Success Story: A.J., now Sunny (#1464)

Adopted September 2nd, 2006

Flunking Fostering 601

It is amazing what happens when you’re in the middle of being perfectly content with two Golden Bond dogs (Angel and Bear), and yet another foster dog is brought to your door for ‘a couple of days.’ Our very first foster experience was with a sweet old guy named Rusty, who was adopted by a wonderful couple from Canada. In the years since, there have been many others who have shared our home and hearts. We’ve had the opportunity to spend good reunion time with some of them at the annual Golden Bond picnics.

We always were completely in love with each and every one, and tears were shed as our guys drove away with their new and happy families. That is the absolute joy in fostering – to see these wonderful dogs find forever homes with those who will always love and care for them, who have given them second chances for happy lives.

And so it was with a 10-year old, dark red bundle of love, brought to us by a caring deputy sheriff who called one Sunday evening. A.J. completely won us over with his gentleness and big, brown soulful eyes. (We all know how Goldens wrap themselves around our hearts in an instant.) A.J. captivated Dr. Ken Lindsay and his staff members, Bonnie and Michelle, when we took him in for needed shots and neutering.

We each spent hours and hours ‘explaining’ to each other why we didn’t need a third dog, and that A.J. would find a wonderful home like all of our other fosters have done. Even as we drove up I-5 to meet Patsy; and A.J. climbed over the back seat and into my lap, shivering and shaking the entire time, Don and I kept trying to convince ourselves (and each other) that we were doing the right thing. Don’s last words to Patsy were to please call us if she had any concerns about adding him to their menagerie; to please let us know.

Our return home was dark and gloomy on the brightest of summer days. When Patsy called to tell us that he wasn’t playing well with others, we were back on the road in a New York minute, and the rest (as they say) is history.

New beginnings call for a new name and he is now Sunny. He and Angel and Bear are constant companions and get along very well. Even Muffy, the cat tolerates another big fur ball in her world. We’ve taken him camping and to the beach and he spent yesterday as a ‘therapy dog in training’ at a meeting, where he charmed all in attendance. Sunny has found his forever home … and we have discovered there is enough space in our rooms and especially our hearts for another dog.

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