I am an animal lover and so is my husband. We were both raised with pets and naturally we were so excited to have pets when we bought our first home more than four years ago. We
rescued four dogs so far (our first two dogs have passed due to old age) and we
now have Allendale (Allee), our 4 year old golden and Theodore (Teddy), our 1 year old
coonhound/saluki mix. In fact, my
parents jokingly say when they die they hope they come back as a dog in our
house.
We are so thankful for the organizations that we’ve used to
find our dogs. There are countless hours that go into rescuing dogs. Much of this burden - of helping to give animals a second home, a second chance - comes by way of
animal shelters, humane societies and the like. However, there are many dogs that are helped through breed
or type specific rescue organizations that are run solely by volunteers.
Over the past year or so we started thinking about fostering
to help out some of the organizations that we adopted dogs from in the
past. We decided we’d reach out to Florida All Retriever Rescue & Friends (FARR) and join their foster home
volunteer group.
When dogs first come into rescue it’s often a very trying
time for both the organization and the dog. The rescue is trying to line up appropriate foster homes,
get the animal updated medically and begin to learn the dogs personality. The dog is usually scared and unsure of
what exactly is happening.
Sometimes they are owner-turn ins, sometimes a shelter is maxing out on space and other times they are found wandering the streets. Once FARR agrees to take them in, they are transported to the Tampa Bay area sometimes several transfers happen via plane and/or car from around Florida and even from Georgia or Alabama. Dogs, like children, relish in
consistency and love so when that is upended it is tough for them.
A few weeks ago an urgent call came asking for new foster homes to step up for a few dogs that needed to be placed as soon as possible.
That was our first venture into fostering. Since then, we’ve had one other foster – a pup who needed
lots of TLC since she had lived most her life in a shelter up to that
point. I won’t lie about this,
fostering is difficult. Logistics
alone are a lot, with pick ups, vet records, sometimes vet appointments, marketing
the dog, talking to potential adopters, setting meet and greets, paperwork when the adoption takes place, etc. But it is also challenging to adjust them
into a new environment with new people, a new routine and one that includes our two dogs as well.
Although we are new fosters, the rewards with the two dogs
we’ve helped have been outstanding.
Helping them to become better canine citizens has been fulfilling. It’s fun to
watch them grow and learn and play.
You can see it in their eyes when they begin to trust and relax and
relish in dog-play with the ever-ready partner, Teddy. :) It can be frustrating and trying on
your patience as you balance your life with the addition of someone new that
needs usually a good amount of love, discipline/guidance and attention.
I often joke to Nick that this is trying and I can’t
envision the ordeal parents of children must have on a day in and day out
basis. But I can guess what keeps
them going through the hard times.
The love and joy it must bring parents to see their kids having fun,
laughing, living, and being a kid.
To some degree that is what renews us in doing this. It’s the joy in seeing a dog get to be
a dog and in turn, it fills us up.
It’s what helps when we feel frustrated and tired.
I often think of our first foster and wonder how he’s doing
with his new home and family. He
seemed to fit right in as soon as they came to meet him. Like he knew this was where he was
supposed to go. However, our current foster is not yet adopted and there hasn't been a lot of interest just yet. I think that's because our foster group alone has lots and lots of dogs available. However, it's frustrating and sad. She is being prepared to move to a new foster home because we are going to be leaving for vacation soon. While our dogs are boarded, FARR's policy is that no available dogs go into boarding but are rather placed with another foster. I completely understand and agree with this policy. And I also know myself enough to know I am tired from this process. She's a real sweetheart but 5 month old pups are lots of constant work. I worry about her. I care for her and know she's not mine, we're only getting to influence part of her journey and I pray that she's going to get a new foster and eventually a new family that will care for her and give her a happy, full dog life. It's hard to love a pet who you know is only with you temporarily, but it's also so fulfilling to see the strides she makes daily because we do love her.
This whole thing may sound funny to read, especially if you aren’t a
dog lover. I am a dog person through and through. My first friend was a
dog. My first memories of my life
have dogs in them. Dogs are
important to me and to my family. And I am glad we can
help others who aren’t ours forever.
It is a challenge, a test of love, patience and a lesson in attachment and ownership. Maybe we can learn a lot about enjoying the moment, about forgiveness and about being able to celebrate something that isn't ours forever because as a foster dog so eloquently reminds us, everything is on a clock and nothing lasts forever. A dog can be such a
good teacher if only we listen.
I encourage you to find out about dog rescues in your area,
especially if you are looking to add a four-legged friend to your family. If you need recommendations in the
Central/Southwest Florida area, feel free to contact me. Another wonderful rescue we've adopted through is Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida. If you can foster, consider doing
so. If you can’t, there many other
ways to help and as with most things that have to do with dogs, there is joy
and wagging tails waiting for you.
Here’s to Casper and Polly and all animals that are
currently in transition, waiting for their new homes. And here’s to all the volunteers helping to ensure a new
lease on life for them.
Happy National Dog Day!
Jessica
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