Our Foster Fail Story: Welcoming Finn, Our Adorable Lab Mix Rescue Puppy, into Our Family

Sometimes, life throws you the most wonderful, unplanned surprises. And for us, that surprise came in the form of a wagging tail, big brown eyes, and an undeniable charm. Welp! We’ve officially adopted another dog, and we couldn’t be happier to introduce you to Finn (formerly Finneus), our new cuddly, adorable, and occasionally mischievous 4-month-old lab mix rescue puppy. This wasn’t just any adoption; it was a quintessential “foster fail” – a journey from temporary care to a permanent place in our hearts and home.

How did this heartwarming turn of events happen, you ask? Well, it was certainly not part of the master plan. Just a few weeks ago, our lives felt complete with our beloved older dog, Marley. However, fate intervened in the most compelling way. I stumbled upon a crucial posting from a local rescue group, Street Dog Hero, based right here in Bend, Oregon. Their plea was urgent: they desperately needed foster families in the area to help accommodate over 30 dogs.

These dogs were en route, traveling a significant distance via bus from a shelter in Guadalajara, Mexico, which had recently faced the devastating loss of its lease and was forced to close its doors. The situation was dire, and the need for immediate, loving homes was paramount. As someone who has always harbored a secret dream of fostering dogs at some point in my life, the timing suddenly, unexpectedly, felt right. Despite our already full lives, the call to help these vulnerable animals was impossible to ignore.

The Unexpected Call to Foster: A Journey from Guadalajara to Bend

When I saw that Street Dog Hero was in dire need of immediate placements, particularly for young puppies, I knew I had to reach out. The thought of these little ones, including several of Finn’s littermates, facing an uncertain future without a temporary home weighed heavily on my mind. Our older dog, Marley, has always been incredibly gentle and patient with puppies, displaying a remarkable tolerance that gave me confidence. It truly felt like our home could be the right, calm environment for a young pup to decompress and begin their healing journey.

At the same time, a part of me felt a sense of security in the “temporary” nature of fostering. We were, unequivocally, not ready to adopt another dog, especially not a puppy with all the demands that come with puppyhood. I reasoned that fostering would allow us to help, provide a safe haven, and then dutifully send the puppy off to their forever family, free from emotional entanglement. Famous last words, right? It’s a common story among foster parents, and little did I know, I was about to join their ranks.

The First Glimpse: A Connection Forged on Day One

In the late afternoon of July 1st, a date now etched in our family’s history, I drove to Street Dog Hero’s location to pick up our first foster dog. The anticipation was palpable. Despite having endured an epic journey of more than 2,700 miles by bus – a testament to the dedication of the rescue organization and the resilience of these animals – Finneus (as he was then known) emerged from the transport vehicle wiggling head-to-toe with happy, nervous energy. His tiny body vibrated with a mixture of excitement and perhaps a touch of trepidation, yet he didn’t once hesitate.

Leaving his littermates and his mom behind, he confidently followed me – this strange, unknown lady in Oregon – back to my car. It was a leap of faith for him, one that immediately tugged at my heartstrings. Within seconds of settling into the passenger seat, he calmly curled up, resting his head and gazing up at me with those big, piercing brown eyes. Those eyes held a depth of trust and affection that was startling for a creature I had just met. Once we arrived home, he wasted no time. He nuzzled into my neck, offered calm, gentle kisses to my face, and seemed to exhale, as if he had finally found exactly where he was meant to be.

In that moment, a quiet alarm went off in my mind: “Uh oh. I was in trouble.” My carefully constructed wall of emotional detachment, built to prevent a foster fail, began to crumble. The immediate connection was undeniable, powerful, and utterly disarming. It was clear this little pup wasn’t just looking for a temporary stop; he was looking for a home, and in my heart, I already knew he had found something special here.

