I always do a year-end review at this time of year. And the number of fosters I’ve hosted each year is always a bright spot for me. Being able to look back on the memories with each precious soul who spent some time in my home with my pack learning how to be loved (maybe for the first time) warms my heart just when I need it most.
I started 2019 with two hospice foster dogs, Muffin and Tina, and they have both moved on to new homes after a few months because they weren’t quite as in need of “hospice” care as anyone expected. 2019 only included one bottle baby kitten to foster – Eggroll – and she was such a fun and lovable little nugget.
Sal came to me as a 10-year-old short-term medical foster in May. It was the same time my 14 year old chihuahua mix, Bea, was taking her final decline. Bea was my last dog that I’d had beside me for her entire life. I adopted (well, foster failed on) Sal only 5 days before I had to mercifully let Bea go to her final rest. His presence in my home has consistently made life better and I’m so grateful for his feisty little soul.
In the summer and fall, we took in two chihuahua brothers from death row who I named Sushi and Wasabi, and they stayed for about 6 weeks before they were adopted to a loving forever home. They were followed by Noodle, a tiny poodle mix who found himself on death row as well. He looks just like a bigger version of my dog Chicken and I absolutely intended to adopt him to boost her Instagram content with Chicken AND Noodle. Unfortunately, Noodle only lived for about 36 hours after I picked him up as a foster. He died on my lap on the way to the vet, and it was a heart-breaking day for me.
I get over heartache by helping more dogs, so a little while later, along came super sweet yellow lab, Connie, and then a 1.5 year old boxer mix, Clover, who just left for her home a week and a half ago. I started my YouTube channel with a video about that sweet girl to start telling the stories of the dogs that come to me, and those who stay.
We are all on a great adventure. My mindset is that I might as well save a few lives along the way if I can.
If you’re inspired to open your home to a foster pet, get in touch with a rescue or humane society near you!
