Tales of a foster puppy. (Well, actually more like tales of a foster failure)
On February 14, 2015, I delivered my first foster puppy, now named Rosie, to her forever home. On the way home, I was in tears. I mean, seriously! I was devastated. In just two weeks I had become so attached to this little puppy and even though I knew she was going to an awesome home, I was crushed. I told myself I couldn’t foster EVER again and I meant it!
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Rosie, my first foster puppy. February 5, 2015
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Rosie and her forever family. February 14, 2015
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Fast-forward to later that very same evening. The rescue called to ask me if I would take Piper, who had arrived from California a few days earlier but was in need of a quieter foster situation away from her littermate.
The next day, Piper was dropped off at my house in the middle of a snowstorm. She was under the weather, scared and had the most worried, wrinkly expression on her face. She pretty much stayed on my lap for the next week. (I’m hoping you missed the part where my resolve to “never foster again” dissolved faster than the speed of sound)
Piper at 12 weeks
Piper had a few health issues – an upper respiratory thing and some nasty stomach stuff for a couple of months so I had her longer than I might normally have had a foster. I kept telling myself that as soon as she was totally healthy she was off to a new home. I think everyone else knew long before I did that I had failed as a foster. Friends said things like, “You keep calling her your ‘foster puppy’. Is that her name? I think we all know she’s not going anywhere.” But, I insisted that I was not going to fail as a foster.
If I’m going to fail at anything, foster failing is just fine with me.
When I took her to her first adoption event, I finally had to admit to myself that Piper had found her forever home (probably about 4.2 seconds after she had arrived at my house). Everyone was in love with Piper – taking pictures and wanting to hold her. I could feel my hackles going up every time someone reached out to touch her or asked about filling out an adoption application. I knew I was in trouble when all I could think was, “Why is everyone touching my dog?!?”
Piper & the Paparazzi
I don’t want to scare you off from fostering a dog. Failure is NOT inevitable. My friend and fostering idol, Renee Bacher (Dog by Dog: Every Foster Dog has a Story) is truly an amazing foster. Seriously, check out her blog for some wonderful foster success stories. Renee has had more than 40 foster dogs in the past four years and she only failed once. ONCE. And, not until her 12th foster! When I think of the number of dogs she has saved through fostering, I am genuinely in awe.
Why Foster?
Even though I foster failed my second time out, I know that I will foster again. Fostering a dog is, without question, is an incredibly rewarding experience. By offering an animal a reprieve from shelter life you are absolutely saving lives. Someday, I will resume fostering. In the meantime, you might want to consider becoming a foster.
When you foster:
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[/one_sixth][five_sixth_last]You dramatically increase the chances of that dog being adopted. Most dogs are stressed in a shelter setting so their real personalities don’t have a chance to shine. Shelters are noisy and scary and the resources rarely exist to provide each dog with the necessary exercise, socialization, training or direct one-on-one interaction to make a good assessment. Sadly, left in a shelter situation for too long, many dogs start to show psychological and behavioral issues.
When you open your home to a foster dog, you give that dog a chance to decompress and feel safe. You get to know that dog better than rescue or shelter staff because you have more daily direct contact with that dog. You can assess the dog’s personality, identify behavior challenges and you give that dog the opportunity to socialize, learn basic commands, master crate training and more.
A foster home helps to identify if a dog is good with other dogs, likes to chase cats or other small animals, learns quickly, is good with children etc. By helping the shelter or rescue to develop a really good profile of the dog, you are giving them the information they need to make the best possible forever placement for that dog.[/five_sixth_last][one_sixth] [/one_sixth][five_sixth_last]You really are saving lives. We know that shelters are often overflowing and sometimes have to make really tough decisions about how to use resources, which animals they can take in etc. When you foster a dog you are not only saving that dog’s life but you are opening a space at the shelter for another dog in need.[/five_sixth_last][one_sixth] [/one_sixth][five_sixth_last]Foster homes are desperately needed. Ask any rescue or shelter and they will tell you that good foster homes are one of the most needed resources. If you are unable to donate money to a rescue or shelter, consider the donation of time and love by fostering. The shelter or rescue generally provides all veterinary care, medicines (if required), food, a leash and collar and other supplies, if needed. Your monetary investment should be little or nothing.[/five_sixth_last][one_sixth] [/one_sixth][five_sixth_last]Puppy kisses! Enough said. Seriously, it’s fun and incredibly rewarding[/five_sixth_last]
Me and Piper. It’s a lovefest!
