atticus has found a forever home!
Twice this week we've had the opportunity to foster a dog and twice this week the dogs have been adopted before fostering was necessary. This, of course, is a GOOD thing but my talk of fostering prompts a lot of question and comments like 'I don't see how you can do it' so I thought I would take this opportunity to share my experiences with fostering dogs so far.
The biggest thing is YES, it's extremely rewarding. You are literally helping to save the life of an animal. That fulfills something in my heart in a way that nothing else can.
However, being rewarding does not stop the task of taking an animal with a questionable or unknown history frustrating and overwhelming. There are plenty of times when Jason and I take turns going upstairs and getting away from three crazy dogs (our two and the foster) while the other one deals with them because we need a damn break. If you've ever considered fostering and are worried you wouldn't do it 'right'...what I have found is I can handle the extra responsibility if I cut myself some slack and don't put any strict definitions on how to care for a foster animal. Animals are way more forgiving than humans are.
And they are also more loving. Which means either my husband or I have gotten attached and cried when it was time for the foster to go to their forever home. It doesn't matter if you know it's the best thing for them, they still take up residence in a little spot in your heart.
I miss my fosters, even though I was also relieved when they went to their adoptive homes and I was back to walking two dogs instead of three (yes, that's as difficult as it sounds).
But then you get another email and there's another pair of eyes looking at you and your heart makes more room. You don't push the other animals (or people or anything else), your heart expands so more can fit.
And that has been my biggest lesson so far. I mean I've read and heard all about how your heart can keep expanding...and I believed that in theory. But then I'm also human and I've dragged plenty of emotional baggage behind me that seemed to clutter up too much of my heart. I am sure I am not alone when I say that has often prompted fear to open my heart to others.
Fostering has been a real and true example of my capacity to love and keep loving. Until we started fostering, I wasn't that confident in my ability to do that. So the biggest lesson has also been the biggest gift.
9 comments:
The pain of loving lies in letting go. Damn, does it ever hurt like a bitch! (Pardon my French ...)
Great thoughts...you mention many things I have wondered myself. Congrats to Atticus , you, and your husband. The world is a much better place because of people like you.
Thanks for sharing this! My husband and I fostered dogs during our first year of marriage, and it was one of the most rewarding things we have ever done. We worked for a wonderful organization that was committed to finding "forever homes" for each dog, so it was really joyful to send our furry friend off to a home that was truly a perfect match.
You truly are a blessing and such a wonderful woman.
We have never fostered but had a "guest" Golden for three weeks. Even though I still find her hair all over the house (she was only allowed to be in the garden & kitchen and somehow her hair got everywhere) we miss her loads. :)
Thanks for finding atticus a home.
What a loving thing to do! That letting go part is so difficult. I recently watched a PBS documentary called "Mine" about people who had rescued pets from Katrina, but then some didn't want to let them go back to their rightful owners. It was heartbreaking.
That is a beautiful heart you've got, Brandi. Beautifully put, too. I'm so glad for Atticus -- and glad for you and Jason, too, that you get to be back together as your regular family unit. :)
thank you all for all the encouragement! And I love reading how others have fostered as well and the lessons they've learned.
:-)
If we weren't renting, it's something I could see myself doing although I don't know if I could give them back. I think you and Jason are amazing people with huge hearts making a huge difference. YAY for Atticus!
My son is currently doing a 6 month course at TAFE on Animal Care. He goes one day a week to the RSPCA (Animal Rescue Shelter) and helps care for abused animals before they are handed over to the foster families/carers. It is definitely a rewarding experience for him though it also tugs at his heart-strings immensely.
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