FOSTERING RESCUE DOGS: Lessons in Having Faith & Letting Go

It’s shocking how quickly it has become normal — and even “just right”  — to have ten dogs living in my house.

No, I’m not a hoarder. (Well, not yet, anyway.) I foster rescue dogs, and two weeks ago Nala and her seven four-week-old shepherd mix pups arrived at our doorstep.     

I’m pretty sure people think we’re crazy. And maybe we are. But judging from the ongoing joy in this house that has stemmed from that “yes” to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, I’d say it’s a good crazy.

“But How Will You Let Them Go?”

Ever since we started fostering for Homeward Trails last August, I often get The Big Question: “But how do you let them go?” It’s a valid query, and it was our own main hesitation. In the end, though, putting our own projected feelings of loss ahead of the very real needs of a dog trapped in horrible conditions in an underfunded rural shelter felt … well … ridiculous. So we had a family conference, took a deep collective breath, and waded in.

Over the next six months, we fostered five dogs, each for a few weeks, and often overlapping. There were the two hilarious Boston Terrier puppies. There was the shy, dear lab mix, and the easy, sweet yellow lab. Then there was the pup who came to us at ten weeks, was adopted by a family, but came back two months later after they discovered allergies.  Good thing, because as it turns out she was meant to be in my sister’s pack, where she is now utterly beloved.

We have loved each and every one of those dogs. They’ve been a part of our family, for however short a time. We’ve cared for them, played with them, snuggled them, taught them. Our own dogs and cats have welcomed them, guided them, and given them confidence. When they leave here, we like to think that this time spent in a stable pack at such a young impressionable age will be with them forever. Our fantasy is that they won’t remember us, but that because of us they’ll be just that much more ready to be a grounded, flexible, positive pack member once they get to their real family.

The Ultimate Foster: Mama & Pups

A few weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that somebody had dumped a mother dog and her less-than-a-month-old pups at the shelter. I thought about that nursing mom who’d been caring for those seven puppies around the clock — only to find herself suddenly homeless. There are a lot of terrible things that happen in life about which I can do nothing. But it struck me that this was a tiny little tragedy in my corner of the world that our family could remedy. So (after getting the “I’m in!” from my most excellent husband) I contacted AWLA, and two days later our family hit an all-time high with 10 dogs, two cats, and two fish on the premises.

I won’t lie: It’s been a full-time job. But this is also the honest truth: I have never had more fun. Nala is a spectacular mother, and she has melded into our pack seamlessly – somehow immediately knowing that she could trust us (and our dogs).

And the puppies! Oh, my. They are delicious, and as distinct and individually appealing as they could possibly be. We are constantly interacting with them, and they are so very engaged with people. We’ve just started letting them have the run of our yard, and it is endlessly entertaining to witness their curiosity. Every bush, stem, step and log is a challenge to be explored. We watch to see which pup leads, which loves to socialize, which is happy alone. We see who runs back to us for reassurance, and who seeks a lap when tired. We know each and every one intimately.

I think of all of that, and then where these eight dogs would be right now – emotionally, physically, developmentally – if they were stuck in a loud dog run at the shelter at this tender time. And I resolve that this will not be the last time I say “yes.”

Having Faith & Letting Go

Of course fostering is great for the animals who get rescued. But the surprising little secret is that it is also great for the families who do the work. This entire process is one giant exercise in three critical things: living in the moment, having faith, and letting go. 

To be the positive pack leader this gang needs, I have to live in the moment. I can’t worry about what problems could arise, or whether good homes will materialize. The only workable approach is to enjoy every wag and take it a day at a time. Not a bad lesson.

I have seen that I am just one little piece of a giant wondrous rescue puzzle. There are the people at the rural shelters who work so hard to get those dogs out of there. There are the rescue folks who organize. There are the people who drive up I-95 every single Saturday with carloads of dogs. There are those of you (thank you!!!) who donate to the shelter all of the amazing items I found loaded into my van along with Nala and her pups. There is my family, each of whom pitches in with love. There are my own dogs and cats, whose lives are disrupted but who seem to understand that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” And then, most critically, there is always that person who steps up and says, “Yes. I want that dog.” All of this happens, over and over again, and it is an overwhelming reminder to simply have faith. Not a bad lesson.

Now comes the letting go part. Each of those five beloved puppies from our first six months fostering is now in a wonderful home. I confess that the night before each one left, I was sleepless, tossing and turning wondering how this dog could possibly cope with another transition. But then a day passes, a week passes, and I get emails and pictures showing just how beautifully my pups have become a part of a new pack. And I learn that it can feel just fine, in fact quite right, to let go. Not a bad lesson at all.

In two weeks, it will be time to get a refresher in all of my lessons as I say goodbye to this spectacular litter.

MEET THE PUPPIES!

Pretty

Her markings are so perfect she looks like a paint-by-number dog, but the most compelling thing about her is her leadership. She is out front every time, first to greet any new situation, always confident.

Helga

The comic relief of the litter, the giant Helga will suddenly catapult herself across the group from time to time. Prone to vocalizing with little grunts and squeals, she is often the first to come over for a snuggle.

Little Ben

Our sweet runt has turned out to be full of charisma. The biggest cuddler of the bunch.

Speckle Boy

This is the guy you want your daughter to marry. He is as steady as they come. Not out front, not lagging behind. Just always taking part in things with a great smile and so much warmth.

Speckle Girl

This adventurous spirit is constantly exploring, thinking and figuring things out.

Sweetie Pie Love Girl

Content not to be out front, this girl is always happy to play along and as sweet as they come.

Fluffy

This gorgeous girl is always either wrestling madly or sitting quietly alone enjoying her own company.