I woke up this morning to a loud crash followed by a series of little yips, a yowl and lots of barking. Groggily, I went downstairs to find my darling foster puppies out of the "puppy area" (the crash was the gate falling down). The two pups, the last of my litter of five, had cornered my cat in the bookcase. As I attempted to bribe them to return to the puppy area... they're at the stage where they'll do anything for a piece of cheese... I stepped in a pile of poop. I cleaned up their area, got them situated, checked on the cat, assured my dogs all was well and looked at the clock - 4:37 a.m. "Why do I do this," I thought to myself.
Since Cortlyn asked me to write a guest blog, I thought it was the perfect topic. I've been a foster mom for 14 years. I got my first foster almost immediately after getting my first dog. He was deaf and would run away. My vet suggested I foster and find a dog to "guide" him. I've been fostering ever since. Over the years, I've fostered more than 500 animals, mostly dogs and cats. I've lost shoes, books, clothing and furniture to my foster dogs. One ripped out my wall to wall carpeting. One dug a hole through the door to my spare bedroom. So why do I keep doing it? Because someone has to... because I should... because they need me... all of those reasons are valid, but the real reason I foster is the joy I get when I see my foster go to his forever home. Is it sad? Absolutely. I know I will cry when Peanut and Hazel find their families, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
The dog that got me started in fostering passed away this June. I miss him with all my heart. His spirit lives on, though, in ever foster that comes through my door. I can't save them all, but each one I have saved has touched my heart completely. If you've never fostered, I urge you to consider it. It will change you forever.
Well Written, I am sorry about the passing of your dog earlier this year. I miss you and Thanks!
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