 Dear Bichon Lovers,
I am writing to you today to share a story and to hopefully touch your hearts, as mine has been touched. The story starts just over nine years ago when a very dear lady named Betty, then in her mid-seventies, adopted a darling little bichon puppy. She named him Tiger (he was quite the pup!) and he grew to be a devoted and mellow fellow, who followed Betty everywhere and snuggled with all his might.
About two years ago Tiger was diagnosed with diabetes – a fairly common occurrence for bichons. To control his diabetes Tiger gets two insulin injections per day and is a very good boy about it too. As a result of the diabetes Tiger doesn’t see well – but he is a sweet little guy who wants to please, uses the doggy door and does his best to always be a good boy. He gets around well as long as he is walked slowly and enjoys the out of doors.
As Tiger has grown and gotten older, so, of course has Betty. She is now in her early eighties and sometimes forgot to let him outside (a result of a lot of short-term memory loss) and occasionally forgot to take care of his basic needs. (Ironically Betty also is suffering from diabetes.) But the two of them got along really well – until about 10 days ago.
On New Year’s Eve, at home, Betty fell -- and fractured her right ankle very badly! Surgery was required to put in both a plate and several pins in her ankle …to get the bones back to where they belong. As a result, Betty is currently in a hospital rehab facility and will be there for at least two more weeks. At the end of that time, she will then be moved to a senior citizen residence. It has been determined that Betty can not take care of herself any longer at home, even with outside assistance.
Betty’s son is not in a position to take care of Tiger, so the family signed an order to euthanize him. The vet and a concerned neighbor have asked if we can help little Tiger. They don’t want to put him to sleep either….
Unfortunately this is not the first time that Bichon FurKids has heard this kind of story. There are far too many bichons whose owners can no longer provide for them – but who are still sweet, loving and deserving of a chance to live out their lives in a loving home. As I look at my 13 and 9 year old bichons I know the joy that they bring me each and every day – and cannot imagine the pain of having to leave them behind, as Betty has had to do! But I think, hope and pray that we, as a community, can make a difference -- and can do that starting with Tiger.
Today Bichon FurKids officially is launching our Forever Foster program. Through this program deserving little furkids, whose owners can no longer protect and care for them, will be able to continue to be cared for and loved. Their medical and daily needs will be provided by BFK. An angel, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged money to care for Tiger and other furkids for the next five years as a first step in establishing this special program. And BFK will operate a separate Forever Foster fund - and look for opportunities to expand, and grow, that fund.
My vision for the Forever Foster program is to make it possible for little furkids like Tiger to live with a person, couple or family who will provide love, care and, in the case of Tiger, insulin injections twice a day. All of the expenses that are normally part of loving and caring for a bichon will be paid for by BFK through the Forever Foster fund and the generous contribution of a very special lady who is a fellow bichon owner and lover.
I am reaching out to you today in hopes that one of you will be Tiger’s Forever Foster Mom, Dad or family. And that you believe, as we do, that Tiger deserves a chance to live out his remaining years (and I suspect there will be a number of them) rather than be put to sleep because his owner is no longer able to care for them.
Last year we rescued and re-homed a 16 year old bichon to a wonderful couple with two other bichons, including a 14 year old bichon, and with whom I am still in awe; we re-homed a 13 year old bichon to a woman who has touched my heart in more ways than I can count -- and a handful of senior bichons with ‘normal’ age-related issues but no major illnesses. That leads me to believe that there is someone in this wonderful community of bichon lovers who will reach out to help Tiger on a day to day basis, just as this angel has reached out to help care for his ongoing medical needs.
Please join me in making this possible for Tiger – and the little ones that will follow in his foot steps. If you can help – if you can foster him and provide a secure and loving environment please email or call me. If you want to be informed of the next furkid entering the Forever Foster program please let me know. But let’s start, please, by helping this boy! (Tiger is currently in Sacramento but we will bring him to you wherever you are.)
And please let friends and relatives know that providing for the care of your furkid is an important part of loving and owning one. Betty probably never imagined that her son would not be willing or able to care for Tiger should that be necessary – however every week we have furkids coming in to rescue because family members do not, or cannot, help.
As I send this letter to you, my heart is in my throat! I will be waiting to hear from you wonderful, devoted bichon owners on behalf of a very deserving little 13 pound bichon named Tiger. You may email me at marti@bichonfurkids.org or call 760-525-5556.
Gratefully,
Marti
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