I found Freddie after Christmas 2008 when I was looking on the Internet to adopt my next dog: a standard poodle.  Freddie was a 10 pound toy poodle used as a stud in a puppy-mill where he spent the first six years of his life in abysmal conditions: crowded four to a cage with dozens of other dogs in an unheated barn.  Tiny Paws Rescue rescued him and wanted someone to foster him until he could be adopted.  Though he was not the standard poodle I wanted, my heart went out to him and I agreed to foster him.

My first sight of Freddie was a shock.  He was tiny, with a bad haircut, clearly emaciated and without any of the basic dog skills I assumed he would have.  He did not know how to climb stairs or walk on a leash, but I sat on the floor and waited for him to come to me.  He approached me with great timidity, he climbed up into my arms and grabbed onto my neck.  My heart melted.  I decided to start the journey of fostering for the first time, with Freddie clasped in my arms. 

I expected to spend only a few weeks fostering Freddie, but that turned into almost a year.  He has spent that time regaining his health and learning to be a normal dog.  In the beginning, he had multiple health issues: ear infections, eye infections, and abnormal blood work.  We saw several vets and at times we thought he was not going to make it.  I focused on giving him healthy food and lots of exercise to build up his emaciated muscles.  My wonderful veterinarian finally figured out what was wrong, and now he is thriving and healthy, though in need of medication.  Along the way he was neutered, micro-chipped, received all his shots, and had his teeth cleaned.

Freddie adjusted to life outside a cage with relish, though at times it was a challenge to teach him.  Fortunately, Tiny Paws, put me in touch with people who could help.  In the beginning, he did not know how to relate to people or how to ask for things.  I had to tie bells to the back door so I would know when he wanted out.  But he is a quick learner and even has a sense of humour.  Now he knows that if he rings the bells - I will come running – even if he does not want out.  He does a little happy dance when I do come, as if he’s excited that I came on his command.  He gets a hug for learning that communication skill!

He has acquired other useful skills.  He did not know how to climb stairs, so I had to work with him and move him up step by step.  It took a few weeks, but once he caught on there was no turning back.  He now takes them two at a time.  Initially, he did not know how to play with toys.  If I threw a ball he would run in terror.  I spent time getting him to chase me, then the toy.  Now he has a basket of toys and I sometimes when I come home and he has them spread all over the house, playing with them in my absence.  He has also learned to walk on a leash and has learned basic commands like “sit.”  Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks?

He also learned not to bark at everything in sight.  When I got Freddie he was afraid of everything new: mirrors, reflections, leaf blowing, odd sounds, TV noises.  I even had to block the bedroom mirror because he wanted to bark incessantly at his reflection in the mirror.  Though it was trying at the time, the good news is that he did learn that these things were not a threat, and he no longer barks at them.  Except, of course, for any TV dog barks – he barks back at them.  I can’t seem to convince him yet that they are only TV dogs.

Most astonishing, for all that Freddie’s has been through in his life, he has an extraordinarily sweet and gentle temperament.  Though he is timid and does not rush to greet or jump on people, he warms to a kind touch and soft voice loves to cuddle, have his ears rubbed or his back scratched.   

It has been a year long journey to foster Freddie and he is ready to make the transition to his forever home.  I feel sad, but my hope is that someone out there will recognize what a special dog he is and welcome him into their lives with as much love as I have for him.  I also hope that after hearing Freddie’s story, you will think twice before you buy your next dog.  Make sure your next pet comes from a reputable breeder, visit the breeder and inspect the conditions where the dog was bred.  Better yet, adopt a rescue dog instead of buying one from a store or a breeder.  We can make a difference to ensure that no other dogs suffer the life that Freddie had before he was rescued. 

Janice, Freddie's Foster Mom