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people who do rescue

Discussion in 'Dogs - all breeds / types' started by Jamiya, Oct 3, 2005.

  1. Jamiya

    Jamiya New Member

    Okay, I am getting sick and I never have time to rest, so consider it fair warning that I am exhausted and weepy.

    For those of you who foster. Do you ever feel like you are betraying the dogs by letting them think they have a home and then giving them away? I mean, they don't understand that our homes are only temporary and when we send them off, do you think they know that we love them and want them but just can't keep every dog that needs a home? I tell them that, but do they understand? How can they? *We* know that we have done the best we can for them. *I* know that Chomper and Libby would both be dead now if I wasn't fostering. But they don't know that. I have had Chomper for 4 weeks now and he is getting attached. Won't he think I have betrayed him when he goes to his new home?
     
  2. Mary_NH

    Mary_NH New Member

    I don't foster dogs, but I do foster Siamese cats and I'm on a really long term blind one right now. And yes I do feel they get so comfortable they think they are home. They learn to trust again, learn the habits of the foster home and it grows comfy only for them to leave. BUT - even with the personality of Siamese cats I do honestly believe they know when they go home. Yes it may take awhile for them to readjust but they stay. I think things are different in their new homes cause a person has gone through the motions to adopt them and shower their new family member with love when they get there.
    MaiTai (the blind geezer meezer) has been with us since the end of March and she's still with me. SHe now comes out and rolls around on the living room floor and seeks us whereas we used to have to go to her. It'll be hard for us to part with her but she has tons of years to offer to a loving home.
    I think they forget us...I really do. Sad as that is. When they get into their new loving homes they move on rather quickly. We are just here to help them heal from whatever they need to - emotionally or physically. Help them to want to be pets again so someone else can offer them a life filled with love.
     
  3. DeLaUK

    DeLaUK New Member

    I think that says it all perfectly. I tried to write a response to your question earlier but lately I seem to be having a problem getting my point across, I mean to say one thing and then it comes out different.
    And Mary has just summed up in one short paragraph what I had almost written a 'book' of as a response. :shock:

    How many times do we take in dogs either off the streets or from shelters, initially we can go through 'no end' of problems. They maybe havent lived in a house for a while, if ever, maybe have had very little human companionship or if they have its been negative. So many dogs are unfortunately taken back to shelters because not everyone knows how to 'put right' the problems so the ones that can go to foster homes are the lucky ones, try and think of it as a 'doggy boot camp' were they learn not only some basic manners but they learn that its okay to trust people. I think it greatly reduces the risk of them being returned to shelters or let loose on the streets.

    Also, would like to add....sorry your not feeling good, I hope you recover soon.
     
  4. Jamiya

    Jamiya New Member

    Yesterday I noticed how much Chomper has learned the routine. I put him in his ex-pen when I feed the dogs, and yesterday I was getting the food ready and he went where I usually put his bowl down and sat and waited for me to circle the ex-pen around him and feed the other dogs and then put his food down.

    He *loves* to be outside and he loves to play with Nala. I want to find him a home with a fenced yard and another doggie to play with, but what if my sights are too high? How do I know what will make him happy? I am afraid he will be lonely without a dog or person with him all day, and it would be a shame if he never got to run off leash because he lives in an apartment.

    But if I wait for the "perfect" home then he will be with me a lot longer.

    Maybe I need to call an animal communicator. I wonder if that would help.
     
  5. Mary_NH

    Mary_NH New Member

    want to know why I've had MaiTai so long LOL
    and my last foster, Cleo, a snowshoe with issues.
    I want my foster cats to end up in the PURRFECT HOME for their needs - not the needs of an adopter. Since we fosters know the animal better than the rescue group we get final say on where a particular cat goes. And for me it's simple - I'm not doing this to make an adopter happy, I'm doing it so a cat in need gets a forever home even if that means I have to hold onto the foster cat longer.
    Cleo, bless her, hated the sight of me. But she's in a great home that fits her needs, remains an only cat with no competition and she's queen. Loving it, loving her new meowmy and getting it in return.
    MaiTai will get the same. I'm in no hurry...what she needs is the important thing, same for your foster dog. Do right by him, not necessarily someone who simply wants a dog. They must want a pet/family member.
     
  6. Mary_NH

    Mary_NH New Member

    should rephrase part of that. The making ad adopter happy bit - yes that's important but more important is the animal and the adopter match and that they can live in harmony for many years.
     
  7. Jamiya

    Jamiya New Member

    I don't mind holding on to the fosters until the right home comes along. I just worry about how the length of time effects them and my dogs as well.

    I think apartment people keep looking at Chomper because he is on the small side. But he's not really a small dog! Maybe I'll go change his bio again.
     
  8. Samsintentions

    Samsintentions New Member

    Jamiya, The one thing you have to keep reminding yourself, is that your doing this to help the dog find his home. And you'll know when the dog clicks with some one and its the right place.

    Yes to some degree its traumatizing to some animals, but most adjust quite easily.

    I honestly 100% believe that the dogs know you loved them and that you cared for them. I meet my dogs that I rescued and fostered all the time and each and everyone remembers me. And the looks they give you when they are happy is like they are trying to say "thanks".
     
  9. Nik

    Nik New Member

    Hi Jamiya,
    I live in an 'apartment'. We call them flats, and I can virtually guarentee you that the one I'm in is smaller than any you have over there.

    I was turned down by rescue charities and rehoming places because I was in a flat with no garden.

    I had 2 people, who are close to me, make snide comments about keeping a dog in a flat, especially a Border Collie / Hyper Ass.

    I've lost count of the amount of times over the last 2 years I've had the oportunity to throw back in their faces the fact that Floob has hours more excercise a day than either of their dogs. He shows no signs of boredom, even when I've had to go out and leave him for maybe 5 hours (that tends to be the longest he's ever left and not regulally). He's never chewed or barked when left.

    The guy who lives in the flat above me had his dog, Solo, for 22 years. He works shifts and as soon as he'd get home he'd walk Solo then spend the rest of his time with him by his side. He was a really happy dog. Solo passed away a few months ago :(

    A dog adapts to it's situation and surroundings. Surely people who come to view a foster with it in mind to adopt have the love and time to put into making a great home for the Chompers out there.

    I do understand your worries, but just talking to the people should be enough to know if they're genuine... and I pray to God they are.
     

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