Fostering with Paws2Rescue

“I have discovered something that is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life and I just wanted to share in case there is anyone out there thinking about doing the same but not sure. I am of course talking about fostering. My four legged fosters have given me so much more back, than I have given them.

I first came across Paws2Rescue some 8 years ago through my daughter-in-law, long before I ventured online. I was looking to adopt a dog to keep my old shepherd, Ollie, company but by the time I contacted Paws2Rescue, the dog I had chosen had found his own family. I was asked if I would adopt Daisy who was so depressed she had to be carried everywhere; I couldn’t say no, and Daisy, has been with me 7 years now, is happy and loving life.

I was so impressed by the time and effort the Paws2Rescue team had put into the adoption process and follow up to make sure Daisy was well, I started to follow them online. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with Codita, her eyes just stared out of the screen and implored me to bring her home. With Ollie, Daisy and working full time I knew I couldn’t give her a forever home, but I could not ignore her eyes, so began my foster journey.

As before, the process was smooth and efficient and Codita arrived home a few weeks later. Ollie had been wonderful helping Daisy settle and he did the same with Codita, soon she was part of the family. I adored Codita and yes, I really wanted to adopt her but for once I allowed my head to rule my heart. Codita really did deserve a forever family of her own where she would be an only dog (as it turned out plus cat). The adoption team found her a wonderful family and she really has had the very best life. Codita’s new family joined the adopters group, so I have been able to follow her life, see her grow and develop and know she really did have the best life. It was my privilege and huge heart swelling joy to know I played a small part in enabling Codita to find that life.

I started fostering more regularly when I gave up work, they are the next chapter of my life and to be honest the most rewarding chapter so far. I still get those, whose eyes stare out at me that I simply cannot ignore, and then some come when the adoption team need a foster home and ask if we can help. But every single one needs that stepping stone from their amazing rescuers in Romania to the UK for them to be in with a good chance of adoption. I personally only give a home to the seniors, no matter what size, and they have all been so gentle, loving, seemingly (they can’t speak but their behaviour says it all) grateful and just so happy to be in a home that feeling of joy I had fostering Codita never diminishes.

Mostly it’s what seems to be small things to us, but for them are huge hurdles that make my day. When they first venture out of the crate, go and say hello to Haddon (often before they say hello to me), happily eat their first meal, learn to wander round the garden on their own (two have been blind but both managed this within 2 weeks), sit with the rest of us in an evening, enjoy their first walk out, ask to be stroked and sit with their head on my lap, the list is endless. Each tiny step tells me they are relaxing, learning that this environment is a home and somewhere they can be happy, and learning to trust. To be able to help another soul on that journey is an honour, and one I would whole-heartedly recommend.

Of course I’d be lying if I said it isn’t hard to let them go, some more than others. If it wasn’t hard, I wouldn’t be putting in enough love and compassion. All dogs deserve that, but these dogs especially have been through so much we owe it to them to give ourselves completely and invest in their futures. Also, I admire and respect the adoptions team and know the hard work they put in to ensure their dogs only go to great homes. I know they follow-up and check, there’s no adopt out and wave goodbye. So, I know these souls are going to be happy. And that’s why I do it after all.

There may be some sadness mixed with my joy each time I watch one of my fosters go to their forever family, but it also means I know I can then help another senior desperate for that stepping stone to happiness. There are more dogs in need than we can ever help in many lifetimes.

So, if you have been thinking of fostering, or if this makes you think you might like to, all I can say is please, give it a try.

It’s so simple to enquire, just email the [email protected]

The support from the Paws2Rescue team is fantastic and you will be helping a dog find the best life it dreams of.

What is it they say “you can’t help every dog in the world, but it means the world to each dog you can help”.