The Joy of Fostering

There's plenty of heartache and sorrow in the world of rescue. There are the multitude of dogs that we can't save for lack of time, space, or money. There are those who are too sick to recover, so all we can do is give them an end to their suffering and a pain-free passage to their next life. There are adoptions that fail because of mistakes we make, or sometimes just because shit happens. And shit does happen, both literally and metaphorically.

Rescue is often a world of bad smells, bad diseases, and bad people. But there are dogs to make up for all that. The good moments don't always outnumber the bad, but they do outweigh them. The absolute best thing about rescue work is seeing the results, represented here in these photos. Seeing our former fosters in new homes where they are loved, cherished, and cared for. These are the moments we live for and work for. These are the moments our hearts cry out for.

These pictures are true joy. Some of these dogs are old and may be nearing the end of their lives. But they have had a home, they have known love, they have had the best that their families can provide. This is what keeps us going.

The most recently adopted dog, Clyde.
He looks so much better already.

Hunter, showing off a new winter coat
and matching paw wrap. The dog is styling.

Another Dane, Athena, living the life of a goddess.

Axel, great dog.

Allie, a beautiful white shepherd

Allie is suffering from DM and now uses a
wheel chair to get around, but her mind and
front end are as lively as ever.

Baron with a ball

Baron with snow

Blue eyed Bella

Bella is beautiful.

That's Benny (f/k/a Lenny) in front, with
his sister, Priscilla, in back.

Benny found the home he needed, and the
sister he needed.

Cooper, done up for Christmas

Daphne sunning herself in front of a window.
She does more car rides these days and just
short walks, but she still does.

Emma, f/k/a Lilly

Summer with two of her favorite things,
water and balls of any size, shape, or type.

Summer

Always handsome and sweet, good boy Felix

Grenache, f/k/a Kip, in his backyard.

There's nothing quite like an old dog. This one is Harley.
Harley is proof that you can move, get married, and have
a baby without dumping your dog. 

A younger, and wetter, Harley

Kona, f/k/a Cookie, who was rescued by Harley's owner.
I took her in and we found her the life she deserves.

This is Patton, whom we called Horse. He looks
small curled up in this chair, but he is not.

Oberon (Obi), who is now living it up in California. Lucky dog.

Rocco, f/k/a Simba, who went from living on
a high-rise balcony to a home of his own.
He was so underdeveloped I wasn't sure he was
entirely sound, but now he runs like the wind.

Krypto, Super Dog

Krypto survived parvo with me, and survived
a house fire in his adopers' home.

Polly the Pyrenees

Rocky with kitten. He was the sweetest dog.

Rosa, now a senior dog. She was
adopted within minutes of hitting
the internet. The fastest ever.

Sam. What a face, what a life.

Rugger

Rugger's life went from living on a concrete basement floor,
neglected, hairless, and infected, to this.

Sophie, f/k/a Sunny, a/k/a Gypsy Jr.
She was a pita foster dog who somehow lucked
herself into a great home. She was still a pain
in the ass, but they love her anyway.

Tessa, with her child. This pictures reminds me of my favorite
quote from Spots in "Isle of Dogs":
"I'm going to be responsible for your protection and welfare
on an ongoing basis. In other words, I'm your dog."

This is a different Tessa, probably the best looking female
shepherd I ever fostered. She was adopted to another VGSR
volunteer and continues to lead a great, great life.
That's what we wish for all dogs.

Atlas loves his blankie.
Atlas loves.

Henry, 14-15 years old now?
Further proof that you can move, get married,
and have a baby without dumping your dog.

Rottweilers require special homes,
and Kayla found one of the best.