For some background, we had talked about fostering a dog for awhile but were too nervous to make the commitment. Questions we asked ourselves were Did we have the time? Did we have the space? Would our dog get along with another dog? Would we be able to provide a good routine to a new dog? We didn't know the answers to all of those questions, but we did have two things- a genuine love for dogs and a desire to make a difference. We finally attended a DDR adoption event this summer, looking to foster a dog, and a month ago, we finally took the plunge and began to foster Buddy.
To be honest, we expected the process to be more difficult. I think we expected a "rescue" dog to come with major behavioral issues and were surprised that that wasn't the case. Buddy was overflowing with love and joy!!! Of course every dog is different and has different needs and some will require more patience and dedication than others, but the one thing all of these dogs need is love and attention. If you can give a dog love and attention, you can be a foster family.
We enjoyed seeing Buddy flourish in a home setting. Our favorite was just seeing him running in our backyard, sniffing and enjoying his freedom. If not in foster care, Buddy would have been in a kennel/shelter, and although he would be with very dedicated staff members and volunteers, we felt nothing could replicate the home environment to prepare a dog to be adopted.
When we began fostering, sharing the news with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, we heard lots of responses such as... "How can you foster? I'd be too sad to say good bye", "I can't foster. I'd get too attached" When Buddy left us, there were some "misty eyes" in the house (and perhaps I went through a kleenex or two... or three), but knowing that he is in a forever home, getting spoiled with love and affection, and that we helped get him to this spot- the joy and fulfillment we feel FAR, FAR, FAR, outweighs the moments of sadness we experienced when saying good bye to our silly, little friend.
In closing, my advice is to not wait on the sidelines to get involved. If you have been on the fence about fostering a dog, take the plunge. If considering fostering through DDR, communicate your background with dogs, lifestyle, and routines, and they can help place you with a foster dog that will fit well into your lifestyle. Getting these deserving dogs into a home setting is key to learning their behaviors and personalities and helping them get adopted. Again, these dogs need love and attention and as dog lovers- we all inherently possess these qualities. :)
Yes, taking on a dog (or another dog) is work, and yes, it is sad to say goodbye, but knowing that you helped a dog find forever happiness is one of the most rewarding feelings we have experienced- and the sad reality is that when one foster dog leaves you, there is another dog in need waiting to take their place.
Until the epidemic of stray, abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs is cured, there will always be a need for foster families. Are you up for the challenge?