I had never fostered an animal before.
The thought of “renting” an animal didn’t appeal to me. How could you take one home and not fall in love with it?
Of course, I had thoughts of the expense, the extra set of paws, and the potential damage to the house. I decided it wasn’t for me.
Then came Sadie.
Sadie, 5 year old Border collie, was at Animal Control facing the end of her road. God really rode my heart over the waste of a fully trained, house broken, gentle spirited dog being put to sleep.
Final Score: GOD: One
Brett: Zero
Before I knew it, Sadie was sitting on my bed while the Dogwood pack looked at me as if to say, “What have you done?”
I wasn’t crazy about the idea of fostering, but I couldn’t stand by and let that dog die. I just kept telling myself that she wasn’t mine to keep.
Sadie stayed for 30 days before she found the perfect home. There was no reason to weep. She was alive, and happy. I had done my part.
I finally realized what fostering is about: Preserving life.
It’s about giving an animal that extra time to find their place in the world and that person who needs them.
As a foster family, you become their bridge from hopelessness to happiness.
You’re helping them cross over from a place of no future, to one where they will flourish and never look back.
That’s what it’s about –saving and extending life---giving each one the chance to fill someone’s heart with love. It’s what they were meant for.
I know people tell me, “I don’t want another animal” or “I can’t afford it.”
Most foster programs pay all vet expenses while you provide the home, food, and amenities. Shelters will even help with some cost just to save the animal.
I hear that familiar “I could never let them go.”
I understand that feeling.
You can save them, and suffer a little heart break, or stay away and allow them to be euthanized?
Brass Tacks: Your heartache will ease, but their elimination is forever.
Every shelter in town has a foster program that you can join up with. Once you are a foster family, you won’t have to wait long before a new paw will be knocking on your front door.
Will it be perfect? Uh…no.
Daisy, the second foster who we later adopted , chewed up shoes, peed on the carpet, howled in the middle of the night, etc.
Did I become frustrated? Sure.
Was she a pain in the butt sometimes? OH YEAH!
Did I stop loving her? Anyone who has ever looked into that sweet face knows the answer to that.
Daisy became a permanent Dogwood mutt because I just couldn't stand the thought of her calling someone else Daddy.
The third foster, Buddy Rabbit, stayed with us for 30 days before being adopted. Though I loved him dearly, I could not keep him as I had Daisy. Buddy Rabbit went thru two homes so far--not by any fault of his own--but because the families that adopted him had life changing events come about that made them surrender him back to the Montgomery County Friends of the Shelter. Buddy Rabbit (called HANK now) finally went to a TRUE FOREVER home. He is loved, spoiled, and having the time of his life
NOW--we have little LINUS as a foster. Only time will tell, but I know that SOMEONE will fall in love with him and WANT HIM FOR THEIR VERY OWN!!!
Look folks, the bottom line the FOSTERING is this: if I can do it—Lord knows ANYBODY can foster a dog or cat.
I urge you to get involved with the fostering programs sponsored by the local shelters. Contact them for info on their programs today because they need you now.
Anyone who would like to meet, foster, or ADOPT --contact your local shelters!!!
In WAVERLY TN--contact the shelter at 931-296-7319
In Clarksville--dial up the Humane Society at 931-648-8042
They can also put you in touch with Montgomery County Friends of the Shelter and other groups who need foster homes!!
The clock is ticking---and in pounds all around the country--each of those seconds that passes is marked by the last breath of an animal being put to sleep. YOU CAN STOP IT! But you have to ACT.
Please consider fostering animals from your local animal controls.
As always, I love reading your stories!!!!
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