Hi Everyone!

[JanusAscending]

I'm new to this forum, but I have heard about you from others on DU. I live in Ct. and have a really heartbreaking problem. I have a 5 yr. old male Bichon' Frise' (un neutered) that I need to surrender to a loving home or Foster home. I've had him since he was 6 weeks old and consider him my son. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and loves people(too much!) He hasn't been socialized much due to my situation. He's comfortable with my cat who's de clawed. He's never met one with claws! I'm 70 yrs. old, and may have to go into Sr. housing. I can't afford to have him groomed as often as he needs it. I used to be able to do it myself, but because of debilitating Arthritis and COPD, I no longer can. I'm barely able to afford to feed him, let alone give him shots and medical care should he ever need it. He has been a loving loyal "son" to me, and I will desperately miss him, .........but I need to put his welfare first. If any of you know someone in the Ct. area that would be interested in helping me find him a forever home or foster him,I would be forever grateful, as would my "Flurry" He would need a fenced in yard as he has no "car sense" (no fear of them.) I live on a busy Rd. and when I walk him across the road he would just as soon pull us both out into traffic! He is a very large Bichon. Weighs about 45 lbs. and is 16 inches at the withers. Please contact me if you know of anyone interested. Thank you so much.....JA

[flvegan]

1. Small Paws Rescue

Here's their CT network:

http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/States/CT.html

Small Paws is an organization set up for Bichon Frise rescue across the country. If you get no takers here, you may with to contact them.

Good luck finding a home for your pup.

[JanusAscending]

2. Thanks for the quick reply!

I just bookmarked their site.........but there seems to be too much red tape. They will be good as a last resort.........because they are only taking dogs that are in immediate danger of being euthanized. They also require a picture on line, and I have no way to accomodate that requirement. Vet contact would be necessary, and he and I are not on very good terms. We have a "personality clash" ie how dare I question him about over immunization questions (especially after my boy had an allergic crisis after receiving 3 shots in one day, and he went into shock!!! Ya know? He's got not no sympathy for my situation. Just wants the almighty dollar!!

[flvegan]

3. You can also try Petfinder.com

See if there's a Bichon or other small breed rescue in your area (just type in your zip code). Small Paws is the first one I think of when folks call us to surrender a Bichon. We hardly ever take in small breeds (they don't always mix well with pits and other large and formerly aggressive/abused dogs).

Again, good luck to you and your pup.

[JanusAscending]

4. Update on my last post.......

I had bookmarked the main Small Paws site, but after linking to your Ct. thread, I found a name of someone in a nearby town, and called her. Had to leave a message, so I hope I'll hear from her. There are many in my area, more than I ever realized!! Hopefully, I can get one of them to come to my home to meet Flurry and analyze my situation. Thanks again!

[flvegan]

5. Excellent. Do keep us posted

and please don't let any other DUers be dissuaded from chiming in to help out. Situation isn't settled yet.

[JanusAscending]

11. UPDATE on my situation!

After working with a great gal from Small Paws in my area. it turns out that there's nothing they can do for me at the moment. After seeing Flurry, and taking pics they have decided that he is not a purebred Bichon! Basically because of his size ( LARGE ) most people looking for Bichons want a small dog, as did I when I bought him from a breeder for $600 bucks! I got "screwed" if this is the case. Anyhow, I'm finding out that the organization doesn't even help the foster homes or State workers with money for vet expenses and food!! The gal I'm working with said last night if I could come up with some money, and sign him over to her, she would take him to her vet and get him groomed. She said she'd probably end up keeping him herself. she has two of her own (both older and in need of lifetime meds and care) Neither she or her husband are working, and have 3 school age kids! I can't let her do this, and if I had any money at all I would take him to the vet myself!! So I'm putting this out there again for suggestions. She said the situation is getting so bad, that the National group isn't taking ANY RESCUES unless they are in danger of being put down!!! People are living in their cars with their dogs so that they don't have to give them up. This is getting much more serious than I could have imagined out there in our country!! I thought of putting an ad in the paper, but she literally cried, and told me please not to, because he's not neutered and there are too many unscrupulous people out there. She's also concerned about Labs and research etc. I'm open to all advice... Thanks!

[david13]

12. I hope something can be done. I am only a tad away from the same

situation myself. There has to be someone around there who can provide a home for him, rather than trying to broker him out to somewhere else. It is just a question of finding the right home.
I understand that due to the economic situation, there are so many pets in this situation. Do watch out for the pet dealers, etc.
Try to find a way to find someone who has no dog, or lost a dog, and is ready for another one. How can you find them? There has to be a way.
Good luck.
dc

[JanusAscending]

15. I'm feeling very disappointed in the rescue group.

I do understand though. I was led to believe that once you surrendered your dog, they attended to all of it's veterinary expenses, and grooming. Making it a presentable pet for adoption. Before and After ya know? Evidently these foster homes pay the brunt of the cost to get them ready for Forever homes. This is indeed an act of love on their part. I'd rather have him stay with me, rather than be traumatized by being neutered at the vet, only to go to a strange house which may not be his forever home. I AM SO TORN ! This is my baby boy we're talking about here!

[Why Syzygy]

13. When you say ..

you can't let her do that (take him), is that because of your concern for her financial situation?
Or something else?

How much does the vet charge for grooming?

[JanusAscending]

14. Yes...

I have no clue about the charge for grooming. This would be her Vet, who charges less because it's a rescue. It would be nice if he would charge me lower prices, then maybe I could keep my dog! My vet ...doesn't even do grooming..except for nails. My head is spinning right about now. I think I really want to try to keep him deep down. I can't do much until Monday now. JA

[orleans]

6. i know it hasn't even been two days yet

but did you hear back from her?

wishing you and flurry all the best.

[JanusAscending]

7. Hi!

Yes, she came by my house this morning, and brought her 3 young children with her. (smart move, good test!) She came armed with her digital camera, and got some really good pics of him. Of course he was super hyper, because he has not been socialized much, but nothing that we couldn't handle. She's putting out the word across the State, and been in touch with the National Director for Bichon Rescue. I gave her all of "Flurry's" medical records, and breeders records, but have not signed him over yet. She and I agreed to take it a little slow so we can make sure he ends up in a "forever home". I, in the meantime am praying I win the lottery and be able to afford to keep him. I'm not holding my breath tho'! I see an orthopedic Dr. tomorrow about my back problems, and we'll decide if I need surgery. If so, then my boy will have to leave me sooner. I wish they had "respite care" for dogs, like they do for families with parents with Alzheimer's !! I injured my back once, caring for my elderly mother and was able to place her in a Nursing Home while I mended. Wouldn't it be great for people like me to have access to a Vet. CLINIC that charged lower fees based on income? Even if each State had one or two depending on the population!!!! If I were rich, that's what I'd start up!!!

[orleans]

8. i wish you had a friend/neighbor/relative who could take flurry

for awhile if you go in for surgery. is there no one you know of who could do that?

thanks for the update--i hope everything works out for you in the best way. take good care.

[alstephenson]

9. How heartbreaking!

Good luck to you and to Flurry.

[JanusAscending]

10. Thank you!

Update.............It turns out that I AM NOT a candidate for surgery. To complicated to go into, but it would be too dangerous for me in my physical condition. I am having second thoughts, and waivering a bit. I'm still very concerned that he's being neglected by me. I am taking it one day at a time, hoping that something wonderful could happen. Ya never know!! At least I have the contacts made, should an immediate need arise. Keep your fingers crossed for me.Also thanks to everyone here on this forum for their input and encouragement!!! You guys rock!! (having trouble with the smilies lookup table tonight, anyone else?