Meet Lucky!

Say hello to the newest foster pup, Lucky!

Lucky is the fifth foster that I've taken on and he is a big sweetheart! Jake, foster number four, was here for a couple if days and when he left I knew I wanted to get another puppy as soon as possible. Paws in the City was great about finding another foster pup and we're all looking forward to learn more about this little guy the longer we have him! Lucky is a great dog and he might be one of my favorite fosters we've had so far. He's incredibly sweet and loves to cuddle.

Foster number four is out there somewhere

At the beginning of June, Austin and I decided to foster our third dog with Paws in the City, Mack. While we thought he was going to be adopted after only a couple of days, he ended up staying with us for almost a month before he got adopted. It's been almost two weeks since Mack was adopted, and I've noticed that our home seems to be a bit empty (and I'm sure Sam is feeling a bit lonely). So, I've decided to get in touch with PITC to start looking for a third foster.

The funny thing is, I never thought that being a foster would be something I would want to do over a long period of time. I approached fostering as a chance to try to find a dog that would fit into my home, it was a way to see if a pet would fit into my life. I thought that I would foster once or twice and fall in love with a dog and then never do it again. I didn't think that I would enjoy it as much as I do.

I didn't see myself as someone that would be able to take care of a dog for an undetermined amount of time and then be able to let them go. I thought that I would just get too attached. And I do get attached, but knowing that they're going to a new home with a fresh start somehow makes it bearable when I have to drop them off. It is a great feeling knowing that I've been able to not only help this pet, but also the family that it will be living with.

We're still in the early stages of finding the next foster for our family, but I'm looking forward to seeing who we can help next. I'm looking forward to meeting this new dog and welcoming them into my home for however long is necessary. 

Mack might already be leaving

Saturday, we picked up Mack from a trainer and took him to a Paws in the City event at Lee Harvey's. it was great to be able to spend time with Mack and his trainer. Not only just to get some time to get to know Mack, but also to learn about some of his difficulties and how to help him. 

And now, after only a couple of days, someone is already looking to adopt him. I think it's a good thing that it has happened so fast because otherwise I would have had a hard time letting go of him. 

I don't know why it is harder for me to let him go than our other fosters. Maybe it's because we spent so much time with him from Day 1. Maybe it's because he reminds me of a dog I had growing up. Maybe it's because he's such a big teddy bear. Maybe it's because I've actually been home lately. Whatever it is, I guess I just have to get over it if he really is going to a new home. I need to remember that if he goes to another home, we can help another dog, another wonderful animal that we're giving a second chance. 

And that's why I foster. Not for other people. Not for recognition. But to give an animal a second chance at life. I foster in order to give dogs like Sheba and Parker and Mack the chance to find a home where they will be loved. Because they deserve it. It is a terrible fact that if we hadn't been able to foster, any of these three dogs would have been euthanized because there wouldn't have been a place for PITC to place them after pulling them from a shelter. Austin and I have thought about just getting a second permanent dog for Sam, but we've decided that we would rather foster. 

Sam is such a versatile dog that gets along with everyone and every dog he meets. He enjoys meeting new people. And he actually helps shy, reserved dog come out of their shell. Just by simply being Sam he helps them to remember that they can play and have fun. he helps them in ways that no person ever could simply by being such a happy dog. While we were fostering Sheba, we didn't have Sam and I didn't realize how much of a help having a second dog would be. But now, after fostering a few dogs, I'm beginning to realize that dogs don't just need love and attention from people, they need to learn how to be a dog in a happy home. 

I am a bit sad to see Mack go, but I'm looking forward to the next dog we can take in, the next dog we can save. 

Foster number three: Mack!

Meet Mack! On Saturday, he's going to be our new foster. 

Austin and I are excited to be welcoming in our next foster with Paws in the City. Since we started volunteering with PITC a year ago, we've really enjoyed being able to go to the adoption events (although we haven't been able to make it to one recently...). Eight months ago we opened up our home to Sheba and she stayed with us for almost three months before she found her forever home. A month ago we decided it was time to foster again (really I just told Austin I was bringing home a dog the next day for us to foster). We had Parker with us for about three weeks, two of which he wasn't even up for adoption because he was recovering from getting fixed, before he found his new home. And now, after actually asking Austin's opinion, we're ready for the next foster. 

Mack is about a year and a half old and a retreiver/lab mix... and that's about all we know about him. We're looking forward to working with him to help him find a new home. 

If you're interested in Mack or Paws in the City, visit their website here for more information. 

Meet Sheba!

Austin and I have been volunteering with Paws in the City a lot lately. For those that don't know much about PITC, they're an organization that works with kill-shelters to save dogs that are getting ready to be euthanized. They've only been around for 7 years, but they've been able to do a lot of work. Unlike a lot of pet rescue organizations, they don't have a "home" shelter. They work with boarding facilities in the DFW area until one of the volunteers lets them know they have room for a dog in their life. PITC relies heavily on fosters because the longer a pet is in a boarding facility, the more likely they are to pick up bad habits and become less adoptable. Not to mention funds going to boarding facilities could easily be going to pay for vet bills and saving more animals. When a pet is out of the boarding facility, they (generally) open up due to not being surrounded by other animals and getting more individual love and attention. Basically, fostering is much better for the pet.

One of the first things I wanted to do after buying a house was to start fostering a dog. Sunday, I got my first foster pup, Sheba. Sheba is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known, even if she is a pit-mix. Spending time with her the past few days has really opened up my eyes as to how mis-labeled pits are. I'll be honest and say that I really didn't want to get a pit to foster due to their reputation, but this girl really knows how to change your mind. In the three days we've had her, she's not once so much as barked, let alone shown any aggression (something I was very worried about since we do already have two cats). Knowing the 9 times out of 10 a pit and a cat wont mix, I've expected a little bit of aggression, even from this docile dog. I think she just might be that 1 in 10 dog that doesn't mind cats, though.

The kitties really aren't pleased with having a new member of the family, even if it is temporary. But cats don't like change at all so I'm taking it with a grain of salt. They've been staying in the master bedroom when we have Sheba out, so in the evenings until she goes to her crate to sleep around 10:00. Next week we're going to try leaving them out in the evenings when we have Sheba out, so that's when I'm thinking the real work with her is going to come. Until then, Austin and I are just going to have such a sweet, docile animal.

I feel fairly certain that if she isn't adopted by someone soon, Austin may want to keep her. I never would have thought I would say this, but I love this little pit and I wouldn't mind if she did become a permanent member of the family.