God is Good.

Wow. what a day. I woke up this am a little bit discouraged because when I dropped "little girl" my foster beagle off Saturday morning at Petsmart I just KNEW today was her day. She would find a FOREVER home today. Well, that wasn't the case. This little girl, thus the name, weighs maybe 15 pounds and was from my best non-vet judgement a beagle puppy mill. She was a soon to be victim of "euthanasia row' at the local shelter. I got a call about a week and a half ago from Kelly frantic to get this beagle a foster home. I agreed to take her thinking that I could handle a 15 lb., 8 year old, beagle. Wow, beagles are howlers I am here to tell ya. Anyway, she sat so calmly in her cell at the shelter and I was happy to be able to help. I drove her home and slowly introduced her to my crew plus the foster boxer, Addision. things were going good and the time came to go to bed so I made her a nice bed in her crate and slid it in my room. 4 dogs and 1 in another room. HAVE I GONE INSANE?
To make a long ten or eleven days short the beagle did great when I was at home willing to let her sit at my feet but come work time she howled and howled and it just broke my heart. Besides that she was sick and already on antibiotics but didn't appear to be getting better. I was worried that my girls would get sick and sure enough, Chloe is sick. Probably kennell cough which is curable but a headache. Like bronchitis to us. they cough and cough and hack up saliva. Ok, this is WHY I don't do kids anymore. lol. I called Kelly and said that if she didn't get a home this weekend she couldn't come home with me. I couldn't deal with hearing her howl when I left and pulled up and she was giving my dogs a headache I know. Kelly agreed to take her back on Friday but said that she would likely be put down. Oh no, I thought. Put down because NO ONE WANTED HER. How could I do this? How could I be so selfish not to just deal with her a few more days or another week until next saturday when she would get a chance at a home. So, I agreed to keep her until Sat. am (yesterday) and took her to Petsmart. A family took her home for three hours but brought her back. not sure why. I was asked to come back today after church and get her which I did. I was sad for her because she is so sweet and at the same time a bit selfish because I was tired of the howling. I picked her up and those sweet brown eyes perked up when she saw me. Oh, how could I let this sweet, helpless dog be put down. SOMEONE wants her. We just have to be patient and find the RIGHT home. So we loaded up, said our goodbyes until Satuday and headed home. I got within 3-4 miles, thankfull a gas station and Bi-lo and ran out of gas. Ok, I thought. God, why me, why today? I have this extra dog still, and I am out of gas and I don't have a gas can and I just want to go home. I walked the short distance to the grocery store and bought a gallon of water, dumped it out, walked to the gas station, and back to the car. While on my way to the gas station though I got a call. Oh, I thought, that is porbably my co-worker calling me back as we had just hung up the phone a few minutes earlier. NO! It was kelly saying there was a couple interested in the sr. beagle. YEAH, a NEW HOME. I was so elated. Little girl was getting her second chance. No more cables to cut her feet, no more tireless, senseless breeding for this girl. She was going to her forever home. I almost cried as I waited for the foster mom to meet me at the gas station. I held her and said my goodbyes. Yes, I was frustrated by the howling but already attached to this little girl. Where is this going? I don't know but somehow, somewhere there is a lesson in this. I believe that. Running out of gas was definately a God thing because otherwise I would gotten all the way home and had to come all the way back out to meet the lady at Petsmart. Something good came out of something frustrating.

This whole "foster mom" thing has really been a blessing. I have met some INCREDIBLE people who TRULY have a heart for animals and it is so awesome to see. So far I have fostered three dogs and TWO have found there forever homes. Addison is still with me and is here to stay. He has touched my heart like no other male has done. LOL....but seriously he is great. Thank you God for allowing me to help save three lives. You use us in ways we might never imagine and I know that YOU have called me to this and for that I am THANKFUL.

What a blessing!

