We’ve had the privilege of fostering Saffyre (AKA: Fancy Pants) for just under two months. In that short time we’ve fallen in love with her. Despite all the difficulties thrown at her for all of her five years, Saff is sweet, and kind, and loving, and full of trust and hope. She is everything good in a harsh world. And today we kissed her little head, held her tight, and said goodbye.
Saffye has been fighting hard, but today she was in complete kidney failure. With her other organs failing and her mind tired and confused, it was time to let her beautiful spirit go.
Saffyre had so much suffering in her life, but for a short time she knew what it is to be loved, to have a home and a family, and to be safe and free. Saff had a village that loved her. We, her foster family, loved her to the end and won’t forget her.
Thank you to LSBCR for giving this precious girl a second chance and for providing the medical care she needed. Please consider supporting this organization however you can, so that more Bulldogs like Saffyre have the life they deserve and care they need, knowing they are loved.
We all know that not all adoptions work out. Sometimes no one is to blame. For whatever reason, the match just doesn’t work. Sadly Saffyre has been returned to rescue following her recent adoption. It was not her fault, it was just one of those adoptions that wasn’t meant to be.
What a crazy few days it’s been.
I was in a cage, then in a car and then ended up in a yard with a bunch of other Bulldogs who had been rescued.
Saturday was my lucky day as I got picked up and put in another car. This one took me to a home where I could walk around, smell things and, most importantly, bother the other dog (who does not like it).
I was shy for about an hour and after that, I realized that I enjoyed getting pets and love. I got a shower, which I did not love, but my foster mom got about a pound of excess fur off of me.
Now, I follow my foster mom around when I am not backing up to sit on the other four-legged creature. He just barks at me all the time. Hopefully, my forever family will have a dog that likes to play…this one’s a DUD!
My foster mom says I need to learn better bathroom habits. I am not sure what that means yet. I don’t care about treats, so it’s tough to be bribed/rewarded, but we are working on all of that.
I can’t wait until it’s my turn to sit on the doc’s lap and tell her all about myself. I know she will love me!
Until then, I have been given the name of Saffyre Opal. Those are the birthstones for these upcoming fall months … the months that will help put me on a path to forever love!
9/23/22 Update: Saffyre is gearing up for Sunday’s Bulldog Bonanza in Allen.
Next week, she is off to sit in Doc’s lap to make sure all systems are go for her forever family.
Right now, we’re working on potty training – not very successfully, but we persevere. Some mornings, she gets outside and does her business and others, she goes out, comes back in and pees. There’s been lots of paper towels, floor cleaner and me groaning, but I believe we can get there.
That said, she is such a sweet loving girl, always by my side and wanting to be pet. She will do best in a home with a pet or pets to play with, as she has some energy to expend.
10/3/22 Update: Saffyre seems to think she is guarding the paper towels or the ceramic bulldog or the fireplace. Whatever it is, she is excellent at her job! Saffyre is the sweetest thing…still very playful and so full of love.
We continue to work through potty training (not always successfully) but, being at work all day for me, does not help her!
She sleeps through the night, wants to back in to and both her fur-bro, Colt, and thinks that her play toys are not from the dog aisle but air (in no particular order:
My throw rug
The wheels on my computer chair or on the vacuum
Colt’s wooden food stand
The bristles on the broom
The plastic foot stool in the shower
You get the gist – anything but one of the plentiful toys around the house
Got out the spray bottle for the first time yesterday and, when you tell this girl “no”, she backs up and winds up to growl at you…pretty funny
She goes to Doc Wednesday for some heart films (checking to be sure it is not enlarged) and then for her spay (and perhaps some plastic surgery – yes, I am jealous!)
She deserves a loving home with family who can play and continue to work on potty training. Is that you?
10/13/22 Update: Going in to week 3 or 4 with Ms Saffyre (it is all a blur of pee and poop) and she is as sweet as can be. She loves to be loved and eats up every bit of attention given
Last week was spay and some “plastic surgery” which did not slow her down one bit…stitches come out on the 21st so I look forward to getting her in a shower!
She found a new hiding spot as the original by the fireplace confused her with her little “twin” statue next to her
Now she crawls in to the nook of the coffee table with that adorable face peeking out
We continue to struggle with potty training. She can be outside for 5, 10, 15 minutes and do nothing until we get back in the house. Other days she is outside and goes like a champ. She truly needs a home with a family that can work with her to “re-train” her to go outside when needed. The family that takes their time to show her will be blessed with a beautiful, sweet, love-bug.
10/17/22 Update: Saffyre knows that next Sunday is a big day, so she is resting up now. She wants to get enough beauty sleep before the big Pizza Paw-ty!
We continue to work on better potty habits and I am proud to say that she is doing great on a leash. She actually does go potty while walking. She loves being up on the couch with me. She knows her fur brother cannot get up there, so she has me all to herself. She has so much love to share and energy to spare. She’s hoping to find her forever family over a pizza and some pettings.
10/26/22 Update: Saffyre had a great time at our Pizza Paw-ty at Campisi’s on Sunday, although she kept me on my toes wanting to weave in and out of every table and every leash she could tangle with!
She did very well with the other dogs and is truly looking for someone who will play with her.
Thanks to Doc, she started on some stomach meds and seems to be getting back on track with gaining some much needed weight.
We still work on potty training. Some days. I am hopeful. Other days, well… those can get to me.
