Doing a "rescue blog" is by no means something new. It is, however, something new to us! We decided to shake things up a little bit today to see how it turns out. Aside from this opening paragraph, this blog was written by one of our most dedicated fosters, Meredith. She has bailed us out of making some tough decisions in the past (and I am sure she will in the future!) and we could not be more happy to have her in our little group. She was also just accepted into a nonprofit administration master's program through John Carroll University and hopes to some day run her own Humane Society! Make sure to congratulate her in the comments below and if you enjoy reading this, check out her blog at: http://merediiith.blogspot.com/
The charity organization that is nearest & dearest to my heart is an animal rescue & adoption group known as Paws & Prayers. I have been a volunteer & foster parent since 2007; in total, I have provided a transitory home to fifteen dogs & two cats. I remember deciding that year I wanted to help an animal rescue. I searched on the internet for some in the area; luckily for me, Paws & Prayers was the first to respond to my inquiry emails. My life has been forever changed through this organization. The commitment & hard work of all the dedicated volunteers is nothing short of amazing.
Here are my thoughts on what it's like to be a foster parent to a dog or a cat.
With each new foster, you never know what to expect. A foster dog can drive you crazy. She might chew up a pair of your shoes. He might lift his leg & pee on your Christmas tree (which may have been his way of criticizing you for leaving it up throughout January). The dog may even slip her leash and then have you running down the sidewalk in your pajamas screaming "Pancakes!" - a risk you take when you enjoy naming your fosters after breakfast food. All in all, you never know what to expect. Fostering takes up extra time, money, & effort. It can be frustrating & it can be hard.
An example of the destruction a foster dog can do!
BUT.
It is also worth it all. According to the Humane Society of the United States, four MILLION dogs & cats are put down in shelters in this country each year. (What a good time to make a plug for spaying/neutering your pets!!!) When you take a scared, shaking, lonely dog out of their cage at the pound & offer them, temporarily, your home, you know you are doing something wonderful. An animal's life has been saved & in return you receive all the kisses, love, & doggie smiles that pet has to give. You give them a warm home, and they warm your heart. I personally feel compelled to help. The thought of animals being killed in those numbers hurts me to the core. I wish I could help them all.
Often, at animal adoption events, someone will say to me, "I don't know how you do it. I love animals too much. I could never let them go once they were in my home". I challenge this statement. It takes an incredible amount & special type of love to open your home & your heart to dog after dog after dog - caring for them & then letting them go, hoping & praying for their happiness. The best way I have found to describe this feeling is bittersweet. It hurts now to let that dog walk away from you, but you know you've done the right thing. Through finding this foster pet their forever family, you now have the opportunity to do it all over again.
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem. Ask yourself now; what can you do to help?
