Well, on Feb. 9 (a cool rainy day here), our daughter called to say DG#1 had rescued a fluffy black & white puppy in their yard that morning. DG#1 has decided that Grandma & Grandpa need to adopt this puppy because they already have 3 dogs and grandparents have none (by choice). "Found" signs were posted at the local vets' offices and at Petsmart. Daughter has searched for "Lost" signs in her part of town.
I went to look at her, at DD#1's request. The puppy is about the size of our deceased Westie's and very friendly. DD#1 explains that she cannot keep the puppy, due to the fact that they already have 3 dogs and this one is not "fixed". However, she wants to keep the puppy close, so that she can locate the "parents/owners" of this little cutie. There was "no room at the inn". Our local "no kill" shelter was full.
So, I come home and discuss with DH. He said "whatever you decide". We decided to be "foster parents" during the interim search. DD#1 supplied food, kennel, 2 bowls, blanket and extra towel. Now, we have taken her to DD's vet, gotten 6 month shots and general assessment. Vet says puppy is just 6 months old, per assessment of tooth growth and will only grow about 30% more, to about 25 lbs. and needs to be "fixed" soon, if we decide to keep her. He cannot identify her breed, ...she has the build of a Westie, but the blk/wht markings of a border collie with a Terrier nose. We gave her a name at the vet's office, made an appointment for booster shots and surgery at the 1 month "fostering" anniversary, she has accidently peed & pooped on our carpets and rugs (
.), plus we have bathed her twice with another scheduled for later today. She came to us crate trained & house trained (if we pay close attention).
The question is, at what point did we move to becoming parents/owners instead of "interim foster parents"? DH says it was when I went to see her, even though we believed we were too old to start again and did not want the mess that comes with pet ownership. DD#2 agrees with her Dad. But "Grace" was "homeless" and adorable. LOL
Oh, by the way, DH saved her life on Wednesday when he dislodged a small stick she had chewed and tried to swallow. She was able to cough it out without an emergency trip to the vet.