Fostering Stories

What is a typical foster family? Our fosters are as diverse as the writing styles in their Fostering Stories. Some work full time outside the home, some have a stay at home adult, some are retired. Some have children or grandchildren. Some live in homes with fenced or unfenced yards and others in apartments or town homes. Some have cats and most, although not all, have other dogs and an occasional rodent, reptile or feathered friend to round out their family. That is where the differences cease however. They meet on the common ground of an abiding love for this wonderful breed and a willingness to help those displaced dogs that desperately need us.

Although the need is year–around our shortage of foster space is particularly acute during the summer months for several reasons. We take in almost 70% of our dogs between the months of May and September… a period of time when many of our foster families are on a well-deserved vacation. We also need families that can take a dog during spay/neuter surgery recovery or during heartworm treatment. This requires that a dog be kept quiet and leash walked only so a fenced in yard is not required, although a reasonably calm family environment is important. Think of it this way… a vacation foster or a surgery recovery foster are short term and finite in duration and are great way to do a ‘test run’ to see if being a foster home is a good fit for your family.

The plain, simple and very painful truth is that if we do not have foster homes, we cannot take in dogs in need. If, as you are reading this, you find yourself stroking the head of your dog lying contently beside you, or your thoughts drift to a much beloved pet from years gone by, please reflect for a moment and see if there is room in your heart and home to help a dog that, without us, faces an uncertain and unfortunate future.

Please contact Wylyn Doherty  - wylyn@grrcc.com  or Bodee Corby  - Bodee@grrcc.com

Why We Foster - Michelle Klingenberg

We fostered our first dog, a Weimaraner named "Hank", quite by accident. Living in Colorado at the time and a new volunteer with the Mile High Weimaraner Rescue, I was 7 months pregnant with twins and had a 3 year old son (not to mention my own two Weimaraners). All I was "supposed" to do was to pick up a male Weimaraner and deliver him to a boarding kennel until a foster home became available. I did indeed pick up the dog, but Hank never made it to the kennel….but to my home instead. We had Hank for 3 weeks, and interviewed 5 families who wished to adopt him. As hard as it was for me to imagine any other home being as good as mine (smile, high expectations I had)…Hank’s forever home did meet those expectations (and more). I do admit that I cried for 3 days after Hank left our home to start his new life, but I also like to blame at least some of those tears on the hormones of a twin pregnancy! We continued to foster Weimaraners in Colorado periodically, and each experience was unique and special in its own way. Initially I worried about how my young children would come to understand their "temporary" dogs…I did not give my kids enough credit. Somehow I think they understand the foster experience better than me and my husband.

When we moved to Charlotte almost two years ago, I became involved (maybe by accident, more likely by fate) with GRRCC. We have fostered a few Goldens for short term, but we then adopted a third dog and felt that our fostering days were limited (the house is pretty full with 3 kids, 3 dogs and a husband). I will never forget my foster experiences, and the incredible rewards that fostering a dog brings. There is something very special about taking a foster dog "under your wing"…helping them trust again, helping them heal, watching them blossom before your eyes, discovering their personalities, helping them learn, and giving them confidence to love again.

Please consider making a BIG difference in the life of a rescued Golden, become a foster family!

Why We Foster - Julie and Josh

We began fostering about 6 months after we adopted our dog – Edie - from the GRRCC in November 2005. We had lost our previous golden – Ginger – to lymphoma only about 6 weeks before then and when she was only 4 ½ years old. Edie’s foster mom had found her as a stray lying by the side of the road and had even thought she was a black dog because she was so dirty! We were happy to make Edie part of our family and were inspired to foster.

