Our last night with Misha

Tonight is the last night we will spend with our second foster pup Misha and even after all we've been through, I will miss this sweet pup. I truly hope she finds a perfect forever home that will love her forever because she deserves it. Unfortunately we just can't be the ones to help her find them. 

Back story:

We became the third foster family for Misha after an incident with cats in her previous foster home. She had a weight issue and limped on her back leg plus ended up having a UTI. 

About three weeks ago, Chipper and Misha got into it in the kitchen and neither Matt or I were around to see what happened or what started the fight. Chipper was limping a bit but was fine the next morning. We obviously became more cautious about all of the dogs being together and kept an extra close eye on Misha over the next few weeks. 

We spoke with a behavioral specialist who gave us all of these ideas about helping her lose weight (which she needed) and helping her with other behavioral issues like helping her stay out of trouble by keeping a leash on her at all times to redirect her bad behavior (which was pretty effective). We felt like we were on the right track and Misha was doing better and actually starting to listen and respect us. 

Three nights ago, everything changed for the worst. We had kept the dog food in the sun room and Misha had stopped in there on her way back inside to see if she get could get into her dog food which she did successfully. She grabbed a mouthful and dropped it on the floor to eat. I was standing right there and allowed her to finish when chipper came out to the room to sniff around to see if there were extras left on the floor for him. He took about two steps into the sunroom when Misha snapped. She grabbed him by the neck, flipped him on his back and began attacking him eventually piercing through his ear. I pulled her away and she reached back and bit my hand in the process. The first time I've ever been bit by a dog. 

I was so shaken up and Matt was furious that this was the second time she had attacked one of our dogs plus she had gotten my hand. 

We made the difficult choice to ask the rescue to move Misha to another foster home that may be more experienced in dealing with aggressive behavior because we had no idea how to help her and don't want her to end up seriously hurting a human or another dog. 

We both feel the need to protect our family which includes our pups and hopefully we can continue the fostering program while doing just that. I wish we could give Misha more and pray that she will have the happiest life without incident because she truly is a good dog and deserves every minute of it. 

I will miss you sweet girl. <3

Misha loves Wekiva Island!

This is a photo drop from our recent trip to Wekiva Island with Misha. She loved meeting all the new people and all the new smells of the park.

Foster Number Two: Meet Misha!

Misha

We got Misha on September 26th after she got in a fight with her previous foster mom's cats. Matt was super sweet and went to pick her up while I was at a blog conference all day so I was excited to come home and meet her! She was happy to see me too and let me love on her right away. She is definitely a "people dog" and loves when we have visitors.

She was picked up by the Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue from animal control right here in Orlando in July because her family "struggled with what to do with her". I'll never understand how someone can have a dog for so long and then just decide one day that they don't want her anymore.

Her favorite activities include eating (duh, she's a beagle!), sleeping, playing tug of war, and being pet. She loves being pet so much that sometimes when you stop she will let out a little bark to let you know she's not done being loved on yet. She is a very playful pup and will bring you a toy to play tug of war but doesn't quite know how to play with other pups. She tries to wrap her legs around them which typically results in growling and barking. She gets along great with her foster brother and sister otherwise.

Misha limps on her back legs and we are working on helping her lose weight to make getting around a little easier for her. She has a skin condition on her front left paw, both of her back legs and on her chest which she licks at occasionally but don't seem to bother her too much. She can be a little lazy and stubborn when you want her to go outside or in the crate but will come with you right away when you grab onto her collar. She loves being in her crate and doesn't make a peep when she's in there!

Such a playful pup!

We're excited to help this sweet girl find her forever home!