From Foster Family to Adoptive Family

Grover's Story:
Part 2: Merissa and Richard

Today we continue with the story of how Grover came to the Northwest along his journey to his forever family.  If you would like to revisit "Part 1: Rescued" click here and you'll be taken to the From Foster Family to Adoptive Family label page to read both parts.

Grover nap

Once in the Northwest, lucky Grover was about to meet his foster family for the first time.  Richard and Merissa are a husband and wife team who learned about GPRS in 2014 when they adopted their first Great Pyrenees, Winston.  Merissa is a Neonatal ICU Nurse and Richard does custom handcrafted woodworking as Atwood Designs. Since that time they've been fostering dogs in need and have had 32 fosters!!  That's why Merissa and Richard are also this month's Volunteer Highlight story!  Here's their story:


Prompt:  What are the rewards and challenges to volunteering, primarily fostering?

Foster homes provide the physical space for dogs to stay so that they can be pulled from shelters or directed surrendered by owners.  Knowing that you are essentially saving a dog from certain death is very rewarding.  Many of the dogs come to us in rough condition, both physically and emotionally.  One of the more rewarding things about fostering is watching them literally transform in front of your eyes.  They go from weak or unhealthy, sad and scared to thriving, happy dogs.  And really, all they need to make this transformation is some nutritious groceries and to be shown love and gentleness.

As far as challenges go, saying goodbye to the dogs is probably one of the biggest.  As we care for and spend time with these dogs in our home, we see their personalities emerge and we can't help but grow to love them as our own.  That being said, as difficult as it may be to say goodbye, we know that we have to, so that we can make room for the next dog that needs our help.  This is what keeps us moving forward.  But even the challenge of saying goodbye has its rewards.  We stay in contact and have become friends with many of the people who've adopted our fosters.  That has enriched our lives immensely AND we get the benefit of being able to see these wonderful dogs thriving and living the lives they so deserve.
 
Prompt:  Who are your furry family members?

Car load of fun!

We have three dogs of our own:  Keely, a ten-year old Lab/Newfoundland mix and two Great Pyrenees: Gwennie (age four) and Beau (age three).  Beau has been training and certified as a Therapy dog and has enjoyed visiting people in need of his gentle, calming presence.

 Prompt:  Can you tell us about Grover?

Merissa bottle feeding Grover

Grover.  Oh my dear, sweet
Grover.  Grover arrived at our house at only three and a half weeks of age.  He and his litter mates and their mama were all on the transport from Texas to the Pacific Northwest.  Our best guess is that at some point during transport, Grover was stepped on by his mama.  This resulted in an abdominal injury and he became gravely ill.  During transport, Malise (GPRS president and director) worked tirelessly just to keep him alive-giving him antibiotics, glucose and fluids around the clock.  When Grover arrived here, he was less than three pounds, he was very weak and he needed bottle feedings every two to four hours which I (Merissa) did eagerly.  It was touch and go for the first few days.  None of us were sure that he would recover.  But recover he did!

Spunky Grover

Once he was old enough and well enough, his injury did require surgery.  We nursed him through that recovery period as well.  Grover spent many months with our family.  He was (and still is) a spunky, sweet and funny pup.  he will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Making the decision to let Grover go (and be adopted) was the most difficult one yet.  But he was adopted by our wonderful friends and luckily we get regular updates and photos.  The best thing ever was a surprise visit with Grover  and his pyrents just a few weeks ago!  He's happy and healthy and still very spunky.  Seeing him well loved and continuing to grow and thrive was the best reward ever.   Merissa and Richard

 If you've ever thought about fostering, the GPRS volunteer community is a wonderfully supportive and loving family!  But it's not without some unique demands;  poor Merissa and Richard were prompted continually with inquiries for updates on Grover (yes, from the volunteers who had grown accustomed to seeing the "Grover Cam" updates on social media) including "where are Grover's pictures from his vet visit?", "how is Grover doing today?" and "what does Grover smell like?"    But thanks to the all the fosters like Merissa and Richard, we can be sure one more dog won't have to lose his or her life in a shelter.  To foster a dog in need with Great Pyrenees Rescue Society click here.

And check back soon when in Part 3 we meet Grover's forever family and we will get to see Merissa and Richard's reunion with Grover in Part 4!