Adventures In Fostering: Foster Fail Or Pass?

by Kevin Roberts

Published: June 25th, 2015

adventures in fostering foster fail or pass

Saying goodbye can be bittersweet, as Kevin Roberts knows all too well. As an active foster dog parent, Kevin has had to part with many dogs, just like Francis, when they find a forever home. But (sigh!) it’s all for the best…

The Good…

After four weeks, things were going smoothly – our newest foster, Francis was fitting in perfectly. He was a wonderful house guest, and my mind kept turning to thoughts of making him a permanent resident. That would make this a “Foster Fail” – that’s when you take on a foster, fall completely in love with them, and adopt them. I was determined not to fail. I had my work cut out for me… just look at this list of things that I loved about Francis:

He was easy to train, and happy to learn new things. Training Francis was fun, he’s such a keener and so attentive. That’s my kind of dog!
Francis fit into our active lifestyle. He would chase a Frisbee for hours, never tiring. On top of that, he was a happy, hard-working puller. It took little training for Francis to get into the spirit of harness work, and he loved to help pull the scooter or canicross with us.

Our permanent pack of dogs loved him. There is now a giant crater in what used to be the lawn from Burger and Francis running around each other in circles all day. He was respectful of Belle, and she even let him play with her. This is rare as Belle is not overly fond of her own species (what you would call a dog snob). Francis was cool with River too, the oldest dog in the pack. River was no match for his adorable puppy antics, and could often be found playing with our newest addition.
He’s so cute! When Francis gets excited or he’s focused intently on something, his ears stand up and touch together at the top! It looks so goofy, but it makes me smile. Adding to his adorableness is a little pink spot that adorns his nose… it’s like a cherry on top of an uber-cute sundae!

The Bad, and the Naughty!

Don’t get wrong – not everything during our four weeks together was sunshine and unicorn farts. Francis proved that he was capable of pulling of some not-so-cute feats as well.

Francis has a fetish for chewing on household items. Yes, I know… it’s our fault for leave these things out, but still, the replacement costs were really adding up! Just a few of the items he got a hold of included a pair of dress shoes and a couple of soft sided kennels. I know that puppies and soft sided kennels do not mix, but they were set up for the adult dogs to use when they needed a break from all those puppy antics. Francis would leave the kennels well enough alone when they were occupied, but as soon as they were vacated – NOM NOM NOM! Gone in seven seconds! After he shredded two of the kennels, we had to get crafty and construct temporary housing that could withstand Hurricane Francis.

Francis also ate through Burger’s leash. Twice. While out on walks, waiting for traffic, he turned his razor sharp teeth to the fabric and sawed right through the leash. On a positive note, Burger never realized he was free, but had to walk home with a leash that was considerably shorter than we started out with.

Will It Be A Foster Fail or Foster Pass?

Even with these lapses of cuteness, I was still tempted to “fail.” Besides, no suitable candidate had come forward. I believe that all things happen for a reason, and the reason that no one had come forward yet to adopt this dog was a sign that I adopt him permanently.

That’s not to say that there was no interest in Francis – anyone who met him saw how lovely and sweet he a dog he is. How could they resist those good looks and little pink nose? When they got down to cuddle him, he would pull out his signature move: lying back into their arms, looking up at them with the most adoring face. Man, does he sure have some sweet moves!

But once the attraction of a cute face and cuddles wore off, reality would kick in. Francis is a young, high-energy dog that needs serious exercise every day. It’s not for everyone.

I guess fate had other plans for Francis, because a dog-loving family, complete with a teenaged son, came for a visit. They lived on the outskirts of town, and the father owned his own business, so was able to take the dog to work.

Doggy Dating

A first date was set – Francis was tired from daycare and would make a better first impression. The first thing the dad said when he saw Francis: “That’s a great dog right there!” Of course, Francis was affectionate with them all and the bond began to form. The family decided to take Francis for a walk – another good sign.

Next up was “the talk” – this is when I assess if the perspective family is a good fit with the foster dog. As I chatted with the parents, Francis was in his glory as he played with the teenaged son on the floor. Everyone talked about how much they loved their current dog, and the activities they enjoyed with her. She had also been a rescue, and it was clear that this family really loved their dog.

