just getting married. I declined that too, because I saw that as a time bomb for Maizey. Once the first baby takes a step, Maizey might end up back in the shelter.

People keep saying that maybe Maizey has found her home with me. While I've been getting quite attached to her, I am not ready for a 15-year commitment. My life was so consumed with taking care of Kiwi, I have felt enormous relief to have all that responsibility lifted. When Maizey arrived -- as wonderful as she is -- I realized that I do NOT want to have a dog in my life.

In the meantime, I want to find her a home soon, so it will hurt less when she goes.

Sounds as if you have done a wonderful job of fostering. Good luck with find the adults only home fast enough so that your heart can go on with only a part of it missing...... I think that getting a dog through a good foster program is wonderful just for that reason. A good Foster Mom/Dad can match the needs of an animal to the needs/wants of the future home.

Good for you! (and Miss Maisey!). Shelter dogs can act completely different in a shelter environment from a home environment. That is why many dogs end up back in a shelter if they haven't been fostered. At least now, you can see her positive and negative personality traits and match her to the right forever family.

Maybe someday the right dog and situation will come along for you.

She's adorable. You're doing a great thing!

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Wow! What a difference that grooming made. I have had two schnauzers over the years, and it is nice to see one without cropped ears. I had it done to both of ours, but never, ever again after the last experience.

My nephew has fostered quite a few dogs. One lasted less than 24 hours after it ate his couch and shoes and some clothing. The rest have all been successful.

Miss Maizey is lucky to have you looking out for her best interests and screening potential adoption families. I am sure you will find the perfect match.

A couple is coming to see her Saturday. I am going to ask them point blank if they plan to have children. No shame here. looking out for my girl.

I keep getting tempted to keep her ...but I want some "me" time (she says with the dog snuggled next to her in bed).

Hummm, me thinks Miss Maizry has a home and she looks like such a smart,pretty girl I can see how she would be hard to resist.

In the first picture it looks like there a bit of Yorkie in the mix.

Just to be on the safe side I would check her with cats and other dogs, too. That way the new adoptive family would know just what they can and can't have with her. I applaud your decision that you don't feel like having a fur kid right now. It took me 4 years before I got the Chewmonster and honestly it wasn't my decision, the kids decided I needed a dog to travel with me. I wasn't sure at the time, but wouldn't give her up for love or money now. Which is a good thing cause I'm probably the only one who would put up with her crap. You'll know when it's time to have another companion.

Such a sweet little girl, Janice. I'm sure she is going thru some very positive changes in your charge.
Isn't it hard for a foster dog to leave it's foster home and start over, yet again, learning with another family? Mentally, I mean?
I guess it's still better than the alternative of being neglected or back in a shelter. I just feel so sad for them all.

Redetotry wrote:...and she looks like such a smart,pretty girl I can see how she would be hard to resist.

You talkin' about Janice or the pooch?


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mitch5252 wrote:

Redetotry wrote:...and she looks like such a smart,pretty girl I can see how she would be hard to resist.

You talkin' about Janice or the pooch?
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Ha! If Miss Maizey and I were in a room together, the little bitch would get all the attention, trust me. (And I mean the DOG!)

But who wouldn't want to take her home?

But if you find her a home, you can foster another dog and find that one a home, hopefully.

Schnauzers are smart little dogs, but at least mine were barky.

That couple is no longer in the running for Little Miss Maizey. Upon further questioning, it seems they indeed want to have children. There is an adoption event on Saturday. So maybe she'll find a home there. Still it's hard to think of her going to such an event and not having her come back to my house (I wrote "home" the first time).

**I am not ready to commit. I am not ready to commit** (repeat and rinse)