Going and Coming

For the first time we had a foster adopted and then returned.  After all the dogs that have gone through here we were probably due.  When you think of it that was probably the one possible scenario we hadn't experienced.  We've had them get adopted, get sick, get lost (and found), we adopted two our self, we did hospice for another.  We have a little list of ones we wish we'd kept.  We have a list of ones that we were clueless with, and ones too smart for their own good.

But this time we had one leave and less than a week later come back.  It was cause for great reflection.  How did we goof up?  All signs looked good.  But in the end it was not a workable situation for either the dog or the adopter.  In the end returning her was the best possible outcome.  

It doesn't mean we were wrong in placing her, although we will approach placing her in a different manner.  It doesn't mean the home she went to wasn't a good potential home for a dog.  Just not this dog.

We felt awful.  We considered and reconsidered our approach to her placement. Some dynamics are just impossible to see without experiencing them.   It wasn't right, and because of that she came back.

I think, no, I know she is grateful.  Gratitude has softened her, funny as that sounds. Just like it softens us.  Her forever home will find her, and until then, she is part of our pack.