Chalk&Paw

時間：2025. 5.24-6.10 17天

與棉花糖的相遇在決定去金汪汪之前就發生了，主要是看到金汪汪在Po文基隆10糖小可愛待領養，第一眼就相中了棉花糖和彩虹糖，雖然知道家已無空間領養第五隻，主要原因我們明年移民到美國，最多2人一次只能4隻，所以抱著去看看小可愛的心態來當志工。

第一次當志工是在圓山花博市集，當天一早天氣還算晴朗，且很幸運的有機會看到可愛的棉花糖（彩虹糖已經被領養走了），但還是很開心能看到可愛的棉花糖，而這也讓我當想來當志工更帶點期待的心情。雖然當天也有許多可愛的小幼幼，但自己還是有私心鍾情於棉花糖多一點，當然在志工現場我並沒有表現得很明顯，因為當志工的任務是要幫這些可愛的幼幼也找到一個可以愛他們的家。

How I Met Marshmallow

My encounter with Marshmallow actually happened before I even decided to volunteer with Jin-Wang-Wang. I first came across their post about 10 adorable puppies in Keelung looking for forever homes. The moment I saw the photos, Marshmallow and Skittles caught my eye right away.

Although I knew deep down that we had no room to adopt a fifth dog — especially since we’re planning to immigrate to the U.S. next year (and a family of two can only bring four dogs) — I still felt the urge to go meet these cuties in person. So I signed up to volunteer, just with the simple intention of helping out and seeing the pups.

My first volunteering experience was at the Yuanshan Flower Expo Market. That morning, the weather was surprisingly pleasant, and I felt lucky to meet sweet little Marshmallow (by that time, Skittles had already been adopted). I was still thrilled just to see Marshmallow in person — it made me look forward to volunteering even more.

Of course, there were many other adorable puppies at the event, but I’ll admit I had a soft spot for Marshmallow. I didn’t show it outwardly though — as a volunteer, my mission was to help all these little ones find loving homes, not to play favorites.

第二次的志工服務是在一週後，位置改為建國花市而這次也是期待的心去看棉花糖（當然也包括其他幼幼），比上次好的是棉花糖這次在領養現場而且就是我進去陪伴幼幼的志工區！（心裡歡喜）， 當然不能裝得太明顯因此我也和其他幼幼也玩在一起，我記得他們好像叫桃花、甜栗、還有愛兇其他小狗的黑露露，他們也很可愛。想說這次可以更近一點看到棉花糖感覺很歡喜，但發現他怎麼一直拉肚子，重點還有血……過沒多久金汪汪配合的陳醫師到現場發現他中了犬冠狀病毒和梨形毛鞭蟲，心想他好可憐喔…… 就在送養會快結束時我聽到美雪姐（金汪汪創辦人）在跟一位付費中途討論要先請她帶回去照顧，因此我馬上就自告奮勇說我可以中途他！（心裡超開心）

The Second Encounter — And an Unexpected Turn

My second time volunteering came a week later, this time at Jianguo Flower Market. Once again, I went with a heart full of excitement, especially hoping to see Marshmallow again (and of course, all the other pups too).

To my delight, Marshmallow was actually at the adoption event this time — and even better, he was in the volunteer zone where I was assigned to care for the puppies! (My heart did a little happy dance.) Of course, I couldn’t make it too obvious, so I made sure to play with all the puppies equally. I still remember some of their names — Peach Blossom, Sweet Chestnut, and Black Lulu (who had a bit of a habit of picking fights with the others). They were all adorable in their own ways.

Being able to spend more time close to Marshmallow made me so happy… but then I noticed something troubling — he kept having diarrhea, and it looked like there was blood. Not long after, Dr. Chen (the vet Jin-Wang-Wang works with) arrived and confirmed that Marshmallow had contracted canine coronavirus and was also infected with Giardia. My heart broke for the little guy. He looked so fragile.

Toward the end of the adoption event, I overheard Meixue (the founder of Jin-Wang-Wang) talking to a paid foster about taking Marshmallow home for medical care. Without thinking twice, I immediately offered to foster him myself — I just blurted it out! (And inside, I was bursting with joy.)

