Doodles in Need

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I know that a lot of you read the updates on Doodles that are in foster homes - from Joanne, Krista, Lucy & Sophies Mom, Nina and others.

There are just too many doodles in kill shelters that could be saved if they had a temporary home to go to. You have to understand that they may have forgotten their potty manners, if they ever had them; they may be scared due to being in so many different places to live in such a short time; may be so under weight that they need fattening up; but most of all they need love.

We can help you with all the technical issues like potty training and weight gain. We need your hope. We need your love. We need your heart. We don't expect you to foster forever. Most of our doodles are fostered for 2 weeks or less. And when we are able to get the doodle to a full time foster we will do so.

Go to your doodle now. Ask him/her if you think you should save another doodle just temporarily and I think you will get your answer.

The experience is rewarding. Not only for your heart but sometimes for your own doodle. Learning from other dogs that have nothing is very valuable. And your doodle may enjoy the company and new person in the house.

Doodles in need don't ask for much............just your love and hope. Would you please share your love and hope for doodles today?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Thanks Pedroia's!!! You just let us know when you can! Good luck on the house search and condo sale!

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

If only my condo allowed more than 2 doodles...Maybe when we get a house with a yard we can foster. I'm definitely interested and we're currently looking for a house, but in this market who knows how long that will take since we have to sell our condo first. Keep me in mind though for the future. My two would love to host another sweet doodle and it might help calm my need for another doodle in the process. I'm in SC!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Suzanne, on the main page of Doodle Kisses, near the bottom, there is a "box" with all the listings of adoptable dogs through the DRC and IDOG, which are the two nation-wide doodle rescue groups. Contact information is provided there.
But you can also volunteer with a local rescue group in your own area. Private rescues rarely have facilities to house dogs, and always need foster homes. If you go to Petfinder.com and click on "Rescues & Shelters" near the top, you can search for private rescue groups in your own area.

[suzanne haff]

How can I be in contact with folks who know about Doodles in need of fostering/adopting?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

With 2 doodles and a DH that could fall in love with a foster (it' really me but I blame him), we don't have long term fosters, either. We fostered Mickey for 6 weeks, others for a day, a weekend or just a few days. Each doodle is different. Each story is different but they all have one thing in common - they need us to help them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Let me also say that volunteering to foster doesn't mean you have to take any dog that comes along. As much as possible, fosters are matched with dogs just as carefully as adoptive homes. Some dogs can't go to some foster homes. Dogs that aren't great around kids aren't put into foster homes with young children. Dogs that have high prey drives aren't put into foster homes with cats. An inexperienced foster wouldn't be given a dog who has a lot of behavior issues. If it's a bad time for you- you are remodelling your kitchen, etc. - you just say "not this time" when you get a call. Sometimes there is a need for a temporary foster...a dog's time at a kill shelter is up, and we just need a place to put a dog for a day or two while arrangements to transport him are made. I myself can't do what Krista does...take any unknown dog with health problems and nurse them back to health. So I don't.
People who are willing to help transpost dogs from shelters to foster homes are also desperately needed.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To answer Leigh's question, foster parents usually get first dibs on the dog. Obviously, the home has already been screened and approved as an excellent home, or the dog wouldn't have placed there to begin with. When a foster decides to adopt the dog, that's called a "foster failure", lol, and it does happen...but nowhere near as often as you might think.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Believe me, if I could foster I would. I do try to make a point to contribute a little every month or so to the DRC, so for those of you who are like me and cannot foster, let's cheer everyone on by giving a little moola if that is possible. It doesn't have to be much...every bit counts.
I will be on the foster list as soon as I am in a house not a townhome where I have restrictions on size, etc....

[Leigh & Allie]

I have a question.........what if you decided you wanted to keep the foster? I noticed Karen mentioned it below but what if you really, really wanted the dog?

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

The majority of us on DK have at least 1 dog. This really helps the foster settle in and quickly learn the house rules. We are currently have our second foster Brogan with us. I sincerely believe neither dog had ever been an inside dog (Jax was an abuse case & Brogan was owner surrendered), but so far we haven't had any accidents in the house. They seem to learn from the rest of the pack that is not acceptable to potty inside.

It is amazing how much love the fosters have to give. Maybe because they were neglected or abused by their former owners. I recently had an email from Jax's forever family letting me know what a loving, happy dog he is. He is the star pupil in his obedience class and the favorite of the neighborhood.