Phury is Home

By Jodie Justice

Well it finally happened. I became the "F" word over the holiday. The double "F" word actually. Yes, the dreaded Foster Failure!

It's been a real learning curve these past six months. I didn't know one dog could shed so much hair. Every day. All day. I've found my underwear in the back yard. In pieces. Last count was 8 pairs of slippers with the heels chewed out. He brings me things. Some I don't want, many I never see again. My sifter went missing during a baking spree. Where oh where could he have hidden it? He steals food with the grace and silence of a lion. I wondered why he had flour on the top of his head when he met me coming out the bathroom door. The mixing bowl was balanced in the kitchen sink and lo and behold, one ball of Welsh cake dough was missing. I swear I wasn't gone more than 2 minutes. Have you ever scooped current poo from your back yard?
River was nine before he got couch privileges. Phury seems to think both chairs and the couch are his to stretch out on any time. Guilt-free. His chosen sleeping spot for the night is on my daughter's bed and that brings us to why this rascal is home for good.
 
They say animals come our way for a reason. I wasn't looking for another dog just as I wasn't planning on raising another child. But somehow, fate has brought us all together. The bond that formed over these months between my little girl and this dog was heartwarming to watch. She has grown in so many ways because of Phury and his devotion to her. Many times she begged me to adopt him and I  would put her off with "he's a foster, not ours". It got harder and harder to say those words as I watched her wrap her arms around his beautiful head and whisper "I love you more than anything".
On Christmas morning, Phury delivered the final present to his new little master. It contained a collar and tag with his name and our phone number and adoption papers. The shock and joy brought tears to everyone's eyes that witnessed the moment she realized Phury was home to stay.
A week has gone by and every day at least once she tells me she still can't believe Phury is ours!
Being a failure isn't so bad after all.
 
Happy New Year Everyone. May 2010 be the best yet.

UPDATE

So I'll admit maybe I jumped the gun on this one, the sifter was found in the flour bin,unscathed and probably where I left it.