Our first foster was Ollie, a great young fella, full of energy. We are usually given healthy young males since their energy level and personality generally match our young, energetic female’s. Ollie stayed with us just over a month and was shaping up to be a really great dog. Several people were interested in him but they just couldn’t work out meeting him. Finally, a couple called who had lost their 13 year old golden and their 12 year old female golden was left without her "brother". She had been quite spry but had grown sullen with the loss of her playmate. We were all apprehensive on how well such a young dog would get along with an "older lady". Well, the meeting in the yard could not have gone better. The couple said it was the first time she had played and perked up to another dog since she lost her "brother" – obviously a "meant-to-be" match. It was sad to see him go but great to know not only did he make the humans happy; he saved his new sister from loneliness. Then our apprehension began again, would Edie miss Ollie and become depressed herself? Nope, Edie takes each foster in stride, enjoying each new playmate and just resting up after they’ve been adopted.

We’ve fostered 5 other dogs in a year’s time - most turned in due to lack of attention from their families. One – Shadow - who had lived in an apartment and was completely claustrophobic. He would not walk through our kitchen or go in the utility room (and that’s where dinner was!). It was rewarding to see as we worked with him to see his progress and come away new and healed from whatever treatment led to such behavior in the first place. By the time he was adopted – just a month’s time with us – we had him going in the kitchen and walking down the hallway with confidence! We’ll also not forget Tupper – quite a well trained and beloved dog – who knew how to give double high fives! And 10 month old Monty who only stayed 5 days but amazed us with his maturity and willingness to learn. Not to mention his big ‘ol furry bear head!

None of these dogs can fully understand why they have just been uprooted from the lives they knew (good or bad). And of course there are challenges at first, but these dogs haven’t done anything to deserve their world being world being turned upside down so we’re here to make the transition to their new life a little easier for them. It seems they always move on to the forever family they were meant to be with through the GRRCC. As an added bonus, I believe the experience helps our Edie become more mature as we count on her to be a good role model and help show our fosters the ropes in dog language. Not to mention her playmates keep her nice and trim – seems they always show up when she needs to drop a few pounds!

Why I Foster - Jackie

I have not had a foster dog for 3 years. The two that I did foster never left my home. I just had to adopt them. Adopting is the easy part. The hardest part is letting them go. I knew that I could do it this time as I have two Goldens and knew that a third would be hard for me. I could do it this time, I just knew it.

So, I get a call asking me to foster Brandi. She was 9 years old and a huge teddy bear. I have a soft spot for the older dogs and they fit well with my two Goldens. Brandi settled in quickly to our routine. I must say that I got a little worried d at times as she would follow me everywhere, she so wanted the attention she had not gotten in her previous home! I just wanted her to relax and enjoy her time here. Actually I thought that I would have her for a long time. Well, I was given an application by the adoption coordinator to screen. His name was Bill and he was interested specifically in Brandi. I was very excited but cautious. She would be going to the mountains 2 ½ hours away! I have only had her 3 weeks! What will she think if I let her go?

3 weeks and 1 day after Brandi came into my home, Bill drove down to meet her. The human said "wow" and if dogs could talk, Brandi was saying exactly the same thing. It was love at first sight and I was completely forgotten by both Bill and Brandi for the next hour as they obviously only had eyes for each other. Brandi girl had just been waiting at my home for her adopted Dad to discover her. She jumped in his car an hour later and never looked back. I thought that I would just cry buckets when she was adopted, but did not. She knew she was going Home the minute Bill walked in the door.

I am just waiting for my next foster.

Why I Foster - Bodee Corby

Why do I foster? Being asked to write my ‘fostering story’ made me actually think about this and I realized this straight forward question has a more multi-faceted answer than I would have thought.

