Hi PAWS,

Thank you for connecting me with Sandy! I am proud to say I was a foster failure. I originally met her through your foster program in early January. She had just been picked up from Chicago Animal Control and was an owner surrender. PAWS rescued her and immediately placed her with me through the foster program. When I first got her she was extremely underweight, had some minor skin and ear problems, and was very scared. It was clear that whoever had her prior to me did not take care of her. Within a few days of getting some TLC she transformed into a completely different dog! It was amazing to see and to experience that transformation.

Sandy has now gained about 10 pounds and is in excellent health. I was very nervous at first at having a hound dog around my cat Morgan but we have had no problems. She is very sweet and gentle to all animals and kids, and even grovels to my cat as I think she wants the cat to play with her. Sandy enjoys going for long walks with her brother Happydogg, chewing on her bones, and getting belly rubs. She is no longer terrified of strangers and has quit shaking all the time. I think she was afraid at first to make any noise and very recently she has started barking and making playful noises. Within a week of having her, Sandy became house trained. She is a very smart and affectionate dog. When I was upset and crying this week she jumped on me and laid across me and tucked her head under mine, I just wanted to melt. She is getting a little big to be a lap dog but I don’t mind! Many of my friends who were on the fence about getting a dog are now looking as they want to find a dog just like Sandy. Everyone is in love with her.

For anyone considering the foster program, I highly recommend it. Sandy wasn’t considered adoptable at Animal Control and I am so thankful for PAWS to see past some of the minor issues she had in the beginning and to rescue her. Many dogs just need a little love to bring out their personality and through the foster program, you can help transform these dogs to make them better candidates for adoption. I can’t want to get my next foster dog. (I do realize I can’t keep them all).

Thanks again for all that you do!

Kristina, Brandon, Sandy, Happydogg, & Morgan