Ruby and her human

A couple of years ago, I fostered a dog from the Dominican Republic named Ruby

Ruby was a street dog who never had any structure or consistent love. Scarred and scared, she had scrounged for food and tried to stay invisible.

Fortunately, she was visible and she was rounded up, put in a shelter, and was brought to Canada by a Canadian non-profit group, along with a planeload of other homeless dogs.

I volunteered to foster her.

Ruby and I got off to a slow start. She stayed in her crate for almost two days. I couldn’t coax her out. I took the crate apart and lifted her out because she had to get outside. Ruby is a 40 lb Whippet, not particularly heavy, but dead-weight when stiff with terror.

On our second day together, I was determined to walk her. She had never worn a collar or been on a leash. It was all new and crazy for her.

On the street, cars and trucks made her jump and people pushing strollers made her insane. She wasn’t socialized in any way. Not with people or with dogs.

After being together for only two weeks, she ran away. Our Friday afternoon walk in the park turned into one of the longest days of my life. She heard a nail gun and bolted so hard she pulled the leash out of my hand and she wouldn’t stop running. She ran through a 10-acre park, onto the adjoining street and kept going. She was gone, and I was terrified.

I called the organization I got her from and they went into action; boots-on-the-ground with volunteers, outreach posters that were delivered to three neighborhoods, and multiple check-ins with animal shelters.

The search for Ruby went on for 36 hours.  

On Sunday morning, I received a call from the city pound saying they had her.

She was found on my street just blocks from my house. I actually can’t describe the feeling of knowing she was safe. I then called the organization supporting the search to let them know she had been found. Following this, it was time to pick her up. I’m not sure she was as happy to see me as I was to see her but it was a nice reunion.

Becoming Ruby’s human

Ultimately, I became a foster failure. I fell in love with her and I knew I was meant to give her the best life.

She may always carry some of her past life with her, but she’s happy, sweet, communicative and loves her new life. I’m a lucky human to have her.