fostering at the other end of the life spectrum

by Julie Randall, LDDR foster/volunteer

puppy loveTwo weeks ago we said good bye to a dear senior and I wrote about the amazingly selfless people who fostered seniors.  Two days ago someone contacted the rescue about the cutest puppy I have ever seen, period.  Just a stunningly gorgeous puppy.  And that got me to thinking about those who foster our puppies and pregnant moms.

You see the puppy pictures and how can you not let out a sigh- they're cute.  Just downright adorable.  What isn’t as obvious is the work behind getting those moms and puppies ready for adoption.  Moms are often very clingy right before they give birth.  I’m not sure why but its sweet.  But they can get really protective after they give birth.  Not all, but some and it has to be worked with for the good of everybody.

Moms do most of the work the first couple weeks but after that point, there is the poop and pee.  Some pups are neat freaks.  I had one that even when she went in her crate it was in a corner and would have nothing to do with it.  Others will walk through, roll in it even, without concern.  So there’s loads of laundry involved in fostering pups. Puppies are often noisy as they cry and bark and chatter at each other. It can mean some sleep challenges for the humans in the house.  It’s a good thing really, they are learning to communicate as canines do and this is the first step of their socialization. 

Puppies not socialized young become unsocialized young adults and that can mean significant training to ‘catch them up’. 

mom and pups2This is why their staying with their mom is so important.  We start adopting out at 8 weeks but many fosters are more comfortable with their departing at 9 or 10 weeks for this very reason.

And there are tons of other ‘downsides’ to fostering puppies and whelping moms.  So you ask why would anyone do it?  Ask any puppy foster and they will tell you ‘because it is worth it’.  I guess it’s much like anything else in life really worth doing. There are always reasons not to do something, you just choose to persevere in spite of them.  ‘Because it is worth it’. So, here are a few testimonials from our beloved puppy fosters as to why it is 'worth it' to them:

"Even though it can be messy you get lots of playtime with the puppies and its like watching your children grow, then become a family member to someone- like you would watching your teenager changing to an adult take on a new life of their own. Not to mention you meet some very nice families who will keep in contact with you send pictures and updates and remind you that it was all because you thought it was worth it to save them even if there were 5,7,9,11 of them. That and tons of uncondtional love from both moms and puppies makes it worth it!"   -Michele

"For me, there is nothing more satisfying then to help a homeless mom give birth to her precious bundles of joy. For her to learn to trust you to care for her and her little ones, to watch those tiny new born future dogs grown into their personalities and paws. Yes, there is lots of paper towels needed and when they are around 7 weeks old you think you have lost your mind. But then a few weeks later when all you have is a recovering mom, tiny collars left behind and happy tail photos of each pup with their family- you feel a warmth in your heart of loss and pride. and you hunger to do it all over again."  -Kathy

"For as much poop you clean up- who cant not smile when you come home from a long day of work and there is little cute bundles of joy waiting for you with their tails wagging?"  -Savannah

"It is worth it to me because I know the pup(s) were given a fair shot at being healthy, well socialized with dogs, people & farm animals, are fully vetted, and then placed in an appropriate forever home/environment."  -April

choco pupSo, I’ll say it.  Our whelping mom and puppy fosters often leave me in awe.  They too are amazing fosters who act as guardians for our tiniest and youngest charges.  They have a different sense of humor sometimes as there are poop stories they all share and laugh and laugh.  But they are nothing short of some of the most dedicated people I have the privilege to know. Puppy fostering isn’t for everyone but I think everyone should know about those who choose to do so.

Have you thought about fostering?  Have you wondered about fostering puppies? We would love to talk to you about it.  An application can be completed here.

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