Fostering Lexi: Lexi Was Adopted Today

Update:

Lexi has a photo with her new family! I'm hoping to be able to go out  and give her that final goodbye (and all of her toys and half-chewed bone!) in the near future. 

I've spoken with the foster coordinator after all this and there was some miscommunication regarding the entire adoption process with Lexi. The foster coordinator was just as upset as I was and we've all learned from this. Moving forward with positive thoughts and thinking the best for Lexi and any future fosters. 

Posted 3:20 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7

So, today Lexi and I drove to Geneva to go to the adoption event at PetSmart. We got there just after 11 a.m. and met lots of other foster dogs all looking for their forever homes.

We had to stay outside (and Lexi isn’t too fond of the heat) because PetSmart was under construction, but we were able to go inside for a bit to check out the air conditioning. Lexi really, really liked the parakeets and was watching them very intently in their cage. The gerbils were pretty interesting too, and I’m proud to say she didn’t once try to lick or scratch the glass.

We met with a few people who were interested in Lexi and she loved all the attention, although it might have been a bit much after a while and she took me off down an aisle in the store to have a moment to herself. She of course picked the aisle with the gourmet dog food but we didn't try to open that. 

Just after 12 p.m. (the adoption event went to 3 p.m.)  I handed Lexi off to a volunteer to watch for an hour while I met with a friend down the road for lunch. I gave her a cookie and a pat on the head and told her to be good for the volunteers till I got back in an hour.

That was the last time I saw Lexi.

I’m absolutely heartbroken and crushed as I write this, knowing I never got to say goodbye or give her a last tummy rub or a final pet behind the ears. I had been under the impression I would get to say goodbye and have that closure, but the family that adopted her was in and out within the hour. 

I found out later that Lexi was adopted by the family who had visited us Friday night for about two hours. They’re very nice people and have a big house and yard and I know Lexi is going to love all that open space. They also have a pool so if Lexi does decide she likes water she's set to go.

They also have another dog who wasn’t all that friendly towards Lexi (she ate Lexi’s entire bone while visiting and growled a few times at Lexi) but I’m hoping that she becomes a bit more accepting of her now new sister. Her new dad seemed really on top of that and I know that Lexi went to a really great home.

It’s really hard though. I knew that I would have to give her up, but this wasn't the way I had expected it to go. There was some miscommunication and some sadness on all sides, but I'm hoping to be able to say goodbye at a later date. 

My mom and I had a fantastic time fostering her and we wish Lexi all the best in her new home.  

If you're ever interested in fostering definitely take a look at the Patch boards, goodness knows we have so many local fosters looking for volunteers! 

I know that today a dog that would have been euthanized has found a loving, forever home. I helped to save a life. And I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

Best wishes, Lexi.  

• Lexi is Up for Adoption
• Going for a Car Ride
• She's Mastered the Stairs! (And Sort of How to Play with a Ball)
• Bath Time, Breakfast, and Sliding Around the the Kitchen
• First: The First Night of Fostering Lexi