First of all I do it for these wonderful dogs. The pure, simple, and terribly sad reality is that if GRRCC doesn’t have foster homes available, we can’t take in the dogs that need our help. I know it is not finding a cure for AIDS or solving world hunger. Frankly, I am incapable of doing those things but I am capable of fostering a dog. It allows me to make a difference in the life of a sentient creature that relies solely on us for their very existence and one who has been cast aside by the same people who they loved unconditionally. We sometimes forget to take (or make) the time to make a difference in this frenzied 21^st century world. Fostering reminds me to find that time. I do it for the joy these foster dogs bring me every single day as I watch them grow and heal. I do it for the bittersweet tears that I shed as they go to their forever homes…looking only forward, their past just that; something to be left behind in anticipation of new and glorious adventures that surely await them just around the bend. I do it because I am able to, and because I have made a conscious choice and commitment to make room in my home for a dog in need.

Secondly, I foster for the ‘learning’ and ‘reminding’ it brings to me daily…both intellectual and emotional. I have learned so very much about the wellness, behavior, and training needs of this glorious breed since being involved with rescue and becoming a foster home. So much so that there are many times when I marvel at the fact that my own previous dogs somehow managed to end up normal, healthy and at least reasonably well mannered.

More than that though, I do it for the emotional learning and ‘reminding’ that each dog has given me. Of the many foster dogs I have had, two stand out most in my mind as Teachers. I learned the most from Boone; one of my early foster dogs. When he was found by a Good Samaritan he was at most days, and possibly hours, away from death from starvation and dehydration, loaded with parasites and, of course, heartworm positive. His physical ills were nothing however compared to his emotional state. Boone was simply terrified of life - everything from people, to a falling leaf to the sound of running water. Healing Boone’s heart was going to prove much more difficult than healing his body. Boone’s progress was often times painfully slow…many days we took one step forward, only to take two steps back the next day. Slowly we moved forward until the day came when his tail began to wag, his eyes started to shine and his terror at life began to lessen. It was nothing short of amazing to me to watch the transformation that he began to make; it was as if he had awoken from a long and terrible nightmare and was finally allowed to live a dream. I am not a person overloaded with patience and it was difficult for me to acknowledge that I couldn’t control the timing or speed of Boone’s progress. I was forced to repeatedly remind myself that with ‘issues of the heart’, things will happen not one minute before they are meant to and not necessarily in an order I would have orchestrated. Boone now lives with a wonderful family with another dog and three young children to play with. They describe him as a simply awesome dog. This same dog that was scared of the world recently marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, nonplussed by marching bands, clowns on stilts and screaming crowds. He has a few quirks that remain but his family loves him because of them, not in spite of them. Thank you Boone; for reminding me about the inestimable value of and need for patience (mine) and the awesome power of a resilient spirit (yours).

Then there was Georgie...an absolutely spectacular and wonderfully trained young girl that had a seizure disorder. It took our vets some time to get her seizures under control with medication but eventually they were successful. Throughout the trial and errors, and innumerable trips to various vets involved with finding the right medication ‘recipe’, Georgie was just an incredibly happy dog…loving every person and other living creature she encountered with unabashed enthusiasm. When I came home from work I was greeted with a huge toothy smile and a furiously wagging tail. It was like I was her long lost best friend and, let if be said, she put my own dogs to shame in the "let me show you how glad I am that you’re home’ department. It was hard to believe there could be a better dog anywhere but somehow, no one applied to adopt her. It was as if her seizure history (and future) somehow made her something scary that should be avoided at all costs. Eventually though, and as always happens, the right family came along. They had another dog with a seizure disorder and understood clearly that it was nothing to be feared or shunned. They fell in love with her immediately, seeing her not as a "special needs" dog but simply for what she was; a four legged cure for a bad day! Thank you Georgie; for reminding me to slow down and take the time to look below the surface of a person or a situation. It is amazing what can be seen.

There are many other foster dogs that have come through my door. The majority with less remarkable stories than Boone’s or Georgie’s although they themselves were no less so. They have stayed for a week or a month or just a few days but I have learned from each of them. I only hope I am as good a student as they were teachers.

