Patch Pups Get Forever Homes

Canine Christmas was a huge success for the Patch Pups.

Obviously it was a success in so many more ways — raising awareness about Manatee's no-kill efforts, raising money for abandoned animals and setting the Guiness Book of Worl Records for the largest sit and stay — but for me and the pups it was all about getting them loving homes.

And today was like a big family reunion when the pups all came to my house to get their second round of shots. And when I say it was a reunion, I mean it. A few people frome the neighborhood came to say their final goodbyes to the pups. And Sadie, the momma dog, got a chance to check out the families who adopted her puppies.

It was a bittersweet morning. It was hard to say goodbye to all of the puppies, but I am thrilled to know they are going to loving homes. Now I just need to find a home for Sadie so I can do it all again. 

I am hooked on fostering. It's a lot of work, but it is also so satisfying to know that these sweet dogs are in loving homes and can live full lives. All of them will be spayed or neutered, so that they will not add to the county's population of unwanted to abandoned dogs. It's a step toward making Manatee County a no-kill community.

The dogs are all going to great families who decided to adopt, rather than purchase a puppy. Donna Griffin fell in love with the puppy she named Toga when she saw her online. She came the day before Canine Christmas to adopt her. She wasn't taking any chances.

One pup went from being a Patch Pup to being a Lucky Dog after Sheri Clinard, the owner of Lucky Dogs in downtown Bradenton, adopted her for her daughter Keira. Keira fell in love with the puppy she named Karma after pet sitting for me while I was fostering.

As soon as Clinard saw Keira and Karma together the deal was sealed. The pair are together all the time now and you might catch a glimpse of Karma at Lucky Dogs — she sleeps in the back office while her mom works.

Two families came by Canine Christmas early and they got the last two puppies. They knew right away those were the dogs they wanted.

The biggest of the pups went to the Wilson family. The Wilson's named him Mojo. When Mojo rrived for his shots he had gotten taller and wasn't a butterball anymore. The Wilsons have a lab who has kept Mojo running and playing. He seems to have gotten taller already and is definitely leaner than the butterball I took to Canine Christmas.

And the one I called Frankie for Frank Sinatra, because of his bright blue eyes, stole Chris Kenoe's heart after he recently lost his cat of 18 years. He and his daughter fell in love with the cute little boy and stayed with him at Canine Christmas until the adoption papers were signed and they could take him home.

It was a little hard to let them all go. My teenager didn't think I would be able to do it. He's still skeptical that they will all go because Sadie is still with me.

Now I am still waiting for the right person to come along for Sadie. Once the momma dog is adopted, I'll have room to start all over with another family to foster.