I have been thinking off and on for awhile about fostering. I have considered lots of different issues from my own dogs friendliness to the difficulty with letting the foster go. One concern I still have is how my own dog will handle the foster leaving. We only have one dog. We have thought about getting a second dog, but after two knee surgeries I don't think my wallet will allow it for awhile. So do any of you have experience with your dog being depressed after the foster leaves?

I am just a foster failure, no experience in actually getting them adopted out.

The solution to your dog feeling abandoned by the foster is to bring another foster in right away:) Remember, you are dog-sitting the foster dog for someone who you don't know yet. That will help you let it go.

I am new to fostering, I actually have my 1st one here now. It's is an awesome feeling to help them and someone out. But, I am having a real hard time thinking of giving him up on next Saturday. I am hoping to find another one to bring in right away, I don't know how my boys are going to react to him leaving. They play ALL day long.

I have a houseful normally, but my dogs seem to do okay with the fosters coming in and out for the most part. Some fosters come in and act like they have lived here forever and to be honest, there have been a few that I've been relieved when they have found the perfect family (it's difficult to foster a dog aggressive dog with 7 dogs in the house).

I failed fostering with my oldest guy. He was 14 when he was surrendered, going blind, loosing his hearing and not fixed..... but we adore him and he fit in well with the pack.

Thanks for considering fostering.

My two do fine with the fosters coming and going. Since I usually foster puppies, I think they are actually happy when the pups leave, they get a chance to rest again.

The only dog I think my oldest Duke was sad to see go was my rescue Angel who was about 6 years old. My mom adopted her so he gets to see her often.

As for me, there are some pups that I'd love to keep and others that I am happy to see them go. Some are just more work than others. I know if I keep any then I can't foster anymore. Plus it's such a great feeling when they go off to their new homes.

I've been fostering for about a year and a half now, and I can honestly say that it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Whenever I take in a new foster, I tell myself from the very beginning, "This is only temporary." It may sound silly, but I need to get myself in that frame of mind from day one. It makes it much easier when my foster is finally adopted and leaves my home.

Yes, I do get attached to my fosters, and yes, it is sometimes incredibly difficult to see them leave my home. But ultimately, helping a lab find their loving, life-long home makes it all worth while at the end of the day. Were my husband and I to adopt, we could not continue to foster, and for us, helping many dogs on their journey to their forever homes is worth more than bringing a second dog into ours.

Our rescued lab, Cash, seems to enjoy the fostering experience, too. He has the perfect "big brother" personality and temperament - he's patient and tolerant of our foster dog and shares his toys and his family without a fuss. He has the benefit of having a new playmate to romp with, but he doesn't seem to mind being an only dog after our foster gets adopted, either. We usually try to give Cash a few days, sometimes weeks, in between fosters - we like to take time to love on him and let him know that he's a permanent part of our family. I may be anthropomorphizing a bit, but my husband and I need that time with Cash, too.

Sometimes, Cash actually seems happy to see our fosters leave... I think he enjoys having his family all to himself. There have been a few times that he's seemed to have missed our fosters after they were adopted, but spending some extra time doing things with just Cash helps.

I found the below poem online a few months back, and it really, really touched me. It expresses (albeit much more eloquently) exactly how I feel about being a foster family.

-Sharon


A Foster Dog Poem
by Diane Morgan

I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed,
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.

Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
When your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.

I will let you go -- not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever—
A new dog needs me now.

Whenever I take in a new foster, I tell myself from the very beginning, "This is only temporary." It may sound silly, but I need to get myself in that frame of mind from day one. It makes it much easier when my foster is finally adopted and leaves my home.

Yes, I do get attached to my fosters, and yes, it is sometimes incredibly difficult to see them leave my home. But ultimately, helping a lab find their loving, life-long home makes it all worth while at the end of the day. Were my husband and I to adopt, we could not continue to foster, and for us, helping many dogs on their journey to their forever homes is worth more than bringing a second dog into ours.
.