Finally, and most importantly to me, I foster because of Parker, Katie, Finnegan and Annie; the four glorious rescue dogs that have honored me with their love and presence throughout much of my adult life. Through the kindness of countless strangers with rescue groups in three different states, my dogs were taken in, made well again and kept safe until fate and my good fortune brought me to them. I can’t help but wonder what would have become of them if there had not been foster homes available when they needed to be given up by their owners or pulled from high kill shelters. It is not something I care to dwell on. Instead I will be that ‘kind stranger’ who will welcome foster dogs into my heart and home, help them to heal and keep them safe until such time as their Forever Family finds them. Some may call it paying something back. To me, I think of it as paying something forward.

Why I Foster - Gene Fitzpatrick, Foster "Dad"

Many of you know the story of how I became a foster "Dad".  For those who don’t or need a refresher course, I will try to take you on the long and winding road.

Back in January 2003, I was recently separated from my wife and had moved into a town home.  I received a call from Kathy Nixon, who was GRRCC’s rescue chairperson for many, many years.  The conversation started out with no fluff.  If you know Kathy, you know she gets right to the point.  She said, "Gene, I know you are living on your own now and don’t have a dog.  We are in desperate straits at GRRCC. We have a girl who has been in the kennel for 4 months who we have not been able to place for adoption because of issues with other dogs.  Since we don’t have any foster families who don’t have dogs, would you be able to take LUCY for a weekend to see how she would do with a person with no other dogs around."  She was very aggressive with toys with other dogs in the kennel and would not let them near the toys or balls. We, of course, knew nothing about her background as is the case in so many of these beautiful babies.  This is the information that remained on the website for Lucy for months; it was not changed since we truly did not know how she would eventually behave with other dogs while walking, at the Dog Park, etc.

I guess Kathy caught me at a weak moment and I said, "Why, sure, I will keep her for the weekend."  Well, that weekend turned into 7 months of fostering.  It didn’t seem like 7 months, though. 

After picking Lucy up at Kathy’s home that Friday afternoon, I came directly home loaded down with dog food, some medication, and dog toys.  I introduced Lucy to my home and then let her roam as much as she wanted in the house.  To my surprise, she never did any damage, never left any surprises and never turned on me.  I learned so much from her even though I had owned Goldens for more than 12 years and had 3 at one time for about 4 or 5 years.  I learned that you can love one of these magnificent creatures and still give them up so they can have a better life with their forever home. About two to three weeks after picking Lucy up, I wrote my first love letter to GRRCC for publication in our newsletter.  I aptly titled the letter "I Love Lucy".  It addressed many of the issues that were on the website from my perspective and we purposely did not change the initial website information since we had no idea if her new behavior would hold true for a new family.

Time went on and still no one was interested in Lucy.  I did everything with her, taking her to our favorite hangout Manhattan Bagel at Arboretum every weekend, weather permitting.  We were perched outside on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 AM introducing ourselves to all comers and telling those interested about GRRCC and particularly about Lucy. She rode in my car everywhere I could possibly take her.  I went so far as to have business cards printed with the GRRCC info on them introducing myself as a "Foster Dad".  We received a lot of attention, but still no takers.  I never gave up, however.  I knew Lucy’s forever home was out there somewhere.

I guess the Lord does truly work in mysterious ways because suddenly, out of the blue, Kathy got a call that someone was interested in Lucy.  We had changed the information about Lucy on the website to show how much she had changed and became accepting of other dogs, but still was possessive of her toys.  We felt we could not place her in a home with another dog, and were a little concerned about placing her in a home with small children.  Our worries were all for naught when her forever Dad and Mom came to visit and we found out so much about them.  They fell in love with Lucy as quickly as they dropped down on the floor of my home to meet and greet her.  I can still picture Jack on the floor of my kitchen even though it is almost 4 years since that meeting.  Jack and Mary had found their "baby" and Lucy had found her forever home.  After being a part of me for 7 months, I thought it would be difficult to not have Lucy around, but I found I had the temperament to handle the foster situation.  Since Lucy, I have successfully fostered 27 other of our Golden babies and have never looked back.  I do see many of them at our picnics, grooming days, gift wrap sessions, etc. and many of them still recognize my voice and scent.  I do have a few favorites and I won’t tell you all of them, but you can be sure Lucy is at the top of the list.

