As most of you know, I am a dyed-in-the-wool sucker for dogs.  I am also an advocate for pet adoption (all of mine have been adopted) . Well, I am on a couple of rescue groups email lists and saw a notice about this little scruff-ball of a dog that had been a stray and turned in to a kill-shelter. It needed a foster home quickly, and not wanting to think about this little guy not getting a fair shake, I stepped-up to the plate and volunteered.

jojo

A skittish little guy, jojo (he just looks like a jojo) was extremely timid. He was very thin, quiet and reserved. He sat in my lap on the entire drive home, staring at me with these big, brown eyes.  I was smitten.

After an initial introduction to Kismet and Roxie, I let him out of his kennel. Within 2 hours, this little 10-lb ball of energy had every toy in our house scattered everywhere.  I watched him as he ran in circles around the rugs, skidded on the hardwoods, and jumped on my lap.  That,  my first foray into this whole rescue thing, was deeming me a “foster failure” (when you keep the dog instead of adopting it out).

I posted his picture on facebook, and all who know me told me in so many words that I was toast. Except HK. Always the sensible one, he reminded me of our frequent travel, as well as the cost of boarding our other 2 dogs, much less the added $$ of another.

Fortunately, within a couple of hours, an old friend, (who i trust), called me on the phone and said that she wanted to meet and probably adopt jojo. In all honesty, I was saddened, but relieved to know that he would go to a home where I knew he could flourish. We did a skype call, and she “met” him, fell in love, and will pick him up next week, once all the adoption papers are in order. So I get a few more days with the little guy, then my home opens up to save the life of another dog in need.

Have you ever fostered a pet? What was the outcome? Are you a ” foster failure”? I’d love to hear your stories.