Forever in Foster – Forever in Our Hearts
Many of you don’t see what goes on behind the scenes at Speaking of Dogs Rescue, particularly with regards to the senior dogs in our care. As some of you know, our rescue focuses on compassionate care for senior dogs. When these beloved dogs come into our rescue, they often have needs that are beyond the scope of adoption. Still others are up for adoption for months without finding a forever home, and they eventually become attached to their foster parents. At that point we often feel that it is not in the best interest of the dog to be uprooted and put into a new home, given their age. And so, we keep some of our senior dogs in our Forever in Foster program, which has been running for over ten years and has seen many dogs live out their last chapter in a loving, caring foster home, cherished until they cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. Speaking of Dogs Rescue cares for these dogs financially for the rest of their lives, covering their vetting, food, and grooming costs.
We have had some exceptional challenges in terms of health-care costs, but we cannot let these dogs down. If you would like to make a donation to our Forever in Foster program and help us continue to give our senior dogs the care they deserve, please visit Canada Helps. You will immediately receive a tax receipt, and all funds will go toward Speaking of Dogs Rescue. Consider a monthly donation to enable us to continuously assist dogs in need.
We salute our Forever Foster parents and the dogs who are being embraced by the commitment and love of these special volunteers. As well, our fundraising volunteers are an incredible group of doggone dedicated folks, and without their help we would not be able to assist the many dogs who have blessed our lives and touched our hearts.
Meet Our Forever Fosters
Bella
Bella, an approximately 9-year-old shih tzu, came to us from a Toronto area shelter when her owner could no longer care for her or her buddy, Charlie also a shih tzu. When the dogs came into our rescue, we thought 13-year-old Charlie would have more medical issues than Bella, however that was not the case. Bella was diagnosed with a significant heart murmur and when we went ahead with the ultrasound, it was discovered she would need ongoing heart care. She will require medications, continued monitoring and multiple check-ins with the vet. Bella’s FOREVER IN FOSTER parents will ensure she gets the best possible health care, tons of TLC and OF COURSE her pal CHARLIE will be part of her life (the foster parents adopted Charlie!) for the remainder of time! If you would like to help support Bella with her vetting, heart medication, grooming and medication costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Cheyenne
Cheyenne, a 16-year-old shih tzu/terrier mix, came to us from a Windsor area shelter when her owner passed away. She is a lovely senior soul who is both vision and hearing impaired. Due to her age and need for continuing eye care, we decided to have her put directly into our FOREVER IN FOSTER program which will cover her medical needs and other expenses. Cheyenne has a sweet, gentle nature and enjoys following her foster mom into the kitchen, napping, and puttering around the backyard. She does so well for a dog her age, is sharp as a tack, and always ready for cozy time. She currently lives with two canine buddies and a foster mom who will treasure her until she is called to the Rainbow Bridge. We’ve got you Cheyenne! If you would like to help support Cheyenne with her vetting and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Cookie
Cookie came into our rescue in June 2021 as an owner surrender due to health and behaviour issues. Cookie is approx. 14 years old and needs special veterinary food, ongoing eye and stress medications and frequent vet visits for urinary and eye check ups. He is a sweet boy who struggles with anxiety, medical and housetraining challenges. We chose to put him into Forever in Foster because we didn’t want to uproot him when he is decompressing and settling in with his current foster mom and doing quite well with her. If you would like to help support Cookie with his vetting, medications and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Dash
Dash came to us from a local Toronto shelter where he was found running along highway 427. A Good Samaritan saw him and tried to help him by pulling over to the side of the road. Here is Dash’s story as told by CTV News: https://bit.ly/3auuhmz When he first came into our foster program, he was frightened and stressed but given time to decompress he warmed up. At his veterinary exam they noted a worrisome sounding heart murmur and we approved ex-rays and then a cardiac ultrasound to have a better look at this heart. Sadly, little Dash has a significant heart murmur and needs meds and regular check-ins with our vet. His foster mom is dedicated to giving him a loving and caring home for as long as his little heart will keep beating. If you would like to help support Dash with his heart medications and vet visits please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Devor
Devor (Dev) a 14-year-old Border Collie came to us as part of a PAWS (Provincial Animal Welfare Services) case last summer. He needed time to decompress and the help of medication to get that spring back in his step again. This sweet senior boy was recently reunited with his sister, Neev, and they are both now in the same foster home. He adapted easily with his laid back personality and quickly claimed the back room as his own, setting up house with a nice, soft bed close to the warmth of the radiator. He is a quirky, lovable goofball who hides his food, trolls for treats in the kitchen and enjoys jaunting around the backyard and his scenic neighbourhood. He is a stress-free dude and is looking forward to spending his retirement carefree, with lots of R and R, and in the company of his sister. If you would like to help support Devor with his arthritis medication and vetting costs, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Frannie
