Forever in Foster – Forever in Our Hearts

Anna, a now 13-year-old St. Bernard mix, came to us in November 2023 when her owner had to move into more affordable housing.  A lovely gentle dog, Anna took many weeks to decompress in her foster home and struggled with the move.  She has been born and raised on a farm and was not used to walking on leash or being confined to a fenced yard.  She made the transition in time and now enjoys sunning herself, barking at folks passing by and looking out for squirrels and rabbits.  Anna has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia which requires a number of medications and supplements to keep her comfortable and pain free.  After almost a year in foster, and with no applications for her, it was decided that she should stay with her foster family.  If you would like to help support Anna with her medications and vet visits please visit   https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).

Bella, an approximately 10-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).

Cashew (aka Kash) came to us when his owner didn’t have the time or finances to care for him. He arrived with a ruptured anal gland that was abscessed. He’s now 15 years old and according to his foster mom “is a happy boy who loves his walks and will take as many as possible each day.   It is a joy to give him the love he needs in his final years. Cashew has enriched my life in so many ways including interactions with other neighbourhood dog folk”.  Cashew is in our Forever in Foster program due to his age and ongoing challenges with his glands.  If you would like to help support Cashew with his medications and grooming please visit   https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).

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).

Phoebe, a 14-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, a 13-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).

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).

Thomas, a senior bulldog mix, arrived at a Toronto area shelter as a stray in the spring of 2024. Examinations conducted by shelter veterinarians revealed that he has cancer. The extremely large  tumour (the size of a cantaloupe) was removed but he had others that are more complicated. His incredible temperament and fun personality made him a staff favourite.  They reached out to Speaking of Dogs rescue for FIF placement so he could live his best life for his remaining days. His foster family says “Thomas greets everyone he meets like old friends, and usually with a stuffed toy in his mouth. He’s on a number of medications to help with his cancer and we check in with the veterinarian every month. We hope Thomas can make it until the snow falls, as he’ll surely love to roll around in the soft, white fluff” If you would like to help support Thomas with his cancer medication and vet visits, please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).

Tiny, a 11 year old Bull Mastiff/Labrador mix, came to us as an owner surrender. She had been used for breeding, was never walked, not vetted, and had been confined to a dark, windowless basement for most of her life. When her owners were planning to move, they asked a neighbour to take Tiny.  The neighbour was not able to take Tiny but said she might have someone for her and reached out to several rescue groups.  We wasted no time getting Tiny into our rescue and getting her to a veterinarian.  Tiny needed an immediate eye enucleation due to severe damage and pain.  This was followed by dental surgery (with multiple extractions) several weeks later.  Moving forward, she requires ongoing baths, special food, supplements (for joints and kidney function) and monthly injections to relieve osteoarthritis pain.  A recent seizure requires tests, diagnosis, and medication. She is now enjoying her one-on-one mom and dog relationship, going to work several times a week, napping and having a wonderful big window to enjoy the sun, the birds and people going about their day! If you would like to help support Tiny with her vetting, and medication costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).