About four or five years ago we had a beautiful purebred American Bulldog at our shelter. Her name was Maggie. She was with us many months while we searched for her perfect forever home. One day a couple came to the shelter that had another American Bulldog. They met Maggie and fell in love. The couple was experienced with the breed, compassionate and loving. It seemed like a perfect match.
Bobbi and a volunteer drove Maggie down to her new home n South Jersey. She took a video of Maggie, the other bulldog and the couple walking into the woods for a hike together. It seemed like a happy ending and we were all teary eyed with joy.
Fast forward to 2009. We received an email that the couple would have to return Maggie to the shelter. They had a new baby and ever since Maggie and the other bulldog have been getting into bad fights. They returned Maggie because they had the other dog first. We never want people to give up their pets. They are apart of the family. However we’d rather the animal come back to us than be put in another shelter or dumped somewhere. That is why Bobbi and the Strays always takes back our animals if the home doesn’t work out. They always have a place with us.
Maggie was now a senior dog with sad eyes. She didn’t fare well at the shelter. A cage is no place for any dog, but especially a senior. She seemed to grow more and more depressed and some days she would have trouble getting up to go out. It was heartbreaking to watch Maggie deteriorate. She was a sweet, loving dog. She didn’t bother any of the other dogs at the shelter and never gave the volunteers or staff a problem. She walked nicely on a leash. She deserved a nice, quiet home to live out her life. The stress of the shelter was too much for her.
Below is a photo of Maggie at the shelter
Below is a photo of Bobbi and Maggie hanging out in the hallway (we have no indoor space to just hang out with the animals) of the shelter on a cold winters night.
Our hearts grew heavier each day. We posted for a foster home for Maggie. No one seemed to want an older dog. Then an angel came to the rescue. A wonderful volunteer named Diedre said she would love to foster Maggie. We were overjoyed. Diedre was wonderful with all the animals. She was gentle and compassionate. Any animal would be lucky to have a home with her!
Bobbi drove Maggie out to Diedre’s house in the Rockaways. It was quiet and peaceful by the sea. A perfect place for Maggie to live and relax! Below is a photo of Maggie in the car.
And Maggie on her first walk on the beach
When an animal goes to a foster or forever home, we always wait a couple of days to make sure everything goes okay. Sometimes unforeseen problems arise that the home can’t handle and the animal has to come back. But the first update couldn’t have been better. Maggie was adjusted already and she was even feeling better physically. She had no problems getting up in the morning and was even able to walk up and down the steps without a problem!
Then we received these beautiful photos of Maggie!
Its been months since Maggie went to her foster home and all continues to go well. Diedre just sent us some more updated photos of the beautiful Maggie! We are very grateful to Diedre for fostering Maggie. She saved her from depression and gave her new hope, a new life. Not only did Diedre save Maggie, she saved another dog. By taking Maggie, she opened up a space at the shelter for us to save another dog who needed help.
If you are interested in fostering a dog or cat, please email Adopt@bobbicares.org We have many, many more dogs and many kitties that are longing for that special someone to take them out of the shelter and give them a temporary home where they can relax and love and be loved.
