What Do I Need to Consider?

[CeeCee]

I find myself seriously considering fostering a pup from the shelter. I don't want to a regular foster for the shelter, but there is a dog at our shelter who really speaks to me.

She is terrified of the place (just sits in her kennel and drools). She is very unsure of people, but if you move slowly she will follow you. She is more relaxed in the play groups with the other dogs, but she seems to like small dog yard over the big dog yard. (But this may be the lower energy of the small dog yard.)

I really want to help her learn that people are good and help her to gain confidence in herself. Lila, my six year old female GD mix, I think, would be a great role model for her. My 21 mos old, Zeek, is young, but he's gaining his confidence and I think Zeek would help to pass on the confidence he is gaining and that the two of them would enjoy one another.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a huge heart, but I can't let my heart rule. Just because I am confident my dogs can do it doesn't necessarily mean that they want to do it or that I should expect them to do it.

I've done all the research on fostering and I know what to expect as far as being a foster, but none of the resources I've found help you to consider the needs and wants of your existing pack. So I'm coming to you guys for help in things to consider/think about/know for my pack.

I will talk to my Trainer this evening and get her thoughts as she has been in my home and knows my dogs, but I'd like to hear from you guys as well.

 

[Tgrimmett]

Also, talk to the rescue that has her. If she is in a kill shelter, she may not have a rescue and at risk of being euthanized, since she probably isn't as desirable to most people as the energetic puppy in a cage next her. I have a big heart like you, so I would pick her too. If she doesn't have a rescue and you express interest in fostering her to the shelter, that may find a rescue quicker. The shelter could call up one the rescues and say hey we have a lady that really wants to foster this dog, will you take her. Then she would be saved.
If the shelter is a no kill shelter, still talk to the people there. I'm sure they have a lot of information regarding what you are looking for. They live, breathe, and sleep rescue.
Talk to your trainer first, she knows your dogs best and can give you insight into how your dogs will react.

 

[CeeCee]

Sorry, I forgot to mention, she is at the shelter where I volunteer. Our Foster Coordinator has reached our local rescues and existing fosters. Right now no one can take her. She's been at the shelter for seven days.

Also, talk to the rescue that has her. If she is in a kill shelter, she may not have a rescue and at risk of being euthanized, since she probably isn't as desirable to most people as the energetic puppy in a cage next her. I have a big heart like you, so I would pick her too. If she doesn't have a rescue and you express interest in fostering her to the shelter, that may find a rescue quicker. The shelter could call up one the rescues and say hey we have a lady that really wants to foster this dog, will you take her. Then she would be saved.
If the shelter is a no kill shelter, still talk to the people there. I'm sure they have a lot of information regarding what you are looking for. They live, breathe, and sleep rescue.
Talk to your trainer first, she knows your dogs best and can give you insight into how your dogs will react.

 

[DDSK]

And this is how you end up with yet another dog in the pack.
I could not volunteer for a rescue as I would try to take everyone home who needs shelter.
I have a normal sized heart I just love dogs.
I would think that if your dogs are social with others and allow others to visit and they all get along it would be Ok if the rescue dog you are looking at is also social and can get along it would be OK.
I have only fostered 1 dog and it was my sons dog while he was going through boot camp and training for the Navy and it worked beautifully for my son and his dog, only issue was my broken heart when he moved across the country and took his dog with him.
I felt like I lost a son and a dog lol.
I sure do miss that dog.

 

[angelbears]

I think as long as you have an agreement with your shelter that you can return her if she is not working out AND you have that same agreement with yourself. It's a win/win situation.

My mantra was "Cane comes first" when we brought home our first rescue. I made sure that Cane knew he was number one in all things. He was fed first, petted first, ect.... Jezzy didn't seem to mind, plus she was a young puppy, she is also deaf. So, occasionally I would get loud and let Cane think that I was getting on to her. This seemed to please him greatly.

When we added Ziva, the mantra changed slightly to "Cane and Jezzy" come first. Ziva got fed last, petted last......When we added Kismet, of course the mantra changed yet again. The mantra doesn't last for long, nor does being last for the newbie. Except for at feeding time. Doing it this way really seemed to help Ziva. She went into a major funk for about 4 days when we finally integrated Kismet. Ziva would actually watch to see if Kismet was going to get something before she did. Now they get along really well and Ziva doesn't worry that Kismet might be replacing her or getting something that she isn't.

I never let play get to rough. I would rather stop it early than be too late.

Cane would rather be an only child, which is fine. He has drawn the boundary lines and they don't cross it. If they were foolish enough I would step in and take care of it.

I'm excited for you and your foster. Pictures please!!!

 

[CeeCee]

Thank you guys for input.

It was not meant to be for Hannah and I. My shelter transferred her to our local Humane Society. I find myself surprisingly bummed. They have more space and more resources. In additional one of our local rescues has said they will take her if she doesn't do well at Lollypop Farms.

We have connections at Lollypop so we can keep up on her progress and I'm friends with the rescue so I feel confident that she will succeed.

But because of Hannah a door has been opened for me as a foster (never thought I would say that). Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and advice.

 

[angelbears]

I'm sorry! Unfortunately, there are so many more just like her. I'm sure another one will tug at your heart.

 

[CeeCee]

You are so right! She has opened a door that I didn't think I was willing to open. I'm interested to meet the dog for whom she opened the door.

I'm sorry! Unfortunately, there are so many more just like her. I'm sure another one will tug at your heart.