For those who wonder about fostering and not being able to give them up, please realize that there may be a better home for a dog than the one you may be offering up to them and wonderful families that want them desperately  They will get a forever home which may offer more time, more love, more kids (maybe), more yard to roam and investigate, or a host of items you may be unable to offer.  You will still have a bond with your "babies" and will get so much satisfaction and love from your fostering. 

Why We Foster - Gwyn & Rick

As our daughters were getting older we were searching for a way to give back as a family and learned of a friend whose family was fostering golden retrievers. We had a young and energetic golden named "Hunny" and thought this might be a way for our family to volunteer together and make a difference and help the beloved Golden Retriever breed. Within a week of talking to GRRCC, we had our first beautiful golden foster boy "Cota". I had never seen such beautiful fur on this majestic looking dog. Hunny, of course was not so impressed and was not sure she was so willing to lend a hand to our fostering. Since she had been raised as the top and only dog in our household it took a while for her to warm up. Within a few weeks Cota was adopted by a wonderful family and our children were very sad. Although this was their first foster, they had quickly grown very attached. Hunny, of course shed no tears that day! Cota jumped in his new family’s car and never looked back.

Over the past two years we have fostered, Parker (who scared us to death by almost dying from pneumonia), Max, Daisy (a sweet girl), Rex (a fun loving puppy), Maverick, Newman, Stevie (innocent and curious of the world around him) and right now we have Chloe. It has been a wonderful journey for so many reasons. We have learned so much about Golden’s over the two years and also received such joy from these dogs with their love and antics. Our children have grown more confident around animals and know that even though they are sad when when a foster dog leaves that they are going to unbelievable homes and that there will be another Golden soon that will need us. They are also proud of the work that they have done with each golden and can’t wait to show their friends that latest foster that has come to live with us. Hunny has gotten much better too. It takes her a couple of days to adjust but she has learned to stand back and stoically let these fosters get all the love and attention they need. She seems to know that they have, many times, been deprived of food and care and she will patiently sit back and let the foster eat from her bowl, chew all her bones and even sleep on her parent’s bed. Typically within a few days all bets are off and she is playing with and loving her new companions.

All of the two and four legged members of our family have learned and grown from having our foster dogs. We are glad we can help and will continue to do so as long as there are dogs in need.

Why I Foster - Diane

Oliver was our third short-term foster dog and when he came in, my heart just about broke. He was the skinniest dog I had ever seen, his ribs delineated like you wouldn't believe. Yet he just wanted to love and be loved in spite of his condition! We only had him for a short while but it made us feel so wonderful to be able to give some love and TLC to this poor abused creature and start him on the path to the kind of life he so rightfully deserved.

Why I Foster - Beth

We had been together forever – Amber and I. I got her when she was 5 ½ weeks old and she left me last August with 13+ years under her collar; her whole life spent with me and much of my adult life spent with her. We were inseparable. Through new boyfriends, jobs, and cities, she was there. We had enough address and phone number changes together that we could have saved all of her doggy IDs to make me quite a jingly charm bracelet. She had flown enough times that she should have earned her own frequent flier miles, and she definitely earned a reputation with airport personnel for de-crating herself inside of the pressurized storage compartments of assorted jets no less than 3 times. To this day, I’m sure that Amber, the escape artist, is one of the main reasons US Airways will no longer fly pets. Needless to say, when Amber decided to crossover, the world as I knew it - full of fur floating in sunbeams, wet tennis balls, noseprints on windows, and happy tails - was gone instantly and forever. The house, and my world, were empty.

