Herby just wants cuddles!

Herby is here and all he wants is cuddles! So he has visited my vet and we have discovered he is blind though not completely blind since the vet can see in the back of his eyes. He sees better when there is light and when you are up close to him. He may have arthritis in the back of his legs due to how stiff he walks in the back of his legs. 

Now do these little things stop Herby from being such a sweetie? Not at all! 

Herby has moved his bedding in my spacious kitchen  because he loves to walk around and loves to eat! The poor kid is so skinny and an eat wet food or dry food! He is not at all a picky eater nor is he territorial when he eats. My dog comes around or I pet him while he eats- he doesn't mind at all. 

NOM NOM NOM 

Herby is great with other animals & people. 

My vet assumes that he did not have a home before I took him in. I'm not too sure if that is true or not or how long he was missing if he had a home before, but his skin is irritated from fleas, ticks, mosquitos & allergies.  Surprisingly enough though with the bad shape he was in, he is completely healthy! Yay Herby! 

Don't be alarmed when you hear him grunt or groan. He isn't mad or warning you- it's just what he does. I don't know why but he's ok. :)

He has one heck of a nose on him though and great hearing! 

Herby is in need or love and a permanent  home. My personal opinion, I think he would be a great fit for anyone with a big heart for an oldie but goodie. Every dog deserves to know a good life. A sweet boy such as Herby certainly deserves a great home. 

Contact SA R.O.C.K.S.   if you're interested in adopting him!  

 

Herby's Home!

June 11, 2013! Herby is ready to be picked up from ACS!

After anxiously awaiting to find out when my first foster friend would be able to get home,  I got him! So to say Herby was a vision is an understatement... A vision he certainly was. A long day of work and watching the clock go by until I could get on the road to Herby and of course- it rained. And it rained hard. I feared I would not make it!  When my friend (Victoria) and I arrived, the staff was not very friendly... I was sent on a goose chase to find Herby and ended up right where I started to finally get him in my arms! A friendly woman asked me who I was here for and I proudly said "Herby!" as I then looked down at my phone to see his ID number. The lady knew exactly who Herby was and just smiled and said "I think I know who that is. I'll be right back." I smiled, thanked her, and nervously waited.

Waiting in my rain boots....

 

I constantly looked outside the window to see where Herby was as I watched many people with dogs until finally, the sweet woman was carrying a skinny and dirty white dog. I smiled excitedly as the lady walked in and explained to me that he had already been fixed, and seemed to have a vision problem and possibly a hearing problem.

 

I took Herby into my arms and looked down at him. He sniffed at me and I could swear his eyes met mine before he licked my nose ever so sweetly as if it were wrong to. I know he was saying "Thank you." in that moment. I kissed him back despite how smelly he was and took him to the car happily!

 

[I was pre-kissing him in this picture! hehe my lips look silly]

 

 

To say Herby was a vision is an understatement... Fleas and ticks being poisoned by the medicine he was given were still striving to live on him. Poor Herby was dirty and his skin is very irritated. I did not know what to expect with fostering... I guess I was not exactly expecting that. However, I felt even more thankful that I had him to care for. He seemed so uncomfortable and sad but did he complain? No. He did not itch, did not bite, nor did he whimper. Herby is such a sweetie. He truly is Prince Charming.

 

After a long ride in, Herby and I finally made it home. He was passed out in the cage the entire way home. He seemed so content and happy it was hard to wake him up. But now was the time to meet the all mighty Bitsy! (Who received a horrible hair cut- groomed by yours truly!)

Bad Haircut!

 

Anyway... Walking into the house, Bitsy could instantly smell a stranger was in and went a little... well she was handful. But that little girl and her big bark did not phase the brave Prince- Herby. Eventually, the two were fine as they sniffed each other thoroughly. Herby is perfectly fine with other dogs it seems, its Bitsy who is a bit territorial. Herby finally decided to wonder out of the kennel I provided him but sadly... the vision problem seems to be a bit of an understatement.

I called my vet to schedule a check up for Herby but their hours were closed when I called so I will confirm the status on Herby's vision ASAP. However, Herby stumbles a bit when he walks (something I did not notice because the lady at ACS was holding Herby- claiming he would not walk) and lacks coordination and direction as he walks. He does not seem to be aware of objects near by and ran into a few tables and chairs. I snapped a bit to have Herby find me and he did very well so I do not believe he has a hearing problem! Again, I will confirm as soon as I know anything for sure.

 

First thing was first though, Herby needed a bath!  Herby is very well behaved and only grunts, not once have I heard him bark. He was not too thrilled about that bath but he did not at all try to escape and waited quite patiently. However, at the end of the bath he did have a little accident- luckily he tinkled in the tub...  But after drying the sweet boy off, he did have a number 2 on the floor. Luckily it was tile and easy to pick up. But I can be sure it is safe to say he is not house trained. I'll be working on that though! Herby really is a sweet boy and he didn't mean to make an accident!

