Mie Wells and Lokahi
Mie Wells has always been into dogs and has wanted to certify one or more of her dogs for therapy. Being a Realtor, this working mom and PTA rock star doesn’t have much time for training but in the meantime she is an active foster for the Texas Husky Rescue.
Since 2009, TXHR has saved over 1500 Huskies, and Wells says she is very proud to be a part of such a great organization. The program includes “virtual fosters”; fans of the breed who want to help with medical costs or boarding when the group sends out a plea for a particular case.
The Wells moved to Tera Vista from Hawaii where Mie did conformation (specific breed) Dog Shows and Obedience trials with her Bullmastiffs and Pug for close to 20 years.
Wells got into fostering after her kids asked for a dog for Christmas and they adopted Buddy from TXHR on January 1, 2016. She was impressed. “My bleeding heart could not resist the pleas for volunteer help and fosters on the Alumni FB page.”
She started out volunteering with events and transportation, but on her first trip to the Bastrop Shelter to evaluate and pull Lokahi (photo left), she was hooked.
Lokahi was scheduled to be euthanized (EUd) that afternoon. “At 40 pounds and just skin and bones, I could see every bone in his body, and you could tell, he was ready to give up. Fast forward four months and $3000 in vet bills (covered by TXHR) Lokahi has gained 20 pounds, and though he still has a way to go before he is healthy enough to be adopted, he knows he is loved and is just the sweetest thing.”
The only cost to a foster family is food and love. “Lokahi was my first foster,” she says “And I will most likely ‘foster fail,’ which means I love him too much to give him up and end up adopting. But most of the time you do have to guard yourself and take a dog knowing you are not the forever home.”
TXHR focuses on matching the right dog with the right family. Potential Adopters go through an application process that also makes sure that the Adopters are educated about the breed, and are ready for the joy and the responsibility that comes with being a Husky parent.
“People often ask me how so many Huskies end up in shelters in Texas. We believe owners don’t realize the breed needs a lot of exercise. They can clear a 6-foot fence, tend to like digging, and are often vocal. They also shed all year and clump-shed twice annually. Many are escape artists so they are found as strays. Most just need some basic obedience, regular exercise, proper living conditions and love.”
An important part fostering is learning about each dog; likes, dislikes or behavior issues they need to work on so TXHR can match them with the right family. “The easiest part of fostering is loving on all the fur-babies. The hardest part is sending them off to their new homes. But it is important we keep some room in our house for that emergency shelter pull to save another pup from being EUd.
Visit www.TexasHuskyRescue.org
