Fostering

Taking care of animals can be a lot of work, especially baby animals.

I forgot  this when I decided to sign up with Manitoba Mutts to foster a dog over my winter holiday.

After filling out the forms and having a quick interview, it was decided that I could not take care of a puppy in my apartment.  Puppies cannot touch the ground where a lot of other dogs have been because they can catch parvo, so they need somewhere secluded outside (i.e. a backyard) they can run around and do their business.

So, of course, when it came time for me to open my home to a homeless mutt, an 8 week old Shepard X was sent my way.  I agreed to put paper down on my balcony and let him go out there.

I was assured the little guy was paper and kennel trained.  After he peed on my carpet a dozen times and screamed when I tried put him in his kennel so I could shower, I realized that this was not so.  Or, that he had forgotten these things in his move.

He raced around my small apartment, ripping down dishtowels and pillows, gnawing at my coffee table and socks while they were still on my feet.  He tried to steal my cellphone and remotes.  He even tried to snatch away my friend's beard.

Being a puppy, he didn't understand how other animals might say 'no' to playing with him, so when my cats slapped him while hissing and growling, he started batting back with his clumsy, over-sized puppy paws and let out a low, playful growl.

My holiday was not a relaxing one.  I had to always be aware of where he was to make sure he wasn't in the litter box eating cat poo or tearing ornaments off the tree.

But still, when it was time for him to go, I couldn't help but be sad.

At 8 weeks old he didn't know how to be good, but he sure wanted to be.  When I scolded him he would immediately stop what he was doing and lurch about with his head down until I pat him on the head and said "good boy".

At night, he would snuggle up in my bed with me (I tried the kennel thing, but didn't want my neighbours to hate me so I quickly gave up).  If I wanted to sleep and he didn't, he would just quietly chew on his bone.

He napped a lot during the day.  I could tell a nap was coming because he would start to slow down - he would stop fetching his toys for me and instead find something to chew on (most often my coffee table books and magazines) until he slowly drifted off.

In the end, I don't regret having him in my home.  Fostering an animal is the right thing to do if you have the space and time.  And you're rewarded with tons of animals snuggles.

The foster I had, Dreamy, is still available for adoption. Check out the Manitoba Mutt website, Facebook page, or send them an email (adopt@manitobamutts.org) for information on him and other little rascals looking for a "forever home".