[oneill]

Get well soon Elmo xxx

[oneill]

Oh Jenny you have set me off again .. what a gorgeous poem, thank you so much for that! Its lovely to think that Bella is out there somewhere keeping an eye on me .. maybe she’ll find me a winning lottery ticket or a rich man so I can give up work and foster full time (hint hint Bella)

And thanks a mill Audrey and Mary for the lovely posts!! Im on this site every day and although I read most posts I never usually leave comments, but i will be from now on as I never understood how much encouragement and support they offer when you have a bad/mad/sad day with the doggies xxx

[oneill]

GORGEOUS pics … I’ll be saying a prayer tonight for this little woman x

[oneill]

Thanks so much Trinity and ColganFamily (sorry .. I don’t know your first names ) its lovely to have the support!…. Unfortunately I can’t foster very often but I know from this site that you two are both brilliant foster families who always have room for another 4 legged orphan in your home

[oneill]

To My Gorgoues little girl (I eventually bought myself a new charger so I could pay tribute to you!!)

When I collected you from the lovely Esme in a Supervalu carpark, I saw 2 sad,frightened and timid eyes looking back at me from Esme’s car, but both Esme and I agreed you were a little beauty!! (so I have always called you Bella!)

I got you home and I realised that all you wanted was love, cuddles and attention, of which I had bucketloads to give!! I stayed at home from work on Friday and we both had a duvet day , you loved being close to me and couldnt believe your luck with all the lovely dinners I made you (as I kept reminding you .. I wouldnt have made them for meself )… but over the next few days I realised that something wasn’t right, and by St Patricks Day you weren’t well and could barely walk, but couldn’t walk at all on my wooden floors or tiles!(so every inch of floor was covered in blankets/towels) i brought you to the vet yesterday and he confirmed that you had neurological damage and were mostly blind. He gave you an injection to see if it would make any difference but I think leaving the vet’s yesterday I knew what the outcome would be. By then you had started wetting your bed, and everything was just a struggle for you. When we went to see the lovely vet Paul this morning we knew that the kindest thing was to let you go. I wasn;t sure if I would be able to be there but I knew I was ur only friend and the person you trusted so I wasn’t letting you down when you needed me most!) Paul was so gentle and calm with you and you slipped away in my arms with me whispering in your ear how much I loved you!! And I did love you!! they say that a friensghip isn’t measured by how long you know someone but on the quality of the time you spend with them, and that is so true for me and you Bella!! I only knew you 4 days but have cried more tears than as if I knew you 40 years!! I gues Im writing this just to let you know that no matter what happened to you in the past, no matter who gave up on you and put u in the pound .. I want you to know that you mattered..you counted … you were loved!! From Kathy who never gave up on finding you a foster home, to Esme who drove from Dublin to Slane to collect you, to me who gave you everything I had to give over the past few days!! You were loved so much, and you deserved every tear I have cried for you today. You were the gentlest, most loving dog and I’ll miss you. Sleep well little girl xxx

To anyone thinking of fostering, please go ahead and take the plunge!! Im very rarely in a position to foster but when I have done so, it has been so so rewarding!! Ideally, and most of the time, foster dogs move on to brilliant forever homes, but life isnt always like that, and even when the worst happens, its been equally as rewarding to know that this little girl’s last memories were NOT of being in a cold damp pound, but were knowing what warmth love and affection felt like, so although heartbeaking at times, I would do it all over again to give another dog a chance to feel loved.

Finally, (rant nearly over I promise .. ) a HUGE thank you to Kathy for being at the other end of the phone day and night and supporting me every step of the way .. you’re just a star, and a guardian angel to the doggies!!!)

[oneill]

Ah gorgeous pics Mary!! Abby is such a good girl .. sharing her bed and toys with him well done Abbs!!! Hope he’s settling well .. he’s landed on his 4 paws ending up in your house He’s a lovely little guy … so tiny compared to Abby!!

[oneill]

Ah Benny you look amazing!!! You’re a credit to your family And from what I hear you’re spoiled rotten too Mr !!! …. you’ve been very lucky with your foster family, Mary, Gerry and Abby and also your forever family, who I know are amazing and love you to pieces … but you deserve every bit of it!!! To compare you to the first day you were taken out of the pound to today is just am amazing transformation!!!! (to anyone wondering just go to the first page of his thread!!) And what did it take??? love and tlc Im so happy for you little man xxxx

p s- Charlie says hello!! (from a distance haha!!!)

[oneill]

Hi Andrew,

First of all thank you soo much for keeping us all updated on how this little man is doing. I can’t say enough how great it is to get updates on him. When I think of the state of this poor little man when he came to me the first day, and to look at him now would just completely warm your heart. And of course, the lovely Mary, his second foster mammy did brilaint work with him too! Thank you soo much for giving him a great home and for loving him as much as you and your family obviously do! The youtube video gave me such a laugh, he is a gas little man, he really mustn’t know himself these days, but it just goes to show what great companions (and cheecky chancers ) these dogs can be when given a chance . It is brillaint to hear that his eyes are on the mend and that he is finally able to see! He couldnt see a thing when I got him first so Id say he can’t believe his luck!!

