Mark and I started the adoption/rescue process late last summer. The process is not easy by any means. You have to submit essays, the rescue has to contact your references, the rescue has to do a homevisit, and then the potential parents have to visit the foster family's house to meet their potential new family member.
The process is also competitive. An e-mail announcing a new adoptable dog can receive 25 replies within minutes since so many families want to rescue a dog. The competition is a good thing since many dogs will get new forever homes. Mark and I had lucked out many times by not responding soon enough, despite my monitoring my Blackberry quite frequently.
We received Tucker's adoption announcement on September 17, 2009. This is what it said:
These are the photos that accompanied Tucker's announcement:Please, allow us to introduce an absolute gem to you, Tucker.
Sweet Tucker arrived here last Sunday and after a day to adjust, he is doing great. He still sports his summer haircut.
Tucker will be 4 years young in December. He knows some commands, such as: Sit, stay, walk, outside. He came from a home that had no other animals, into a house that has 3 dogs and 3 cats. He gets along great with everyone, but is especially fond of the smaller ones. Sometimes he gets frisky and it is a joy to watch. He does stop if you call his name and tell him no, but he will still whimper and sometimes chirp to get the others' attention.
Tucker loves lounging on furniture and it is hard for him to concentrate on commands when my Jack Russell is around.
I took him to the vet today and was very proud of him. He likes to ride in the car and if you let him, will gladly stick his whole head out the window taking it all in. Tucker is a big boy. He weighs in at 96lbs, and does has a few conditions that are resolvable and being treated.
He had fleas when he came to me and is being treated for a flea related skin irritation with medicated shampoo - and naturally, by keeping fleas away from him with appropriate regular topical applications, s.a. Frontline. Tucker was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which is being treated with Doxy for the next 30 days.
Honestly Tucker is a fantastic Golden companion. You couldn't wish for a more congenial family member. Sweet natured, loves to be around his people, wants to please and go with you wherever your steps lead. He has gotten into a few things out of boredom. At his young age, he still needs to be kept occupied, i.e. with soft fluffy toys, and he is a happy camper. He does bark at outside noises and is a good door greeter and Golden ambassador. He does very well with everyone he meets, dogs, cats, kids, and infants (If an occasional lick is ok). He is reliably house broken. Tucker is happy hanging with us, but he would really love to meet you, his new forever family….
Mark and I traveled to the Dominican Republic to celebrate Mark's 30th birthday around the same time we received Tucker's announcement. A few days before we boarded our flight, we met Tucker at the foster mom's house. I think a few other families were also being considered. Being in the DR, we had little to no cell/e-mail service. I kept sneaking into the business center to check my e-mail to see if we had received an update. Upon landing in Charlotte (for a layover), I received an e-mail that said Tucker was all ours if we still wanted him!
The next day, Sunday, September 27th, we welcomed Tucker home! This photo was taken by the foster mom outside her house.
What a year it has been. We hope there are MANY more years to come with our beloved Tucker.
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