Special Forever Foster Moms

This post is in honor of a very special group of  Forever Foster Moms, all of whom recently lost their little ones.  They are:

Jodi Groff and her foster Terry;  Cynthia Kaiser and her foster Madge; Sharon Davidson and her foster Mo;  Malinda Verrigni and her foster Dot;  Carolyn McCarthy and her foster Tommy; and Megan Sanchez and her foster Charlotte. 

All of these dedicated Moms were the fosters for dogs that they knew only had a limited lifespan, and volunteered to be their end of life caretakers, knowing that they would have to say goodbye to their babies far too soon, but chosing to show them love and devotion for their final days, and to be able to see their final journeys to the Rainbow Bridge.

A special thank you to all those who have forever fosters, knowing that they are the last home for these poor souls who were abandoned at the hour of their greatest need. They, and all the others with forever fosters,  know they were chosen for a special task, and they have all our admiration and respect. 

Jodi and Terry

Terry was a 14 year old girl who had been dropped off at the Philadelphia Animal Shelter.  When dropped off, she was blind in one eye and has no use of her back legs.  Despite that she was also very sweet, and won the heart of Foster Mom Jodi Groff.   Terry was only with Jodi for two days, but in that time, was shown all the love Jodi could give her.  Jodi wrote at that time,  "Today we said goodbye to our foster Terry. She was very peaceful and was licking a spoon of peanut butter and being cuddled to the very end. No matter how much pain she was in she could never turn it down, we even coated chicken with melted peanut butter to get her to eat. Selfishly, we wish she could have been with us longer than two days but we needed to let her go so she could finally be free. The poor girl had so many physical issues- legs so atrophied that she no longer move, incontinence from loss of feeling and painful cataracts/blindness. I have to smile when I think of her finally running her little heart out. I know she had to be a sweet and loyal member of someone’s family and I‘m glad we were able to help her on her journey even if they couldn’t. This decision just doesn’t get any easier!"

Cynthia and Madge

Madge was the first foster for her Mom Cynthia Kaiser.  Madge also came from animal control.  She had been abandoned, so there was no history on her.  It was discovered that Madge had a brain tumor and had pacing and seizures, which were so painful to watch her endure. 

Cynthia said about her when she first got her, "Madge loves walks, belly rubs and giving kisses.  In spite of all that she is enduring, she is a very sweet, loving lady.  We are giving her pred and hope it helps her symptoms but we know that Madge's time with us is limited.  We are making sure that Madge's last days are filled with all the love and care that she so richly deserves. Please keep Madge in your thoughts and prayers." 

At the end of Madge's life, Cynthia wrote,  "Sadly, our sweet foster Madge had to be put to sleep today. She had a rough last couple of days with seizures and neurological symptoms from her brain tumor. Late last night and through to this morning it became obvious to us that she was suffering and needed our help. She passed away very peacefully late this morning and I was with Madge the entire time giving her love and telling her that she was a good girl. Even though we only had Madge a short time, we loved her very much and will miss her sweet, gentle disposition and many kisses. We are so thankful that Madge felt the love and care of a home in her last days. Many thanks to Rhea who took Madge out of animal services and gave her love and care for days, to Ginny for being a great foster support system and to Victoria and Sheryl who spoke to our vet and made sure that Madge got everything that she needed to keep her comfortable. Although I am a new foster, I can see that NEBTR is a wonderful group. If Madge could thank everyone there would be warm, soft kisses all around."

Special thanks to Cynthia for being there for Madge in her last days. She knew love, caring and the best medical care possible. If only her previous home had been there for her in her hour of greatest need. But that's what NEBTR and people like Cynthia are all about.

Sharon and Mo

Mo was an elderly diabetic dog who was fostered by Sharon Davidson.  Mo was her first pup with NEBTR, and she gave him all the love she had.  She drove many hours to pick him up, and cared for him for seven months.  He was a sweet and loving dog with numerous health issues including uncontrolled diabetes and ongoing eye issues that she pulled from a shelter.  Sharon has been about as devoted to him and caring for him as a person could be, and has made his last 7 months probably the best of his life.

