Rewarding and heartbreaking. Those are just two words to describe some of the emotions swirling around being a foster dog mom.
Nicki Clawson has volunteered as a foster mom for homeless dogs for more than a year. It’s a daunting task to take in an abused, neglected, untrusting dog.
But it’s also so incredibly heartwarming when that sweet dog gains confidence, gains weight and begins to accept and reciprocate love.
Some dogs struggle to fit into a foster home, but foster parents don’t give up. They envelop the dogs into their homes, hearts and arms.
When a dog like Cookie develops a bond with its foster parent, it can be tough to say goodbye, even knowing that this completely transformed creature is heading off to its furever home for another chance with a furever family.
Nicki welcomed Cookie the boxer into her home as a foster dog and she quickly fell in love with the sweet and gentle boxer. She captured their hearts from the very first day she trotted into their home.
Cookie came to Nicki’s home from NorthWest Boxer Rescue where the staffers there knew the boxer would be the perfect permanent addition to her family. This happens often where a foster family ends up simply adopting the pooch because their bond has become so strong.
Boxers are a very popular breed described by the American Kennel Club as bright, fun-loving and active. They’re inquisitive and quite energetic.
As cute, sweet, goofy dogs, they sadly end up in shelters because they need far more exercise and attention than people realize they need. They are very excitable and strong, making them sometimes difficult to manage without proper training.
Owners will give up on them and relinquish the dogs to a shelter even though they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s not their fault, but they ultimately pay the price.
Northwest Boxer Rescue focuses on providing abandoned or homeless boxers with shelter, medical care and ultimately a new home. The rescue’s staffers decided to show Nicki in a special way that she ought to be Cookie’s mom.
Nicki had no clue what was about to happen, but her reaction is priceless.
With the help of Nicki’s husband Tim and the shelter’s area coordinator Jessica, a surprise adoption was planned unbeknownst to Nicki.
It took them a week to work out the details, but in the end, it was all worth it!
On the designated day, Nicki loaded up Cookie and headed to a meet-and-greet with a potential adopter. The pair arrived at the set location at the right time, but the adopter never showed up.
Nicki felt so sad for Cookie who experienced yet another disappointment in her life. Little did Nicki know that she was about to become the most important person in Cookie’s life – forever!
She shared how she had been dreading going to the meet-and-greet. The thought of saying goodbye to Cookie broke her heart.
Shelter staff recorded the moment when Nicki realized that she’s the one who’s going to adopt the beautiful boxer. When Nicki is informed that she actually is the adoptive parent, she bursts into tears.
“Yes Cookie! You get to stay!”
Nicki kneels on the ground, clutching her girl, then plants a big smooch on her. She hugs and hugs her, unable to let go of the sweet girl who has obviously come to mean so much to her.
“You have no idea how happy I am. I’ve been crying for four days. Ooh my sweet girl. Oh my gosh you guys, I’m so happy.”
Nicki can’t stop sweetly petting Cookie’s head and hugging her. Cookie sits there, only knowing that her mom seems incredibly happy and she’s receiving tons of affection, different than her past life.
“You’re a Clawson now, forever.”
This is truly the sweetest video when a disbelieving Nicki realizes that the sweet Cookie is really truly hers. Do you have a heartwarming adoption story like hers?
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