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).
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).
Emma
Emma, an approximately 10-year-old Old English Sheepdog, was found as a stray in the Toronto area. She was badly matted, her mammary chains hung heavy with large masses and her breath was dreadful due to infection and decay of her teeth and gums. She also had trouble with her mobility. Despite her neglected, horrific condition, she was kind, patient and sweet to everyone at the shelter and veterinary clinic. Once we had her to our veterinarian and surgeries were performed, we decided that the Forever in Foster program was the best place for her. Ongoing care and attention will be needed for the masses that showed concern. She will also need monitoring for spondylosis. She is now living her best life with her foster family on a rural property north of Newmarket. If you would like to help support Emma 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).
Leo
Leo, a 13-year-old Maltese/Poodle mix, came to us in July 2022 when his owner was diagnosed with a terminal illness and could no longer care for him. Such a happy, sweet little soul, he takes everything in stride and transitioned into his foster home seamlessly. He had a number of medical challenges and try as we may, we’d just get one issue resolved and another one would surface or flare up. When we finally got a diagnosis, it wasn’t what we were hoping for, but we also take things in stride and knew he could live a good quality of life, as per our veterinarian. With his diagnosis of an immunocompromised condition we asked his foster parents if they would be agreeable to be his Forever in Foster family as his medical needs would be ongoing. Thankfully, they said yes in a heartbeat, and he will stay with them for the rest of his days which will be happy and cherished days! If you would like to help support Leo with his medications, grooming and vet visits please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be provided for you).
Lilly
Lilly, a 12 year old Maltese/poodle mix, came to us as an owner surrender in the summer of 2023. Sadly, her longtime dad became ill and debilitated; he could no longer walk or care for her. When she arrived at our rescue she had not been to a veterinarian for many years. She needed an exam, bloodwork, vaccines and other important procedures and tests. At the end of her health check journey, she was diagnosed with a heart murmur, skin allergies, an airway issue (that causes her to cough when picked up or when in certain positions) and cataracts. We have been able to address her severe dental disease with surgery (she has 2 teeth left), cardiac ultrasound to have a better look at her heart, and meds for her airway challenges and her allergies. Due to ongoing medical conditions, our veterinarian recommended her to our Forever in Foster program. She is now enjoying walks, naps and snuggles with her foster family living in the Georgian Bay area. If you would like to help support Lilly with her vetting, grooming and/or medication costs please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/speaking-of-dogs-rescue/ (a tax receipt will be issued to you).
Mary
Mary, a 14 year old Yorkshire Terrier, came to us when her owner died in March 2023. She was accompanied by her ‘sister’ Tink (short for Tinkerbelle) , also a Yorkshire terrier. The two girls had been together since puppyhood. Unfortunately, when they came to our rescue they had not been vetted for years. Once at our veterinarian they had their examinations, bloodwork, and other needed procedures. Our vet found large mammary masses on Mary and advised they be removed and sent to the lab for histopathology. Sadly, the news was not good; the masses were found to be malignant. However, some hopeful news – the margins were good, and our vet felt she could have a quality life with recheck exams and follow ups moving forward. We got lucky the day we heard from a wonderful Hamilton couple. They offered both Mary and Tink a warm, caring home filled with adventure, cozy beds, a country cottage, and unconditional love. Adoption papers done for Tink and Forever in Foster papers done for Mary who will hopefully have many happy days ahead. If you would like to help support Mary 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).
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).
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).
Tiny
Tiny, a 10 year old BullMastiff/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).
Valentino
Little Valentino came to us from an Ontario shelter when his owner could no longer care for him. A tiny treasure, this 10+ year old Maltese terrier makes friends wherever he goes. His foster family have had him since December 2023 and say he was “quick to fit” blending right into their home and lifestyle. Their other dogs accepted him readily. Medically and emotionally, he came with challenges which we were made aware of by the shelter. As time went on, our veterinarian recommended we place him in our Forever in Foster program due to ongoing healthcare issues. Valentino also suffers from separation anxiety. He has had successful surgeries for his skin masses and needs ongoing support for arthritis, a special GI diet, and anti-anxiety medications. Despite his deafness, he is able to communicate quite well, enjoys his meals, puzzle toys, tummy rubs and back scratches. From his foster family “Val is a truly gentle, sweet-hearted boy who is a joy to care for.” If you would like to help support Valentino with his vet visits, medication and/or grooming 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).