The Ghost of fosters past

So, I said that we would share stories from our past that have impacted us and led us to make the decision to start our own rescue. Here we go, story number 1.

Both Megan and I (Tiea) have worked with other rescues and had many, many fosters. But there are some that just really touch your heart. Sometimes it is just a unique dog, or one that has beaten extensive odds, or sometimes it is because they have grown and are even more successful than you could have imagined.

Ghost was kind of all of these. He was a young husky mix that had been left to run loose in Lewis County. Neighbors were able to say who the owner was, but the owner denied it. The dog continued to run and had no intention of being caught. For a couple of months a trapper for that rescue worked to catch him (which is where his name Ghost came from), to no avail. Then came a call from some people, desperately asking for help for a dog that had been shot and was in their barn. A rescuer went out, and to her surprise, it was Ghost. The poor boy was in very poor shape. His shoulder shot, and barely attached. Maggots in the wound, he had laid there for many days before being found, the vet though about 5 days he laid alone, dying. After what we suspect was him being shot by his owner (because nobody else could have gotten close enough to have inflicted the wound he had).

Sweet Ghost was scared of his own shadow, and very fearful of people. Understandable considering his past. He healed from his wounds and had no problem becoming a tripod. Where he struggled was learning that not all people were there to harm him. I was asked to foster him due to his behavior and the challenges to help him adjust to life in a family. We brought him home and thank goodness we keep all new dogs on a leash, even in the crate. That squirrely and speedy little boy went flying out of the crate, and wanted nothing to do with coming home with us. We stopped, I quick grabbed our helper dog, and after about 15 minutes and him needing to squat to take a dump thanks to being afraid, I got the leash! Whew! Disaster averted. Inside, into a crate, time for decompression!

As the months passed, Ghostie as he became known showed what a loving boy he really was. We got kisses, and he shared the house with all the other dogs and was a great boy. He was still shy, and didn't like loud and sudden noises or movements. But, he was the perfect, pint size husky mix.

We knew it would take a very special person to adopt Ghostie. Most people were not interested in a 3 legged, shy boy who was going to need work. Everyone wants the cute little puppies that run up and just want to give you all kinds of love and affection. And at that time, that was not the Ghost boy. So we waited for just the right fit. And while we waited, we enjoyed seeing the Ghost become a more and more confident and loving boy.

Then came the application for him. A family that was very interested. I made the call, wondering how they would respond as we talked about Ghost and his "issues." They were not deterred. Ok then, schedule the meet/greet. The parent came (we didn't want to overwhelm him on the first meet) and she fell in love. Both of them were willing to listen and understand. Willing to give Ghost his space. Willing to go home and read everything I printed about decompression and discuss if they were ready to take on a dog like Ghost. They messaged, they WANTED him! Ok. We were going to give it a try. They got a crate, got everyone ready, and off he went.

I was a bundle of nerves. That boy had been a challenge, and I knew he had challenges ahead. What I didn't expect was for him to fall so very in love with this family and that they would be the exact thing that Ghost needed. While attempting to get him through the 72 hour decompression, he was begging to go for a walk. I got an amazing text telling me that he had loved his walk to the bus. And so began his new life. Daily walking his kid to the bus with mom. Getting special treats from the bus driver, and eventually even going so far as to be willing to get onto the bus for love from the driver!

It was the start of the Ghost's BEST LIFE! He lives with some kitties he adores. He goes on walks every day, and has 2 human brothers and a human Mom and Dad that love him for who he is. They gave him the support and love and let him find his way with their family. For me, I get the pleasure of watching this boy live the amazing life he always deserved.

So is it worth fostering? Absolutely!

Is a "tough" dog worth adopting and giving them the time and the extra work? Without a doubt!

Will it be easy? Nope! We will never guarantee that.

But in the end, when you give a dog like Ghost a chance, you will find a special love like no other. And as you watch them succeed, you will remember why this job and why adopting a rescue makes such an impact!

Thank you Ghost for being part of our pack. And a HUGE thank you to Ghost's forever family that every day shows him that he is a loved and amazing dog! We love that you have been a part of our journey to deciding to run our own rescue.