That’s so great that your trainer was able to help with your previous foster pup.

Unfortunately, I think dogs sometimes get “stuck” in the rescue system because the rescue does not have the resources within the group to provide the training that the dog needs or access to trainers that can help.

The pup I fostered this spring had been with this group nearly a year and had three failed foster homes and a bite history. He was just very scared and misunderstood.

That’s so wonderful that your little chi/min pin was able to foster with a professional trainer.

With one particularly fearful dog I fostered, I was afraid I just didn’t have the skills to help her. And I didn’t.

Fortunately, we were working one-on-one with a great trainer who helped Honey learn how to ride in our bike car. And we signed him on to help us with our foster.

I think those vulnerable dogs that come into our lives are especially hard to let go of. But I’m glad you got to know he went to a wonderful home. That’s always good to hear.

Do you think the neighborhood cats spread the word that you’re softies? 🙂

In truth, as much as dogs love us, they are amazingly resilient. I think that’s the most important thing I need to learn from dogs.

Isn’t it amazing how they can come back even after bad experiences?

Resilience is certainly a good trait for fostering. 🙂

Don’t you find that working in animal rescue takes a mix of a soft and a hard heart? You have to be softhearted enough to care for animals in the first place. But hardhearted enough to let them go.

My husband has threatened to adopt every single dog we’ve fostered. Why? Because he thinks they’ll be too sad when the leave us.

I suspect he needs limits put on him as much as you do. 🙂

Oooh, I can imagine your panic. I’ve fostered a few beagles and I’ve even had problems with my fully fenced yard.

I guess the most important thing was that your friend was responsible since your pup was obviously there when you got back.

Thanks so much for you kind words about the blog, Mary Lou. Though be careful with that coffee. Tomorrow my husband is writing a guest post and he’s pretty funny. I wouldn’t want you to spout hot coffee out your nose. 🙂

I love that you started fostering kitties to deal with space limitations. As we plan to move onto a sailboat with Honey next year, I’ve thought about adopting my first cat. (Honey loves them!)

Maybe I should get my feet wet by fostering a cat?

Two weeks certainly goes quickly. Except when the little scooter is shrieking at the top of her lungs the first night she comes home with us. And then two weeks feels like a very long time. 🙂

And yes, I know she’ll end up in a great home.