I Was A Failure At Being A Foster Mom To A Maltese
75Mister
I was a failure at fostering a Maltese Dog
When I was a child, I brought home every stray dog or cat that would “follow me home”. I was not allowed to keep them all, of course, but I was always able to convince my parents that I was their only hope of survival. We lived in the country and had plenty of room for the animals to run and play. We had other animals: cows, pigs, goats, and some chickens. My rescued animals ran and played with those animals; they loved to chase the chickens most of all.
When I grew up I married a Veterinarian, and he would bring horses home that had been neglected and left to die. When they first came to us, they would be pitiful. Their ribs would show, and their hooves would be terribly in need of a farrier to trim them. He took great pride in returning these horses back to health by a good diet and lots of tender, loving care.
The desire to rescue animals has never left me. If I could, I would take them all. I would give them love, a good home, and the best life possible for them. Our local Animal Shelter and my Veterinarian know how I feel about animals, and when they need someone to take a stray or an injured dog that needs nursing they call me. My job is be a foster parent and nurse the dog back to health so it can be adopted. When a foster dog comes to me, I know that my job is exactly that. I understand it will be temporary. I tearfully give the dog up for adoption when the time comes. Then I am ready for another dog to foster.
I got a call one day from our local Animal Shelter to foster a senior maltese. I never know what to expect when I go there for an animal, or what condition the dog will be in. I was not prepared to see this little creature when they handed him to me. I know what a Maltese is supposed to look like, and this dog didn’t look like your regular Maltese. He was seriously underweight. When I picked him up, I could feel all of his little ribs. He was skin and bones. He was missing some teeth. He had a bad ear infection that was draining. He had abscesses in his remaining teeth. He was found with no tags, no microchip, and no identification of any kind. They guessed that someone just put him out on the street. I would like to think that he just accidentally got out of his house and got lost. I choose not to think that anyone could be so heartless that they would forsake this little guy. He was so frightened, but he seemed to know that I was his friend.
The Maltese I Fostered Sporting His New Halter
My Fostered Maltese Is Getting Better Now
I named my fostered dog Mister. The first week I had Mister he remained aloof. I cooked chicken for him which he would eat from my hand. I treated his ears with the ointment the Vet. Gave me to use. I had him micro chipped. I took him to my Dog Groomer who bathed him and cut out all the matts in his hair. She gave him a nice haircut.
The Shelter Veterinarian had given him the shots they thought he needed. After a week or so, he began to show signs of feeling better. After three weeks, his ears got well after treatment with the ointment the Vet. had given me to use. The Shelter Vet. put him to sleep long enough to pull out his four abscessed teeth. He learned how to use the little doggie door, and he would run in and out, and play in the yard with my Miniature Schnauzer, Baby. Baby was never jealous of Mister which surprised me. She seemed to understand that he had never had the advantages she has had. She accepted him from the start.
My Fostered Maltese And My Miniature Schnauzer
Baby, My Miniature Schnauzer
My Fostered Maltese Begins To Play
Mister began to play. When he woke up in the mornings in my bed, he would wag his tag and be so happy to see me. He would play “peek-a-boo” with his paws. I didn’t teach him to do that: maybe someone did love him enough at one time to teach him this little trick.
Mister, My Fostered Maltese Playing Peek-A-Boo
I Am A Failure At Being A Foster Parent
When Mister regained his health, and weighed five pounds, I returned him to the Shelter. I’ll never forget his expression when he realized I was going to leave him there. It was an expression of disbelief! I tearfully left him and came home. I didn’t even park the car. I drove straight back to the Shelter. I told them I wanted to adopt Mister. I couldn’t let him go. When they brought him back to me, he was overjoyed! I was, too!
My Handsome Adopted Maltese Is Glad To Be Home
Consider Adopting A Maltese
Please don’t ever try and tell me that animals don’t feel neglect, pain, disappointment, joy, devotion, gratitude, and other emotions that we think we as humans can only feel. I know better. You just have to look into their expressful eyes to know what they are feeling.
I encourage anyone who is thinking of getting a little dog to consider the Maltese. As a breed for a small dog: They are hypoallergenic, (shed very little), very loving, good for apartment living, love children and adults alike, but usually are devoted to one person.
There are a lot of Maltese rescues around the country. Rescue one of these wonderful dogs and you will have a friend for life!
Cute Video of Jack, A Maltese Who Talks Back
About How My Miniature Schnauzer Trains ME
- How My Miniature Schnauzer Is Training Me
Having a dog like my Miniature Schnauzer has taught me many lessons I should have learned long ago.
Very Good Hub on the Maltese Breed
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Do You Like the Maltese?