They were unable to get his diabetes under control despite numerous medication adjustments and glucose tests. One night at about 2:30 in the morning he started crying out.  She went to him, and he was having trouble moving.  She didn't think he needed medication but rubbed a little honey on his gums just in case and lay on the floor with him.  In the morning she took him to her vet who said he either had a stroke or something neurological going on.  They did a glucose curve test which was normal.  He Could not move one side.  He was dragging his front leg and curling it under so the vet thinks its more likely something neurological. 

He was a hospice case at this point, and Sharon brought him home and had him stay with her for whatever time he has left.  Mo's eye ruptured subsequently, and she and the vet both felt he shouldn't be put through surgery in his frail condition so she held him while he was PTS.  This has not been an easy dog.  His uncontrolled diabetes caused him to have daily numerous accidents in the house and during the night.  Sharon has never once complained, and  said things like "he has been a pleasure to care for, he offered comfort to my mother in her time of sorrow, he is a sweet, wonderful boy, and I am doing this to help a good dog who needs loving care."  Sharon  had him for 7 months and has not been able to leave him alone for more than 2 hours at a time, but again did this willingly.  She's a gem.

Rest in peace, Mo, and thank you Sharon, from all of us.

Malinda and Dot

When she came to NEBTR and Foster Mom Malinda Verrigni, Dot was a healthy 10 year your Boston.  She was 22 pounds and black and white with no brindle.  She had plenty of play and energy left.  Sadly, she did have an issue with a tumor in her breast but this was removed and she was given a clean bill of health in October, 2011.  She was a very sweet girl and extremely loyal and was Dot's best friend forever.  She followed her around all day just to make sure she was.  Dot was playful with her foster home’s dogs  (boston terrier and standard poodle) and  good with small children as long as they are not pulling and tugging at her.  She tired of that very quickly and runs away.    She loved to run after toys and go for walks. She was very obedient and did exactly what Malinda told her and was just a super easy girl.

Unfortunately, her cancer returned, and progressed to her legs and lungs. Dot spent the rest of her time with Malinda and her family.  Her last days were full of love, and her family returned the affection that Dot so freely gave to all.   Dot was super sweet and affectionate, and won the hearts of all who knew her.   She died at the office of her vet, with the staff who had cared for her able to say goodbye to her, and cuddled by Malinda. Rest in peace, sweet Dot.

Carolyn and Tommy 

Tommy, or TomTom, as he was affectionately known,  was abandoned by his family with a brain tumor. He was taken in by Foster Mom Carolyn McCarthy, who made him part of her brood for the time he had left. No one could have received better care or more love, and he died among his new family and surrounded by love. He was a special, handsome boy who taught all around him the value of loyalty and devotion.

Cynthia Kaiser wrote to Carolyn,  at the end of TomTom's life,  " I am so sorry that both you and TomTom have to go through this. My first foster, Madge, had a brain tumor and the pacing and seizures were so painful to watch her endure, I can only imagine what it felt like to her and for TomTom.  It was a sad choice to make but we did put her to sleep after only having her with us for a short time because she was suffering too much.  Tomtom will be pain free, running and playing with all the dogs who have gone before him.  You have filled his last days with love and given him a caring home.  And as difficult as is it, this is your final act of love for TomTom.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you today."

Megan and Charlotte

Megan Sanchez is a Foster Mom for NEBTR, and she recently lost her forever foster Charlotte, whom she fostered through another organization.

Megan wrote,  "My heart goes out to all involved with these special little dogs. Sharon, you have done a great thing taking care of Mo. Karma will be very good to you. It's a great thing to sacrifice a little bit of your emotions to give this guy 7 months of comfort and love. I just put down my hospice foster last week after having her for 8 months. It's hard but, knowing the life we gave her vs. the life she could have had at the shelter or none at all is a huge piece of happy for her in my heart. My prayers go out to you and your family for healing."

We all send our love and support for Megan on her loss of Miss Charlotte.