canine fostering is major company for me.
I choose which canine I will foster carefully. I plan out every detail, and I have a backup plan in place in case things don’t work out.
Orie, the canine I picked up from a boarding kennel on Friday, was a dream canine to foster (read Friday’s post here).
He’d been staying at the kennel for about a week, which is where Labs & much more Rescue keeps its dogs once they’re safe from the kill shelters but not yet in foster homes. It’s an unlimited shuffle, as I’m sure numerous of you know. I’m pleased to play some small role in the process.
Orie is one of those solid, “blocky,” muscular Labs. In addition to being beautiful, Orie is also gentle and has the sweetest, happy-go-lucky temperament. Basically, he’s a ideal dog.
And you’d feel safe while walking him. He’s about 90 pounds!
I do not like to dwell on a dog’s sad past, but I was told by the rescue that Orie was used for breeding and then left behind in a home when his owner got evicted.
Despite this, Orie looks to all people with complete count on and love, like no person could ever do any harm. He seemed especially drawn to my husband, which makes sense because I was told his previous owner was a man.
[quote_center]Orie looks to all people with complete count on and love, like no person could ever do any harm.[/quote_center]
Orie was a hit with kids at Saturday’s adoption event. OK, he was a hit with everyone! men in particular seemed to really like him, kneeling down to cradle his big head, to scratch his back, kiss his ears.
For those who think black Labs are harder to get adopted (which I don’t believe), that was not the case with Orie.
His adoption fee was $400, and he had several families interested. I would’ve gladly adopted him as well.
He went home with a middle-aged woman. She’d lost a chocolate lab to lung cancer, she said. “It’s time for another Lab.”
She wanted an older Lab, “past the puppy stage” and drove for 2 hours just to meet Orie.
The woman brought him a gift – a tennis ball, and Orie lit up like a giant, awkward puppy.
And that was that.
Sometimes things just work out that well. The foster owner’s job is easy sometimes, practically unnoticeable in the overall process. I had Orie for just 24 hours.
But it’s a fantastic feeling to see a canine go home.
Congrats, Orie. I know you’ll do well.
Are any of you thinking about fostering a dog? What questions do you have?
Read much more on canine fostering:
Reasons to foster a dog
Q & A on canine fostering
Meet my readers’ foster animals
Also, I hope you’ll sign up for That Mutt’s email updates here.