Have You Thought About Fostering A Dog? It Is One Of The Most Rewarding Experiences

You have a direct impact on saving a dog's life.

For the last two years, 17 dogs of all different shapes and sizes have come to live with me while searching for a forever home. From St Bernard’s to Miniature Poodles, each fostering experience has been incredibly unique and rewarding. I have had dogs from Mexico, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Montreal, Toronto and Texas, to name a few and the knowledge that I am helping even one life has made me feel very lucky to act as a foster parent.

READ MORE: SWEET PENNY THE MIRACLE PIT BULL CELEBRATES HER FIRST BIRTHDAY WITH HER FOSTER FAMILY

With each foster dog, I have learned how to deal with all sorts of different doggy personality types from dominant, passive aggressive, timid, hyper to dealing with dogs with separation anxiety and distrust of humans, among many others. One of the most rewarding things, though, is seeing these dogs come out of their shells and begin to let go off some of their past baggage of abuse and abandonment. While each dog has a different set of quirks, they always come to me frightened and jaded, until about a week or two in when they finally start to let their guard down. It is at this point that I feel the most gratification, seeing what a difference you can make for this living, breathing animal that deserves as much love as the rest of us.

Eddie. 1.5 y/o. This little beauty from Quebec was with me for two months.

: Eddie. 1.5 y/o. This little beauty from Quebec was with me for two months.

: He is one of the happiest pups I ever had!

: Keira. 4 y/o. An Egyptian Princess who loved all the boys.

: Alfie. 10 y/o. I brought Alfie back from California with me. This photo was taken the first day at the airport.

: This photo was taken a few months of living with me. He lived with me for 8 months.

: He had no teeth, an attitude problem, and he also happened to be one of my favourites. I had a soft spot for this little fluff ball.

: Gustavo. 9 y/o. He came to me from Quebec, where he was about to be euthanized.

: Luckily Save Our scruff pulled him out in time and he was with me for a month. He has since been adopted and has an Instagram account @gusthebernie

: There was some overlap between Alfie and Gustavo.

: Batman. 4 m/o. An Australian Shepherd with one of the most hyper personalities I’d ever encountered. He was adopted very quickly.

: Micah. 6 m/o. Black Labrador pup who came from Montreal and lived with me for a month,

: Scottie. 2 m/o. Scottie came from the Dominican Republic and was with me for a month.

: Shelly. 4 y/o. The laziest and sweetest dog, who was adopted in a week!

: Roscoe 2 y/o. A very intelligent Pug mix who was adopted after a month.

: Jeffery. 3 y/o. Yorkie. Jeffery was one of my first fosters and was with me for two months.

: Charles. 4 y/o. Charles came from Montreal and was with me for 4 months.

: He was one of the smartest, sweetest dogs I have ever met. A Corgi/Shepherd mix that would turn heads wherever he went.

: Charles and I had a particularly special bond. He was very distrusting of every human when he first arrived but after two weeks he finally opened up and became one of the most loving dogs.

As a foster parent, the rescue organization typically provides you with all of the support and resources you need. From dog food to toys and vet bills, the only thing you need to worry about is providing the dog with a comfortable, safe and stable environment where they can learn how to be a dog again. Although you can experience some challenges like having to teach a four-year-old Egyptian street dog how to use the grass outside and not the area behind your TV to do its business, with a little bit of patience and dedication it is achievable. Fostering is also a great alternative to owning a dog. I for one, do not have the time to adopt a dog at the moment, so fostering allows me to have a dog temporarily while still being able to make a huge difference in a rescue dog’s life. I foster with the Save Our Scruff organization in Toronto, but if you know of a great rescue group in your area, please let us know in the comment section below. In the meantime check out some of the dogs I have fostered in the gallery above.