After a nice visit, we wrapped things up, and I encouraged the family to go home and talk about Francis and the changes it would mean in their life. I explained the adoption process and how things would go if they were interested in taking this further. I also told them my own rule about foster dogs – I never let a dog go home with a family until the third date. It’s easy to get excited after meeting someone the first time and get caught up in the energy. As well, they needed to see Francis on a day that he wasn’t tired out, just so they would know what they were getting themselves into. Finally, Francis had to meet their dog to determine if there was a match.

When things are meant to be, it doesn’t take long for the pieces to fall into place. The following dates went smoothly, with Francis and his new sister hitting it off wonderfully. As the potential adopters came over more frequently, Francis spent less time around me and more time with his new family. He walked well for them all on his leash, played with their son, and took treats gently from their fingers. I was proud of his good behavior.

It was also pretty clear how much they loved Francis already. Plus, it was evident with his waggy tail and goofy grin how he felt about them! The adoption was put into motion and the best possible solution was in place. Even though I was so close to failing and adopting him myself, this was clearly the family for Francis. He has so much love to give and it was a really great fit.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do…

The time came to say goodbye. His new family was coming to pick him up. I packed Francis a bag of his food and a few of his favorite toys (so he wouldn’t forget the happy times he spent with us). As soon as he saw his new Mom, he ran to her, she clipped the leash to his collar, and he walked out the door. Not so much as a glance back – Sniff!

Francis broke my heart – but in a wondrous. From his chance meeting with a sympathetic rescuer in a high-kill shelter, to the volunteers who transported him, and to the rescue that sets this kind of miracle in action every day – I’m thankful that I got to play a small part in Francis’ happy ending.

Fostering is difficult; it has its ups and downs. I will have my heart broken again and again, and I think that it’s completely worth it. If you don’t believe me, just ask Francis and his new family!

Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts lives for adventure. Together with his pack of rescue dogs and his husband, he spends as much time outdoors as possible. Kevin lives by the motto: "Get outside and play with your dogs!

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In addition to his own pack Kevin Roberts is active dog foster parent. Have you thought about opening your home to a foster dog? In this series, Kevin will regale you with tales of his own foster adventures. It’s been awhile since we (my husband and I) had fostered a dog. With a young dog of our own, another dog recovering from major surgery, and my own back injury, it just wasn’t the right time for us to foster. When Burger turned two, his training had finally started to stick. River recovered nicely from her knee surgery and returned to active duty, and my back injury became more manageable. Life was back to normal… and that’s when the itch to foster again resurfaced. Related: Why You Should Consider Fostering a Dog I contacted my friend, Sally Hull, who runs Hull’s Haven Border Collie Rescue. Her rescue takes in all sorts of dogs in needs, but specializes in Border Collies. With a network of foster homes and transport drivers, this rescue lives by its motto: “Mercy knows no borders”.

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Kevin Roberts has taken in a new foster dog. The first bloom of excitement has worn off – it’s time for Francis to show his true colors. The first 24 hours are the hardest. When you take on a foster dog, it does get easier, but the first 24 hours are always the hardest. The honeymoon feelings start to wear off. You question your sanity. You may not sleep much. You worry if this is the right thing to do. Take my word for it – this too shall pass. Such was the case of Francis, our latest foster. He was unclaimed stray who he ended up in a high-kill shelter before he was rescued and transported to a shelter in my city. In fact, that local shelter is how our dog Belle came to us, so we often foster for the organization. Related: Adventures In Fostering: Meet Francis As is often is the case with rescue dogs, we had scarce background information about Francis. Part of our role as a foster family is to let him relax, give him some time to unpack his baggage and let his true colors show. We were responsible to work on basic training and try to sort out behavioral issues before Francis could be placed for adoption. Kennel Training In our house, we kennel train. With young dogs, I’ve found this to be a sanity saver, for both us and the dog. Housetraining goes smoother and it’s a comfy den for time outs. That meant kennel training was the first task to tackle with Francis. What I find works wonders is letting the dog romp around to burn off energy, and then bribing him with treats every time he goes in his kennel. If you think that kennels are prisons, you’ve obviously never seen the five-star digs our dogs have become accustomed to. It’s full of toys, soft blankets and delicious noms – it’s more of a suite than a cell.

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Which Spring Flowers Are Toxic to Dogs?