Thanks again for the update and I look forward to hearing about this little rascal soon
ps – does he still ahve his red blanket with white paws on it?? .. he claimed that the first day in my house and was fairly attached to it

[oneill]

Awe would ye look at him . he is soo cute!! And you’re right Mry .. that face .. it just cracks me up every time!!! Andrew I notice he seems attached to that blanket .. I love seeing him lie on it as it was the first blanket he perched his little bum on in my house and he loved it soo much . Honestly, words dont describe how great it is to see such a massive happy ending for this lil man. If ever there was a cheeky chappie who deservesd it its him. Well done Andrew and family and pleeease keep the updates coming!! Hugs to Bennyboy…you look fab

[oneill]

Hi Andrew,

I initially had this cheeky chappie for the first 2 weeks or so before Mary kindly took him. He was such a state when I got him. Its just so great to see a dog who was so depressed and frightened and in obvious discomfort, transformed into such a happy little chappy now living in a loving home . A huge WELL DONE to Mary, Gerry (and the beautiful Abby of course!!) who devoted all their time to helping this little fella realise he is actually a dog!! And that he can play, and have a warm bed and that being picked up and cuddled was a good thing. This rascal gave Abby and Mary a run for their money but Mary you must be so proud to see him now, all happy with a loving family . Andrew my favourite little things about this guy is that when he takes a drink his beard dribbles the water afterwards and he leaves a little puddle of water . He also has the funniest little run Ive ever seen, he certainly made me laugh and I know he had Mary in stictches on many an occasion.

Thanks for keeping in touch as I love when I log on and see theres been an update on him. He’s a completely different dog and it just shows what TLC and love and care will do!! Well done to you and your family, he’s lucky to have found such a great home Give him a cuddle from me x

[oneill]

Ha ha Mary I LOVE reading your updates as its all so familiar to me!! he like an older dog on young shoulders!! Its like he’s adapting to being loved and always having a comfy bed and anough to eat! Mary I know I keep saying it but Im sooo glad he’s with you . For anyone who likes this guy I would say go for it .. he is worth it!! He is like a 24 hour snuggler who wants the easy life .. (dont we all!!). be good Benny (Mary and I both think he’s more like a little Benny than an Elijah .. the name Elijah is too posh for this guy …ah sorry lil man .. only joking with ya!!!) .. Love ye lots funny man and well done again to you Mary .. you’re soo good!!

[oneill]

Ah Mary would ye look at him with his lampshade .. poor little thing!! I never realised what a cheeky face he has too . Yes mary you’re so right when you say he loves the cuddles and so a quiet household who just want a lapdog and a snuggler would love this little guy. You wouldn’t be doing any agility trials with this guy …he loves his comfort too much and just wants to plod along beside you and then up on your lap fo the cuddles . Mary you’re doing great with him..and Abby is a little dote aswell. Like you say he obviously hasn’t been socialised before with people or dogs .. but I suppose its only been a month since his new life began so he’s getting there . When I got him first he didnt know what a cudde was .. he would just freeze as if to say "what are you trying to do" .. but he realised soon enough that the cuddles were great aul craic and he loves them now. Well he certainly landed on his 4 paws in your house….thank you so much for giving this guy such a loving foster family .

ps – I know what you mean about the snoring … he wont do well with the ladies with that bad habit . Give him a snuggle from me

[oneill]

Well I was broken hearted having to give this lil man to a new foster mammy due to other commitments . But then I met Mary and her family and I was instantly relieved and put at rest. I was over dropping off Elijah to Mary last night and met the wonderful Abby,who is such a dote, I fell in love with her too. Mary you’re a complete star and Elijah is so lucky to be staying with your family. Thank you soo much for the updates as its great to hear how he’s getting on. I couldn’t be happier that Elijah is with you . I just hope he gives poor Abby a break . Thank you so much again for giving Elijah a wonderful foster home, he’s a cheeky lil man for your first foster . Give him a hug from me and Charlie

[oneill]

Well Elijah is coming on really well. I had him at the vets last night for a check up and there is a definite improvement with his eyes and his vision. Te vet said that it would take some time to know if his vision will improve 100% but its a good sign that in the space of a week it has imrpoved already . He gets his eye drops 3 times a day and is a little angel when I’m putting them in .. just stands still to let me do it .
This little guy is only getting used to human contact now, and he obviously has never been around other dogs either so is still a little unsure but its only been a week so Im sure he’ll be grand . My Yorkie Charlie isn’t too impressed with this little fella coz he isn’t into playing much and my guy just wants a pal to play with 24/7 .

Elijah is more of a chilled out dog and plus because of his vision at the moment it must be hard on him to have a dog jumping all over him . He didn’t like being picked up when I got him first but it was pure nerves..but I pick him up alot now and cuddle him for a few minutes and then put him back down, just to let him know that being picked up is a good thing and now he doesnt mind me picking him up at all…in fact he’ll sometimes come over and put his paws up as if he’s asking you to pick him up . He’s putting on a little weight too and eating great. He’s a dream on the lead, loves his walkies .. or should I say "strolls" .. ye wouldnt be going power-walking with this guy he just likes an easy little stroll. Im training him to come back to me off the lead too and its working really well so far..he doesnt venture too far though;) . He follows me around the house aswell, even if he is asleep, if I move he follows!!! He is s dream at night time too, there isn’t a word outta him and the toilet training is going great. He loves the car, is soo chilled out he just sits there, and the minute you turn the engine on he cosies up and goes fast asleep .
As always Im amazed the trust these dogs place in us when they’ve been through so much and they’re willingness to please us and adapt to a new happy life . I’ll keep u all posted about this little guy but just to say that he may be looking for an extra special quiet home due to his vision and his really chilled out nature.. God knows he deserves the best

[oneill]

Awe Julie I’ve just arrived into work and you have literally brought a tear to my eye. I was only looking at photos on my camera of him the other day and wondering how he is getting on. It is just soo great to hear how he is doing . I was very attached to this lil man, he’s so cute, but I knew when I met you and your Mam that he would have a great home with your family. He looks delighted with life and so happy! ..and giving the paw aswell .. good work, fair play to you Billy Thank you soo much for giving him such a great home and thanks even more for letting us know how he’s getting on . Give him a hug from his foster mammy and his foster brother Charlie . You’ve made my day

[Author]

Posts