Jack

I had been thinking about sharing my home with another dog for quite awhile. Since losing little Jack in March at the ripe old age of 14+ years, Jill (my old fox terrier) and I decided we would like another doggie friend. Well - I don't really know how keen Jill was!!! As she is 14 years old too with several health issues including blindness, she prefers the quiet life now. But I decided to push forward with the great plan and register for fostering with Four Paws Animal Rescue.

On August 24, I received a phone call requesting I provide foster care for a Bichon Frise X Poodle named Barclay. He was only six years old which I was not too keen on as Jill is well past the stage of playing around with doggie friends. But as this was the first request to foster, I was inclined to say "Yes". Barclay had been dumped at the RSPCA on the Sunshine Coast some weeks earlier. They had decided that he would not be suitable for rehoming so he was on death row -24 hours to go! But a member of Four Paws Animal Rescue happened to see him and decided he was worth a try. So he was desexed, micro-chipped, treated for fleas, worms, ticks etc and then offered to me to provide temporary care. It quickly became apparent as to why the RSPCA were not keen to adopt him out, cute and gorgeous though he was. He suffered from separation anxiety - BIG TIME!

Barclay

If I left the house,it was to accompanying wails of desolation! He watched me in the shower, on the toilet and ended up sleeping on a doggie bed next to me at night. If I stirred and looked down, I was met by two watchful eyes - just checking I wasn't trying to sneak away. On one occasion when I was out, Barclay managed to escape from my dog-proof yard and was found by a neighbour wandering down the street. Thank goodness I have patient neighbours! The vet put him on Valium to be administered an hour before a stressful event. Well - as leaving the room Barclay was in was stressful, he would have been doped up to his little eyeballs. I thought about taking the Valium myself - just joking!!

Jill and Barclay

I had to go to Brisbane for a couple of nights and as there was no way I could take Barclay with me, he went to another foster carer nearby for the duration. Whilst there, a local resident fell in love with him and adopted him!! Amazing!! I was very happy for the little fellow and quite happy for Jill and I too -  I must admit. Barclay and Jill had coexisted quite successfully without a great deal of interaction. As far as I know all is going well still. He had been with me about 12 days.

So my first experience was a little daunting. But no way was that going to put me off! So I waited expectantly for the next phone call.

Cheers
Marilyn - Dog Diva