So many people say they would not be able to foster a pet because they would become too attached. I completely understand. That’s what pets do – they come into our lives and our homes and we fall in love with them.  

While it is a great kindness to offer love to someone who needs it, I will not turn this into a dissertation on how, without foster families, rescues cannot help animals in need. We already know this and, if you are one of those who for whatever reason is not able to foster, it is not my intention to make you feel bad. I have been there too.
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I have fostered several times in the past. Some of the dogs fit in well with my dog Mickey and some not so well. For the record, I loved all of my foster dogs but when the right homes came along, I found it pretty easy to let them go – much easier than I would have thought. Somehow I knew they were not meant to be mine.

Although I did become extremely attached and all of them were wonderful dogs, when their journeys took them to where they truly belonged I was thrilled for them. The problem I encountered was that certain dogs made Mickey very nervous. My last two fosters were not interested in making friends with him so I decided, in fairness to myself, to Mickey and to the other dogs, I would have to take a break. I was happy to do anything else to assist rescues but there would be no more fosters for me as long as I had Mickey.
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Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans – they often go awry. And my plans were thrown into complete chaos this past October when I attended an event and met a dog named Dan. He was there with a local Animal Control unit in hopes of finding a home. I learned he had been seized along with seven other dogs in a cruelty case and had spent many months in the pound. His siblings had been adopted but he remained. 

Dan is an older boy, estimated to be about seven years old. He had been kept in a crate in a basement and used for breeding. He was missing patches of fur, his ears had been poorly cropped and were horribly infected and he had come into the pound severely infested with fleas. He had been taken to the vet and no longer had fleas but he was still missing fur and his ear infections had not completely cleared up causing him considerable discomfort.

In spite of everything though, nothing seemed to faze him. He enjoyed being petted, walked obediently on his leash and greeted everyone he met with a smile and a tail that never stopped wagging. One of the vendors even offered him some chicken soup which he happily lapped up from a cup.

As the days passed, I found myself thinking about him more and more, looking at the shelter website and making some inquiries. Finally I asked one of the rescues I volunteer with, Furry Friends Foster and Rescue, Inc., if it would be willing to pull him from the pound if I agreed to foster.  The rescue said yes!

First, though we had to make sure he and our dogs would get along. My boyfriend and I took our two dogs to the pound to meet him and everyone seemed fine. It was a done deal. We decided right then to give fostering another try. I notified the rescue which then made an appointment to spring him. About a week later I gave Dan his freedom ride.

As you may guess, a senior pittie is not a dog that people will be lining up to adopt so I knew he would be with me for a while. The plan was to foster him for as long as it took to find his forever home. What I did not plan on was how much I would fall in love with him.

Dan likely has had no real training or socialization but he is sweet, smart and tries hard to please. He will take time and work but I believe he has tons of potential.
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He is funny and goofy and his head is a little too big for his body. He runs clumsily and his whole body wiggles when he is happy. He can be a bit pushy but Mickey doesn’t seem to mind – in fact they really seem to like each other and Dan will learn his manners eventually. 

I don’t know exactly when or how I made the decision, but one day I just knew that Dan would be not be looking for a permanent home because he had already found one. Earlier this month we made it official. Dan is now one of us – part of our family. He has won his way into our hearts completely.

I guess my point in all of this is, if you have the home, the heart, the love and you are on the fence, fostering is worth a try. If you’ve had a bad experience or two, it is worth trying again. Having a reputable rescue behind you makes things a lot easier. Everything is provided for you – food, supplies, medical care and any support you may need.

Yes, you will get attached. And yes, it can be hard to let them go. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, you find one that you’ll never let go. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find just what you need when you didn’t even know you needed it. I certainly was not looking to adopt another dog but then a sweet, lonely senior boy that no one else seemed to want adopted me. 
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He waited seven years but his wait is over. Dan is finally home and we could not be happier.

Today we are most fortunate to have, as our guest blogger, Janice Miller of safetytoday.org. 

As a veterinarian as well as a dog foster parent, Janice knows all too well the common dangers our pets face in winter, from minor hindrances to life-threatening issues. As Janice states, "you've probably heard of winterizing your home, but what about winterizing your pup? Like our homes, our pets need a little extra care to get through the winter safely."

Janice has written this wonderful article especially for www.loyalpitbulllove.com so please enjoy it and be sure to follow these important tips for keeping your pets safe.

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Four Winter Safety Tips Pet Parents Should Know

Winter poses a variety of hazards for people, but pet parents may not realize the dangers that lurk in and around their homes during the cold, winter months that pose risks to their dog’s health. If you’re the proud parent of a four-legged fur kid, you’ll want to be aware of these potential safety risks.

Crunchy Snow and Ice Can Damage Pads 

If you live in an area where it snows frequently in the winter, there’s not much you can do about the fact that your dog will likely have to navigate through the snow to relieve himself at some point. Some dogs love to frolic in the snow, while others will lift their feet as their pads become cold.

Whether your dog is a snow-lover or not, you’ll want to keep an eye on their paw pads to watch for cuts, cracks, and chapping that, if left untreated, can lead to infection. 

De-Icing Products Can be Dangerous

Freezing temperatures mixed with precipitation can lead to dangerous sheets of ice on patios and in other outdoor areas where your dog may spend time. You don’t want your dog to slip and injure herself, so the natural thing to do is use a de-icing product to melt the ice.
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However, de-icing products are actually dangerous for dogs. Not only can these products damage your dog’s paws, but your dog may lick her paws and end up consuming a dangerous amount of sodium chloride or other potentially toxic substances.

Keep Your Dog Warm and Cozy

If you’re the parent of an Alaskan Malamute, cold weather is probably not a huge concern for your pet’s comfort. However, many other breeds have thin coats of fur that do little to protect them from the harsh winter elements. That’s why some pet parents opt for sweaters and coats to help their dogs stay warm, particularly for elderly dogs, very young dogs, or dogs who are extremely thin or ill.

While few things are more adorable than a dog in a sweater, avoid leaving your pet unattended when he’s sporting clothes. If your dog attempts to get a sweater or coat off, she could get stuck and potentially suffocate.

Provide Adequate Shelter

When the temperatures drop, your dog should be inside whenever possible. Still, some pet parents have dogs that simply love to be outdoors. If your dog prefers to spend much of his time outside, be sure that adequate shelter is available. That means a windproof shelter, plenty of fresh straw for bedding, and access to fresh water.

To keep your dog’s water from freezing, you can use a heated bowl, but be careful to ensure that any electrical cords are out of reach for your dog. The best solution when the temperatures drop is to bring your dog indoors, such as a heated garage or, even better, inside your home.

Keeping your dog happy and healthy during the long winter months is a top priority for loving pet parents. Even dogs who spend most of their time outdoors will require some accommodations and precautions to ensure that they’re warm, cozy, and well-hydrated when the temperatures are frigid.

Image via Pixabay by antony4978

We hope you have enjoyed this important and very informative article and please visit safetytoday.org for lots more on how to keep your family and pets safe.

Thank you so much Janice for taking the time to share this information with our readers.