Isn't it great to be blessed? Every day we are blessed in the simplest ways and I know that I often overlook God's simple blessings. If you read this blog you will know that I made a HUGE mistake by paying Lowe's way too much money. I freaked and tried to fix things on my own and it was just not working. Go figure. My dad, as calm as he normally is in a time of "crisis" said, "Patrice, what do you need me to do". Ah, the calming words of a father. There to take care of any issue brought to him. At this time I was juggling my conversation with Lowe's and B of A and trying to talk to dad online. I was so frustrated. Dad said, "go to NBSC and get the money out of the beach account. Remember you have check writing privilages". What a relief I felt. I was going to be able to temporarily reverse my mistake and be able to free up other monies to pay bills. What a blessing to have GOOD parents. I am thankful to have them. Not just because they can help me out of a bind but because they raised me in a Godly home. They took care of me the best way they knew how and now, because of their generosity and love, I own a home, a newer car, have a great job, and can call on them for ANYTHING. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD. You are the best.

what a week

what seemed to start as a good week quickly turned to a major trial. One that I should have completely turned over but instead, as usual, tried to fix on my own. When paying a lowe's bill I mistakenly put in 2,000 instead of 20.00 HUGE difference and of course threw my account into a tailspin and me. It is amazing to me that such a large bank such as B of A cannot stop a payment sent within an hour or so but they can't so don't try this at home folks. Just when I was to the point of some serious depression setting in things changed. I had been talking to lowe's and b of a almost two hours as well as instant messaging my dad. He was telling me not to worry but I knew that if I sat back and did nothing that I would be hit with 5 non-sufficient fund fees. the one from lowe's and then 4 purchases made with my debit card sunday and monday. totally freaking out here but my earthly Father like my Heavenly Father was saying "it is okay, I will take care of it, don't worry." What comforting words. After stressing and literally about to go insane my folks reminded me that I could write a check on the beach account since I was authorized some years back on the account. What a relief. I could deposit the money that was not supposed to go to Lowe's and just wait for them to send me a refund check. The funny thing is the money they will refund is way more than my credit line there. Needless to say I am through with lowes and b of a. Sorry, stock holders. they don't need nor want my biz. I rush to nbsc and within ten minutes I am on my way with cash in hand to cover my stupid mistake. What a relief. all the time I was trying to solve my problem and never "let go and let God". Why do we freak and not rely on Him? Or should I say, "why do I freak and not rely on Him?"
today I am checking out my account and realize that I was in fact charged a fee of 35 bucks for the first overdraft. Oh, here we go again. Long story short they credited the fee and things are back to a semi-normal life.

hi tech world ain't so great

what ever happened to paying bills the old fashion way??? Why do I have to join the high tech world of paying bills online? I, like probably MANY folks made a HUGE boo boo on my online banking. I sent lowe's 2,000 instead of 20.00 last night. after realizing what I had done about an hour later I immediately called them and tried to get the payment stopped. Clearly they could see that my balance was not anywhere NEAR what I sent (by accident). they said they could not stop the payment and saw that it had to be a mistake and they would call Lowe's for me. They never contacted me today as they said they would so I called them. Long story short they cannot do anything and we had yet another high tech invention going on...three way calling. Me, lowe's, and b of a. the lowe's lady suggested I call in the am and HOPEFULLY get the payment stopped. the problem is that if that posts it will clearly be returned due to the funds not being there AND of course that means HUGE fines. meanwhile I cannot pay any bills because my account is tied up with this. ARG....it seems like when it rains it pours. well, it is freaking flooding right now!