As much as I knew that I was not ready for another doggy marriage, I also knew I wasn’t ready for an empty house. Fortunately, GRRCC was ready for me. I called them and told them that I wanted to try fostering. I told them that I had no idea if I could handle it or not, but I wanted to find out. Everyone that I spoke with had already hit this point in their lives and understood how I felt and believed in me and agreed to give me a test drive. One of the people I interviewed with indicated that anyone that could keep a golden alive for 13+ years must know how to take care of them and should make an excellent foster parent. My first foster arrived a couple of weeks later.

Jenny was a six-year old, dark red golden who needed to be spayed and then find her forever home. She was sweet and gentle, but she was quite aloof. She let me pet her and rub her but she never really returned my affection. She hadn’t had a great prior life and had no idea how to play. I actually got her to do something resembling playing for about 90 seconds until I made the mistake of taking the toy to throw it for her. She thought I was reprimanding her and never touched a toy again, even with encouragement. I was sure she was never going to be adopted because no one wants an unaffectionate Golden. To my complete and total surprise, I only had Jenny for exactly 15 days. The first people to meet her called twice and then showed up ½ hour early for their introduction. The wife liked her and wanted her immediately, but the husband was leery of a "damaged" dog. Then Jenny did something amazing – she climbed up on the sofa and put her head in the husband’s lap, just like any normal golden would and something she had never even come close to doing with me. He looked at his wife, she looked at me, and that was that – a new forever family was born. Jenny trotted out to the car with her new forever dad and climbed right into the backseat like they had been doing it forever. She was off to her new life without even a glance back.

I’ve had 6 official foster dogs stay with me so far. Each dog had quite different personalities, and was with me for different lengths of time. Although each dog had some "golden" traits, none of the dogs was what I think of as a golden personality when they arrived on my doorstep, although some were more "golden" than others were. I was blessed with the opportunity to help find their hidden personalities, and for each dog it was a joy to watch them bloom out into a golden retriever. I never feel so fulfilled as when I watch a "foster" become a "forever".

One of these days, one of my fosters will become my new forever dog. But until I meet my forever golden partner, I will continue to be a foster mom to whoever needs me.

Why We Foster - Kim & Chris Meyers-Cicak

Chris and I started fostering in February 2006 after reading on the GRRCC website about their desperate need for foster homes. We immediately completed our application and had our home visit and found out we would get our first foster dog within days. Jake came to us extremely thin, heartworm positive and very timid and submissive due having spent his entire three years of life chained to a tree. We will never forget the day he came around the corner and the sight of his big melon head made us smile. We nearly lost our first foster as he had significant complications from his heartworm treatment. I remember sitting at the vet’s office in tears as I held his head in my lap. I just kept telling myself that I hated to see anything happen to him, but I knew for a fact the 3 weeks he had been with us were probably the best of his life.

It was then and there we knew what a good thing it was to foster these animals. Luckily Jake pulled through and is a happy 4 year old. After all we had been through together we could not let him go and adopted him into our family. We are all happy and he has a great life with his 10 year old golden sister Cherokee.

We have fostered three other Golden's since our adoption of Jake and each one has been fantastic. Each one has had their own personality and baggage. It is hard to know their history or past life as it amazes us how poorly people can treat these beautiful creatures. It is a wonderful feeling to bring one of these beauties into our home and give them the love, attention, food and care they deserve and want. The worst part is trying to not get attached. Luckily we have realized that 2 full time Goldens are all we can handle in our modest home, but we love to foster. The greatest pleasure is when an adoptive family comes to see the dog. It is so rewarding to see the excitement of the prospective families as well as the dog. I truly believe, as a friend once told me, the animals know their "forever" home as immediately as the family knows their ‘forever’ dog. Fostering is a win-win for everyone. You get the opportunity to show this dog what true love and family life is really all about and the dog can see what the "good life" is.

