Animal Fostering is Beautiful!

There are millions of animals in the same spot in the US. The last resort (and lucky break) for many of these creatures is to be "rescued" by one of the thousands of local organizations committed to saving as many as they can.

Many are rescued at the very last minute as the groups scramble to find someone willing to give them a temporary home.

Animal fostering is providing a home for an animal until a permanent place can be found for them. My roommate and neighbors have supported San Francisco's Rock Dog Rescue by fostering three dogs this year. And of course, I end up helping. The biggest challenge is to run interference between the fosters and my 10-lb chihuahua/terrier Jack. Eventually, everyone gets along and the foster relaxes in his new home.

Jack.

The first two fosters are now with loving families. Kingston, a goofy, playful 90-pound pit puppy went to live in Oakland in a loft with his two new daddies, one of whom works from home; and Franky, a long-lean 40-lb pup with a beautiful gold and black brindle found a family with kids and a huge fenced-in yard. Again in the East Bay. When the family saw Franky's picture on the Rocket Dog site, they called right away. Their dog who bore an amazing resemblance to Franky has passed just months before. These are the lucky ones.

Fostering is an amazing experience and I would encourage anyone who is considering adopting an animal to go the "rescue" route. Wherever you may live (in the US), Petfinder.com can help you find a new animal mate.

*Please* make sure before you commit that you are adopting or fostering for the right reasons and that you have the space and time to care for an animal. And having an animal mate can be expensive, especially if an animal has health issues.

This is Radar.

The third fosterdog to arrive at my house is Radar. Heartbreaking that he came THIS close to the "goodbye needle". He's a gorgeous 2-year old of indeterminate breeds. Always in a good mood, attacking each day, leaping out of bed, tail wagging.

Radar's been around for a couple of weeks now, and we're becoming very, very attached! He has the sweetest disposition and loves to give kisses. The great thing about fostering is, if you click with the animal and want the arrangement to be permanent, you can usually arrange it. I'm hoping Radar will stay. I think Jack would like that too.