[Dailydrool] Fostering

[Sherry Faulkner]

I would like to thank Sylvie for her plea for foster homes. On average, 
Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue is having to turn away 3-5 dogs a week, and 
  being the person in charge of intake, I am the one that has to deny 
these dogs a space in our rescue. My first step is to try to find a 
rescue to take the dog, but all rescues are overcrowded today and it's 
becoming nearly impossible to find help for a dog in jeopardy of losing 
it's life. When no rescue is available, it's heartbreaking to know I am 
literally handing them a death sentence.

There are many reasons to foster, but the first ones that come to mind 
are that 1.) Your basset will enjoy having a friend around - remember, 
they're pack animals; 2.) Having another dog around will often make your 
job easier - your dog and the foster will entertain each other; 3.)You 
won't be out any expense other than dog food, unless like most foster 
parents you want to buy things like toys and treats; and 4.)and most 
importantly, you will be directly responsibile for saving a wonderful 
dog's life.

The Daily Drool <www.dailydrool.com> has a comprehensive list of 
rescues. Please look at that list, find one closest to you, and contact 
them today about fostering.

Of course, it is sometimes difficult to give up a foster to a new home 
and each one that leaves you will take a little piece of your heart. But 
that hole is immediately filled with the joy of knowing without you, 
that dog would probably have died. It's a fact of life, and a 
heartbreaking fact, it is.

My husband and I have personally fostered over 100 dogs in the past 7 
years. Some have been long term fosters, and some for as short a period 
as a day or two. All are different, and all are special. And yes, we 
have failed fostering on occasion, too, and that's okay.

Sherry Faulkner, President
Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue, Inc.
Fayetteville, Arkansas