Make A Difference In The Life of a Doodle!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

 

During the last few months I've been asked at least 3 times if I could take a foster ...... sadly for health reasons I have had to decline!  This is so frustrating to me because I know that there are many Doodles sitting out there in Kill Shelters and the DRC is having trouble finding foster homes to put them in!  They can't bring them into the program if they don't have a foster home waiting!

 

Have you ever considered fostering but just weren't sure you could do it?  Even if you haven't considered it, would you just stop for a moment and consider it!  Many people worry that they will have a hard time giving the dog up .... yes, there are a few what we call "foster failures" in that the dog ended up staying with its foster family.  But honestly, in most of those cases those people really wanted another doodle anyway!  :o)

 

Over the past year my DH and I have had the honor of sharing our home with four Foster Doodles from the DRC.  If you had asked me 3 years ago if that is something that I would do, I would of probably told you you were crazy.  There wasn't even a Dog in my house, much less a foster dog!  Now, we have 2 Doodles permanently and the occasional visitor!   My life has become about my Doodles and helping other doodles.  I always wondered what I was going to do when I retired ..... and now I know.  My life is so full and so busy, but different from the busy that was going to a job every day .... it is busy fun and busy rewarding!

 

I won't kid you, as I drove to pick up the first foster from his family in KY there were butterflies in my stomach ..... I was wondering if I was in over my head, but as soon as I saw him I knew that I had done the right thing.  He was going to have a better life because I had taken the plunge!  The reason for this post is to share some experiences and maybe clear up a few myths about fostering, and maybe, just possibly even convince a few of you to come join us and help get some of these Doodles out of these shelters and give them the life they deserve!

 

MYTHS:

1)  I'll Never Be Able to Give Him/Her Up:  The best advice I ever got was to never think of the Doodle as Mine .... I am just a stop on the road to their new forever home.  I'm just giving them a good foundation and looking for the perfect forever family for them.  I can with all honesty say that I have never cried when one of my fosters has left (and I cry when I hear the Star Spangled Banner).  With each and every one, they bonded with their new family immediately, climbed right up in the car, tails wagging as they pulled out of the driveway!  There is just something so rewarding about seeing all the smiles on their new families faces and the tail wagging!

 

2)  I can't do this by myself:  Trust me, with my first foster, poor Karen (Jack Doodle's Mom) had so many e-mails from me .... but she was there for me every single step of the way.  Any problems, any issues, she helped me out.  I don't think she ever leaves her computer as the responses were almost instant.

 

3)  I can't afford it:  There doesn't have to be any expense to you.  All the Vet expenses and stuff are covered by the DRC.  They go directly onto the DRC Credit Card so there isn't even any out of pocket initial payment.  I normally just feed them the food that my girls eat, so that is the only real expense on my part. 

 

4)  Easy for you to do this, you don't work outside the home:  I'm one of the few fosters that doesn't work outside the home! 

 

5)  I'm afraid I'll be pressured to take a dog I'm not comfortable with:  At no point has anyone pressured me.  Anytime that I had to say No for any reason, they have always understood. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns, post them here.  There are many Fosters right here on DoodleKisses that I'm sure can put your mind to rest about any concerns you may have.

 

What I'm trying to say is we need you, these Doodles need you.  Just take the plunge, forget about all those little thoughts in the back of your mind that have been keeping you from volunteering .... you will be so happy that you did, I promise you!  Next Christmas your mailbox will be filled from cute little holiday cards from your foster babies and their new families .... there is nothing like it!  They will always hold a special place in your heart, a happy memory because you played a key role in giving them the happiness they deserve.

Go to DoodleRescueCollectiveinc.org

Click on the Volunteer Tab and you can complete and submit your application to foster right on line.

P L E A S E   !

 

Thank You

 

Lucy & Sophie's Mom (a.k.a. Sheri)

[Lorraine Bromley]

If there were any in need in My area of Canada I would be willing to do something like this as well.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Another good thing to do if you can't foster is to help transport doods to their foster homes! As I have said, we cannot foster right now, but we can drive!

I am currently being chauffered by DH, sitting in the back with Barley foster doodle - we just picked him up from his owners in midTN and are meeting his foster family in Jackson. Barley is sitting with his paw on my lap. He is confused but knows he is safe.

This is my first time but I can assure you it is worth it - to me and the doodle. Sweet boy is another step closer to a forever home :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Allyson, thank you so much for helping Barley! We can't wait to hear all about your very first doodle train rescue effort!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Way to go Allyson!  Transporting is such a great help.  When we have long transports the more transporters the shorter the legs.  It helps keep driving to a reasonable distance.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

yeah Allyson ....... thank you so much.  I sure hope you are taking pictures as you will be part of his new forever story!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Trying to upload my photos from my cell!  Successful doodle train....