It's the same for me... I just started fostering 3 months ago. I'm on #3 foster. If I adopt, I can't help anymore dogs. This means a lot to me so I won't adopt. I can help many more dogs by fostering. I also am a driver for a dog transport. I just look at it like this...I'm saving a life!

Yes it's hard but it is also rewarding. It's like sending your kid to college. You raise them and teach them everything you know and then you let them go.

Great poem!

Rampage really seems to miss the fosters when they go but he recovers quickly. I think my other guys actually enjoy all of the extra attention they get when no foster is in the house although they also seem to enjoy having the fosters. I am fostering a young dog for the first time right now and with the exception of Rampage everyone was a little put off at first (they have all gotten over it though)!

Fostering is great. The rewards exceed their leaving. I've fostered pups and adults. I'll do it again.

I have three dogs of my own and have been fostering for about 6 years now. I have fostered both single adult dogs and entire litters of puppies, or poopies as I like to call them. I have never had any issues with my dogs being upset when the fosters leave. I admit, I do cry everytime one gets adopted, but I know in my heart they are always going to a great forever home and that if I would keep one I would not be able to foster anymore and that is were my help is needed. I hope this helps.

I have a yellow lab that I don't want to give up, but I can't keep him right now and need to find either a temporary home for him or give him to someone who would give him a good home.

What are the rules to fostering and how would I find a foster home for my dog Gir until I get a place where I can keep him again?

Thanks. He is a pure bred yellow that is 2.5 years old.

I've been fostering for about 8 months and my resident dog seems to react about the same as I do. For some to go to an adopter, it's a relief. For others to go, we mourn. My previous foster, and about the shortest...3 weeks...my dog fell in love with him. They were at the same activity and dominance level and got along great. It was difficult for him to not have the foster around and it was one I almost failed with. My dog was depressed when that foster left.

I currently have a senior bonded pair (which may be a long-term foster) and my dog has become their guardian. If our resident dogs are pretty secure, I think they respond to fosters as needed. A playmate, a guardian, a warning to problems.

It realllllllllllly depends on the dog. I have one dog myself and to be honest, he POUTS when I get a foster. When they leave he is all too happy (seriously!). So it depends on the dog, mine is depressed when they arrive and happy when they leave ;) They won't always be "best friends" and hit it off.

Fostering is rewarding, but hard. The first week (and I always forget this) is stressful, getting used to a new dog, new routine and the dog is stressed and it shows. My first foster had diarrhea for a week so I was constantly cleaning up after him (not his fault, very sweet and trained dog, but the stress was causing him to go! I was waking up at least once a night for him). But then things fall into a routine (routine works REALLY great for fosters, they learn more quickly what happens when and how to act).

Do consider how well socialized your current pup is and how they react to different dogs. I tend to foster dog aggressive dogs that can't go in other foster homes, as well as active dogs (even though I live in a 1 bedroom! I am active with my dogs). For some odd reason Rocky defuses other dogs and I have never had an issue.

I don't say the negatives to scare or discourage people, but it's better potential fosters know this COULD happen so they can somewhat prepare for it! And not give up after two days (which DOES happen often)

Good luck in your decision!

I have a yellow lab that I don't want to give up, but I can't keep him right now and need to find either a temporary home for him or give him to someone who would give him a good home.

What are the rules to fostering and how would I find a foster home for my dog Gir until I get a place where I can keep him again?

Thanks. He is a pure bred yellow that is 2.5 years old.

most rescues will not let owner who are surrendering foster their own dog. There is usually a surrendering fee (as the dog will be costly to the rescue) as well. BUT this depends on the rescue. You can contact local rescues to see about putting a curtosy posting (which means they don't vet any information you provide but will advertise your dog on their site)

when you give up yours rights to the dog that is it - for good. It's not good for the dog to go elsewhere for months or years then suddenly be uprooted again.

but again, ALL rescues are different so you need to google search for rescues in your area and ask them directly. Do give them time to find an available foster home, it's not something that happens overnight.

