Rule #1 Do not let fosters sleep in your room

Rule #2 Ok, they can sleep in your room, but not on the bed

Rule #3 Ok, on the bed, but not under the sheets

Rule #4 Ok, under the sheets with head on the pillow



That's the first mistake I made was to let a foster pup sleep in my room with me and my Pit Ginger after his brother died of Parvo. Then he broke his knee, we think by falling off the bed so his stay became a little extended until he healed. A couple of surgeries and months later he finally got to go to adoptions again. By now he was so attached to my dog and me to him it was impossible to let him go. I've learned my lesson, no fosters in my room, they all have their kennels in the living room. It will be hard, but try to distance yourself emotionally a little so you'll be able to let go when the time comes. If you don't bond as much to the foster it makes it easier for them to move on also. Of course there will be attachment, that's impossible to avoid in the fostering game, but just remember, if you keep all of the ones you foster, you won't have the room, time, whatever, to help another. Aly and I are what you could call "professional" fosters...unpaid and overworked But I couldn't imagine not doing this no matter how stressy and emotional it can be.