AWESOME WEEKEND

Well, what a weekend. The big adopt-a thon is over at petsmart and ALL of the dogs that were taken there by upstate resuce were either adopted or fostered EXCEPT for 5 puppies. As I was driving home I couldn't help but think what the outcome would have been had I not taken that leap of faith and I do believe it was a leap of faith to foster cletus and tarheel. Brylan is now cletus. decided against Moses. The chihuahua that I was told wouldn't go up for adoption for a couple of weeks got his forever home and the two that Linda fostered, Sadie and Buster, got their FOREVER homes. I knew Sadie would go. She is a 1 yr. old labradoodle and so sweet. Buster is the 5 month old corgi that had been in the shelter for 3 months. HE FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME TODAY. YEA, BUSTER. Thanks to Linda he was able to get out of the shelter, get a nice bath, and find his new home today. The only fellow left (besides Cletus) is baxter, the little boston mix. He went home with Linda today until his foster mom returns to Pendleton and HOPEFULLY in two weeks when he returns to PETSMART he will have HIS forever home. Now, if we had not of fosted these dogs this week they still might have been sent to petsmart and found their new homes but I know that the chihuahua would not have. I am so thankful that SO MANY dogs and cats get a new chance at life. Poor Cletus, or should I say poor me. He had a few looks this weekend but because he did not stay at the adoption for a long time he didn't get seen much. They prefer not to keep boxers there because of drawing the wrong person to adopt them. I am hooked on Cletus and Cletus is hooked to me. He is super sweet and has definately found his place in my heart.

What a day!

What a day the Lord has blessed me with. tarheel got his FOREVER HOME and Brylan (now known as Moses (or moe for short) is still with me. gosh, what a sweetie. He had a nice bath and is ready to get dirty again. I volunteered today at Petsmart between my duties at work and what a blessing it was. It is such a relief to see people coming out and adopting or fostering pups. Young, old, fat and skinny. Many got new homes today and that is just so awesome. The sad thing is that there are so many more animals to fill the vacant pens. WHY ARE PEOPLE SO MEAN? I feel like God has really blessed me this weekend. I love helping the animals and working with other animal loving and respecting people.

Saturday tears

We had a good night. No one cried, well the dogs that is. Of course, I did. Why did God bless me with a soft heart? Sometimes I wonder but then why question God. He made me the way that He wanted me. Unfortunately at times that soft heart hurts and it definately is breaking this am. I will take tarheel to be shown this morning at petsmart. I honestly have not gotten attached to him like I have Brylan. Not that I don't like him but I have never been a fan of chihuahuas. This am Brylan went out to play and I let olive and mabes play with him. he loves to fetch and will bring the toy back. Olive is tolerating him. It is actually good for her because she needs to get over her territorial self. Chloe is a little but scared but she is coming around.

I really hope tarheel will get his forever home today. Because he is SO tiny he cannot play with the others and I fear him getting out of the fence in one of the holes dug by Olive. If you read this pray he finds a GOOD home that can give him what he desperately needs and deserves.

As for Brylan, he will go this am to get a bath. He is supposed to go to Petsmart with me for a short time but honestly I am having such mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I want to keep him. I know the burden of 4 dogs is alot but he has just taken to me immediately. I have never seen that from a dog so quickly. then my emotions swing to being unselfish. after all there IS someone out there that wants this dog JUST as bad as I do. So, again, if you are reading this PRAY that if we find a good home today that I will be able to say good-bye. after all the goal of this is to FOSTER and get dogs placed. Not adopt. Perhaps fostering boxers is NOT a good idea but I believe God's plan is perfect and I believe for whatever reason He led me to Upstate Rescue.
One of my favorite verses can be found in Joshua 1.9
For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not hurt you.

His plan, whatever it is, is perfect. If His plan is for me to keep Brylan he will bless that. If it is to get him a new home, He will bless that and heal my heart too.

Forever homes!