Why We Foster - Brian, Laura, Jessie and "Max" Confoy

They say that whatever you give you get back ten-fold. Be careful future foster families. We started fostering a year ago to have a friend for our golden. Fifteen dogs later we have two of our own, another coming this summer and we can't think of not continuing to foster. First and foremost it’s our furry friends who say thank you a hundred times a day. Then it's the forever homes who are a breed apart- always finding a place in their hearts to overlook whatever we have taken in (maybe she’s a bit of a mix she has a golden face and heart-that’s all that matters, right?) and instead look past the minor shortcomings; loving them for who they really are- the most trusting, loving, compassionate and forgiving friends on earth.

Thank you GRCC for keeping the Goldens coming - we couldn't imagine our life without another foster on the way.

Why We Foster - Tom & Carol Kernan

The only reason rescue works is because a golden lives in the moment. The reason the dog is no longer at his last home and, to a great extent, everything connected with the last home, fades from the dog's memory.

As the days pass in a new home, the dog relaxes, shows more of its personality and begins to enjoy its new experiences. Why ? Because the dog's nature is to try to fit into its new "pack". It does not forget any of the positive training it has already received, but works hard to adapt by learning the ways of the new household.

The new household accepts the dog's efforts and the bond, both ways, grows.

Why rescue a dog ? Because you get an animal whose character, disposition and physical makeup are already established... because if it doesn't work out, the dog does back to rescue... because you cannot lose in this situation.

Why foster a golden? Another rescue group's motto" if not you, who; if not now, when?"  capsulizes that question's answer.

The more you have benefited from the companionship of goldens, the more capable you are to befriend and evaluate a dog needing a foster home. Your input helps that golden find the best suited specific adopting home.

Is it hard to let a foster dog go into its adopter's car ? Of course. Does it make you feel good when this happens ? Almost as much as it is hard to watch.

Why We Foster - Wylyn

People often ask me how it is possible to foster a dog and then watch him (or her) leave to start a new life with another family.  My answer is truthful -- that it is easier to let some dogs go than others, and that each one that leaves takes just a little piece of my heart with him.  I have been fostering for various rescues for over eight years now, and I must admit that the longer I foster, the easier it gets.  The very first dog I fostered was a severely injured Golden puppy, and when he left, healthy and happy, I cried for three days.  But knowing that he was starting a new life with a family that wanted him desperately eased the pain of "losing" him.

It is so difficult to convince some people that they "can" foster.  So many dog lovers insist that they will fall in love with their foster dogs, and I suppose that, to a certain extent, we ALL fall in love with our fosters just a little bit.  However, since GRRCC is so incredibly picky about the homes that our dogs go to, I have always been able to rest assured that "my" foster dogs will go on to happy, love-filled homes with people who truly want them to be part of their family. 

I have been fortunate enough to be able to share my home and my life with multiple dogs for many years now.  Currently, my husband (AKA, "Saint Mike") and I have five large dogs, four cats, and two children, who are mostly grown at this point in time.  I give my "pack" credit for helping my foster dogs in many, many ways.  When I take in a dog that has been severely undersocialized, my dogs step up to the plate and teach him in short order how to toe the line.  My cats patiently (for the most part) suffer the indignities of being poked, prodded, and occasionally chased, until they declare "ENOUGH!" and deliver a well-aimed swat to the nose of the offending canine.  My kids have learned that Mom is going to foster, no matter what, so they may as well just get used to it.  And my husband makes room in his heart for another dog, albeit temporarily.

When the time comes for my foster to move on to his forever home, am I sad?  Yes, most of the time.  But I remind myself that if I do not let this dog go, there will not be room to help yet another dog.  As Intake Coordinator, I can promise you that there is always another dog waiting for our help -- for a foster home that will love and nurture him until his "perfect" family comes along. 

