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It was only two weeks after we’d lost our beautiful 14-year old bulldog Maybull, when we got a call from Rita at Minnesota Bulldog Rescue. There was an emergency. A bulldog owner had died suddenly and her family needed to rehome one of their three bulldogs right away. Could we foster? Our house was empty and quiet. We said yes.

The next day a dog named Spring arrived. She was terrified and dirty. She’d spent her first three years as a backyard breeder-dog, living mostly in a basement, before being adopted by the family who was now giving her up. She’d never warmed up to anyone but the late woman now and now, we were told, spent most of her time hiding under the bed. As soon as she arrived at out house, she jumped on our couch and stayed there, even for meals and water, for three weeks. We renamed her Margie.

She had some health problems – her gums were swollen and her ears infected, both cured by a round of antibiotics. The vet told us that she was in good health for a 7-year old bulldog.

That was eight months ago. She still startles at noises and is still afraid to go for walks, but now plays and snuggles and snores. The arrival of a bulldog puppy (Quigley) in early summer brought her further out of her shell. She’s no longer a foster but a real and officially adopted member of the family. 

--Stephanie