Why did you get into fostering?
I can't remember how I heard of hart, but a few years ago I became
interested in the idea of fostering. Since then, I have learned so
much about the overpopulation problem in Alberta and I want to help
any way that I can. I am fairly good at training dogs so I feel
that this is an appropriate way for me too give back. I love
comparing the dog you get (can be any or all of the following:
scared, malnourished, untrained, sad, unresponsive) and the dog
that gets adopted out (happy, loving, trained, playful, "normal"
dog!). That's the best part of it for me.
Which hart dogs have you fostered?
My first was Maggie - a young lab cross puppy - we only had her
for a week she was so cute! Then came Seela - she was adorable, but
had been tied to a tree and burned. It was amazing how she bounced
right back, she has a fighter's soul. Jake - He was literally a day
away from dying, but with patience and love, he is now enjoying
family life. Paula - my special girl. She was so malnourished that
her leg broke while in our care. We had her for almost 5 months
while it healed after surgery. She was my closest call to a "foster
fail"! (Affectionate name for a foster family that adopts their
foster dog). And the last one (so far) was Goldie - just a puppy
when her so called family moved and left her behind, she was quite
easy to find a home for - a happy, affectionate girl with tonnes of
potential!
What has been the most rewarding aspect to
fostering?
I love comparing the dog you get (can be any or all of the
following: scared, malnourished, untrained, sad, unresponsive) and
the dog that gets adopted out (happy, loving, trained, playful,
"normal" dog!). The transformation is incredible. Especially when
they learn to play - for most of them, I bet it's the first time
they've ever played. That's the best part of it for me.
When individuals think it will be too much work or too
emotionally taxing, what feedback do you have for
them?
I think everyone has a certain amount of time if their lives, and
you have to prioritize. That being said, what is a more worthwhile
way of spending your time than saving a life? I won't lie, it is a
lot of work, and potentially lost sleep, but I for one will keep
doing it. And I would also say, try it, it may not be for you and
you can stop after one, or you may get hooked! Worst care senario,
you save a life. Best case, you save many lives! ;) As far as
the emotional side of it goes, it is hard letting go. But I think
before you foster you have to know what you are looking for in your
family. For myself, I have a poodle because she is hypoallergenic,
portable and good at dog agility (a hobby of mine). As adorable as
they are, a hart dog wouldn't fit my lifestyle at the moment. I
know that it's not appropriate for me to adopt a hart dog on a
whim, and it's not what's best for the dog. Ultimately, that makes
it easier to let go. I cry every time, but I keep getting new
fosters anyways, because my small amount of discomfort is worth a
new chance on life for the dog.
If your foster dog(s) could speak, what do you think
they would say to you?
When are we going for a walk? Let's cuddle. When are we going for
a walk? Feed me. When are we going for a walk?