SIMPLY LAYLA!

Beautiful Layla found her forever home in May. She settled right in and her new family said they could not imagine not having her in their lives.

Forgive the Boastful Boston for showing her age, but Eric Clapton recorded a very successful song named Layla. We suspect that our Layla knows this song well and she found her own answer to the first verse:

What'll you do when you get lonely

And nobody's waiting by your side?

You've been running and hiding much too long.

You know it's just your foolish pride

Our Layla's response:

I'll go find my new forever family

and lay down by their side!

Chorus:

Layla, you've got me on my knees. Layla,

I'm begging, darling please. Layla,

darling won't you ease my worried mind

Our Layla's response to her forever family:

You rescued me - get up off your knees!

Don't beg me - I will love you always!

Second verse:

I tried to give you consolation

When your old man had let you down.

Like a fool, I fell in love with you,

Turned my whole world upside down

Our Layla's response:

You gave me love, comfort and support.

I'll make sure you are never sorry for loving me!

And finally:

Let's make the best of the situation

Before I finally go insane.

Please don't say we'll never find a way

And tell me all my love's in vain.

Layla says:

You found me, we found a way and love is never in vain!

Maybe Layla heard this song in her former life and knew that she was destined to find happiness again. Good for you Layla!

OH THE CONVERSATIONS DOG PEOPLE HAVE DAILY!

Lucy found her forever home in June with a Mom who during the day works using her PhD. This is the same doctor who provided an update to Lucy's foster mom which included much ado about the sniffing of butts! Lucy has some fear issues with other dogs so she is attending a training class to help her overcome these issues. Lucy's mom is thrilled to report that her butt was sniffed by 5 cats and 3 dogs and more importantly, Lucy took her turn being the butt sniffer! Lucy's mom and former foster mom are beside themselves with joy. Lucy has settled into her new home with her people and her boston sibling Petey with whom she now shares sleeping space.

This wonderful news made me think about some of the conversations we at BTRNC have had regularly with much animation. We can discuss for hours the best type of diaper for a dog and the best way to keep that diaper on. We relish in debating the best type of anal sac cleaning and get positively giddy when discussing house breaking methods. Then there are the very detailed conversations about poo - it's consistency, color, and frequency. Unfortunately we also have to discuss at length the appearance and feel of growths which we fear may be cancerous.

And we are happiest when discussing anything relating to dogs, ours, another foster, a forever placement, a new behavior, a first step away from fear and neglect and the endless things dogs do to make us laugh, cry and scream in frustration.

Some people thing that dog people are strange and to that we say - "we wouldn't have it any other way!"

Here's to Lucy, her new family and many more discussions about things that only dogs and their people understand! Cheers.

REWARD FOR THE SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF BAILEY'S SOUL

Part 1

When our volunteer pulled Bailey from the shelter, the shelter aide said that it was "like someone stole her soul." She did not move, she did not make a sound, she just stayed in the same position.

Bailey is safe now in foster care with a loving foster family and understanding fur siblings. Her physical scars come from her damaged eye from which she has no sight, but we will never know the extent of her emotional scars. Bailey is terrified of noises and most of the world outside the security of her crate. She cannot yet tolerate the feel of a collar and leash and tries desperately to free herself. So now her foster family begins the journey of finding Bailey's soul and the reward will be so much more precious than money. It comes in the form of a licked hand, a lap warmed, a yard explored, a journey from the crate, a boston smile, a contented sigh. These are the things that reward rescuers.

Since that first day a week ago, Bailey has dared to climb in her foster Dad's lap and lie nose to nose with her foster sibling Rosie. Bailey's soul is in there, just begging to be re -found.

Please stay tuned for part 2 of Bailey's story. Experience indicates that with the love and patience of her foster family, Bailey will reclaim her soul and will take sheer delight in all the things the world has to offer. Come with us on her journey, won't you?