Springtime is such a joyful time of the year. The harsh and gloomy winter days are finally over, and nature is awakening – the sun is shining, trees are blooming, and life erupts all over again. But that doesn’t mean that there are no downsides to this season. From spring allergies to spring shedding, there are also quite a few things that don’t spark joy when spring comes. One of those unexpected things that become a downside of spring when you’re a dog is flowers. Yup. Those gorgeous, lush-smelling blooms that appear in the spring can pose a threat to your dog, as many spring flowers are toxic to our canine friends.So without further ado, let’s see which of these pretty, colorful flowers are potentially dangerous for dogs – so you’ll know exactly which of them to avoid planting in your garden or putting in a vase.Which Spring Flowers Are Toxic to Dogs?As we all know, dogs are inquisitive and love to nibble and sniff all sorts of odd things, flowers included. This is why you should be vigilant in the spring when many potentially toxic plant varieties are in season. Keep an eye out for the following flowers when walking your pet out and about or when picking out seeds for your flower beds!Daffodils

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What Is Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back thousands of years, and both humans and animals can benefit from it. When applied to pets, it’s referred to as Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).Veterinarians trained in TCM are able to go beyond the use of pharmaceuticals to also incorporate natural remedies like herbs and acupuncture. If you’re interested in learning more about what TCM is and how it can benefit pets, continue reading.Traditional Chinese Medicine for PetsBased on Daoist philosophy, Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach and views an animal’s body as a part of the universe. Energy, referred to as Qi, flows through individuals and through the universe, so TCM practitioners look at more than just physical symptoms. They will consider what imbalances are occurring in the body, and how those imbalances can be fixed to restore the body to a state of harmony.Each pet is viewed as a unique individual who can be affected by various factors beyond the physical body. A veterinarian will ask about their daily life and their home environment. They’ll also consider the pet’s personality and behavior, including the things they enjoy, to figure out what may be causing their ailment and choose the right remedy.In addition, this healing system focuses on five elements of earth, water, fire, wood, and metal, as well as five seasons of autumn, winter, spring, summer, and late summer, to diagnose and treat patients. Each season is linked to an element, and an animal moves through the seasons throughout their life (e.g., spring phase when they’re young and winter phase when they’re old). Also, the organs throughout the body are associated with these seasons and elements, and they affect each other, so all of this is taken into consideration when diagnosing and treating patients.For someone just learning about TCM, it can all be quite complicated. But a practitioner with a lot of knowledge and experience in this area will be able to understand how the body works as a whole and how it is influenced by the external world as well.What Types of Treatments Are Included in TCM?Veterinarians who practice TCM use several types of treatments to address a variety of pet health concerns. Those include:Herbs: A variety of herbs are used in TCVM, and your veterinarian will determine which ones are best for your pet. Your furry friend might need a single herb or a combination of herbs to feel better. Herbs can be potent, and it’s wise to discuss potential side effects with your vet. Also, if your pet is taking other supplements or medications, your vet will determine if adding certain herbs to the mix is safe.Food Therapy: Providing your pet with the right nutrition can be helpful in maintaining and improving their health, and you can receive personalized guidance in this area from a vet who practices TCVM. Certain ingredients, diets, and/or supplements might be recommended based on your companion’s specific needs. Options like Herbsmith Smiling Dog Treats and Herbsmith Sassy Cat Treats can be used to provide warming, cooling, or neutral foods to rebalance your pet’s constitution.

How Can I Reduce My Dog's Environmental Pawprint?

In today’s day and age, with the climate and environment at great risk, we want to do anything we can to minimize our own carbon footprint and the damage we do to Mother Nature. Of course, our pets also have an environmental impact – and eco-conscious pet parents are always on the lookout for simple ways to reduce their pet’s carbon footprint (or pawprint if we’re being precise). Luckily, there are a lot of small but important steps that you can take in order to make your pet’s lifestyle and care much more eco-friendly without compromising the quality of life they are used to. Here's where to start if you want to become a more eco-friendly, sustainable dog owner!5 Ways You Can Reduce Your Dog's Environmental PawprintCaring for your pet can be challenging, and that’s no secret. However, the things that make it easier are not often very good for the environment, and can make your pet’s environmental pawprint significant. Luckily, it does not take too much of a change to turn that completely around and start improving that environmental impact, day by day. What follows are just a few of the basic steps you can take as a caring and responsible owner.#1 Be Responsible About Your Pet’s Waste Disposal:

Dog Parents Assume Signs of Disease Are Signs of Aging

Being able to recognize the signs of illness in your dog is important, as it can help you get them the care they need sooner rather than later. But, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool, it’s common for pet parents to look at changes in their dogs and assume they’re merely related to normal aging rather than disease. This can cause them to ignore a serious condition that requires veterinary treatment.

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