SKIPPER
Snoopy, ready to go home with Linnea, Megan & Eric Maxwell.
Snoopy was 8 months old when he came to Karen Williams' foster home in Chandler, AZ. His former family had two small children and, for whatever reason, decided he was "too much" for them.
Since I had grown up with a wonderful Springer, I was getting nostalgic for my kids to have the same kind of experience. Earlier this year, I had discovered the ESRA website and exchanged e-mails with Karen.
But we weren't quite ready to get another dog, because Holly, our Miniature Schnauzer was getting so frail that a younger, larger dog would probably unintentionally hurt her. A month after Holly turned 14, we knew it was time to have her put to sleep. That night I was checking the ESRA website and saw there was going to be a garage sale in Gilbert -- what a coincidence -- the town where we live. I stopped by the next morning, and Karen was there with Snoopy and another foster dog.
Afterwards, I asked my husband and kids if they were ready for another dog. We looked at the pictures on the website, and when Megan read that Snoopy "adores children," she was ready! We visited him once more before taking him home on November 28. He's been such a joy to have around. We considered changing his name, since "Snoopy" is a Beagle. I thought about Elmer, because he's been sticking to me like glue, but Snoopy seems to fit. His previous owners hadn't done any training, so we're working on that.
Thanks to Karen and all the ESRA volunteers!
Linnea Maxwell
Gilbert, AZ