Rest In Peace, Nellie

Our little Nellie, with us for only a handful of weeks, whose spirit was one of such happiness and wonder, passed away under anesthesia this afternoon. Her pre-surgery blood work had been perfect, she was healthy and bouncy, and yet she suffered cardiac arrest while under for a routine spay and dental. The vets tried everything they could to get her back, but she passed away anyway. Needless to say, we are devastated, as we loved Nellie as our own. Our rescued dogs and cats are our family, a piece of our hearts, and when we lose one of them, especially one as unexpected as this one, it's crushing.

Nellie was lucky to have spent the last few weeks knowing the love and joy of being part of a family, and Nellie's foster family was going to adopt her surgery was complete. The sadness is overwhelming. Please say a prayer for Nellie and her foster family. Though rescue work is often rewarding, there is heartbreak along the way as well. This is one of those times.

Godspeed, Nellie. We will miss you, and see you at the Rainbow Bridge. Go find Lady, Natalie, Omar, and all the others who have gone before you at the Cookie Tree. They're waiting for you.

I’ve gone somewhere, not far away,
a place with no more pain
There’s butterflies and big blue skies
and shelter from the rain.

My life with you was heavenly
and in the end you’ll see,
That I was meant to be with you
for all eternity.

You’ll see me in a starry night
when all the world’s asleep,
I’ll be here with you always
my memory you’ll keep.

So don’t be sad that I am gone
for really I am HERE,
Just look beyond the obvious
and don’t shed one more tear.

Thank you so for loving me
I’ll love you always too,
My life here on this earth is done
so now I’ll wait for you.

author
Holly Mastromatto '06

Going beyond fostering...

Read about Eileen and Fredd...One of our sanctuary dogs.

In summer 2005 I lost my beloved cattle dog/beagle/pit bull mix, Rita. Lovely Rita! Yes, named after the song. I was devastated and asked my great vet if she knew of anyone who could use help walking some dogs or caring for dogs as I really wanted a dog around but was unwilling to commit to a new dog's lifetime, as I was still grieving for Rita. My vet suggested I try fostering. It sounded intriguing but I wasn't sure I actually wanted another dog in the house but was willing to go look at two old beagles, brother and sister, who were being boarded in Wadsworth. I told a friend, a fellow dog lover, that I was going up "just to look". Yeah, right. So I walked into the kennel, saw their faces, and two minutes later was driving home with two scared beagles in my back seat. I called my friend and told her I had two beagles in the back seat, and she said she had no doubts.

And that was the start of a beautiful friendship with foster dogs. Those two old beagles were too old to be adopted, so I kept them. They were perfect! Better trained than any dog I might have gotten as a puppy. Better trained than I could ever raise! Mellow, loving, and full of joy. I hadn't planned on fostering anymore ( just like I hadn't planned on eating the whole box of chocolate), but the dogs kept finding me. It started as an urgent plea- "this one is going to be put down, it's sick, can you help nurse it back?" and grew. And I started to see the joy in being able to change so many dogs lives. If I adopted one from a shelter, that was great and I saved a life, but it was just one life. With fostering I can save many lives a year. And they are all wonderful! Wonderful and different. They fill my life and my house with love, and they show me that a dog's love is a never-ending spirit that just recycles from one foster to another. Different dogs, different personalities, different stories, but all filled with love.

The most difficult part? I take in some sick ones, and watching them go through their pain and suffering is very tough. But I also get to see them prevail- to see their spirits shine, and work through their infirmities through sheer will and love. That is a great joy, when the sick ones are better. For someone who doesn't take in the sick ones, the difficult part will be parting with the first foster. But you will see that dogs go to a great loving home, and know that dog is safe and now you can go save another.

So what are you waiting for? There is a dog out there right now that would love to be part of your life for even a few weeks. Go fetch!

Fredd's Story...

Hi, it's Fredd! Happy New Year! This new year started off with a bang- I was walking, and I followed foster mom and my brothers and sisters all over the house and yard. I was gaining muscle and I have to say, I was looking pretty buff! And I'm a buff cocker spaniel! Hah!

But only a few days into the new year something happened. Did you ever feel like you just couldn't catch a break? Well, I understand. It seemed that as soon as I was getting the hang of walking again, my back started to hurt. On Friday of the New Year I went for a walk around the neighborhood and was feeling OK, happy to see people and smell new smells. Then the next morning I woke up and couldn't move. I'd been though this before. Not good.

Yep, I was paralyzed again. So back to the doctor I went, who said the bad infection that had been in my back had returned. I really thought we had gotten rid of it with those seven weeks of pills! But apparently it was a strong little germ and it liked my spine, so back it came. Stronger than ever. Like a Terminator movie.

So now I am on really strong pills and I don't feel good. My tummy is upset and the doctor says I may be on pills for the rest of my life. She also told mom some stuff I won't repeat here, but it made everyone very sad.

So here is the good news! Young at Heart made me a "sanctuary dog", which means I get to stay here in my foster house with my foster brothers and sisters for the rest of my life! They will take care of me and I will give them kisses and be my usual sweet self (except when I really hurt. Then they forgive me the occasional growl).. I'll even share my squeaky toys with them.

