Archive for the ‘Fostering’ Category
A Good Question
Sherri left a great comment on my post about my thoughts on fostering so I thought I would answer it here.
Sherri wrote:
thank you for your post. i’ve been seriously considering applying to foster as well (or at the very least adopting a dog of our very own). my biggest worry is how MY 7-year-old will handle having to give up the puppies when they find a forever home. also, do you work full time? how do you manage with walks, house training, etc.? any advice you could provide would be so helpful. thanks again :0)
Thanks Sherri for leaving a comment. I honestly think it is how you approach what you are doing openly with your child. At least, this worked well for me. I have been very honest with Cameron about why fostering these puppies is a good thing and what we are doing to save them. It has helped him take ownership of the process also. I made a statement the other night when I was goofing around with the dogs and said “how are my puppies” and he piped up from the living room saying “they are OUR puppies mommy”.
Julie, who organizes the fostering, says “don’t kiss the fosters” because its hard to let them go when you are attached. I agree with her. At the same time, I know that if one of the pups came into our world that “had” to stay with us that I would adopt it. I am not saying “no” to that avenue. And trust me, I have thought about the bear pups because they give me so much happiness, but I also know that I am helping them learn to be good pups that will complete some other family.
I do work full time but I have a dog walker who also lets the pups out for me during the day. It was more important when I first got them. Now, at almost three months they are able to hold their “stuff” for 5-7 hours. As for house training, I started off with feeding them in their crates. This helps them associate the crate with their den and they don’t like to go potty where they eat. Of course there were accidents. But, we haven’t had an accident in a week. I have hardwood floors. Whats a little pee? That’s what a mop is for. Of course, I do have the mop bucket fresh each day because with four dogs, a kid and me the floor does get dirty.
Fostering has really enriched my life. Erin, foster mama over at Haven for Dogs, said to me that she tells people she volunteers every day. That is what we do!
Hazel’s foster family sent me an update the other day about her which warmed my heart and re-enforced just how awesome doing this is – Hazel has taken to walking on her leash, she goes out for a walk with her human sister every morning before school and then gets to go on another walk during the day. The sense of happiness I get from them is rewarding.
Finally, this month’s ARF newsletter brings it home. In December, there were seven puppies that were sheltered in a tree with their mom. They were only a few days old. Because there weren’t any open foster homes ARF couldn’t take them. Recently, when ARF went back to check in, there were only three puppies there. Had their been homes these pups could have survived and could have made the perfect companion to some family out there.
It’s about doing what you can. If you aren’t sure about taking the step with fostering, there are many other ways to help out. We are at the PetSmart across from Chinook every Saturday from 1-3 and need volunteers to help there. We have the Pad for Paws campaign, the annual golf tournament, people to screen potential adopters and then those people who are able to help out with other fundraising campaigns. Just a few of the volunteer opportunities are listed on the ARF Website. If there are other questions about ARF or volunteering you can always send them an email and someone will contact you. Every little bit helps.
WOW … I can be long winded. So, if you have stuck with me this long, here is your reward …
Yes, that is Paddington, discovering the fresh water of the toilet.
