Fostering

Ealier today I recieved photographs of a former foster from their adopter. In the five years that I've been fostering, there's nothing else in the world that gives me a burst of pride and happiness like getting updates on former fosters. It's a small reminder that I've done something good in this world and that I helped make the right choice when finding a new family for my foster child.

Am I talking about a human? Nope, it's a dog. But the principal is exactly the same.

As a foster home I open my doors and my heart to someone who has no place to go, who has given up hope, and who isn't certain who to trust. Dogs seem to be very resilient and there is (seriously, I know you hear this all the time but it's true) nothing more touching than seeing a dog come out of it's shell and wag it's tail again. Mind you, I've fostered quite a few dogs who were just as happy coming in as they were going out! It's not all doom and gloom!

"I can't foster; I'd never be able to let them go."  Yes, you can. I'm not saying it's easy. But in the end, if you find the perfect fit, you'll be able to let them go with a smile.  I don't have kids to entertain a dog, I've got a well-established pack that's pretty prickly about new-comers, I don't go to dog parks every day... if there's another family out there who can provide something that I can't to a dog who needs something, then it's a better family than me. I will let that dog go, and gladly.

Of course, there are the puppies... those are probably the toughest. Oh, yes. We get puppies in rescue. Whether it's a pregnant female, or a younger pup whose new owners don't understand why he isn't house-broken, or a deaf pup that a breeder or new owner doesn't know what to do with. Since I foster English Setters, that last is a relatively common thing. I've fostered six puppies and cried when every one of them left. But they've all gone on to wonderful homes and I love seeing them grow up, even if it is only through email.

This is Pogue. Pogue was a teeny tiny puppy turned over to Ohio English Setter Rescue because he was deaf. Pogue is the youngest pup I've ever fostered or owned. He turned 8 weeks the day after I picked him up in Cincinnati. He was also the most challenging; a go-go-gadget puppy who managed to be in five places at once and doing things he wasn't supposed to in every one of them! I fostered him for three months and taught him sign-language. I remember the first few days he was with me I was practically in tears because I couldn't get him to even look up at me. I despaired, crawling around on the floor so that I'd be at eye-level to get his attention and sign. Then, on day four, The Lightbulb went off and he looked up!  By the time Pogue was adopted, he knew about fifteen signs (including high-five), how to swim, and how to run like the wind!  Pogue was adopted by the perfect family in Chicago and he has positively flourished with them. He's still a little hellion and he's still the cutest thing EVER.  Look...

Did you just say "awwww"? You did, didn't you. I've got a big lump in my throat. Do I miss him? Nah. Well, maybe just an iota. I have a lump in my throat because that little itty bitty puppy is big and happy and has a family who adores him and I have chance to foster another dog and find him just the right home. That's what fostering's all about.

OK. Here it is. The sales pitch.

Rescues and shelters all over the world are filled to bursting with animals who are homeless. And just like children, these animals need temporary homes to keep them safe until a permanent family can be found for them. Unlike human children though, many of these animals are killed to make room for the millions (MILLIONS!) who continue to flood the system. According to The Humane Society of the United States approximately 6-8 million (yes, MILLION) dogs and cats are cared for in shelters every year in the United States, of whom approximately 3-4 million are euthanized. Those numbers are beyond comprehension.

How can you help? Well, first and foremost, if you're thinking of adding a dog or a cat to your family, check out your local shelters or look at rescues in your areas. If you really want a pure-bred animal, trust me, there are plenty there. Rescues with foster homes are a great place from which to adopt an animal! Most rescues have a holding period so that an animal living in a foster home can be temperment tested so that they can be matched perfectly to their new family. And there are rescues for dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, and even rats!

Not looking to adopt? FOSTER! Seriously. It's a great thing. Foster homes are the number one need for rescues everywhere. They can't save animals if there's no place for them to go. I take on a foster dog once or twice a year, if I can, and I take long breaks between fosters to give my own dogs a rest. Even if you only foster one animal, you've saved that one. As my friend Crystal from Starfish to the Sea Animal Rescue says, "it made a difference for that one."

To end on a high note, here's another picture of Pogue. Come on, you can say it... awwwwwwww!

photo courtesy of Stephanie Moon Photography