Finally, I foster because of Clancy, my GRRCC dog that joined our clan last summer.  Clancy was a stray that ended up in an area shelter, skinny and heartworm positive.  He is healthy now, and such an integral part of our lives that I can barely remember a time when he wasn't with us.  Each morning, he jumps up into our bed for "cuddle time," and reminds me of what I know is true:  Second hand dogs give first class love.  Please consider giving a second hand dog a chance at a new life -- foster a dog.  The rewards are immeasurable.

Why Do We Foster - Stacy Draper and Family 2007

Fostering? What does this mean? To our family it means to be able to unconditionally love and care for, teach, and let go. It sounds so simple because it really is. The joy you get from fostering cannot easily be put into words but I will give it my best effort.

The first foster dog that we had was Ben; he was great in every way. He was sweet, gentle, and loved to be around me, he was what one would call a "Velcro dog". I just knew that once I got him home I could not let him go. I thought to myself "after this one I will not ever do this again". But, when I was contacted by the adoption coordinator and told that someone would be calling to arrange to met Ben I was so happy for him that all of the "me factor" was gone. I bathed him and told him that a family was coming to meet him and they may want to take him home and love him forever. I also told him that I would always love him but this new family was going to take care of him and he would never have to be scared or alone again. I know, I know, to some that may seem strange but believe me the foster dogs understand you! When his forever family came to meet him it was unbelievable, if I hadn’t seen it for my own eyes I wouldn’t believe it. The dog that had been attached to my leg for 2 weeks and wasn’t at all interested in our family’s guests was jumping all over his forever mom. When she came into my living room he totally forgot about me, bolted across the couch and basically jumped into her arms which is where he stayed until they left. The picture I have of them together is of him sitting on top of her on my couch. When she said it was time for her to go he immediately jumped off of the couch and was right by her side and that was that! Now, I won’t tell you that there were no tears shed because there were plenty, but only because I was so happy for him. And as for Ben; he never looked back- he knew he was going home. After this I was never worried that I would "get attached" because I knew that I would. I also knew at the same time that I would be able to let them go very easily to a family that would forever and always love them.

At this point it was clear to me that fostering was going to be one of easiest and most gratifying things that I had ever done. The dogs that I would get to foster would never again be sick, homeless, scared, in pain, tortured, neglected, starved or, abandoned EVER again. They would ALWAYS be loved, cared for and treated as a member of the family for the rest of their lives no matter how long or short. How often in life can you do that for a living creature?

My children ages 12, 8, and 6 are a big part of our fostering experience. They help us love, teach, and care for the foster dogs which gives them a huge feeling of pride and accomplishment. We have often taken in dogs that are 15 pounds over weight (or under weight), that have open sores or lost hair all over due to neglect. Miraculously, in 2-3 weeks they look like a different dog -it is truly an amazing feeling. Not only do they look differently they act and feel differently because they are happy, not scared, and on their way to being completely healthy. Of course all cases are different; some not as severe, some more severe but the goal and final product are the same, a confident, healthy, loving dog to be placed with a family that will always love him/her. My children are so proud of what they do and they love it as much as I do.

It is true that we are not saving the world. However the sweet innocent lives that we do get the honor of helping are more appreciative than you could ever imagine and without foster families that would not be possible. The way I see it is that the 20 or so dogs that I have fostered would either still be suffering or would have died a terrible death had I not fostered them. What did it cost me? Nothing! As a matter of fact it gives me great pleasure and joy to have these babies in my home!

I have loved every foster dog that I have had the pleasure of taking care of. Some young, some old, some healthy but just not wanted anymore, and some very sick but all of them have had the same thing in common- they needed help and a loving family! Did I ever want to adopt one of my fosters for my own? Absolutely, but then I would have 5 dogs and would not be able to continue to help other dogs. You learn to love them as your own and let them go once you find the right forever family. You will know them the minute you meet them and your foster baby will let you know immediately if they have found their new home at last. If they are right and there will be no question, it will just feel right. All of these things and so much more are the reasons our family fosters and will continue to.