Nothing is more fulfilling in a pet lover’s life than “fostering.” What is a foster? A foster or foster home is someone who is willing to take in a homeless cat or dog until a forever-home is found. It is an amazing experience.

When a pet comes into your home, you treat it as if it were your own. However, to spare yourself from the anguish of missing them when they are finally homed, the mantra “he is only visiting…he is NOT my dog” should be practiced.

During the years I fostered dogs for Apso Rescue – Colorado, I was incredibly fortunate to experience dogs who’s only mission in their little worlds were to be loved. And when they made it to my world, they were loved! Some dogs were thrown away because they couldn’t be house-trained or they bit the children in the house or the owners didn’t have time for them. It didn’t matter what the reason was…THAT dog was safe when he or she made its way to our rescue.

It’s a tough job, no doubt about it. But, in the end, when they find a fur-ever home and a family that will love them for the rest of their lives, I couldn’t be happier. Yes, I miss them and yes I think about them a lot, but I’m not worried about them anymore. They are safe. They are loved.

There are so many organizations in every community that need help fostering. If you have a small corner of your home for a pet to lay its weary head, and a spare bowl to keep his belly full, consider fostering. You will never regret it.