I was suckered by the puppy eyes

I should know better than to underestimate the power of puppy eyes. Lucky Dog brought a group of puppies and dogs to my office last fall for a Pups on the Patio event. A sweet, shy dog from Puerto Rico caught my eye. I went back to see her three times. The last time, someone told me, “I wish we could get her a foster.”

I could do that, I thought. I could become a foster and offer this sweet girl a soft bed and a way station to her permanent home. Now, I have two of my own dogs and two kids in their twenties living with me who have very mixed feelings about adding a four-legged visitor. There were a lot of reasons NOT to go through with this.

But I’d fostered before, and I thought, I’ll just fill out the questionnaire and see what happens. Meanwhile, I started volunteering at events where I met darling puppies, friendly dogs, and interesting people.

By the time my I was onboarded as a foster, the dog I had my eye on had found a home. But I knew Lucky Dog needed temporary and overnight fosters, so I dove right in and took in an older puppy whose foster family was traveling for Thanksgiving. Then we had a Christmas visitor. Soon I had the opportunity to meet a transport of seven of the cutest puppies every and I had one fluffy friend who spent the next 24 hours cuddling with the three of us in turn. And I met a big, tall dog right off the transport van who was so happy to have an overnight home he just kept giving us hugs.

I love short-term fostering because I can fit it in when I have time. I also get to meet and know more Lucky Dogs, and I root for all of them every week to find their new families. Often they have already been in homes so they have some sense of what it means to have house manners. My contribution means a foster doesn’t have to go to boarding, or a new traveler can get out of a shelter or kennel faster and into my arms. And I don’t have to feel that each dog is long-term commitment at a busy time.

With two other resident dogs, there is little to no chance I am going to foster fail (adopt my foster dog). So even though I love each of my fosters a little bit, and have a hard time saying goodbye, I know they are meant not for me but for the perfect adopters.

Lucky Dog’s foster coordinators are great at judging what dogs might be a good fit for my complicated household. Sometimes I end up with a dog or an experience I wouldn’t have chosen, but all of them have been rewarding and taught me a little more about dogs.

Last week, I brought Dalia home for a week to get a break from boarding. She definitely needed to wind down, and she was so happy to be in a comfy dog bed. But I could see the change in her from day to day as she settled in and relaxed. That week of my time as a foster meant Dalia was more relaxed at the next event, and more ready to show potential adopters what a great dog she could be! A little time from me made a world of difference for Dalia. Whether you try overnight, weekend, or temporary fostering, you too can make this same impact. Visit luckydoganimalrescue.org/foster to learn more.