就這樣可愛的棉花糖就到我家短住起來⋯⋯第一天到家我害怕我家的四隻被他傳染，因此先讓他暫住地下室，好在我家地下室夠大，而晚上則和他一起睡，因為發現他同時還有感冒，類似犬舍咳狀態，乾咳嘔吐但又吐不出來，咳起來有鵝的叫聲（我也是第一次碰到）。為了讓美雪姐認為我是一位合格的寄養家庭，我都有定時拍照回傳、記錄棉花糖的大小便狀況、精神和飲食，當然我自己是非常喜歡他的，只可惜緣分無法留住他。棉花糖超棒，第一天來我家不用教就會定點大小便，就像我家拿鐵一樣，瞬間對他的好感指數又加分了不少。

第二天中途棉花糖發現他咳嗽的狀況加劇，我開始自責是否第一天帶回家中途叫讓他洗澡讓他感冒變嚴重？但第一天帶他回家發現他一直抓癢，且體味蠻重可能在犬舍待著的原因⋯⋯剛好我也要幫我家四寶洗澡，就這樣也讓棉花糖洗個澡。

還好第三天天氣放晴，順勢帶他去看看醫生及公園放風曬曬太陽，好在看醫生結果是他可能吃東西太快導致支氣管有點發炎，吃藥即可，頓時 真是放下一顆大石，因11年前我照顧我家拿鐵，當時也是幼犬的他體質都沒有像棉花糖這麼孱弱，拿鐵他簡直壯如牛，現在即使已11歲了，還是很健壯。

A Temporary Stay That Stole My Heart

And just like that, sweet little Marshmallow came to stay at my house for a while.

On the first day, I was worried about the risk of him infecting my four resident dogs, so I arranged for him to stay in our basement temporarily — thankfully, it’s spacious enough. At night, I slept downstairs with him. That’s when I realized he also had a cold, something like kennel cough. He had dry, hacking coughs that sounded like gagging but with nothing coming out — and the sound was eerily like a goose honking. It was the first time I had ever encountered something like that.

Wanting to prove to Meixue that I could be a responsible foster parent, I made sure to document everything: I sent regular photo updates, kept a record of his urination and bowel movements, his energy levels, and his appetite. Truthfully, I had already grown very fond of him — I just couldn’t help it. Sadly, despite our bond, I knew deep down that our time together would be short-lived.

Marshmallow was amazing. On his very first day at our house, he instinctively knew how to pee and poop in the right spot — no training needed. Just like my Latte when he first arrived! My admiration for Marshmallow grew even more in that moment.

On the second day, his coughing worsened. I began to feel guilty, wondering if giving him a bath that first night had made things worse. But when I brought him home, he had been scratching a lot and had a strong doggy odor — likely from being in the kennel for a while. Since I was bathing my four dogs that day anyway, I bathed him too.

Thankfully, the third day brought sunshine, so I took him to see the vet and let him stretch his legs in the park for some fresh air and sun. The vet said it was probably just a bit of bronchial inflammation from eating too quickly — nothing serious, and he’d be fine with medication. I was so relieved! Eleven years ago, when I raised my own Latte as a puppy, he was never this fragile — in fact, he was tough as a little ox. Even now at age 11, he’s still going strong.

到了第四天，該來的還是來了，美雪姐審核多方申請組在前晚告知這組可以，問我可不可以見見領養人。看了美雪姐給我的資料，心裡是很開心棉花糖終於找到適合他的家庭，離幸福之路就在不遠處，但心裡同時也有點小難過跟棉花糖的緣分是如此的短暫，但⋯⋯我必須學會放手。

第五天，調適好心情還是由衷替棉花糖高興，但棉花糖的咳嗽撞及血便狀況一直沒改善，另外帶去醫院量體重竟然只有2.14kg, 詢問一下同時救援的同胎家庭有媽咪回應竟然已經有的同胎兄弟已經胖到5kg了！（是吃歐若肥嗎？ＸＤ）

之後的幾天，我還發現棉花糖後腳有點站不穩的狀況，詢問一下有可能是生病時營養吸收不良，因此有點營養不良的狀況……看了真心疼，而當晚雖下著小雨，還是立馬出門幫棉花糖買個營養膏，幫他瘦小的身體補充營養。

Learning to Let Go

By the fourth day, the moment I had been dreading finally arrived. Meixue messaged me the night before to let me know that, after reviewing several adoption applications, one had been approved. She asked if I could meet with the potential adopter.

