First, allow to me swoon at the Dr. Horrible references. (I’m pretty sure I can quote both the musical AND the musical commentary.) If I didn’t before, I now totally :heart: you (and your husband).

For my part, I need the support of family so lots of communication helps. If you can explain why what you want to do means so much to you, you’ll get buy-in that they’ll take care of some things if you’re swamped and can’t manage it.

One thing I have found is that when you do finally spend time on something or with someone, make sure you’re totally there – not thinking about or feeling guilty about what else you “should” be doing. Do what you’re doing and move on when it’s time to do the next thing. What did a friend of mine post the other day? I think it was “Don’t look backwards, you’re not going that way.”

Good luck with whatever you decide. Don’t get yourself into something out of guilt but don’t hold back out of fear either. Give it your best and you’ll do fine. 🙂

:)))))))

You know, it really is all about choices and priorities. Getting two puppies at once was terrifying, but we’ve managed and I wouldn’t change it for anything. If you’re feeling a genuine desire to foster (by that I mean guilt is not the main motivation), I say go for it. You might one day be saying “I wouldn’t change it for anything” too.

Go on, fill in that application! You’ll be an awesome foster mum and think what a great start to a new life you’ll be giving some lucky dog(s).

I can’t/won’t foster. My work life is too erratic and Greyhounds like routine. Beryl knows the way things roll around here now but it took her a few weeks to work it out. Also Frankie and Beryl are allowed on all the furniture in the house …. except the dining room table, Frankie!! And it’s recommended foster Greyhounds aren’t allowed on beds, couches etc. and it wouldn’t be fair for my two to be able to get on anything and any foster dogs have to stay off the luxury items! Plus I think I’d probably fail with the first foster.

What I do is take and edit videos of some the new arrivals at the kennels and put them on Youtube. It’s something I enjoy doing and it’s a help in getting the hounds ‘out there’. Plus Beryl and I take part in any GAP activities, fund raising, promotions etc that I can take her to.

Right now, our volunteerism has two directions. We help teach the local 4H dog obedience classes on Monday nights during the spring and summer. That is definitely a lot of fun and it’s great to see how far the kids and dogs get from the beginning of class to show day!

Our other volunteer activity is visiting nursing homes with the dogs. I like it because it gets us out of the house and away from the computer and TV a couple of nights a month, and it means so much to the people we visit. Some of them look forward to it all month. I will always remember sweet little Mary, who made her daughter take her to Sam’s once a month for a giant box of Milkbones. Every dog in our group knew the way to Mary’s room! She emptied that box every month on that one night, whether there were twelve dogs visiting or just two. It made me smile to myself every month! It means the world to the people who are there, and it costs us very little. I’ve found that it has made the bond I share with Bunny much closer, too. There are times in there when we have to read each other’s minds!