Meet Baloo. A new arrival via Lab Rescue that arrived at Golden Pines on Monday. At nearly 14 years old, I have to say, his expression, at least to me, is among the saddest I have seen in a very long time. Bringing him home and all evening, his tail remained tightly tucked under him, and his head stayed down and his back towards us most of the time. It all broke my heart.
Baloo's previous owner was moving, and wouldn't take him with her.
Did I mention that from where "she" lived she moved about 20 miles? My apologies. I need, want to, and should be kind, fair and not judge because I don't know her circumstances. What matters is that in the end, despite being dealt a bad hand, Baloo found his way to Lab Rescue, and has a place at Golden Pines, and (of course) quickly found a place in my heart.
And finally, I know, trust me, I know what you may be thinking ...... The last thing we needed was a new addition. But almost exactly a month ago, Baloo came up on Lab Rescue's radar and I was asked to take him if he needed a place to go. Ginger, our other foster girl for Lab rescue had several really good families interested in her, making me pretty sure she would no longer be with us when Baloo was expected to come. However, for various reasons, those perspective families didn't work out as we'd hoped and thought they would. But I know the rescue is continuing to work on finding Ginger her perfect match, and so I'm hopeful her forever home will come very soon.
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| ~Ginger~ |
And today my weekend starts, I saw what I **think** may have been a glimpse of a smile from Baloo this morning. He's up and around a bit more than he was, getting along with our crowd so I'm hopeful for a good weekend ahead.
Hello, Baloo does look sad on the first photo. He looks much better in the last photo. He is a sweetie. I am so happy you were able to foster Baloo, I am sure he does not understand what is happening. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day. Have a great Easter Weekend!
ReplyDeletePoor Baloo. Especially at 14 to lose his home. No wonder he is sad. :( Give him a hug from me and the Paws. We will be thinking about Baloo and your weekend together. Of course with the rest of the glad. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeletePoor Baloo...he must be so confused. Suddenly discarded by your family when you get old. But we know he's in the BEST place in the world. Welcome Baloo...you old bear.
ReplyDeleteOh!! Bless you, and I hope Baloo finds comfort and joy with you all.
ReplyDeleteA tentative smile is a wonderful beginning for Baloo, and he will be surrounded by love from you all.
ReplyDeleteHe does seem in a better mood. I am sure your pack is helping with that, as much as you, Kim.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Poor Baloo must be so sad and confused to be in a new home. He will learn soon that he is much loved and found a wonderful home with you.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a sad thing when a dog has a loved one, but gets left behind. My daughter is now fostering for a wonderful organization called Lap Dog Rescue. She's gotten some sad fosters lately, but a few have been adopted to good homes and she and her husband realize the older two their fostering now may be with them for the time they have left. Those of you who foster these wonderful dogs truly deserve a place at the right-hand-side of God. Your work is truly a miracle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad face, but little does he know he has come to the BEST of homes. As you said, he's beginning to understand it a little bit. You can see that in the last picture. I think he will be just fine in a week or two.
ReplyDeletePoor Baloo, it must be awful for a dog to be abandoned like that and not be able to understand. No matter what or why, he is now in a very happy place and we are sure that smile is going to grow bigger and bigger every day. Thank you for what you do.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Welcome Baloo!
ReplyDeleteBaloo looks like the sweetest kindest dog ever. I'm glad he is with you now and will feel loved. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteBaloo will get so much love from all of you! He is smiling!
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
Definitely a smile. He appreciates what you are the pack are doing for him.
ReplyDeleteDogs "know".
ReplyDeleteNeeding a new home at 14 years of age.... how could anyone leave a precious soul like this behind, when moving? Yes, I'm being judgmental and proud of it!! *wink* But I can think of no better place for this darling to land than in your arms, Kim. You would never hear from me that the last thing you needed was a new addition because... well... because I understand. There's forever always room for "just one more". I mean, all Baloo wants I can imagine is just a little corner, a little blanket, a little food & a little water. I know his tail will be wagging in no time.... the smile is already there! God love you like I do for all the good your heart & hands do~ Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteBaloo is home. Give it a day or two and that glimmer of a smile will soon be a wide grin .
ReplyDeleteThat first picture breaks my heart and I am sure that there must be a very sad story behind Baloo being given up after 14 years. He is home now and he is safe and life for him will get better. Love does that.
ReplyDeleteIs there any doubt that Baloo has suddenly turned into the luckiest dog ! There will soon be a smile on that face and a permanent wag in his tail.
ReplyDeleteKim you are wonderful - you will always manage to squeeze in yet another deserving dog. So glad that the pack seem to have welcomed him.
oh Baloo. can you feel the love here? your smile in the last picture brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteyou don't realize it but you're in a little piece of heaven here on earth and an angel has just agreed to watch over you!
bless you darling Kim. xoxo
My heart goes out to sweet Baloo. I'm confident that, given just a little time, he'll feel right at home and there will be smiles all around. Welcome, and bless you, dear boy to a home full of love!
ReplyDeleteSorry Ginger is still looking for the perfect home. So glad to see Baloo settling in.
ReplyDeleteOh poor sad Baloo. I'm sure things will brighten up in your capable hands.
ReplyDeleteI so hope that Baloo has become more happy since you took that photo of him with his sweet, sad eyes. Surely the kindness and happy crew around him for the last week has helped him feel safe and at home.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I was wondering the same thing. I hope this week has gone well for everyone. Yes indeed, it looks like Baloo is responding to his new home as evidenced by his sweet smile and more interested eyes.
ReplyDeleteGus' Mom
I know that you will pamper Baloo and he is smiling in happy anticipation. You are so wonderful to all of your seniors.
ReplyDeleteI am like you-I sometimes judge in my mind. But in my 20s when I first started getting dogs, I made some bad decisions too. I gave up dogs when I had to move because I could not find places that would let me keep them. Now in my late 40s I will not move unless I can have my dogs with me. I have tried to make sure that I do not make the same mistakes in my life and to learn from them. Maybe the previous owner had to move to a place that was on the 2nd floor and knew Baloo could not do them or had to move to a place that would not accept pets because that is all she could afford. It is sad when our doggies get older, I cannot imagine ever giving up one especially if I had them for that long. I always tell people that if I lost to a place to live, I would live on the streets with my dogs as long as we are together (and I see the homeless pics on pinterest with them and their pet dogs and my heart breaks).
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