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How not to adopt a dog

Last time I posted about adopting a dog, I had applied to more than 10 shelters. Since then, I had a couple false starts. One shelter called me – the perfect small dog, so playful! Oh wait, they had their exam and seems like they are very old and will be placed in a senior dog foster track. I set up a meet and greet with another shelter – a dog who was just posted on the website – a stray who was so matted that one of his eyes was completely hidden. I was ready to shower this dog with so much love

And then – my husband complained and changed his tone. He went from being tolerant accepting to being very annoyed like it was a choice between him or the dog. Like he would have nothing to do with the dog even if I was unable to care for it. Well… I work part time outside the home, so I still needed his buy in for this decision. So, with very unwilling fingers, I typed a text to cancel the meet and greet. And then, I cried for a day and a half. Sobbing so hard in my car before going in to the office that the vehicle shook. So loud that a stranger heard through my window, knocked on it, and asked if she could hold my hand for a bit.

Mountains of tissues.

I had to rush to work, so disposing of the tear absorbing white heap was not top of mind. During the middle of the work day, my husband came to switch cars with me so he could bring my car to the mechanic for the annual inspection. See, he’s sometimes useful. Don’t judge me for choosing him over the dog… for now. He notices all the details, and he noticed the presence of the sorrowful evidence I left behind. Accidentally of course.

Well… over the next few days he softened up, realizing the devotion I was prepared to give to a dog. He realized how much it meant to me. I jumped on this opportunity to interview with a couple shelters to be a foster mom, and less than two weeks later, I brought home this shy and shivering pooch – Snow.

How to foster a dog

I had 3 jobs as a foster dog mom. (1) Give the dog a happy home. (2) Get them acclimated to domestic life – crate training, potty training, and expecting snuggles. (3) Marketing – share photos and descriptions with the marketing team to post on social media, and bring the dog to as many events as I can (realistically 1-2 per month). The first task was easy. Toys abounded. Chew toys like benebones attacked! Human playmates available. Outdoor time and walks again and again.

The next one was surprisingly easy…. too easy. As I mentioned above, Snow appeared scared. He went into crate willingly, because he felt it was safer than being outside with humans. 🙁 After we got into a routine, and he knew he could rely on us for kibble and cuddles, he started to relax. He went from tail tucked, to tail wagging when he saw us (see video here – though the content topic is unrelated). Can you notice the difference between the photo above (day 1) and the photo below (day 21)?

The third task was also easy. I love writing. I love taking photos. Foster has been an amazing way to combine all the things I enjoy. I wrote about Snow’s routines. I wrote about his temper. I wrote about his quirks. And I took handsome photos like this one below.

Oh yes. Let me introduce you to Peter (what a silly. name for a dog right?). Snow was adopted in 3 weeks. The dog above is my second foster Peter, and he was adopted in ONLY EIGHT DAYS! In that short time period, I already noticed so many quirks like his ability to hold a grudge, or his ability just suddenly flop on the floor -I called this his Ker-Floof. I miss my floof balls. I had so much fun describing their personalities and trying to capture their essence in words and photos. The marketing team then took those raw ingredients and stirred them into magic potion posts that attracted the perfect fit fur-ever family for these dogs.

How to let go of fosters

I always gets asked if it’s hard for me and the kids to say goodbye to the dogs. How do we do that? Well, sometimes with tears, but, that sadness is always balanced with the satisfaction of playing a role in helping the dogs find their humans. I created a photo album to add photos of our foster dogs, so we can look back at our magical memories. I also feel that meeting so many dogs kind of allows me to live many life times of being a dog mom. When I find the gratitude and joy in the situation, it’s easy to let go.

How to fail at fostering

I absolutely still intend to adopt a dog. One day. And my husband is in agreement. Our time line is next summer. And, I absolutely intend to foster fail one day. The great thing about fostering with a shelter, is that if I think there is a high likelihood I might want to adopt my foster dog-baby, then I just let the marketing team know when I get the dog and/or asap. The marketing will hold off on posting about that dog, to give me time to decide. It’s a great way to get to the know the dog first. And to be honest, the timeline really is the only thing stopping us from foster failing sooner. I could see myself living with either snuggly Snow or plopping Peter. I can’t wait to a pup to call this crate and house their home. Stay tuned!