Prepare to have your heart-strings tugged as we introduce you to new foster, Emi! This beautiful pied mama is taking her first timid steps forward to a wonderful new life, and we’re so glad you’re along for the journey.

Emi was released to FBRN from a commercial breeder, and is still full of milk from nursing her last litter. We think she’s about 4 years old, and it’s clear that she’s never known the life of a pampered pet. When she first arrived into foster care, she had trouble walking thanks to her overgrown nails, and she stunk to high heaven. Fortunately, she tolerates baths and nail trims like a champ, and she’s now looking (and smelling) as fresh as a bat-eared flower! Next on the list is a trip to the vet, where she’ll get a checkup from flat face to tail stub. Fingers and paws crossed that she’s as healthy as she is beautiful!

For now, Emi’s foster family is giving her plenty of time and space to adjust, as she is understandably confused about this whole “being a pet” thing. She is frightened of collars and leashes, freezes when she’s taken outside, and wants nothing to do with crates or anything resembling them (we’re looking at you, baby gates and x-pens). She even ignored her cozy new bed in favor of a towel on the floor. But ever so slowly, we can see progress. Emi is starting to warm up to her foster family, and seems especially fond of foster mom’s 10-year-old daughter. There’s even been some wagging of her little tail nubbin!

It’s going to take Emi some time to learn the ins and outs of being a pet, but she’s already well on her way. If you’d like to help her along this path from breeder mama to queen of all she surveys, then please consider becoming her sponsor! Just click on the “donate” link and tell us it’s for Emi. She’s still a bit too shy to say thank you, but you just might see a little tail wag!