so many fostering questions...

[Anne'n'Cam]

This message is to everyone and anyone who has had a lot of experience with fostering. Ok I'll give a bit of background first. In october I got Saydi from the Daejeon shelter with the intentions of fostering her however it turns out that I fell in love with her...end of story there. Now I'm considering fostering another dog from Daejeon before it closes to do my part and help save another life. So here are my questions:

1. How do I foster without becoming so attached that I couldn't part with the dog? (most important Q for me because I seem to get attached easily)
2. Will Saydi and the new dog get along because they are from the same shelter? Or is that alot to ask?
3. Should I bring Saydi with me to pick the foster? I'm also afraid that she'll think I'm taking her back there...:(
4. Since Saydi, her "dad" and I have a very strong bond, will she be jelous? I want to keep our relationship number one since she is my forever dog but I also want to show the new dog what home should really be like.
5. Is the reason I mentioned above the right reason for fostering? Have I overlooked any other concerns with bringing a second dog into the house?

Andrea

[pukka]

Hi Andrea,

1) I have fostered many dogs since I came to Korea almost 3 years ago and
there is no way not to become attached when taking care of them.
It is a very hard job. I still cry when I say goodbye to them but knowing that
they have a good home makes it easier. Therefore it is very important to screen the adopters and spend some time with them to make sure your foster dog will be in
good hands.
Often fosters become attached, the way you feel is normal.

2) When you decide to take home another dog whether you will keep it or not
should be your decision and not your dog's. Saydi will only accept another animal
in the family if you and her dad are confident being the masters of the house.
It never means you will love your own dog less. My dogs and cats have to accept every single pet I take home- sometimes they really love each other and sometimes just tolerate, which is perfectly fine.

3) I would never take any of my dogs to the shelter for hygienic reasons. You pick a dog
you like, which is easy with so many cuties down there! It is better to introduce your foster to your dog at home, where your dog is most comfortable.

4) The moment I decide to take a dog home, I am completely responsible and I treat the
new dog the same as my own dogs. Only that way can you teach your own dog that everyone other than you and your partner is equal. If you treat your dog better than the new dog, your dog will bully the new dog I am afraid.

5) The main reason to foster a dog is to find a good home for the dog as soon as possible
and taking good care of the dog, including medical care. This is the only way to help a shelter dog or a stray find a better life.

I think you are able to foster a dog- it is so good to help another dog besides your own. Good luck!

[Ryan]

hey... Pukka hit it right on the head. there is no way to not get attached to a new dog in the house. It is hard. However, I suggest to make sure that you have the mind frame that she will be adopted out no matter what right away. That way, it has already been set and planned. You most likely will get attached, but it may help in being able to adopt her out, rather than keeping her, if that is your intent.

As for getting along with each other, Pukka is absolutely right. You are the person in charge of your house, not the dogs. Your dog has to understand that you are in charge, and you do whatever you want. He is just "residing" in your house. If this means some stricter rules that he has to obey in order to establish the hierarchy, than that is fine. I have no idea about your situation, and I am sure that Saydi is in a great home, but I am just stating from my experience. I had to establish my dog (and cats in the past) that I am the alpha of the house, and that I am in charge. Animals can always live together if this is done well enough. They may hate each other, but they will come to a truce of what needs to be done. My current foster is very "possessive", and doesn't really like Baxter very much, but Baxter loves all animals. They understand that they have to coexist in my studio apartment, and I rarely have any problems, and the ones i do have are settled really quickly with a correction.

As for taking a dog down there, I think it is ok, as long as your dog is up to date on all vaccinations, and stays clear of the "main" holding area. Baxter was down with me just last weekend, and he walked with a couple of dogs, but stayed away from the inside where the other dogs were. I guess you just need to be careful he/she doesn't come into too close of contact with the dogs, as many of them have earmites and bacteria infections. I had no problems with him down there, and I was glad I took him. I probably won't take him down there in my future trips though.

Bottom line, you are helping a dog in need to find a caring and loving home, and that is amazing! good for you. :)