I hope you had a chance to look at the two pics I posted of tarheel and Brylan. I know what some might be thinking if you are reading this. Who are those dogs and what are they doing in my house??? I had been somewhat indirectly asked to help foster a dog last week and thought about it for a few days. should I foster? If I do, how will the dog get along with my three? What if I fall in love with the dog and then he gets his forever home. Well, these are questions I have to answer now. I took the leap. I called kelly at upstate animal rescue and volunteered to foster a male boxer. she had eight needing temporary homes. This group removes dogs from high kill shelters, places them in foster homes and then adopts them out through petfinder.org and petsmart. Anyway, I finally got the lady and agreed to meet her at the animal shelter. Oh no, I thought. here we go. the last time I went to the shelter Olive came home with me. I kept saying to myself, Patrice, this is going to help save A life. One life. Well, I brought Brylan home with me. He had been in the shelter for a month and if you have never been to an animal shelter it is really sad. I mean, really sad. I believe in love at first sight, at least with dogs. He was beautiful. My words were "oh my, I want him". I decided to walk him down to the play area and he immediately ran around. So happy to be out of his 4x4 cell. I asked that a female boxer come down and join us so I could see how he would do with a female dog. GREAT. they played so nice so I said I would foster brylan. I took him home thinking what have I done. Just keep telling yourself this is temporary. I am still telling myself that. the story really gets better. I go to work the next day and I had already tried to convince a co-worker to foster. She was hesitant since she already has two dogs but agreed on Wednesday to foster A dog, meaning one. So, wednesday afternoon we head to the shelter. I had one dog in mind for her that was desperate. He is a 5 month old corgi and had lived in the shelter for three months. How cruel. She took him out and decided that she would also take a 1 yr old labradoodle. needless to say they both went home that day to their new foster home. Well, as we were heading out the lady says let me show you a 5 lb dog that desperately needs a home to survive. ok, that is all you have to say to me. some would call me a sucker. I call it a heart for the innocent. this little chihuahua was shivering, scared, severely malnoursihed, and in need of meds. I felt compelled to take him. I mean who can leave something like that to die. Not me. So we load up. the labradoodle, the corgi, and the chihuahua. here we go. who would have thought that by my taking the leap that four dogs would get fostered in two days?? I decided to email a few folks and another friend agreed to foster a dog. I took her a boston terrier mix Thursday. He was so scared. he did not want to come out of his pen but little did he know he was going to a better place. I got him out and into the car and started on the trek to Pendleton. I delivered him and about an hour later afer returning to his new foster home he had really perked up. He was so happy!! Five dogs in three days. YEAH. Now we begin the journey for forever homes. Two people are already interested in my two foster kids and I will take tarheel tomorrow to be seen. With any luck he will get his Forever Home tomorrow. I will be so happy for him. A nice lady with a female boxer is looking at brylan. it will be hard to see him go. YES, I am attahed. I love that little boy. I fell in love at first sight and it brings tears to my eyes to think that he might soon be gone but then I look at my Chloe and think about the folks who rescued her and their unselfishness. You see if they had been selfish and kept Chloe for their own she would not have joined my little family. What a sense of security and love she brings. I cannot imagine my days without her or my other two. So I know that Brylan will bring that joy to someone as well. I have to be very unselfish and do my job as a foster mom. Loving these innocent, helpless victims of abuse, neglect, and man's disrespect for God's creatures into their forever home. These past three days have been eye opening for me. I cannot explain the emotions I have had for these two little fellows. I even thought about how I would like to give up teaching and pursue my dream of opening a resuce. Crazy right now but one day it will not be. If you are reading this and you or someone you know is considering getting a dog (or cat) PLEASE consider saving a life and adopting one from your local shelter. There are SO many homeless pets that just want a chance at life. Won't you give them that chance?

God's creatures.

when the light bulb goes off

Man, it has been a great week. I have spent two days on the road, okay well not on the road but I have been able to spend some quiet time in the car as I travelled to see two student teachers. I love my job. I get to spend time in the classroom, the gym, other peoples gyms, and it is just awesome. This week I have watched two special guys teach. They were awesome. Not that I doubted they would be but it is so cool to see hard work pay off. Sometimes when you are teaching you feel like no one is listening. you are so passionate about what you are talking about and sometimes it feels like it falls on deaf ears. Well, this week was great because I saw two wonderful student teachers. There hard work is paying off. the kids love them, the cooperating teachers love them, and that makes me proud. Gosh, kind of like a proud mom. Ok, maybe that is a stretch but it does feel good to see the product of your hard work. When the light bulb turns on and stays on for a long time.

Way to go guys! Although you won't read this (mainly because you don't know how to get here) I am proud of your accomplishments.
I am blessed to have such a good job. Many times I hate it or am frustrated by it but I really have some awesome majors.