Melia Found Her Forever Home

I have great news!  Melia's new family drove 7 hours, round trip, today to come meet Melia!  They brought Melia's new brother, Max.  Max is a tall, lanky, 3-year old golden rescue.  He didn't pay much attention to Melia and she didn't pay much attention to him.  Instead they were both very interested in getting our attention, but not in a competitive or aggressive manner.   There were plenty of pets, scratches and belly rubs going around! 

As with Doji, it was a bittersweet moment watching Melia leave.  We had Melia for almost 5 weeks and, frankly, I got used to having her around.  But, Melia's adoption means that's one more dog that we'll be able to foster next and one more dog that Almost Heaven will be able to rescue from an untimely and unnecessary death.  AND.... one more family that will eventually find their four legged soul mate.

For the next few weeks I'll be traveling for work.  When I get back, Kirk and I are hosting a fund-raiser for Almost Heaven on Saturday May 5.  We have a one-acre, fenced in back yard and all well-behaved people and their dogs are invited to a cookout and a leash-free romp-n-play.  Jeanne Taylor, pet photographer, will be on hand to take pet portraits and if we get a large enough collection of Almost Heaven dogs-- perhaps we can discuss putting a calendar together for another fund-raiser.  We're asking each family for a $25 donation.  Food, beverage and the portrait sitting will be provided.  If you're interested, please let me know and I'll send you more details.

Until our next foster arrives... I'll provide updates for Doji and Melia and how they're fitting into their new homes! 

If you have any questions about what it takes to be a foster parent for a furkid, please let me know.  It has been a very rewarding experience.  Someone asked me how I can do this and not get attached.  I do get attached.  I get very attached, but when I brought Doji and Melia home, I knew being in my home would increase their chances of getting adopted.  I provided them plenty of hugs and pets, warm beds to sleep on and people to love.  Most of all, though, I hope I provided them with a little security.  And I had a goal-- to find each of them the perfect home.  So far, I'm 2 for 2.  :-)

Melia is pooped!  We took her to the downtown Silver Spring Farmer's Market and she charmed people with her "Adopt Me" Vest and her sweet, complacent manner.  At one point, I was sitting in the middle of the road with my legs stretched straight in front of me.  Melia was rolled out on her back.  The back of her head was propped up on my belly and she was looking up at me as I scratched her belly and nuzzled her head.  That was a show stopper!  We had people stopping to take pictures of the docile creature that was so trusting she would lounge, in your lap, on her back.  We handed out Melia's contact information (the blog address) to about 5 people-- maybe you met Melia today and you're reading this blog for the first time today... you might be her her 2-legged-soul-mate?!?!

We stopped by Living Ruff, a pet store boutique, in downtown Silver Spring to get some seasonal cookies (a frosted purple Easter egg for Melia and a gender-neutral-yellow flower for Toby).  We also got a couple meaty bones to chew on.  She enjoyed listening to the different squeaky toys and I tried to interest her in a tennis ball, but she was too interested in all of the people and the other dog-- a black standard poodle puppy-- in the store.

One of my most proud moments for her was when we were in front of the kettle corn stand.  There was an adorable 4 month old German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, Molly, who was sniffing out any pieces of fallen popcorn.  Molly was adorable and picturesque for a puppy, but Melia stole the show!  People gathered around Melia to comment on how sweet and calm she was!     

The trip completely tuckered them out!  Both dogs came home and took a pretty good nap.    I've been trying to get a video of Melia snoring for a few days now, but every time I hit the record button, she stops snoring.  I have more than one adorable photo of a quiet snoozing puppy! 

If you're interested in adopting Melia, please find adoption information at Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary.  http://www.almostheaven-golden-retriever-rescue.org/adopt.html

Melia's Fashion Statement

Melia has been sporting her "Adopt Me" vest during walks and outings.  On Monday, a woman named Liz pulled over and asked about her and my hopes soared that she might find her forever home. 

Melia loves to go for walks.  She hasn't learned the word "walk" yet, but when I get out the leash she gets super excited.  She's not much of a jumper, but she runs around your legs in excited circles, so it's hard to pin her down to get the leash hooked.  It's easy for me to walk both Toby and Melia at the same time.  Melia sticks to one side of me, doesn't pull on the leash and keeps pace with the group.