As I read through the information she sent, my heart was full — I was genuinely happy that Marshmallow had found a family who seemed perfect for him. His road to happiness was just around the corner. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. Our time together had been so short… and now it was almost time to say goodbye.

Still, I reminded myself: this is what fostering is about. I had to learn to let go.

On the fifth day, I had come to terms with it emotionally and was truly, sincerely happy for Marshmallow. But his health issues still lingered — his coughing and bloody diarrhea hadn’t improved. At a follow-up vet visit, we weighed him: only 2.14 kg. That shocked me. Out of curiosity, I reached out to other fosters who had adopted his siblings from the same litter — one pup had already grown to 5 kg! (What were they feeding him — super kibble? 😆)

In the days that followed, I also noticed Marshmallow’s back legs were a bit wobbly. After checking with others, I learned it could be due to malnutrition during his illness — his tiny body simply hadn’t been absorbing enough nutrients. It broke my heart to see him like that.

That evening, even though it was drizzling outside, I didn’t hesitate. I headed out immediately to buy him a tube of nutritional paste — anything to help his frail little body get stronger.

---

中途第十一天，棉花糖的便便終於定型且沒有血便的，但是咳嗽狀況還是有，只是有稍微改善，因此還是持續有給梨形鞭毛蟲和咳嗽藥，心裡想著11年前也是小幼幼的拿鐵身體也沒那麼孱弱啊⋯⋯這個棉花糖到底怎麼了？真的是非常替他擔心

中途第十二天，棉花糖的咳嗽終於好了，且便便形狀也非常漂亮，雖然說馬上就要有新媽媽接手，但我還是想確定他已恢復正常，因此有想著隔天一早去醫院做身體檢查。當天，也是我家摩卡當小天使的2年的忌日，因此有帶棉花糖來狗腳印來看看狗狗，希望明年回美國時能帶一隻黃金或邊境蕾蕾回美國，將對摩卡的愛傳給其他需要愛的狗狗。當天，我無意間看到被退養的黃金Sam, 虛弱的坐在椅子上，瘦巴巴的想說這隻狗應該很老了才是，沒想到上網查一下他的年紀也不過七～八歲，那時剛被我領養的摩卡都沒有長得這麼蒼老啊！到底發生了什麼是讓Sam變成這樣，真是替Sam感到難過。

A Flicker of Recovery — and a Gentle Reminder of Love

On the eleventh day of fostering, Marshmallow’s poop had finally solidified — no more blood, no more watery mess. That alone felt like a huge victory. His cough still lingered, but there was definite improvement. I continued giving him medication for both Giardia and the cough, but deep down I couldn’t help comparing him to Latte, who was also a tiny pup 11 years ago. Latte had never been this frail. What was going on with Marshmallow’s little body? I worried about him constantly.

On the twelfth day, his cough had finally cleared up completely, and his poop was in perfect shape — such a relief! Even though his new mom was scheduled to take over soon, I still wanted to be 100% sure he was fully recovered. I decided I would take him for a full check-up at the vet the next morning.

That day also happened to mark the two-year anniversary of when my beloved Mocha became an angel. I brought Marshmallow with me to Dog’s Footprint (狗腳印), a place that holds deep meaning for us. I found myself silently hoping that next year, when we return to the U.S., we’ll be able to bring a Golden Retriever or a Border Collie mix like Leilei with us — a way to pass on the love I’ll always have for Mocha to another dog in need.

While we were there, I happened to spot a golden retriever named Sam, sitting weakly on a chair. His frail frame and tired eyes made me think he must be very old. But when I checked online, I was shocked to find out he was only seven or eight years old. Mocha didn’t look nearly that worn out when I first adopted her. What on earth had Sam been through to end up like this?

