My latest guest star: Toby the Bodeguero

Buena suerte, little dude!

I have to admit, I did think he might end up as a failed foster

 

Good luck, Toby.

 

It's not over yet.

But seriously, he is way, way too much dog for me. I was thinking he'd become a much more long term foster, and I don't want to count my chickens until he's happily in his new home in the UK, but a foster fail isn't really in the cards.

He's my 19th foster dog and only one, the venerable Mama Jodhi, was a true foster fail. But nearly every other one, everyone around me said, "You're going to keep that dog!" and just about when I thought they were right, the perfect forever family would come along and I'd realise that I was just a step along the way to the right final destination.

Toby and I are so mis-matched that it is quite hilarious, so I'm quite sure I'm meant to love him along the way to his final home, but not BE his final home. Doesn't mean I don't love him, though!

 

"Love him on the way to his final home."

This made my eyes leak and I won't forget the saying xx


..

 

Aww Toby I am so thrilled you are going to your forever home. Be a good boy for your new family. Hugs and kisses to you both xxx

 

Really, really rootin' for Señor Toby. I wonder if his new family might find us.....?

 

Oh wow! The odds are slim but that would be lovely to think they would x
Fingers crossed little Toby rat catcher x

 

Message in a barrel....
Maybe you could send a message in one of those little barrel dog tags attached to his collar with the forum web address on... a la Paddington but rather 'please update on this dog'

 

Do you get to pass on any tips about his behaviour or training methods that have worked for you to his new family at all? Or is everything seen as a completely fresh start for him in the UK with little reference to his recent past? Just curious as no idea how fostering across Europe works. We've met couple of dogs, a lab and GR who have come from Romania recently.

 

So glad to his forever home is waiting (hopefully). You have been marvellous for him, Emily! But I think you deserve a rest for a week or so after...

 

What a stunning photo! Looks regal. Those ears! That snout! That gaze! (And a purple cape?!)

You have such a big heart. And so wise to know if the fit is right or not.

 

I don't know how it works, to be honest. All my other fosters, I found the homes myself, did all the visits, home checks, etc. and kept in touch afterwards. I am a bit nervous about all this, but the person I'm working with here in Spain is absolutely wonderful and I do trust her. I also like that his potential family has already adopted a dog from Romania (and he is blind no less) so that shows that they are not newbies to the rescue game...and must also have very big hearts.

Toby's cat test will be this coming Monday, so I had planned on asking Miry (my contact) all about how the transport will work, when we will get word of his arrival and also if the family in the UK would like to have contact with me. I know if I were them, I'd LOVE to talk to the foster person directly. So we'll just see what is possible!

I do know that many of the groups down here post photos of former fosters in their new homes in the UK and Germany, so I'm really hoping we'll get the same for Toby.

But first he needs to pass his cat test....argh! So it's not a done deal yet. On the other hand, I'm taking it as a very good sign that Miry has reserved his transport to the UK already and that she really thinks he has a very good chance to pass the cat test. She has a lot of experience and knows Toby (and cats) so I'm aligning my optimism level with hers.

 

If he fails his cat test what happens? They have to find a home with no cats?

 

He is quite regal, actually, for such a little dude of a dog. Of course, this is what happens when i fall in love with a dog...they become the most beautiful dog ever. I have a sordid history of doing that with fosters.

It's actually just a purple collar/purple harness. I thought he needed a bit of pizzaz. I didn't realise that my wind jacket that I wear constantly here in Spain is precisely the same color. Boy, oh boy, have I gotten a lot of teasing about playing "matchy-matchy" with my dog.

I've been dying to slap a bandana on his as well, but he's kind of a textile-crocodile and I don't want to leave something on him that he may eat and choke on. Otherwise I have a purple Hawaiian bandana that would look SO dashing.

 

Then we're back to square one, or rather square 1.2 as at least he will now be on the radar of the rescue group in the UK. But it would really be a set back. Toby is a breed and size that gets adopted fairly easily, plus he is young. However, he is leishmaniosis positive and very, very few people want a dog who is that. He is not sick, it is not contagious, but people just don't want a dog with Leish hanging over his head.

We really, really need him to pass that cat test.

 

I need a rest for a week or so NOW.

Just kidding... it is getting a little easier as Toby continues to whip me into shape. And hey...I've lost 10 kgs...he's a great personal trainer!

 

IME it wasn't a fresh start, we wanted to know everything we could about our rescue's history and behaviour etc, so we could be better prepared with her. Plus it's nice knowing the backstory of your new family member. We adopted ours from Romania but had very little info about that part of her life other than she was a street dog and had quite a bad time in the shelter. The UK foster brought her over personally to meet us and vet us, and they gave us a lot of info about her from their time with her. I would imagine the UK family who adopts Toby would love to be in contact with Emily, and would be more than happy to keep her updated (which is what we did, as well).

 

I would really like that, too! I will definitely ask my rescue contact on Monday how it all works and if that is possible.

 

Who knew that Toby was camera shy? He does bed zoomies EVERY NIGHT, so I thought tonight I'd film it. Nope, camera comes out and he just sits there like a perfect gentleman. Faking faker!

 

Noooo Mum - it's time to smile for the camera