February 2016
I am fortunate to know some pretty AMAZING animal photographers. If you are in Colorado, I HIGHLY recommend Emily Tronetti from Heal to Howl who took the Piper & the Paparazzi photo and Ashley Deaner from Ashley Deaner Photography who took the picture of me and Piper celebrating Piper’s Gotcha Day.
I haven’t fostered, but I wish I had. Right now we have three dogs and that is all we can handle, but I think one day I’d like to try fostering. In the last few years (after I started blogging) I have realized how important fostering is to animal rescue. Thanks to you and all the other fosters out there. And I have to say that foster failure is pretty awesome too.
Three is a handful! I made the decision to keep Piper while my daughter was home on summer break from college without really considering the reality that she’d head back to school leaving me to care for all three of the dogs – No regrets but three is DEFINITELY a handful and a half 😉
I would love to foster but unfortunately I live in a tiny studio and barely have enough space for Layla or me, so have vowed that my next place will be bigger. Thank you for sharing about fostering as it is so important
I totally get that. Small spaces make it really tough. My space isn’t too small but three dogs certainly make it “cozy” 😉
Glad you liked the post!
We’ve fostered once before but it didn’t go well for several reasons and we’re kind of burnt out. I’ve been channeling my energy into therapy dog work instead lately.
I’m sorry you had a less than great experience. I think it’s important to foster through a rescue or shelter that has a good reputation for supporting fosters.
Tenacious Little Terrier, I’ve been thinking about getting Piper and my older girl, Zora into therapy dog work. Piper is still young but I think she has the temperament. We’ll be starting the Canine Good Citizen Training later in the spring. At almost 13, Zora is just so mellow and I think she’d make a great therapy dog. Simon is a bit too exuberant all the time so I think he’s probably not cut out for therapy work 😉
I am a foster failure too. We took in Kilo the Pug August 3 2014 at my daughter’s insistence (our last rescue had passed a year earlier after 16 years). He had been through 4 homes and another foster and just turned 2. He was only meant to stay a few weeks until she went back to school and he found a forever home. Unfortunately, he turned out to have a few serious behaviour issues but fortunately, we were in a situation to be able to work with him. He is still with us a year and a half later and improving slowly. He is so cute and such a love bug with me and my family, we could not say goodbye. He likes being an only dog so no more fosters for now.
Talent Hounds – so glad Kilo found you! It takes a lot of commitment to take on a dog with health or behavioral issues. I did that with Simon (my middle dog) and eight years later we are still working on some things but he’s a funny, gregarious, high energy nut and I love him!
I love the idea of fostering but I know that I wouldn’t be able to say good-bye to them. There are two female Basset Hounds available for adoption on my city and I am sooooo tempted to offer to foster one of them. #FutureFailure
Ha! #futurefail. I totally get that. I do know for sure that me with three is absolutely my limit – unless I meet a great guy who loves dogs as much as I do and/or I win the lottery 😉 Keep me posted on the Basset Hound! It maybe time to start a Foster Failures Anonymous group!
Those are great reasons to foster. I would love to foster, but I know I would fail every time. I attach to cats very easily and would be absolutely heartbroken any time I had to give one up.
Fur Everywhere – it is definitely hard. When I dropped off my first foster puppy at her new home, I was devastated. I just kept reminding myself that by opening up a spot in my home by letting Rosie go, I could save another life. Of course, then Piper came along and because she was sick I got really attached. There was also the bond that she and Simon (my middle dog) developed and I couldn’t break that up (at least that’s what I keep telling myself 😉 )
3 of our 5 current pets are foster failures. I am really not very good at fostering and get attached way too easily. Piper is adorable and I’m so glad you found each other.
Thanks, Daily Pip! I’m thinking of starting a “support group” for us foster failures 😉
I’m not sure I could foster because I get so attached so easily.
I completely understand. It’s definitely tough and now having had one success and one “failure” under my belt, I would definitely have to think twice. I also couldn’t foster again while I have three dogs already in the house. 😉
I think fostering is one of the most important things folks can do these days as there are so may rescues that need this resource. We have three dogs that can react poorly to other dogs which is unfortunate so we cannot foster but I loved your story and the pics are awesome. Thanks for sharing this.
Glad you liked the post. Thanks! One of my dogs, Simon, can be reactive, especially on leash, and I really wasn’t sure how the fostering was going to go. Turns out he LOVES little girl puppies. (Not in a creepy way 😉 ) He did great with both my first foster and with Piper. I got really lucky. He’s like a different dog in many respects. That being said, I am quite clear that three is my limit so I totally understand where you’re coming from especially with reactivity issues. Simon and I started a leash reactivity class today 🙂
What a heartbreaking story. I failed twice at fostering too. Not easy
I’m sorry you found the story heartbreaking. That was not my intention. I was really trying to share both the joys and the challenges of fostering as well as the many, many reasons why to foster. While the first time around it was hard to say goodbye, I know that Rosie went to an AWESOME family, which brings me tremendous joy. With Piper, it’s been an absolute pleasure to have failed as she has brought so much fun and happiness to the pack 😉
It is not an easy thing to do. heartbreaking at first but when you look at the big picture, it is the best thing!
