"After losing my dog Bailey, I didn’t think I would be able to go through the heartbreak of seeing another one over rainbow bridge. However, it became very apparent that I also wasn’t coping very well without having a dog in my life. 

 

"I made the decision to start fostering and found Senior Staffy Club which I thought would be a great fit. Bailey was a Staffy, he was an old boy and we had helped him through all his medical conditions, so I figured this would be the perfect rescue to volunteer with. I’m a big dog lover and I always donate to charities, but I really wanted to do more to help. What better way than getting as many of these deserving dogs out of a kennel and into a home? 

 

"Our first foster was another old boy who was an absolute angel, the second was a sassy senior who had no idea how old she was. They both had completely different personalities and their own share of issues, but each of them came with an abundance of love. We are now looking after our third who is a gentle old soul and we love having him with us. 

 

"You have to be prepared to deal with things you aren’t used to or even experienced with, but the SSC staff are amazing and always on hand to help. We’ve learned so much about training, managing reactive behaviour, calming anxieties and I am sure we still have much more to learn. There is always someone just a message or phone call away to help with any questions or concerns and they really do go above and beyond for the dogs and the people looking after them. 

 

"My theory with fostering was that it would be easier to say goodbye to them knowing they were going into a loving home, rather than saying goodbye for the much sadder reason. Honestly, it's still hard to see them go, but it does make it worthwhile getting to see them in their new homes living their best lives and knowing that I played a part in helping them get there. 

 

"It's both a wonderful and difficult thing to do, it requires patience, care, time and effort, but I can honestly say it’s the most worthwhile thing I ever decided to do. You get to take these dogs in, really get to know their little quirks and character traits, and give them a loving home. They return the favour by loving and trusting you and bringing the unbridled joy of having a dog in your life." 

"Pros: 

 

- Get to be a stepping stone for dogs in their twilight years that, for the most part, just want some peace and quiet while they await their new home. 

 

- As seniors, they have most times come from a home and so they are already well versed in how to behave in a house and are house trained. The odd accident can obviously happen, but we have found that subsides as they become more settled and used to you and their new routine. 

 

- Get your doggy fix and a dog in your home without the full responsibilities that come with being a dog owner - including financial commitments (especially insurance), food, medication. It’s the best of both worlds! 

 

- Flexibility. If you have a holiday booked, and you have a dog in foster, SSC will ensure the dog is cared for (probably by another fosterer) while you are away. 

 

- Learning. Every foster we have had has taught us something new, not just about dog behaviour and dog communication, but also about ourselves. You learn a lot about yourself (good and bad!) when you’re taking care of another being. 

 

- Rewarding. When you find the right pet parents and they go off to their new home, it’s a very rewarding and pure feeling. Obviously this can also be a con though, because it’s always sad to say goodbye. But when you get that first update and picture and see them settled and happy, it’s all worth it. We’ve made new human friends and still stay in touch with some of the adopters and the dogs we’ve been able to help, which has been amazing! 

 

 

 

"Cons 

 

- Difficult to say goodbye, especially if the dog has been in your care for a long time. The trick is to try and compartmentalise and see yourself as the stepping stone and conduit to the dog’s new home. Try and remember why you decided to foster in the first place: So you can help the dogs that need us. 

 

- The dogs can sometimes have their behavioural problems and medical issues. We’ve found SSC to be super supportive if we have needed help with behavioural issues and we have felt empowered to make decisions if the dog needs medical attention and suggest vet appointments, follow ups, etc. The dog’s welfare comes first with SSC and they accept that, as the fosterers, we know the dog best. Especially if the dog arrived with no background story (stray)."