Puppy Adventures and New Friendships: Finn and Marley Bond

The Fourth of July weekend that followed was a glorious blur, a whirlwind of puppy snuggles, new discoveries, and a healthy dose of happy chaos. Our days were packed with introductory walks into town, exploring new sights and smells, and simply reveling in the joy of having a tiny, curious creature explore his new surroundings. While the house was certainly livelier, the question remained: how would Marley truly adapt to this new, energetic roommate?

Marley, our older, more established dog, initially demonstrated his usual extreme tolerance and patience, which we greatly appreciated. He allowed Finn to investigate him, to playfully pounce, and to generally invade his personal space with the boundless energy only a puppy possesses. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced if he was loving the change, or simply enduring it. There were moments of watchful silence, and a few sighs that seemed to communicate, “Are you sure about this, Mom?”

But puppies, and dogs in general, have an incredible way of winning hearts – canine and human alike. Just a day or two later, the dynamic shifted beautifully. We witnessed Finn and Marley not just coexisting, but truly interacting. They were playing, wrestling together on the floor with enthusiastic abandon (a moment we even captured and shared, see the reel here!), and, most heartwarmingly, snuggling up to each other on the sofa. It became clear: they were two peas in a pod, forming an unexpected and delightful bond that cemented Finn’s place in our budding pack.

The “Foster Fail” Confirmed: Our Journey to a Two-Dog Family

Quite simply put, Finn stole our hearts in those first few days. Despite all my initial intentions to remain objective and facilitate his adoption to another family, he made it impossible for us to say goodbye. His gentle nature, playful spirit, and undeniable desire to be a part of our family were too strong to resist. The term “foster fail” might sound negative, but in the rescue world, it’s a badge of honor – a testament to an animal finding their perfect home right where they landed first.

On July 7th, just a week after his arrival, Finn was officially promoted from “first foster” to “foster fail,” which for us, meant a joyful adoption! The decision was unanimous, driven by the pure love and happiness he brought into our home. It wasn’t just his charm; it was his incredible intelligence and adaptability. Despite being so young, Finn had already mastered several basic commands with astonishing speed. He knew ‘sit,’ ‘down,’ and ‘shake’ almost instantly, demonstrating a keen eagerness to learn and please. His leash manners were impeccable for a puppy, walking wonderfully without pulling, and he consistently slept through the night – a blessing for any new puppy parent.

Beyond his cleverness, Finn displayed an extraordinary ability to get along with dogs of all sizes, engaging in appropriate play and showing respect. Most importantly, he follows my every move, a little shadow of devotion. Finn also loves to snuggle, burying his head into laps and chests, seeking warmth and connection. From day one, he made it abundantly clear that he wanted us and Marley to be his forever family, and how could we possibly deny such a heartfelt plea?

Life with Two Dogs: Adventures, Adjustments, and Immense Joy

And just like that, almost overnight, we became a two-dog family! The transition has been both exhilarating and, admittedly, a bit of an adjustment. As you can imagine, my work productivity has taken a bit of a hit as we navigate the delightful chaos of puppyhood and integrate our newest family member fully into our routines. There are more walks, more training sessions, more clean-ups, and certainly more playful interruptions. But every moment is worth it.

Despite the occasional moments of mayhem that come with a growing puppy – the playful nips, the energetic zoomies, the unexpected messes – the amount of love and joy that this little dog exudes from his gangly 20-lb frame is immense. Finn has filled our home with an infectious sense of happiness and a renewed vibrancy. He is a constant reminder of the resilience of animals and the profound impact that empathy and open hearts can have.

Finn, thank you for trusting and loving us so hard and so fast, despite your rough and rocky start to life. Your journey from a closing shelter in Guadalajara to our cozy home in Bend is a testament to the power of rescue. We feel incredibly lucky to be able to give you the stable, loving life, the endless snuggles, and the countless adventures you so, so deserve. To Street Dog Hero, we extend our deepest gratitude for your tireless work. Thank you for not only saving Finn’s life but for changing the lives of countless other animals and, in turn, enriching the lives of so many adoptive families like ours. We are forever grateful to be a part of Finn’s incredible story.