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Thanks so much for your kind comments, Sannel, and your compliments. This little guy always seemed to be so grateful for my love, and he did express that to me by returning my love many times over. Thank you for your work in rescue!
loved the article. Can tell you are a real animal lover! We need more of you!!!
Keep up the good work:-)
Hi pickesandrufus, oh yes, I am an animal lover! Thanks for reading!
Hi thebigbagblog! Thanks for the compliment. I read your profile and it sounds like you are the kind of person I'd love to follow. I'll read your Hubs soon. Thanks for reading!
Isn't it funny how some animals adopt us? What a cute story and a cute boy! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a foster and helping out so many animals. The world needs more people like you.
Thanks, Simple Pet Care, for your nice comment! I also wrote a Hub about my Miniature Schnauzer. Check it out. She's Baby that I mention in this Hub. That's a cute little dog on your profile, too. Regards, Mary
Oh, you are so right--animals can absolutely feel all those emotions! Nothing is worse than leaving the house in the morning and seeing my dog in the window, watching me drive away. I always feel like such a jerk (even though my working enables me to feed her . . . ). I give you huge props for being able to foster; I think it would break my heart. So glad you got to keep Mister, though! He looks adorable.
Hi,SJmorningsun25. When I look at Mister's eyes in the first photo, he seems to ask, "Wonder if she's going to abandon me?", then the last photo when he is all better, you can tell he knows he is loved and that he has a home! I still foster, but none of them have stolen my heart like Mister.
Mary, what beautiful dogs you have and what a great story. Bless your dear heart. It is people like you that make the difference.
Hi thelyricwriter , so good to hear from you, and that you liked my Hub. Thanks for the compliment, too. I look forward to hearing from you again. Regards, Mary
Lovely story and lovely relationship. I hope the heart "disease" you have will be contagious and more people help the unfortunate. If we can at least get people to care for animals maybe they will once more care for each other.
I agree, Agnes, animals play such an important part in my life. My Daddy always said, if you see a man that your dog doesn't like, watch out, the man's NO good. Thanks for reading and your nice compliment.
I swear, Mary, we are twin sisters of different mothers! Gosh, we sound so much alike. I've always rescued critters, since I was a kid. I had a Maltese named Pumpkin, and he was a great little dog. Voted this hub way up!!
Hi habee , sure sounds like we're related, doesn't it? That is so great about your Maltese you rescued! They are wonderful dogs, so sensitive and sweet. Thanks for the vote UP. See you around.......
Pumpkin wasn't a rescue - he was a gift. BUT...I have rescued lots of animals, and kudos to you for doing the same!
Hi again, habee. I didn't read your comment well: it's too early in the morning, and my little brain hasn't awaken yet! I'm glad you had a Maltese, at any rate. See you around.....
Beautiful!! I love all kind of animals!! You took a great decision by providing him a home sweet home!! :-)
Mary this brought a tear to my eyes. I am so happy that it had a happy ending for little Mister. The love was obviously a two way street.
It is so rewarding to rescue a dog and watch him heal and turn into a beautiful friend.
Thank you for telling me about this hub.
Hi Rosemay50, thanks for reading my Hub about Mister. I had an idea you'd like it. My little dogs add a lot to my life, that's for sure. I look forward to following you! See you again, soon, Mary
You are a great lady fostering these ill-treated dogs.
I have never understood poeple hurting any animal.
My children stories are all about animals and I've even mention how they are being left behind when people move.
Voted you up and awesome.
Hi writer20, It's a mystery to me how anyone could abuse a poor little animal. This lttle guy was just thrown away like garbabe. I intend to go back and read your Hubs tomorrow. Thanks for the vote! Goodnight, Mary
You poll was not fair. How could I not say yes! I love all animals! I don't know how you ever return one to the shelter. I become attached immediately. You are a true blessing to the animals in your area. Great hub! I'm glad Mister is now your Mister!
Hi homesteadbound, thanks for reading this little piece about my Mister. He has truly been a blessing in my life. He seemed to be so grateful for having a good home and some love. Happy Thanksgiving. See you again, soon.
It's heart warming to read a hub like this, written by a true animal lover. It no doubt takes a special kind of person to foster and I can imagine at times it ranges from being heartbreaking to the most rewarding job in the world.
We don't foster, but we have adopted rescue dogs over the years. More people should do so, because in my experience they are always full of such character. It's nice to be able to take a dog in a bad situation and given it the life it always deserved.
Hi, icountthetimes, thanks for reading about my Maltese. I wish I could adopt them all. Now with the bad economony, more and more people have to give their pets because they move away or can't afford to care for them. Have a wonderful day!