Sweet Herby after a bath still trying to get dry!

 

After letting him wonder around, I decided to show him to the little bed I made him, having to pick him up, I took him to my large walk in closet where I made a pallet for him. I put a doggy gate in front of the door so he will never be closed off and he has a light and everything!

 

 

As soon as he felt the soft cushion of the blankets, Herby was in heaven... He made himself right at home and it was not long until the sweet Prince fell asleep. I smiled and softly kissed him before tiptoeing my way out to let him sleep. He has been asleep since, he needed soft blankets and love. Now time to let the sweetie rest. Another bath will follow though! He is not completely clean!

                                                             First Day with Herby!

 

 -Megan Young

I'm a Foster Parent!

Hello world, my name is Megan Young. I am 19 years old from San Antonio Texas. I live in a one bedroom apartment with my sister and dog, Bitsy. It is not much but it's spacious, a nice side of town, and more importantly, it is home. My sister and I are very close and do not mind sharing a room. We each have a full size bed and we are twins so we get along just fine. We each work two jobs and still commit ourselves as loving parents to Bitsy and maintain as much of a social life as time allows us. We do not have a car and our work is two miles away. Weather in Texas is unpredictable at times so be it rain, shine, blazing hot, or humid... we work. Our coworkers and sometimes our mother take us to work or take us home. We do not let these things get in the way of being who we are.
My sister, Caitlin on the left and me on the right.

Now that I have told you a bit about me. You can come to the assumption that we really do not a glamorous life of luxury. We have stress, we have bills, and we want to go to school. One thing that gets us through though is love. I have a wonderful family and great friends. We have Bitsy and manage our time so one of us is home to tend to her.
This is Bitsy:

I am a huge animal lover- both my sister and I are. Yesterday, June 8, 2013 marks the day of something big that I do not think I would change for the world.

There are many organizations out here to keep dogs and cats from being euthanized. Unfortunately not every animal makes it, but these groups make a huge difference. I didn't know that I could make a difference as well.

At work I control the Facebook page and on my personal account, I follow all these organizations to save these dogs at risk of being euthanized. During my shift, I saw an urgent plea for help from San Antonio R.O.C.K.S.

San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. is an all volunteer run, non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of our homeless pets, and to making San Antonio become a No-Kill City. Their mission is to bring positive change to San Antonio's homeless pet population by not only providing a safe and loving home for these animals, but also by focusing on the education of the community, so that future generations will continue the fight for our homeless pets. They formed to bring awareness to our cities homeless animal problem. The organization is run by a group of committed volunteers who are dedicated to helping San Antonio become a no-kill city.

By working with foster homes, local veterinarians, committed volunteers, animal trainers and boarding facilities we will be able to rescue many animals from kill shelters who would have otherwise never been given time to find their forever home. 

 www.sarocks.org To learn more.

"URGENT FOSTER NEEDED" was what I read on my news feed on Facebook. As the day went on and I followed this post, they noted "Herby still does not have a confirmed Foster. He has only today to find one. Can you please help Herby out of the kill shelter?"  Looking at these beautiful boy, my heart broke. 

50 people shared Herby's search for a Foster, 46 liked it and many comments were made... but this was not enough. Herby will be euthanized tomorrow if no one steps up. 

I felt like Spurs fan watching the game anxiously hoping the team would make the basket. "Please find Herby a home. Please!" but then I realized... I may not have much to offer but I have enough to get by and care for this life. Cut back on buying expensive foods, cut back on going out to eat or going out at night with my friends. I do not need to go to Starbucks for coffee when I have my own coffee pot! (Heck I used to work at Starbucks! I know how to make all those drinks any way!) 

With a deep breath all I needed to know was the simple question "Is Herby good with other dogs?" It was not long until I filled out my Foster Application. I did not have to think. I just had to close my eyes and love these boy. 

Shortly after my application was processed, I received the most amazing email after the most horrible week.

  

Hi Megan, thank you so much for fostering with us!!  We've received your app and this sweetie will be safe! He will be placed on a medical work up schedule which will take approximately 1-3 days. At that time I will be in touch to keep you up to date with his status and let you know when he is ready to go home. The medical workup he'll be receiving is his neuter, vaccinations, microchips flea tick and heart worm preventative and also a dewormer. If you have any questions please let me know! 

I will be sending you some more info on us either today or tomorrow but for sure before he's ready to go home. Just outta town right now but - thank you SO MUCH for saving this sweeties life!! I will be in touch again soon. :)

 I had to scream with joy. I saved a life. I really did. I probably told everyone I spoke to that day about ten times of my deed. My sister is equally excited to offer Herby a loving home until he finds his forever family.. and who knows, maybe he already found one? I have not met my little baby yet but already I love him. 

I will be keeping up with Herby's status and my progress as a new Foster Mother. 

If you have any tips, I'd love some advice! 

-Megan Y