Rich_in_Tampa said:
Do you get attached and miss 'em when its time to give them back?
Of course, you do get "attached", but you have to remember that you are only providing a home (and I have two Shelties "of my own").
Just a side note. I "fostered" one two years ago (when I got involved with the organization) who had kidney disease. No one wanted "Kai" and he was on the list for more than six months. Since one of my previous Shelties had the disease, I knew what to expect, and how long he would probably live (once the diagnosis was made). My hope that he would live for "4 seasons"; he actually lived 9 months (but he did see the 4 seasons
). I knew that my time would be brief, that I would probably get "too close" to him (I did), but all in all - I did what was best in the situation. He loved to play frisbee (the organization didn't even know he had the "talent") and he became a real playmate to my (then) 3-year old female.
A few months after he was put down (you get to know when "its time") I got an emergency call from the organization at work. Seems that they had an "emergency" and needed a foster home ASAP. I was called at work on Friday, asking if I could possibly take a dog for a few weeks. At the time, they had 12 Shelties at the farm ("foster farm"?) and could not take another. All the other foster folks were either booked or on vacation. It seems this dog was rescued before, but was currently in a "bad situation" at the time (I won't go into it, here). Anyway, I agreed (since we had the room, and the "kibble"
to spare).
As it turned out, this was a case of finding that Jessie was truly a "diamond in the rough" and it evolved from a two week temporary stay to a (so far) 2 year adoption.
You do what you can, with what you can. I've already committed to take on a "fur kid" in foster care after May 1, and will continue to do so (I have the room, and a big yard to run). I'm sure my retirement will be much more fun with a couple of extra "little Lassies" running in "the back 40"
...
- Ron