I recently had the opportunity to provide a temporary foster home for a dog from Tampa Bay GSD Rescue and found it to be one of the most touching experiences of my life.   

Meet Dancer
the Rescue Dog 

She had been seized by Animal Control and been scheduled to be "put to sleep" (Don't get me started about that euphemism!)  Her chain collar had grown into her neck and she was seriously underweight - only 42 pounds at 10 months old.  She was infested with mites, heartworm, fleas and mange.  With open wounds all over her body, she was one blood-and-puss-ridden skin-and-bones mess.  Yet despite the neglect and abuse she'd obviously suffered, her spirit had not been broken.  While the vet techs were tending to all her open wounds, she responded, not with growling and biting, but with kisses.   All she needed was a little love, some good food and alot of TLC. 

"Maddie" and I quickly bonded.  (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the chicken nuggets I fed her on the way home.)  She thrived on any attention given her and was soon reluctant to let me out of her sight.  Though she wasn't really sure about how to play with the 4 other dogs and seemed a bit suspicious of men at first, she quickly learned to trust this new happy turn of events and greeted everyone with the same prancing, dancing "love of life".  Her spirit and wolf-like looks led me to rename her "Dancer", something one is not supposed to do in a temporary foster situation. (Bad Carol)

Imagine my surprise and delight when she responded immediately to obedience commands.  I suspect they'd been working with her at GSD Rescue but her desire to please was astonishing!  She was so grateful for the love we lavished on her and wanted so very much to make us happy.

My husband and I absolutely fell in love with her, as did MePesky Miss Maxine, Kemo and Jordan.  Unfortunately Sassy, our black devil dog, didn't particularly take to the beautiful Dancer.  So much for my hopes of adopting her myself.

UPDATE:  I am pleased to report that Dancer is now completely recovered and is at her normal weight.   Maddie Dancer was adopted into a wonderful family with 2 male Golden Retrievers, who absolutely adore her.  She's wiggled her way into everyone's hearts & already claimed her place on the bed.

I recently heard from her new family, who write, "we adopted Maddie two years ago. She has been an absolute wonderful dog!!! She is so good, smart and beautiful!! Hopefully she's as pleased with us as we are overjoyed at finding her. Just wanted to let you know she's doing great!"

Maddie-Dancer will forever hold a special place in my heart, as will the memories of seeing her learn to trust again & come to life in our household.  In any case, I will continue to provide foster care for animals that need a bit of TLC and strongly encourage others to do so as well. 

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