3 Years, 45 Foster Dogs, and a Whole Lot of Love

This month marks three years since I started fostering with Operation Paws for Homes, and I'm currently on my 45th foster dog! When I started, I had no idea just how much fostering would become a part of my life or how rewarding it would be.

The most common thing people say when they find out I foster is, "I could never do that. I'd get too attached!"

And I get it! You welcome a dog into your home, care for them, get to know their personality, and fall in love with them. Of course you get attached!

But here's the thing: Saying goodbye is actually one of the most rewarding parts of fostering.

There's something incredibly exciting about watching a dog find their forever family. You get to meet their adopters, see how happy they are, and know you played a part in bringing them together. Many adopters keep in touch, sending photos and updates, so you get to continue watching your former fosters thrive.

And once a foster gets adopted, there's another exciting part: picking out who's coming next! There's always another dog waiting for a chance, and I love getting to welcome the next one into my home.

After 45 foster dogs, I'm also pretty proud to say I've only "foster failed" once! My one and only foster fail is Oakley, a puppy I decided to keep after my very first OPH dog passed away over the summer. She's been a wonderful addition to the family, but if I kept every dog I fell in love with, I wouldn't have room to help the next one!

Of course, fostering isn't always easy. There are accidents to clean up, things that get chewed or destroyed, and dogs who need extra patience and training. You have to be willing to accept a little chaos (and invest in some good cleaning supplies). Thankfully, my own dogs love having a rotating cast of new playmates, so they're always happy to welcome someone new!

But the pros outweigh the cons by a mile. Watching a scared dog gain confidence, a puppy learn the ropes, or a family fall in love with their new best friend makes every frustrating moment worth it.

Three years, 45 dogs, one foster fail, and countless happy endings. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, and I'm already looking forward to the next 45!

So if you've ever thought about fostering but worried you'd get too attached, I hope you'll reconsider. You'll probably fall in love with your foster dog/cat, but you'll also discover just how wonderful it feels to help them find a home of their own.

Trust me, the goodbyes are worth it.

Interested in fostering? Visit ophrescue.org/foster to learn how you can help give a dog or cat a second chance.