What I've Learned From Fostering

It has been quite a year! On November 16, 2012 we welcomed Bruce into our home as a foster. As you might remember, he was sitting on "doggie death row" and he was out of options. Through the amazing networks of Facebook, we found all of this out and sprung that boy out. Read the post, First Foster for the full story.

After Bruce, there came Mindy, Lola and then Louie and here are 20 things I've learned from this crazy year of fostering.

1. It IS as hard as it seems
2. Some dogs are just meant to stay
3. Some dogs are just meant to go
4. Be sensitive to each dog's needs
5. Embrace the good times and learn from the bad
6. The good always outweighs the bad
7. There is a switch that you keep off in order to not completely bond with the foster
8. Once that switch gets turned on you're screwed and you're so going to keep that dog
9. The dog is the one that lets you flip that switch
10. These dogs know what you are doing for them
11. Even if they chew up a few pairs of your favorite flats, pee on the carpet, destroy plants and various dog beds, they still appreciate what you are doing for them.
12. Say goodbye to a stain-free carpet and a fur-free couch
13. As a foster parent, you are the essential stepping stone for the foster dog's new life out of the shelter
14. Snuggling is a perfected art form that, as a foster parent, you must practice on a daily basis
15. The day you let them go is the hardest
16. The thing you wish you could do the most is tell them you love them even when you let them go 
17. You also wish you could tell them that everything will work out when they are scared
18. You shouldn't look back as you walk away but you will anyways just to say goodbye
19. When you do look back your heart breaks a little bit
20. Your heart will mend