I totally agree. I would definitely foster again in the future.
Wonderful post, my humans have thought about fostering but that will have to wait until we get a house in the country!
That probably should have been my criteria as well 😉
I plan to foster once I get my own house. Foster fails are the best <3
As I said in the post, “If I’m going to fail at anything, foster failing is fine with me” 😉
I’m glad that you and Piper found each other! They may call that a foster failure, but I think it is an amazing success story in reality. 🙂 I have never fostered, but I live in an apartment and I’m maxed out on the pets I’m allowed to have. I would probably fail on all of them if I did foster.
Each of my dogs has taught me something new about myself but because Piper is a pit mix, it has opened up a whole new world for me in terms of animal rescue and advocacy and I definitely call that a success 🙂
I can totally relate to getting attached to a foster. I have not fostered any dogs. I fostered a cat who ended up choosing us as his forever home. I have also fostered a parrot, it was really emotional the day I had to pack up her belongings and she went to her new home. We bonded from day one and she was beginning to talk. I often think about her and hope she is doing well in her home.
So I guess I have one fail and one success! I would definitely do it again?
They really do choose us in many ways, don’t they? 😉 It is always so hard to let them go, especially if you feel a special bond.
I’ve fostered a total of four dogs and “failed” once with my Bahamas rescue, Boca. She was just such a perfect fit. I only had Ruby at the time and had been somewhat considering a second dog anyway. My other fosters were easier to let go (and actually essential to let go) because I already had two dogs and three is just too hard for one person. One dog per arm, as a general rule! My fourth foster was only with me a short time because Ruby was scared of him and Boca wanted him GONE. He was another Bahamas dog and I thought he and Boca would bond over their shared roots…nope. Fostering is a tough job, and so rewarding. I always encourage people to give it a try.
Where were you when I needed reminding that I only have two arms? 😉 Three is definitely a challenge but now that Piper’s been here for a year, I can’t imagine anything different. I will, however, call you for an intervention should I start thinking about adding a fourth 😉
I have not fostered a dog, currently I have a 13 year old and she is not up for the antic of a puppy. I am always concerned with the day that she will no longer be with me and what to do. I know as a dog trainer I would have so much to offer a foster dog, but I am concerned I too would be a foster failure. My husband and I have also talked about adopting a senior dog. I know they are usually left behind. We are older now and adopting a puppy would not be fair. I love puppies and fostering is an option, but the heartbreak when you turn them over to their forever home; I just don’t know if I could handle that.
Thank you for sharing this, it is certainly something I will seriously consider.
There are so many senior dogs in need of good homes and it is indeed heartbreaking how often they are overlooked. I currently have a senior, a middle aged and a puppy in the house. It’s never boring 😉 I could see myself taking in senior dogs at some point in the future.
Happy Gotcha Day, Piper! I haven’t fostered, but sure have adopted, rehabilitated-then adopted, many animals. And currently have four Siberian Huskies (had five, but sadly suddenly lost one to cancer shortly before Christmas), and a rehabilitated feral kitty that we had vetted, adopted it, and now it thinks it’s a dog, too! 😉 I believe in fostering, thank those who do, and one day, I may…but it will most likely be adopted by me! 🙂
I think rehabbing and adopting is kind of like fostering failing 😉 Kudos to you on the rehab. That is some serious commitment! I too have realized that fostering for me most likely means adopting – ha!
Wonderful post! I am also a foster Mama so I can totally relate. Fostering absolutely saves lives, in so many ways. I fell madly in love with one of my first fosters, Rudy, and he fell madly in love with me! I wanted to adopt him desperately, the only thing that stopped me was that my husband wasn’t ready for a second dog and that the shelter had a fantastic home already lined up for him. Rudy was with me for months, I probably kept him significantly longer than needed! To this day I would welcome Rudy back into my arms and my home for good, no matter what. Nothing would stop me a second time! I love fostering dogs and wish I could do it more often. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
So glad that you liked the post. Fostering is really emotionally challenging and emotionally rewarding. I too wish I was in a position to foster more but three in the house is most definitely my limit until I win the lottery 😉
which breed is her?
Tisha – I have never had Piper’s DNA tested but she is a pit bull mix of some kind. My guess is she’d come back American Pit Bull Terrier 🙂