For those foster dogs out there wondering how to employ Zeus and Gus' technique and become a permanent resident of your foster home, here's the crash course:

Zeus: steal their heart the moment they pick you up. Force them to buy you McDonald's 2 minutes after they meet you, then cuddle up on their lap once you get home. When you are all ready to go to a new home, sidle up to Mommy #2, sit down and look at her with the most thoughtful, sweet look in your eyes, telling her she's the best person you've ever met and you can't imagine life without her.

Then bark. A lot. And be sure to mark all of the furniture and the boxes they are packing to move you to a new home that they bought specificially for the likes of you.

Gus: My method is more subtle. Come into the home in very bad shape, very very skinny (10+ lbs underweight) and covered in fleas. Have a hard time standing up on your back legs and slowly fall in love with their 1 year old basset hound. Strengthen your legs by running around with above puppy and rest by sleeping with her on the couch, purring since you've never been this comfortable in your whole long life.

When Mommy #1 is suddenly heartbroken because your littlest, oldest beagle sister dies, be there for her. DO NOT LEAVE HER SIDE. When you take a drink of water, come to her and drool on her leg, every time. When she cries (and this is a lot) put your head in her lap and wag your sad little broken stump of a tail. Remind her that even though your sister is gone, you need her too and you too, are in love with her. If things look doubtful that you'll stay, drool some more then curl up in your little sister's old bed and guard the big baby basset as she sleeps in her crate.

There are many variations on this method, but they all work. We hope that our course, "Becoming a Permanent Member of your 'Temporary' Family" has helped another loved foster dog like us stay put.