Adventures in Dogsitting

You probably have not noticed readers, because we are all sitting behind computers or iPods and not speaking face-to-face, but I am a very emotional person. I cry at sappy movies, random acts of kindness, and sometimes even cute animals. While we are on the subject of emotions pertaining to cute animals, I will never be able to foster dogs later in my life. I just get way too attached.

We were dogsitting this adorable little Dachshund for a woman my mom knows for a month. He was the sweetest dog ever. He loved to play with my other dogs and cuddle with people. Before he had belonged to the woman we were sitting for, however, he was in an abusive home. I am so glad he was rescued from it because it allowed me to meet and get to know this sweet, caring dog.

Fostering dogs is so difficult, though. You begin to grow attached until you just do not want to let the dog go. You fall in love with them and you do not want them to leave you. However, fostering is for a very good cause. You are saving dogs from abusive owners and allowing them the chance to find a new home that they can stay in and be safe.

I greatly admire people that can foster these beautiful creatures. That they care enough to take in these dogs from broken homes shows that they are compassionate and care about their fellow creatures, not just themselves. They must be heartbroken when the dogs leave them and go to permanent homes. Some keep in contact, but many people that foster dogs most likely do not, as they have probably fostered more than one dog and it would be extremely hard to keep in contact with all of them and their owners.

When the dog that we dogsat first came over, I did not think I would get that attached to him. These dogs have a way of wiggling their way into your heart, though. They will love you, but then they will have to leave. Nothing is permanent, so you just have to make the most out of the time you have with them. And if you find yourself sobbing like I did when I came home to find my new friend gone, but his dog dish still in the sink, then do not worry, because you are only human. Humans get too emotionally attached too quickly, especially when fostering dogs. I encourage people to foster, though, because it is for a good cause and you make some great new friends.