For all of you who donated monetarily for Stafford’s benefit, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Eventually I will get around to thanking all of you individually, but please know for now that I have not forgotten your kindness or taken your gift for granted. For all of you who donated prayers and good karma, I thank you just as much. We all do what we can, when we can, and sometimes the desire to help just doesn’t coincide with the ability.
Today I need a different kind of help with Stafford and each and every one can lend a hand. Stafford is a special dog who needs a special home and we need to look in every nook and cranny to find it for her. She is most likely a lab/greyhound mix, about 14 months old, and 50 pounds. She’s heartworm negative, spayed, microchipped, and current on all her vaccinations and heartworm/flea preventatives. She is extra-gentle with even the youngest children. She’s friendly and accepting of animals of every size and type. She is not a barker. She’s crate trained. And as much as I want her to, she refuses to jump on the furniture or the bed!! A pre-adoption home visit, a vet reference, and several post-adoption home visits are required.
Sadly, in her first year of life, Stafford was abused so badly that she now freezes in terror and pees on herself when she’s approached, fearing a beating once she’s reached but too scared to move. Once she’s sure you mean her no harm, she warms like the sun and will let you lavish her with as much love and affection as you can dole out. She follows you from room to room and just wants to be in your company, lay at your feet if she can. Stafford needs a quiet, loving, stable home environment where she can learn to trust again. Her new family must be patient and kind to help her through her submissive urinating. This family will be rewarded with the lifelong love and devotion of the sweetest, most docile dog on earth. Stafford has been with my family only through the weekend and her progress is incredible. Once she’s with her true family, she’ll quickly turn into the dog she was always meant to be.
Stafford has been through so much in such a short period of time: a hateful, physically abusive first "family" who abandoned her; a stint as a stray on the mean streets where she became emaciated; impoundment at animal control; boarding at a vet’s office (although a super-duper facility with staff who have hearts of gold); and now a foster home with many other animals clamoring for attention. Stafford needs safety, stability, and individual attention. If all we can find for her for now is a more peaceful foster home with more time to devote to her, I will be happy with that. If, however, we can find her permanent home now, it would be a true miracle for her. She deserves our best effort. Let's network this girl into her new life as quickly as possible!
Please contact me at any time. I am available at my work email and phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (kblankenship@gibbsbruns.com; 713.751.5252) and at any other time on my cell phone (713.805.0864).
Blessings,
Kathy
