Bristol came into my life as a result of my need to do something for the many homeless dogs and cats in my area. My story began when I decided to go to the local animal shelter to see how I could help. The wonderful people there encouraged me to become a foster mom. Being a foster mom means you bring home a needy fur baby, help acclimate them to a home environment, and prepare them for a new forever home. This gives them a much better chance of being adopted.

When I went to the shelter, I saw so many that needed help! But, as I passed one kennel in particular, these beautiful big brown eyes looked at me as if to say, “Help me.” The sadness and fear in those eyes made me realize that this was the one that needed me the most. So one Friday afternoon I brought her home. When we got home, I took her to meet her new foster daddy. He took one look at her and asked, "Why did you pick that one?" 

She was dirty and matted, and in her current state, the shelter did not think anyone would want to adopt her. However, those big brown eyes had won me over and I knew this was her chance (and mine) to prove everyone wrong. I did not know what brought her to the shelter, what reason her former owners gave for not wanting her anymore… was it because they did not want to be bothered by the grooming?... had the newness of having a pet had worn off?...  It didn’t matter. She deserved a chance at happiness and I was going to make sure she got it!

I knew it would not take long for her to work her magic on her new foster dad like it had worked on me!  So off to the tub we went! It took quite some time to get her mats brushed out, and all of the dirt and caked-in mud off of her beautiful coat. But never once did she protest; never once made a sound. She never even tried to get away. It was as if she knew that help was finally here. She just took it all I, let me do what it took to get her clean and beautiful, and enjoyed all the love and attention she was getting.  And when she was finished, she was GORGEOUS!

That night, we put her in bed and she slept like an angel.

The next morning she and I headed out to PetSmart for adoption day, so that she might find her forever family. I drove with a heavy heart. I knew being a foster mom meant letting go of your foster fur baby, but something about this girl just tugged at my heart. I realized then that this was NOT going to be easy.

                       
After a few hours at PetSmart, her foster daddy called to see how it was going. Well, GREAT, of course. How could it not? She was adorable and everyone loved her. So, guess what? The next words out of foster daddy’s mouth were, “Bring our fur baby home!” She had won him over, too (as I knew she would!).

She had found her forever home with us.

Our story of Bristol has inspired me to start Bristol’s Barkery, making healthy treats full of love and goodness for Bristol and all her friends. Since adopting Bristol, we have adopted two more fur babies, one brother, Guinness and a sister, Kansas. They have all become my official taste testers!

 

If you care about your babies as much as I do mine, drop me a line about your fur babies!  Then treat them to the love and goodness of Bristol’s Barkery Treats!