Forever Fosters
The dogs in our rescue who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition or have been given a prognosis that requires ongoing monitoring and care are designated Forever Fosters. These special foster parents provide a loving home while we provide the supplies and medical care needed for the dog to be comfortable and enjoy a high quality of life for as long as possible. If you’re interested in being a Forever Foster, apply today. Together we can give a senior dog a peaceful and loving home during the last chapter of their life.
Meet our forevers
Stevie
On November 1st, twelve-year-old Stevie was brought to Long Beach Animal Care Services after being found wandering alone near Alamitos Beach. She waited, but no one ever came looking for her. At the shelter, Stevie (A751881) captured hearts almost immediately. She quickly became a favorite among volunteers and staff, the kind of dog people lingered with just a little longer. Gentle with both dogs and people, she soaked up every bit of attention, simply grateful to be seen.
Senior dogs belong in homes. Curled up on soft beds. Surrounded by familiar voices. Held in the quiet, steady love they’ve earned over a lifetime. For Stevie, that ending felt uncertain for far too long. This sweet senior girl needed a hero for the holidays, and lucky for her, she found two. Because they said yes, Stevie was able to leave the shelter behind and walk into her forever foster home, where she will be cherished every day of her life.
As a K9 Kismet Forever Foster, Stevie’s family will provide her with a warm, loving home, and K9 Kismet will cover all of her expenses. Together, we will make sure her days are filled with comfort, dignity, and all the small things that bring her joy.
Follow her @k9kismet: #K9KismetStevie
Charming Charlie
Thirteen years old and sight impaired, Charlie was found wandering alone in Long Beach. He was injured, frightened, and without his people. At Long Beach Animal Care Services, Charlie, formerly known as Charming A753516, received treatment for his wounds. What volunteers noticed right away was not only his physical condition but his heart. Charlie deeply wanted connection. All he truly wanted was to be held. After a recent episode of disorientation followed by body tremors, it became clear that Charlie needed more than shelter care. He needed comfort, stability, and a place where he could finally rest. Rescue is not always about happy endings measured in years. Sometimes it is about presence and dignity. It is about showing up when it matters most and making sure the final chapter of a dog’s story is filled with kindness, safety, and love. We could not bear the thought of Charlie spending another day in a kennel, so we reached out to one of our trusted forever fosters. Without hesitation, she said, “Bring him home to me.” Just like that, Charlie had a soft place to land. Charlie will receive a full medical workup so we can create the most thoughtful care plan possible. At thirteen years old, with medical needs that went unaddressed for far too long, we do not know how much time he has. What we do know is this. He will not spend it alone. For however long he has, Charlie will be wrapped in love, spoken to softly, and held often. He will know comfort. He will know safety. And to the foster mom who opened her heart and home to him, we are endlessly grateful for every moment, every kindness, and every ounce of love she gives him.
Follow him @k9kismet: #K9KismetCharming Charlie
TAHOE
Meet Tahoe. When we first heard met him in the early Fall of 2021 at the shelter, he was skittish and fearful. After meeting him, we just knew he was meant to join our pack. He would need consistent boundaries, structure, routine, and loads of patience if he was ever going to be okay in a home environment. In order to offer him that, we would need someone who understood that Tahoe’s ability to truly put his guard down might take months if not years. Because a patient person stepped forward, we were able to bring Tahoe into the K9 Kismet pack. When Tahoe was first brought home, he only wanted to hide outside in the dirt, day and night. It was painful to watch and his foster mom had to fight the urge to coddle and overtly love him. She recognized that the best way to express her love to an insecure dog is to give him space and to be steadfast in her patience. On his own timeline, Tahoe ventured inside and onto his dog bed. To this day, he is highly reticent around new people and surroundings, but the bond he and his foster mom have built is strong.
Our senior Tahoe has ongoing medical issues that make him a prime candidate for our forever foster program. One issue he has is chronic ear infections. Because his ears are cauliflowered, there are pockets over the ears that result in bacterial growth that has been resistant to medication. He requires regular ear drops and a strict ear wash regimen. More seriously, Tahoe suffers from bloody stool. Multiple exams and vet visits later, we learned that Tahoe has a mass just inside his rectum. His overall health and age prohibit medical intervention as he would likely never survive the surgery. His prognosis means he won’t be with us for long, but until then, Tahoe will continue to live life with patience and dignity, on his own timeline. As it should be.
Follow him on IG @k9kismet: #K9KismetTahoe