TAVISH GOES HOME 20 SEPTEMBER 2008

Shannon writes: Tavish went to his forever home today. His new mom & dad are Laurie Laehn & Chris Lambert. He joins their eleven-year-old Cairn named Oreo . . . and what a doll he is!! I heard from Laurie Friday morning that there were a few "things" that necessitated them not being able to settle down for the night as early as they usually do. She reported that at 5:30 a.m. the four of them retired, each to his/her own bed, and slept until 7:30 a.m. I know now one of the reasons I liked Laurie & Chris so much: Even after having a night like thism Laurie said, "All in all, it was a successful first night together". The best news is that Tavish is only about four miles from where we live and I have been promised visitations with him. In fact, I get to babysit him when they go on vacation, too! Laurie had made the trip to MIDWEST CAIRNFEST 2008 [you can see Shannon, Joe, Lisa, Laura & Tavish HERE] on only a dayšs notice, when Shell invited her to come because Tavish, as well as a few other fosters, was going to be there. Tavish already had an application & home visit done with another family located here in New Berlin and Laurie knew this. This family had gone on vacation and planned to let us know if he would fit into their family or not when they got back. When I met Laurie, it was love at first sight . . . she actually was exactly what I had envisioned as the perfect home for Tavish! When she left, we just said that if it's meant to be it will be . . . and the next day the other family called three days early to let me know they didn't want him! Shell let me call Laurie with the great news . . . I was so excited! Lisa Mahoney & I took Tavish over for the meet & greet with Oreo and all went well . . . he is a great little Cairn . . . loves to "talk" to you and is very friendly. Tavish met Chris & his two daughters; they fell in love with him and it was a family decision to adopt Tavish. They are having a family powwow to pick a new name out for him. Tavish was by far the most difficult foster I've had to give up (other then Finnegan). I so wanted to keep him, but just couldn't because then I couldn't foster anymore. It was a very emotional decision to make. But meeting Laurie, Chris, Aubry, Lauren & Oreo made it so much easier, knowing that they are his forever family, he found his forever home! And what a great one it is!! Another happy ending for a CRUSA Cairn! On 27 September, Laurie writes: All is well. Tavish/Max has been renamed Riley, as of last night. We are totally in love with this dog. He is so good-natured and playful; it's just been a wonderful week. Riley has selected a particular recliner at Chris' house as "his" chair. Riley sleeps through the night, every night, in his own bed in the bedroom. He is contained while I'm at work or away and this is working out very, very well. Hešs never had an "accident" while I was gone. He poops outside consistently, though on pavement instead of grass. I know this is common for rescues and we're working on this now. I, too, think that he is smart. He is watching, watching, watching everything that goes on in the household before he starts to join in after a while. Of course, he is sometimes afraid. Of loud cars, motorcycles, loud voices, the front door . . . this breaks my heart to think of what his life was like before CRUSA.

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, All nicely tucked in my warm new bed. I'd like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry - So much to regret. Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top - Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss, And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain. I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, To never re-pack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me? -- Evelyn Colbath

CONTINUE WITH FRIDAY 13TH HERE