Frannie, a 14-year-old shih tzu, is a sweet senior who came to us from Northern Manitoba when her owners could no longer care for her. Her foster mom noted Frannie’s mammary masses on her foster update, and we make an appointment to get her to our vet ASAP. Diagnostics were done along with x-rays and when the results came back, the news was not good; the mammary masses were all malignant. We spayed her and removed the masses that were hanging low and impeding her mobility. We discussed her case with our vets, and they advised us to put in our FOREVER IN FOSTER program. Her current foster mom agreed to become her forever home, so Frannie didn’t have to unpack again. From her foster mom” Despite her medical challenges she enjoys her walks prancing proudly beside my dog and has a great appetite. Frannie has mastered the outside steps and ramp going up and down them as if she’s at the playground playing at the park. She is proving to be such a strong brave soul and is an absolute delight to be around. Her sweet nature has won the hearts of everyone who has met her and knowing Frannie, she won’t let her diagnosis get her down and will live each day to the fullest. If you would like to help support Frannie with her vetting, grooming and medication costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Maggie
Maggie came to us in 2020 when her owner passed away. She is an approx. 13 year old Wheaten Terrier mix. Over the past year, we profiled Maggie’s adoption page several times. We had a couple of meet and greets for her however, her leash reactivity and aloofness with strangers made it hard to find her a new family. She has grown extremely attached to her foster moms and given her age and her recent health challenges (blood work is showing some concerns with her pancreas and kidneys) we felt she should go into our Forever in Foster program. She has settled in with her foster family and feels secure and loved. If you would like to help support Maggie with her vetting and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Miles
Miles, an approximately 14–15-year-old Pekinese/shih tzu mix, came to us from a shelter in the Windsor area when his owner fell ill and could no longer take care of him. The shelter noted he had a fractured jaw, was falling over, rotten teeth, curled nails, muscle wasting and had feces and urine throughout his fur. It was suggested he get in to see an oral specialist and a rescue commitment was needed ASAP. We posted his profile and photo to our foster list and, always the true heroes, we had a foster mom step up! Miles has since had all his medical needs taken care of including multiple extractions, rads, grooming, urinalysis, and other needed diagnostics. It has been noted by his foster mom that he may have some cognitive challenges and incontinence but he’s a happy, cuddly soul who enjoys trundling for short walks and coming home to long naps. He also LOVES his new stroller that he rides in like Prince Miles! If you would like to help support Miles with his vetting and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Molly
Molly is an approximately 13 year-old shih tzu who came to us from an eastern Ontario shelter. When she arrived at the shelter she was flea-infested and almost bald as a result; had a heavily matted tail that all came off in one chunk with the clippers and nails that were so overgrown they curled around. She also had a two masses, a heart murmur and an eye infection. The shelter did an exceptional job addressing Molly’s health issues but due to her advanced age and ongoing medical concerns they felt reaching out to Speaking of Dogs Rescue was the best route to go for their special little lady – and we were happy to welcome her with open arms! Molly is a lovely girl who is beyond happy to find a bed and stick by your feet all day long. Wee mite Molly is a social butterfly, housetrained and very food motivated. She is now in her Forever in Foster home and has already seen our vet who is confident her skin issues are improving and her other ongoing health concerns are manageable with a committed foster parent which she has in SPADES! Molly has already made herself right at home in the departments of: playing, snuggling/cuddling, snoozing, dinner and treat-time announcing and other important affairs of the household! Her foster mom wonders how she ever managed to be get anything done without the supervision of the mighty Molly McGee! If you would like to help support Molly with her vetting and special food costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Neev
Neev is a 14-year-old Border Collie who came to us as part of a PAWS (Provincial Animal Welfare Services) case last summer. Neev is in better shape now that she’s on a better diet and also on medication for her arthritis. Like many of the PAWS dogs, Neev needed help to refresh her housetraining, learn stairs and leash walking. She enjoys her walks and exploring her new neighbourhood. For a senior girl, she is still quite energetic and enjoys chasing tennis balls in the yard and in any weather. She used to be a flyball dog in her younger years. Neev is a sweetheart, always wanting to be close to her foster parents, her brother Devor, or assisting in the kitchen as a taste tester. Retirement is looking pretty sweet, especially now Dev has joined the household! If you would like to help support Neev with her vetting and care costs, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Olivia
