by the Beard Family

Like most happy ending stories, this one starts out sad. About two years ago, our beloved family pooch--a 110 lb Doberman Pinscher--died unexpectedly of heart problems. He was only six years old. We were devastated. The house seemed so empty without that big lovable dog. However, since we had three small children, we feared a Dobie pup would be too aggressive. Dogs were not in our picture for at least three or four more years. It was a logical, intelligent decision. Unfortunately, I found out almost immediately that I cannot function without a dog. So desperate for canine companionship was I that when an old coworker I barely knew asked if I could babysit her pit bull while she moved into her new residence, I jumped at the chance. Did I mention this dog was pregnant? My old coworker told me that, but failed to explain Coco was due to drop pups any moment.

Two days later, we were babysitting seven dogs rather than one! We had puppies for a month--they were cute, adorable, and heartbreaking, as the owners of these cute little babies were not interested in finding good homes for them--they only wanted the cash. We managed to save one--he is happy and healthy and living with a neighbor who is experienced with pit bulls. He also has genetic skin problems that underscore the fact that this particular dog should never have been bred. After that, I decided that if I couldn't have a dog of my own, I wanted to work in rescue. I went online, and looked for an organization that worked with a breed that I could trust with my three small children--and I found BREW.

It so happened that BREW was holding an adoption at Crosspointe Animal Hospital. They showed me two adorable beagles that had been given up by their families, and asked which one I wanted to foster. I couldn't decide, so I took them both home. I still remember the look on my husband's face when he came home to find two beagles sleeping at the foot of our bed! (I had told him I was going to do this, but wasn't real clear on the exact date!) One of them was adopted less than a week later--by a wonderful woman in New Hampshire. At least 10 rescue volunteers all over the eastern seaboard teamed up to get Sam home.
It was incredible! Then there was Dasher--who went to a nice retired couple in Maryland, Tuesday--now Molly--who loves little children and now lives with a day care provider, Susie--whom my mother adopted, Laverne--who's teamed up with a soccer player in Maryland, Shirley--now Lily (you can read her Happy Ending!), and Berry--a special little dog who stole the hearts of a very special family. They were all unique and wonderful--it was amazing watching them come out of their shells and overcome the fears every dog that's been lost on the street has, as they
learn to trust again. And then I got to help the people who adopt them--who I always think of as their REAL owners--the ones who were meant to have them and keep them forever--find them and bring them home.

Then we saw Moose's picture on the BREW website. Apparently it had been put up only minutes before--and I just KNEW. This was MY dog. I hadn't even met him, and I just knew. I immediately e-mailed Laura and asked if I could foster him. Three days later, I picked him up at the vet's. He was soft, and lovable and covered us with kisses. I fell in love, and to my surprise, so did my five and six year old sons. Despite all the dogs we had fostered, neither of them had expressed any interest in keeping one of them--until Moose. My husband fell equally hard when he returned from work. Well, there was an adoption day that Saturday, so I brought Moose--but by the time I made it to the store, I knew I couldn't give him up to anyone else. He's ours now! He sleeps in our bed--with our foster cat (who has taught him NOT to chase HER) And he's learning to fetch. He's teaching us that some dogs should be allowed on the couch--and we're teaching him that while it's ok to sleep at the bottom of the bed, we draw the line at sharing our pillows!

As wonderful as Moose is, however, after about two weeks I realized something. I missed fostering! Luckily Laura chose that moment to call and ask if we would consider taking in another dog--so now we have Mickey. Moose loves having a playmate--and we can't wait to help his new owners find him and take him home.