She loves taking walks and wants to follow everyone she sees and even every car that goes by… it’s all fair game for her attention.
We love her… and her face is too cute to resist, as is the love she wants to share. Is that what you are missing at your home? If so, Saffy may be your girl!
11/1/22 Update: This past week, I finally learned how to jump on the couch. I was not very coordinated about it. Then, I found an amazing hiding spot (shhh – don’t tell my foster mom).
When I am lazy on the couch, I am an angel. No accidents at all. In the house, if no one takes me out, that is another story.
Good news: my stomach seems to be doing better and now Foster Mom says it’s time to put on that weight. I say “challenge accepted” because what she calls a bland diet, is quite yummy to me.
Think I’ll write a “Where’s Saffy” book for some extra income. Do you have a good hiding spot for me? I can’t wait to find it!
11/7/22 Update: Saffyre is requesting a home with 4-legged and 2-legged friends to play with as she does like to keep moving.
Her stomach seems to be doing well so I continue work on adding some weight for her
Potty training is another story…She needs someone home with her to get her out regularly as she likes her walks and has gotten so much better about doing her business outside…as long as you catch her at the right moment!
I know she is perfect for someone out there…is it you?
11/16/22 Update: What a tough day for me. Foster Momma went back to work after being home with me for a bunch of days. I prefer when she is home, so she can play and cuddle with me.
She knows how sweet I am and gorgeous to boot… so how can she leave me?
I know there is someone out there who would stay home with me and snuggle, pet and love on me all day – is that you?
I know Foster Momma says I still need to work on my potty habits. When she is home to make me go out, I do so much better. When she is at work, I just do my thing when I need to, which makes her sad, but I promise, I am working on it. I hope you can help me!
Get that application in and maybe you’ll be matched to me!
11/21/22 Update: OK friends, not sure why I have to sit and stare at Mom just to get some eggs. I know she is cooking them for me for during the week so, if I just eat them now, it will save time – right?
Just cannot figure her out…
Yesterday I had so much fun as I got to go on a home visit with FM. There were 2 young boys who loved me and I loved them back but I don’t know if they’ll pick me. That would be so nice. I really would love a family that will play with me! Fur friends – yes please? Skin friends, I’m not picky…as long as you play
Please come help me be the egg-eating playful girl I want to be! XO, Saffyre
2/4/23 Update: I’ve finally busted out of the clinic and into a new foster home today. They were so good to me, but it was time for me to get back out there, so I hopped in the Uber (Tina Uber) today and headed for my next adventure. My new place is great. I’m doing lots of exploring and getting to know the other dogs (aka my new BFF’s) and the lay of the land. Foster Mom keeps shoving me through this tiny door to the back yard and saying I’ll get the hang of it super fast because I’m so smart. She’s really proud when I come back in by myself, so I guess it’s a two way tiny door. Out to tinkle and in to get ear rubs! Foster Mom said I’m really hard to get a good picture of because as soon as she even looks my way, I’m right under her feet. That’s okay, under feet is the perfect place to be!
By the way, both me and my tongue (kind of a package deal) are ready for those applications.
2/7/23 Update: Things we’ve learned about Saffyre in three days:
#1 – She’s usually hungry and a messy eater. It’s kind of cute.
#2 – A great outfit makes her feel pretty inside and out.
#3 – She naps… a lot!
#4 – She’s perfect just as she is!
2/14/23 Update: Saffyre (Saff) is such a sweet and easy going girl. She loves her Saffy-size beds and if she’s not right beside us with every step we take, we can find her in one of her beds. She’s also quite the fashionista! Every day, she sticks her little head up to change clothes.
Saff is also doing great learning to use the doggy door. She goes out, waits for us to open the big door to come out with her, does her business, then comes back in the doggy door, again waiting for us to come back in the big door. It’s a start!
Saffyre is a great little companion. She pretty much ignores the other dogs, loves treats, only takes pills carefully disguised as Velveeta cheese, lightly snores, and will capture your heart.
Her perfect furever family will have a healthy clothing budget, tiny clothes hangers, and extra closet space for this girl’s growing clothes collection.
2/21/23 Update: I’m doing GREAT! I got a new special outfit today that I can’t wait to show off at the March Bulldog event. My February outfit is on order, so paws crossed it gets here in time for our Bulldog Bonanza at K-9 Culture next weekend. I’m gonna be so cute!
I get along with the other big dogs in the house, but mostly only have eyes for Foster Dad.
I want to be right by his side all the time. Foster Mom tries to lure me away, and she’s OK, but only if Foster Dad is busy or out and I can’t find him.
I’m working on gaining a little weight, which is awesome because it means afternoon snack time – YAY! I’ve also totally mastered the doggie door and have gone a whole week with no accidents in the house. My foster parents are so proud of me and always tell me how smart and sweet I am.
3/3/23 Update: I had a great time today at the Bulldog Bonanza. I even wore my special. “Saffyre – Single & Ready Mingle” outfit so everyone would know me.
I’m kind of a quiet and shy girl, so at first, I was nervous (which upsets my tummy), but I took a deep breath and remembered that I’m awesome and just have to put myself out there. And I’m so glad I did!
I made so many new friends. And every one of them told me how beautiful and sweet I am!
Can you believe it? Me! Foster Pop tells me that every day, but I guess everyone knows it. It just goes to show, we all are lovable.
It was a good day. Now I’m going to take a long nap full of sweet dreams!
