I have wanted for quite a while to get involved in some kind of volunteer work that would allow my kids to participate, too. I wanted them to understand the importance of giving back to the community and doing something that helps others who are in need. I did not even think about anything to do with dogs, because my kids were afraid of them. All at once that changed in 2008, and they started asking to get a dog. We got our Labradoodle Cassie, in Nov. 2008. In Jan. 2009 I saw a 'fosters wanted' ad on petfinder.com, and the rest is history!
We got our first foster Isabelle on 1/31/09. Being the wonderful dog that she is, she immediately got under everybody's skin, and we knew we were going to miss her a lot once she left to join her forever family. We were especially worried about how the kids would take it, so we prepared them by constantly reminding them that our goal was to save MANY dogs, and we could only do that by fostering them. Yes, we would miss Isabelle, but she would have a wonderful family and would be safe and happy, and we could then take in another doggie who needed to be saved.
My daughter Sena is in first grade and loves to write (task lists, stories, journals, you name it ... they are all over the house!). It was only after I saw one of her writings, that I realized she was really, really starting to get the fostering thing (while at the same time struggling with her desire to keep Izzy)! I am really proud of my girl for not only wanting to help save these poor dogs, but also for understanding that it is not OK to put OUR 'wants' ahead of others' 'needs'.
Here is what she calls her 'book about our foster dogs' - so far it only has the cover (featuring Sena and Isabelle - the white spot on Izzy's back included), and one chapter, about Isabelle. These are her exact words:
"Isabelle: we rescued her from a pound. She is our foster dog. She's very cute and nice. I like to play with her. I walk her and give her treats. She is a dog we just get only 2 more weeks. I love her. I don't want her to go. I will miss her. I feel sad. But what they say if you foster a dog, one less will be killed."
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