Les Go: Final Foster Update

Approximately 6 months to the day two foster dogs entered my life. One a little special, the other extremely traumatized. I was reluctant and scared because I know how attached I get to dogs. As an expat I jut can’t be out here with two dogs but there I was. So, Les Go: Final Foster Update.

The lead up

They knew something was up. First I allowed Bun the special one in my bed and then Momo the traumatized one slowly climbed in. It felt right. It felt like home. Since getting the dogs, my main goal was to get them to a point where they could find a forever home. Slowly, step-by-step. And in my head the first step was getting a collar on Momo. It was harder than it looked but the day before her departure we finally got one on her. And she was a brand new dog.

It’s funny that one little change can make a world of difference. Yes, she was scared as shit to have this on but once it was on she loosened up, become more of a snuggle bug. Maybe she knew she wasn’t going to see me for a long time and decided to show me a little extra love but, hey, I’ll take it!

Adoption

Fostering pets is hard. You think you’re doing the right thing (you are) but the emotional toll it takes on you is rough. Or maybe it’s just me? I have dog abandonment issues. Any who. After putting them on facebook and getting plenty of likes with no bites we agreed that one half of the unit would take them on to their next journey: Saigon.

As anywhere in Hanoi getting there is half the battle. It is never easy and you always have to think of 1000 steps before actually taking the first step.

So the only options really for transporting two dogs across country was train. The good ole train. They have a proper section in the train and someone feeding and watching over them but a bitch was stressing. Look at their faces:

All I can say during this whole process is that we would not have been able to even fathom this process without the help of a volunteer at Hanoi Pet Rescue, Trung Anh. The patience and calming presence of him was astounding. Someone pay this man! lol

Reflection

I am used to having special dogs. I once had a one-eyed blind dog who beat breast and gum cancer. That bitch was a beast. I am used to getting inspiration from their attitude and how they persevere through any situations. If you really take a moment to look at life through a dog’s eyes it can change your whole outlook. Momo was captured for dog meat with her mouth zipped shut. Bruh, DOG. MEAT. and she still has the capacity to trust, to love. If I can’t wake up every day and let others in and let others know I love them then something is wrong with me.

My moto for my time here in Hanoi is, if Momo can, I can. You can. We can. If she can allow humans to show her love and accept their love then we can. Though her eyes revealed a deep sadness that I hope to never know her heart overcame it. The way she would lie in the sun and soak up every drop or how she would lean into a muzzle rub because she trusted that there was still love out there should show everyone the power of perspective and outlook.