Hi I have been fostering for a number of years, but after my two oldest dogs passed, that is when the doggie depression started for my dog.

He would get very depressed after each one left. Even though it was only a short time between fosters, he was just a sad, sad soul. I was getting depressed just seeing my dog depressed.

Long of a short. Wound up with one of my foster pups that was born in my house, didn't adopt on purpose though I swear. Well, that just changed everything for for my dog Zues. He has never been depressed again. Now he always has a friend and I got a new baby, well she is two now, and both my babies are 100 pounds. They love all of the foster dogs and kittens and they are great moms, but when the fosters do leave, my dogs are ready for them to leave and probably the only ones who are not depressed, well except for my husband.

Talk with the rescue group you foster for or are thinking about foster for and let them know your concern. Fostering is extremely rewarding and so needed everywhere.

Now, I am not going to lie, I still cry and cry everytime my fosters leave. That will never change. Hundreds, of kittens and puppies fostered, and I still cry. My 9 year old cries every time a kitten leaves. Yet she knows she can keep one or two, and yet seven years later we are still catless.

Remember we can't save more until our fosters leave, then more will die. Your fosters are going to very good families and will be loved. There are so many more who just want the same.

:tissue:This is what I tell my kids and myself if we are overly emotional when a foster leaves. I hope it helps you because it helps us.

We saved a life today, we saved a life that changed the world for one sad, scared little baby, we turned his world around and gave him smiles and wagging tails. Now we can help save another. Then we go to the computer and go into one of the high kill shelters and we look into those endless sad eyes and terrified faces of all of those precious souls whose lives are about to end. And it reminds all of us of why we are fosterings. Of course you may start crying again.

Forgot one very important thing.....Have a beer.;)

When people take fosters in, are the generally vetted first, or are there concerns about contagious diseases and pests being passed to your own dog(s)?

Will they child/dog/cat test a potential foster for you before you bring them into your home if you have concerns?

With the rescue I foster for (and I can only speak to their policies) the intake people get the dog initially vetted and up-to-date on vacs. Major medical issues are taken care of. If needed they are speutered, shaved down, treated for parasites, bathed, etc. Occasionally, some things cannot be done at intake and I've had dogs microchipped, heartworm tested etc. at my vet who has an account with the rescue.

It is the fostering families job to find out who the dog relates to best, whether it is cat friendly, dominance level, good with children. If the dog is obviously cat aggressive (for example) it would not be placed in a foster home with cats. But until the dog shows it's true personality as the stress of change or the terror of the pound eases, the rescue cannot know what would be the best permanent placement. That is why my rescue's policy is to not place an animal up for adoption until it has been in foster for at least two weeks.

My job, as a foster, is to see what a dog is like in a home setting and then get them the perfect home for their personality.

With the rescue I foster for (and I can only speak to their policies) the intake people get the dog initially vetted and up-to-date on vacs. Major medical issues are taken care of. If needed they are speutered, shaved down, treated for parasites, bathed, etc. Occasionally, some things cannot be done at intake and I've had dogs microchipped, heartworm tested etc. at my vet who has an account with the rescue.

It is the fostering families job to find out who the dog relates to best, whether it is cat friendly, dominance level, good with children. If the dog is obviously cat aggressive (for example) it would not be placed in a foster home with cats. But until the dog shows it's true personality as the stress of change or the terror of the pound eases, the rescue cannot know what would be the best permanent placement. That is why my rescue's policy is to not place an animal up for adoption until it has been in foster for at least two weeks.

My job, as a foster, is to see what a dog is like in a home setting and then get them the perfect home for their personality.

Thank you. I was curious how that worked...

I think Jubilee liked it when fosters left because we spent extra special quiet time together. She never had any "depression" issues but then again I ran a pet sitting business out of my home when she was younger. My fosters have only stayed two weeks to about four months so not too long which may have a lot to do with it.