Yes, it's very sad when people choose to, or have to, give their pets away. I should imagine that it's especially bad in the new year, because some people give pets as gifts and they wind up being unwanted. Thanks goodness for foster parents like you. Have a great day and a Merry Christmas :).
Good Morning, icountthetimes! So nice to see you today. Thanks for reading about my Mister, the rescued Maltese. He is a Prince! I just wish I could save more of these animals, but there is a limit, huh? I do hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!
I love your Panda bear.
Hello Mary!
I just wanted to check back to see how your handsome boy is doing these days!
He's such a darling.
I wish you and Mister a wonderful Christmas!
Oh, Sannel, how sweet of you to think of my Mister. He is still the love of my life (he has to share with Baby, the Schnauzer, of course. I do hope you and yours has the best Christmas, ever!
I am overwhelmed by this beauty of this story. You know how I feel about Maltese dogs I think.
You are a fine writer. When I read this line:
"She seemed to understand that he had never had the advantages she has had."
The hair stood up on my arms. Dogs are truly wonderful creatures that make our world inhabitable.
Thank you for this lovely Hub. Mister looks great in the last photo. God Bless You! And Mister. :)
Hi, James A Watkins, thanks so much for reading my Hub about Mister, my rescued Maltese. He continues to prance about like he owns the place! I love the way the Maltese carry their tail over their back, too. Thanks for your well wishes for me and Mister! Goodnight.
What a wonderful article. I would not be able to foster a rescue animal. I would get too attached and I am too selfish to let them leave. But I've talked to people who constantly foster rescue animals, and they're okay with the adoptions. It is so much harder to rescue horses. I got a 23-year-old Thoroughbred back to health, and that was a very rewarding experience since he is still being ridden. Horses are much harder to adopt out. If, at all. I certainly could not afford a horse. Voted up and everything else.
Hi, Arlene V. Poma. Thanks for reading and commenting on my Hub about Mister, my rescued Maltese. I said I was a failure at being a foster Mom because I couldn't let him go! I still foster dogs. It is a tough job, but rewarding, too. Glad you rescued the horse. So many of them are destroyed needlessly. Thanks for the votes, too!
You have a good heart, Mary, and it shows in your wonderful writing. This week, tt has been a joy to read all of these wonderful articles about people who rescue, foster and adopt animals.
Thanks for the nice compliment, Arlene. I agree I have enjoyed reading some of the Hubs about recues. Haven't had time to read them all, though. Goodnight.
What a lovely hub about a little Maltese! I was so touched by your story, when you returned Mister to the shelter, I almost cried. I am so glad you adopted him. I did my pitch on the Schnauzer, I thought I was pretty convincing, I am beginning to love the Maltese too. But, well, I will stick to my schnauzer meantime. Thanks for sharing, its beautiful.
Good Morning, donnaisabella, thanks for reading and commenting on my Hub about my rescued Maltese, Mister. Yes, he was a sweetheart of a dog. I have a Miniature Schnauzer which you met in my Hub about Mister. I did a Hub about her, too. She's the Queen of our house! Did you did a Hub about your Schnauzer? I'd love to read that one. Thanks for the nice compliment on my Hub. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Mister is so cute! I've never known any Maltese dogs- thanks for introducing me to the breed :D
Hi, Simone Smith, thanks for reading my Hub about my rescued Maltese. This breed is just the sweetest breed ever! They are hypoallergenic, too. See you again, soon....
Oh Mary! You are truly outstanding. Our love of dogs gives us a bond but I don't have the courage you do to foster dogs, I'd wind up with fifteen dogs and a divorce! Seriously Jack is very lucky and adorable. Great job on writing and caring. You are an inspiration to us all!!!!
Hi tillsontitan, thanks so much for reading about my rescued Maltese dog. It's easy to get attached to these dogs in need. Thanks for the nice compliment, too. Bye for now....
I was immediately drawn to this article - my daughter too failed as a foster parent - her fostering lasted less than twenty-four hours, when she emailed me about her failure - she adopted her foster-dog, a little rat terrier, in spite of the fact that she already had four dogs - Hank Jr. makes number five - dogs just worm their way into your heart so quickly - B.
Hi billips, thanks for reading my Hub about my failure to foster this little dog. I agree; these little guys worm their way right into our hearts. Mister sure got into my heart. Have a great day!
SanneL 7 months ago
Your story made me cry both from sadness and joy!
Knowing that there are beautiful people like yourself out there taking their time and giving their love to animals in suffering brings me so much happiness.
I too rescue animals and help them out the best way I can, but I wish I could do more and help them all!
Eleven years ago we rescued a dog that has stayed with us ever since. He has given us the greatest joy and happiness.
You truly are a blessing!
All the best to you my dear,
Sannel