My heart broke for him. Whatever had happened, no dog deserved to be in such a state.

---

中途第十三天，一早棉花糖吃完早餐大完便就拎著他新鮮的大便去診所，因為驗梨形鞭毛蟲需要新鮮的大便才可以，之後醫生幫我們在顯微鏡下觀察是否有蟲蟲，同時也檢測犬小病毒及犬冠狀病度，好家在均已康復歡，我終於不用那麼辛苦將我家那四隻和棉花糖分開了！（之前超怕棉花糖的梨形鞭毛蟲以及犬冠狀病毒傳給我家四隻，雖然他們都有打預防針）

中途第十四天，發現他的無力後腳有比之前好一點，並發現棉花糖可能生病時習慣長期趴著養病，因此後腳忽然站起來會有點無力，就不愛走動，除了看不到我會哭哭到處去找我以及想跟我家四隻玩才會走起來，其他時候他能坐就不會想站，因此天氣好的時候我也會帶上棉花糖，跟我家其他四隻多走動。

Two Weeks In — Healing Begins

On the thirteenth day of fostering, I packed up a fresh sample of Marshmallow’s morning poop right after breakfast and headed to the clinic. To test for Giardia, a fresh stool sample is essential. At the clinic, the vet placed the sample under a microscope to look for any remaining parasites. We also ran tests for both parvovirus and coronavirus — just to be safe.

Thankfully, all the results came back clear. Marshmallow had finally recovered completely!

It was such a relief — not just for him, but also for me. I no longer had to keep my four resident dogs separated from him. I had been so anxious the whole time, worrying that his Giardia or coronavirus might spread to them, even though they were all fully vaccinated.

By the fourteenth day, I noticed some progress in his weak hind legs. He seemed a bit more stable than before. I realized that during his illness, he had likely spent a lot of time lying down to rest, which may have made his back legs a little underused and sluggish. He didn’t like to walk much — unless he couldn’t see me and would cry while searching, or when he wanted to play with my four pups. Otherwise, he’d prefer to sit or lie down whenever possible.

So, whenever the weather was nice, I’d take him out with my pack for some gentle walks — hoping to help him regain strength and confidence, step by step.

中途第十六天，陪伴棉花糖的最後一個晚上，心情很複雜很開心他能找到一個愛他的家但也很難過分離，晚上像中途的這幾天一樣抱著他一起入眠..

第十七天的早上，帶著他和我家四隻散步並合影，雖然卡布和拿鐵都會兇小幼幼棉花糖，但我很感謝我家充滿母愛的榛果和Cocobean 一個陪他玩，一個陪他睡覺。早上11點，棉花糖媽咪如期帶回家，而這也是我第一次中途成功，回家後當然也是大哭一場，但天下沒有不散的宴席，希望曾經出現在我生命中的小可愛棉花糖能夠幸福一生～

Day 16–17: A Bittersweet Goodbye

The sixteenth day marked my last night with Marshmallow.

My heart was filled with a swirl of emotions — I was genuinely happy that he had found a loving forever home, but I couldn’t help the deep sadness that came with saying goodbye. Just like every night over the past two weeks, I held him close as we drifted off to sleep — one last time.

On the morning of the seventeenth day, I took Marshmallow and my four dogs out for a walk together and snapped a few final photos. Although Cappuccino and Latte were their usual grumpy selves toward the little one, I was incredibly grateful for Hazelnut and Cocobean — two sweethearts full of maternal love. Hazelnut kept Marshmallow company during playtime, while Cocobean snuggled with him during naps.

At 11 a.m., Marshmallow’s new mom arrived, right on time, to take him home. And just like that, my very first foster journey had come to a successful end.

As soon as I returned home, I cried — of course I did. But I reminded myself: no goodbyes are forever, and every beginning starts with a farewell. I will always carry Marshmallow in my heart. I truly wish this little bundle of joy who briefly lit up my life nothing but a lifetime of happiness.

DogFostering #RescueDog #FosterJourney #EmotionalGoodbye #VolunteerWithDogs