Latest Foster Pups - Updated 4/29

[clara4457]

All your fosters are adorable! I must say I am very partial to Jack and Jill. I've been meaning to ask you this for a while because I noticed you are obviously heavy in rescue. How many animals do you have in your house at one time usually? Do you have dogs of your own? And did you ever have a foster failure? I can tell you right now, if I had all those sweet faces in my house I'd be a foster failure five times over.

I have 3 dogs of my own and usually only have one other foster dog - but pups are easier since I can put them in an x-pen to play outside (plus they don't count against the dog limit in my area). I do have to try to distance myself emotionally from the foster dogs - otherwise I could never give them up. They live in a separate area as my resident dogs, and ALWAYS get crated overnight, while my resident dogs sleep with me. To me that is how I keep a slight distance. The foster dogs are baby-gated in my kitchen/dining room area. The dining room also serves as my office, so they get a lot of attention and time with me, but they don't really integrate into my life since they don't sleep with me or hang out while I'm taking a shower like my own dogs do

Since I already have 3 dogs and am so busy between my paid job and the rescue work, I always have in my mind that these dogs need a home where they are going to get the care and devotion that I can't possibly give them with that much going on. It isn't much different than being a shelter worker that loves the animals, but is thrilled to help them find a home of their own where they will get the life they deserve.

There have been a few dogs that have really captured my heart and are difficult to let go, but I usually stay in touch with the adopters and do get the occasional email and picture that helps me realize that I did the right thing. Besides - if I kept them, another dog would not have the same chance.

Barney is the only foster failure I have had and honestly, I would have been very happy to find him a home - but no one wanted an older dog with some chronic health issues. I care about him a great deal, but I can't honestly say that I have the same bond with him that I do with Leo and Penny (whom I chose to adopt).

Fostering can be tough, but it is immensely rewarding. I can't honestly imagine not having that sense of accomplishment and well being I get from doing it.