Olivia, a gentle-natured 13-year-old spaniel, came to us from a Niagara Region shelter when her owner had to go into a long-term care home. The shelter noticed she was having what seemed to be incontinence issues. When they called us to take Olivia into our rescue, they shared their observations and advised us to follow up with our vet with blood work and urine, which we did. Results confirmed Cushings which explained her voracious appetite and water intake. We moved her to one of our Forever in Foster homes and got her started on the required medications. Sweet girl Olivia is feeling much better now and is enjoying her new canine companions, trail walks, naps and snack time! If you would like to help support Olivia with her vetting and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you)
Phoebe
Phoebe, a 13-year-old Bichon/poodle mix, came to us when her owner passed away. She came in with Ollie, a poodle mix, who is her lifelong friend. They have been together since they were 8 weeks old. When we took them to the vet, Ollie’s health was tip top but there was something not quite right with Phoebe. We worked with our vet, and we approved several tests and diagnostics. Sadly, when the results came back, the news was not good. The lymphocyte count was still high, and it was confirmed that she had lymphocytic leukemia. As of now, she is not symptomatic and is doing well; she’ll need her CBC monitored every 3 months moving forward. Both Phoebe and Ollie are in a wonderful, caring, and dedicated home. Ollie was adopted outright, and Phoebe will stay in the rescue as a Forever in Foster so we can support her future medical needs. If you would like to help support Phoebe with her vetting, grooming and medications costs, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Rudder
Rudder, a 12-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, came to us from a PAWS case. He’s a lovely, sweet dog who has always been a “farm boy”. Not familiar with city life, leash walking or big crowds, we thought it might be challenging to find him the best fit home. We were ‘over-the-moon’ delighted when one of our Speaking of Dogs Rescue followers offered to foster him. She and her family live on a farm in a small rural hamlet northeast of the city. Rudder loves to chill out in the large, fenced area, follow his new BHF (best husband friend) around, line up for snacks and cozy up for naps. We decided to put him in the Forever in Foster program due to ongoing medical and behavioural challenges that may need to utilize our FIF funding. If you would like to help support Rudder with his medication costs, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Shelby
Shelby, a 15 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix, came to us from a PAWS (Provincial Animal Welfare Services) case this summer. She had ear and eye infections and dry, flakey itchy skin. She is deaf and her mobility is poor. At her age, and with her health issues, we asked for a Forever in Foster home right from the get-go. We felt the PAWS dogs had enough upheaval of late and we were happy when foster parents offered to take them in. Many of the PAWS dogs had lost their housetraining and were not familiar with stairs. Shelby’s foster family reports she is doing well with stairs now and her housetraining is also coming along nicely. She is on a number of medications including two meds that are for life and help her arthritic joints so she can enjoy her walks without pain and/or stiffness. If you would like to help support Shelby with her medication costs, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Sisi
Sisi, a lovely 10-year-old white schnauzer, came into our rescue in February 2022 with her friend Abbey, also a schnauzer. They were given up by their family when they could no longer care for them properly in a busy household rand with two small children. While Sisi and Abbey were good with the children and good-natured, the family only had so many pennies. Both dogs needed expensive medical care including dental surgeries, special urinary food, diagnostics and more urgently, Sisi needed tests to determine why she was drinking so much water. Once in our care, we had both dogs seen by the vet and tests run. We ran all the diagnostic tests recommended, ruled out various aliments and at the end of the day Sisi was diagnosed with Cushings. We see this condition quite frequently in older dogs and, when vets recommend treatment, we comply. If you would like to help support Sisi with her vetting and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Willy
Willy came to us when his owner passed away. The next of kin had a young child and an energetic dog which wasn’t conducive to Willy’s lifestyle. Willy is a 15-year-old shih tzu mix who was used to a quiet home without a lot of activity. It was evident that Willy was not happy in his new environment and when we were asked to take him into our rescue, we didn’t hesitate. We had an open foster home with a retired couple who were ready to open their heart and home to Willy. At his age, we decided that he needed a stable home and decided to put him in our Forever in Foster program to offer him ongoing support and stability. He has already lost his mom so we didn’t want him to put him through losing another family. If you would like to help support Willy with his vetting, medications and grooming costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).