Fostering Stories
Story #1
The foster program is far from easy!
I am the most emotional person on this earth so the tears just flow. There is a big puddle in front of Petsmart and it isn’t from a puppy. It’s me crying as my foster baby walks away to their new forever home.
People have asked me why do you do this if you get so upset. My reply is they are happy tears and I have lots more. Yes, it’s a hard program but it’s so rewarding to know that you have given that dog a place to stay for a few weeks while he needed to get over the anxiety of being abandoned or mistreated.
A lot of the dogs out there in need of a foster home are pups. Some are even to young to have lost their mom. Being a foster parent can influence that pup to mature into a great dog. It’s a period of time they need a lot of love and the right training. So it is very important that you do this. Seeing them grow and change is the great reward and knowing that you may have just saved a life.
My first foster dog was a cruelty case that went on and on. Supposedly it was going to court and the dog would be released, spayed, and ready for adoption. This was the 23d of February 2007.
The court kept getting postponed and for many other reasons it kept dragging on. I was planning on leaving the middle of June and just knew that this would be over and Lady would have her new home long before June. Well, it wasn’t.
Lady had come such a long way I was frantic in thinking I’d have to leave her. When I got her she had ears packed full of nasty stuff and needed vet care for that. She hadn’t been eating much probably because it hurt her to chew food with those ears in such an awful state.
It all turned out wonderful as she found another place to go and the family fell in love with her and as soon as the court proceedings were over she was adopted. I’m still her “God Mom” and see her ever now and again. Lady hasn’t forgotten me either. She is so happy to see me and I know she’s thanking me. So it all came out just the way it was supposed to in the end.
This is Crusher. He was found abandoned, wrapped in a towel lying by a fire hydrant. I happened to be at the Humane Society when he had just got there so I took him home. He was barely old enough to be weaned. I stirred him up baby doggie formula and made it warm for him. He started to grow like a weed. He had the most fun personality and kept us laughing and actually made us happier than I suppose we did him.
He was always doing something and loved to crawl all over my big girl. In a few weeks I took him to be neutered, dreading the trip to Petsmart because I knew he would be adopted the minute I got there but that’s the idea and the purpose of being a foster mom. Well it didn’t happen! I got a call telling me I didn’t have to come get him. Thoughts of horror went flashing threw my head but……… The doctor fell in love while he was on the table and said “This one is mine! He now lives happily in Phoenix with another boxer whom he has grown up to look just like. Oh yes, changed that name…… it’s Ky-Otie now.
Liddie's Story
I decided to start fostering cats and kittens after losing my 18 y/o gray tabby Kalamity. I had helped with fundraisers for the Humane Society but missed having a warm fuzzy animal on my lap. Someone to comfort me when I was feeling under the weather and someone who made me laugh with his antics.
I guess my best experience and everyone of them is a great experience, is I picked up a family of 6, [mamma and 5 kitties] about 3 weeks old. I saw in another cage 4 kitties about 5-6 weeks old. I asked Linda to take them as I was already set up for 2 families. She said no that their card had been pulled. It took me a few moments to realize what meant. They were literally going to be taken to "The Room" within the next 5 minutes.
I asked her for a reprieve and thankfully they were "Pardoned." I kept them for the usual time of shots and sterilization.
Let me tell you Ryan, Sharpie, Andy and Kristian were the most lovable, sweetest kitties that could be. They gave us and our friends a lot of laughter and love.
They were all adopted at Petsmart within a week after the time came for adoption.
Yes it tears at your heart a little when it comes time for them to leave but it is also very rewarding to know that you save a little life that will give someone a lot of love, affection and joyous moments to name a few. Who knows the one you save may save a life, whether it be an elderly person who needs a companion or one who wakes a family when a fire breaks out [known to have happened].
You can do it, you can make time, YOU can make a difference. Please Help.
SAVE A LIFE!!
Liddy Causey
Foster Parent
Dear Linda,
This letter is long overdue. It's me, Mr Chips. I was remembering the other day my first 9 months with my person, Jeanne and how I was the only child. I kind of liked it that way. . . I got ALL of her love and attention and had the whole house to myself. Then you came along! We met you when she would take me to PetSmart on Sunday afternoons. Somehow, Jeanne learned about that foster program you have. The next thing I know, some little kitten named Demi Precious is moving in to my house. Enclosed is a photo of us with her eating out of MY food bowl. It was okay, really. Just had to get used to having a friend.
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| From Foster Succes Story - Jeanne |
Then there was the Siamese girl who was only supposed to stay until we could get her in to a Siamese rescue. Yeah right. She stayed too. But before you think they all stayed. There have been times when we've had 30+ kittens a year going in and out of the house. I told my momma we need a revolving kitty door. Here is a photo of me with the latest baby I helped to raise. I have became a proud poppa more than once. Yes, it's hard when they leave to be adopted, but have no fear. It is never long before Momma Jeanne brings me home more babies. I've even been caught, gasp, blush, giving them a bath. And I get mad when she clips their nails and they cry. How dare she do that to my babies. We are currently full at Foerster's Foster Kitten home. The current population here is 12 including me. I know that soon they will move on. Momma Jeanne says we'll take a break for a month and just be the four of us; her, me, Missy and Ebony. I'll believe thatwhen it happens.
Sincerely yours,
His highness, as my momma calls me,
Mr Chips
