Every dog deserves a forever home!
Stepping Stones...Fostering A Rescue Dog
by Karen Simondet of
Westie Rescue of Orange County and Beyond.
Whenever I am at the dog park with four to seven Westies in tow, inevitably the conversation always turns to fostering. I ALWAYS get the same response; “I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t be able to give him up, I would worry about his new home, I don’t have what it takes”, etc. Well, I admit I am very weak when it comes to our furry friends, but if I can do it…you can do it!
Ever since I was a child, I was always rescuing strays. Coming from a family of seven children, the day to day chaos was more than my parents could handle, so why burden them when new pets? We hid them instead. I was eight years old when my first Westie showed up at our door.
I took her in, and successfully kept her from my parents for over 2 weeks. When they learned of her, they thought she had just arrived. “Don’t feed her kids; we don’t want her to stay”. Always obeying our parents we did what good children would do. We fed her.
She slept under my covers at night and soon enough, she was a member of the family. This was the beginning of my love affair with Westies. Throughout the years, I toyed with the idea of “fostering”. With my full household of two extraordinary Westies, thinking about fostering was no longer a fleeting thought. It became reality.
I was nervous. I worried about the “new” dog getting along with my boys. What if one bites the other? How many things are going to be peed on? Yes, I was scared.And then a remarkable thing happens. We meet the dog, who has been introduced to inside living for the first time, and the fear slips away. There is just something amazing about a rescued dog.
Most are unsure, some are needy, frightened or broken at first, but as they begin to realize they are safe and loved, their personalities begin to shine.
For the first time in their life, they are enjoying being a dog!
They are accepting of all things, and with human help and our own dog or two, they quickly overcome their past. They are innocent, forgiving, and they want to please. Such qualities make me envious.
To watch them experience their first toy, hearing them bark for the first time, playing racetrack down the hall, or flat on their back fast asleep, is such a wonderful gift that you can’t help but smile. This once scared and shy little thing becomes a big dog in their own mind.
And yes - you will fall in love. And yes - you will cry when the dog finds their forever home with a family.
But knowing these dogs have found a family of their own who loves them as much as you do makes it all so worthwhile. I understand we all fear the unknown; we are afraid to get attached and fall in love with that adorable dog. But please remember this…to that dog you are the world and his or her second chance.
You are the stepping stone to a wonderful new life.
The alternative is a scary thought. A continued life in a garage, left alone to spend each and every day outside no matter the weather, some with shelter, some without.
SO PLEASE SAY YES TO FOSTERING A RESCUE DOG!
To learn more about fostering for Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond, please call
Karen Simondet - (805) 208-4322
or Email: karens@westierescueoc.com
Karen Simondet - (805) 208-4322
or Email: karens@westierescueoc.com
WROC is not affiliated with any other Westie rescue group in the Southern CA area. We are the only IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non profit corporation in California recognized by the West Highland White Terrier Club of America and all of our funds and efforts go to the rescue and support of our Westies. This editorial represent the opinions of Westie Rescue of Orange County and Beyond.
