Dear John,

June 29, 2015

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Today is one year since my foster, Lucy, had been adopted. She was my “Fletcher” before Fletcher and after all the owner surrenders I’ve been hearing about lately, I probably would’ve understood if Lucy came back…but she didn’t. And I’m so proud of her Mom for never giving up on her.

Thanks for this letter, Alicia. I love you and your family more than you know. 🙂

Dear John,

It’s been a year since I took a crazy redhead named Lucy off your hands. I know she was one of your most challenging fosters because of her behavior issues and you were probably pretty damn glad when after three months at your house, you finally found someone as crazy as her who was willing to adopt her.

It was a Friday when I signed the papers but we couldn’t get Lucy until two days later. I have to tell you that I was terrified. I didn’t sleep for two nights. Did I make the right decision? Was I capable of being the mom that this dog-reactive, energetic, crazy dog needed? Would she eat my two little shih tzus? And I was right to be worried. In those first few weeks when we got her, it took three of us to walk her. We formed a V around her so that she couldn’t pull, couldn’t get around us, and couldn’t go after other dogs. And I kept asking myself, what have I done?

But then I started to notice that there was another side to Lucy. The side that loved my 1-year old granddaughter, the side that let my little nieces and nephews pet and squeeze her, and the side that my large Mexican family thought was the coolest dog ever. Lucy’s from the streets of Mexico. Maybe she felt at home with our big, noisy group. Little by little, she started to feel at home, and at the same time, I started to relax. We introduced her very slowly to our two small pups. We had a few issues, but I think the only thing that got hurt was Lucy’s ego when tiny old Holly put her in her place. I’m pretty sure old man Wally had something to do with the whole respect your elders thing.

In the past year Lucy has gone from out-of-control and dog-reactive to I don’t know—less out-of-control and less dog-reactive? She’ll always have it in her. I know this. But John you kept telling me to trust my dog. And once I finally listened to you, Lucy got better and better. It’s been a lot, and I mean A LOT of hard work. But I learned from you how to handle a big dog and since I’m only 4’11” that was really important. I learned from you not to be afraid to use the tools that other people couldn’t and shouldn’t use. I learned from you that Lucy is going to be a lifetime of work because there could always be something that might set her off. But most importantly, I learned from you that I’m capable of doing this—of being the mom that she needs me to be. And I have been so rewarded. Rewarded with a dog who follows me everywhere and wants to be my buddy. A dog who’s happy, goofy, klutzy, and yes just a little crazy. She sounds just like me!

Lots of people put lots of effort into Lucy–everyone at Priceless Pets, Mandee who fostered her when she had her puppies, Paige and Terra who convinced you to foster her after Kurtis was adopted, but most of all you and your pack! It’s so obvious that Lucy is grateful since she can’t get enough of you when she sees you. I seriously think she likes you better than me. But that’s OK! So many people had given up on her ever being adopted but you kept working with her and it payed off because now she’s my pain in the ass, not yours!

So thanks John! Thanks for bringing this crazy redhead into my life. Thanks for your friendship and guidance. Thanks for all your help in getting Lucy to the good place where she is now. And thanks for everything you do for all the pups you foster. You inspire so many people and it’s an honor to say that you’re my friend! And sometimes you’re funny, so thanks for making me laugh. A lot. Hahaha. Now go bathe those puppies while I go walk Lucy!

Alicia