I hope to be here a long time, and I will write you often and let you know how I am. Young at Heart is graciously paying all my doctor bills ( those pills aren't cheap!) and I sure would appreciate any help you can give them. Thanks and remember, when life hands you lemons, just squeak your squeaky toy!

UPDATE 2/6/2009 -- Hi Everybody! It's Fredd! Guess what I did yesterday? I scratched my ear with my rear leg! Like a real dog! Now you may think that is a "so what" kind of thing, but for me it was a real victory! I haven't been able to do that for as long as my foster family has known me. It's a really big deal!

I am feeling better and walk all over the place now. I have a very wobbly gait, and my rear legs and hips swing out all over the place. I tell foster mom I am doing my Elvis imitation. Thank you very much.

I am still on the pills for the bad infection in my back and will be on them for a long time. We tried going off them and that's when all the trouble started again, so my great vet says
I will stay on them for a while longer. Foster mom is pushing for forever. She doesn't like it when I hurt- neither do I !

So if I keep doing well I may get to visit you all at our next adoptathon. Come on out and see me and my other friends who are looking for great new homes, like yours! And thanks again for helping pay all my vet bills by sponsoring me. I appreciate it!. As Elvis would say- "thank you very much!"
UPDATE 03-07-2009 -- Hi, it's Fredd! Happy Spring! Now that spring is here I am trying to get into shape and so I have taken up yoga. I almost have this "downward dog" thing down ! Now never in my recent life would I have been able to bend my back and have my front down and my rear up in the air- but now I almost can! I am feeling really good now. Still on the pills for the infection in my back, but I am mostly off the pain pills. Good, because there are just so many pills I can be expected to swallow in one day!

I walk all the time- I rarely stop- maybe I am afraid that this is all a dream and if I stop I won't be able to start again. I play ball in the back yard with my dorky sister Daphne the cocker spaniel- foster mom throws the ball and we all run after it. I mostly bunny hop and with my twisted back it looks as if different halves of me are going in different directions, but I get there! A few times I have even gotten to the ball first and then, boy, do I show it off! I carry that ball all over the yard and I hold it up high for every dog to see. Look at me, dogs! Fredd is back!

And thank you for helping me get back! I will be on these very expensive pills for a very long time so I really appreciate your continued support and sponsorship. I hope to see you all very soon! Love, Fredd!

UPDATE 10-19-2009 -- Hi, everybody! It's me, Fredd! Your favorite TV star. Yes, it's true that I have been on WGN TV's News at Noon TWICE now. They can't resist me. But I don't let it go to my head. I am just glad to be there to represent for all the other dogs at Young at Heart. And I am glad that now I can walk, almost run, from my dressing room to the studio! Only six months ago, on my frst TV appearance, I had to be carried to the studio. This past week I ran ( well, bunny hopped) after my foster sister Bear as she trotted to the studio. Hey, I didn't want her stealing my face time!

I am feeling great. This has been a great summer- enjoying walks, sun baths, and lots of snuggles with my foster family. I still have to take pills and get some daily therapy ( specific exercises for my problem areas). But hey, we all have problem areas as we get older!

I am so grateful to all of you who have helped sponsor my recovery. I will be working at things for the rest of my life, so I thank you all in advance for your continued support. As the spine issue is getting better, some other "old age" type issues are appearing, but I just keep putting one paw in front of the other. Keep reading my sanctuary updates- we can all grow old together!

thanks and love,

Fredd!

Why do we foster?

Read Arlene's story...

I never planned to foster dogs - I didn't think it was something I could do; taking a dog in and then a few weeks later, having someone else adopt her. It was really a fluke, total luck - and one of the best things that has ever happened to me and my family.

It all began when a friend of a friend told me about a dog that needed a place to stay ASAP, because her owner had moved and left her behind - in an empty house with an open bag of dog food and the toilet seat up for water! Immediately, I called my husband and he agreed we should help. That was the first time I was in contact with YAH Pet Rescue and the Director, Dawn and the beginning of one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.

Susie, a Yellow Lab, was our first foster dog back in November of 2005. When we adopted her out, I had mixed emotions, because I'd grown attached to her, but was thrilled that the people that wanted her were so happy. I cried after she left, but then thought about the great thing we had just done - we saved Susie's life and now had room to save another!

And so it went... we continued to foster dogs, we'd be sad for a while after our foster left, but were then excited for the next one to come in to our home. You get attached to some more than others, but I remember every one of them. Our total number of fosters amazes me - 25 in four years. Twenty Five wonderful little lives saved - and I swear, they KNOW they've been saved and they KNOW they are going to their Forever Home when they leave our house.

I guess I'd say the biggest challenge with fostering dogs would be getting them on a schedule and being consistent, so everyone can happily live in the same house together : )

So, if you've ever even thought about fostering - why don't you just try it once and see what you think? If it's not something that's for you - not a problem, at least you'll know. You've got nothing to lose - and you'll be paid highly with lots of doggie love and kisses