ADOPTION | FOSTERING | VETERINARIANS | BOARDING/PET SITTING
Surviving
Fostering 101, 102 and 103
by
Maria Hernandez
I waited anxiously for GALT to deliver my first foster. When they arrived I greeted them outside and instantly knew I had made the right choice. I had spent a good three quarters of my life not knowing what animals could offer. When I discovered their wonderful nature, their loyalty, their naivety, their unconditional love and trust, I was amazed. I had missed out on this for so many years and now I wanted everyone to be a part of and discover what I had found. I gained respect for animals and now I wanted to make a difference.
My first foster was a five-year-old black brindle girl. Her big black eyes could win any grouch’s heart. In fact every greyhound I have seen can pierce your heart with those big, round eyes. Keppy is her name and she traveled with a family from Belgium to the United States. She is a Galgo, a Spanish Greyhound, unique in the United States. Shy and quiet, she pretty much kept to herself. On occasion however, she would perk up and play with my two dogs. She was calm and very trustworthy. Fortunately for her, the stay with me was short. She was quickly spotted by a wonderful couple and won their hearts as she had won mine. I had her less than 4 weeks, and I missed her so. We had gone to baseball games together, to the pet store, and to the “Meet the Greys” sponsored by GALT. She loved laying on my couch and riding in the truck. The sleeping spots she had so carefully chosen in my home were now empty. It was ok, though; Keppy had gone to her forever home. The couple who adopted Keppy was full of love and attention that Keppy so much craved and needed. My heart ached a little when I saw her leave for her forever home, but I was consoled knowing that someone else would share in my love for Keppy and that Keppy would forever be loved by this wonderful couple.
Next was Little Red, now Ginger. The fact that she didn’t like Little Red, her given name, should have clued me in that this one was going to be a handful. This precious, red, two-year-old female was not at all unhappy having left the track. She was not at all offended that she didn’t quite make the cut (too slow I guess). She must have known there were bigger and better things out there for her. I was fortunate to be present when the breeder surrendered her to GALT. Once again my heart felt a sharp pain knowing that not all greyhounds were so lucky. I knew she would be coming home with me, but I didn’t know what a high maintenance princess she would be. At two years of age, still a puppy, she was full of energy and curiosity. She quickly discovered the comfort of a house and air conditioning, and simply refused to be elsewhere. She was demanding yet she could charm your pants off. Her eyes, big, brown, and the coloring of her face made it look as though she was wearing eyeliner or a mask. She has some unique features and is a beautiful dog. Of course this did not go unnoticed. After only three weeks, a young man, as she was a big flirt, fell in love with her. And in Ginger’s style, she laid on a blanket on her back with all four legs in the air (cockroaching). She had to be coaxed to get up and meet her soon-to-be parent. She has a big yard to play in and two wonderful people to love her, dote on her and learn the art of patience. Ginger will bring them many years of loyalty, happiness and unconditional love.
After two fosters I said I needed a break. I have two other dogs to care for and things to do. I had a week of vacation coming up and I had it all planned out. Of course someone out there had other plans for me. While I am planning my vacation, an animal shelter has picked up a stray; they contacted GALT with only two short hours to pick up the stray before the stray would be euthanized. I got a call. A foster home was needed in order to save this stray. I had a choice to make. It was an easy choice, my vacation could be spent with this wonderful creature, and everything else would just have to wait.
I picked up Taffy, aka Salt Water Taffy, at the veterinarian’s. She was not in the best of shape. She had a skin condition and tested positive for heartworms. She was a little underfed and quite exhausted from her life as a stray. On the other hand she was thin, blonde and looked at you with her big brown eyes. She was a little scared, but relieved. She must have sensed that this was the beginning of her new and improved life. She spent the first week and half sleeping, eating, and being loved. She had a lot of catching up to do. By the third week she was more energetic, playful and began demanding equal attention. Her health has improved. The skin condition has improved greatly and she will be treated for heartworm in the weeks to come. She now has peace of mind knowing she will be fed every day, she will be loved every day, and she will be cared for every day. Taffy is a survivor. She beat the odds. She is now emotionally secure, and receiving more love than she ever knew existed. I know, I have seen her flourish. At seven years old, she still has a long life ahead of her. She deserves a good, loving home. Taffy has a happy, shy, non-assertive personality. She loves to sleep on the couch and lay on big comforters. She likes to run around the yard with the other dogs. She has a big appetite and don’t think for a minute that just because she was a stray she will settle for any food. She will quickly turn her nose up at a treat that does not satisfy her smell test. She is a wonderful girl. She is a princess in search of her palace.
Taffy is my third foster, but soon there will be a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and many, many more. My friends and family shake their heads when I tell them what I do. How can you handle all those dogs they say? I can because I know it makes a difference. Ginger, Keppy, Taffy, three greyhounds with a new life. Three greyhounds that otherwise may not have been. What did it take from me? It took very little effort and a whole lot of love, dedication and Good Dog Sense. I have made a great discovery, I hope more people wake up and take part in receiving the love and joy of providing a greyhound foster home.
