The Itch

We are what is known in the rescue realm as “foster failures” meaning we make it about 36 hours before we end up adopting our foster children. As my mom runs a no-kill animal shelter you can imagine how problematic this can be. At our peak before our son(now 8) was born we had 10 dogs and currently have 6 having lost the others through the natural aging process or due to illness.  (We have a very large fenced-in yard which makes this all possible.)
It is so exciting that you are getting the opportunity to foster. You guys are just the sort of loving, responsible folks that are a dream come true for a rescue to work with. Your kids seem very well adjusted I would not think you will have any problems.
Very best wishes in the new year to everyone in the OBP community!

I have never fostered but I think you have heard the calling for filling a true need in these hard economic times! As a Pastor, I will be fostering flocks-a shepard of people-you will be a shepard of puggies/furry friends-who will need to be loved. I hope all in OBP have a safe & Blessed New Year-remember you have a furry friend waiting for you to come home to them safe & sound!

I fostered once and it was a good experience.  Sleighbelle and Birdy were fine with the newcomer and the newcomer was ok too.  She had eye surgery before she came to me, and she was blind in the other eye, so the foster was a bit skittish; but just because she couldn’t see much.  She was able to get aournd the house really easily though.
I kept her for almost 3 months and it was very, very hard to give her up.  If I had only one pug, I probably would have kept her, but 3 pugs was really too much for me on a forever plan.
I highly recommend fostering.  Birdy was a resue and I tell you, there is just something that the dog knows, that whatever was bad in his past is over, and it starts with a loving foster family that helps to bridge them over to their forever family. Dogs and especially pugs are way smarter than we give them credit for, and they just know it’s smooth sailing from here on out.
And as for your pugs, I agree, they are very socialized and I think that they will (already have?!) adapt easily to a new pug in the mix. I look forward to seeing a picture of the vistor.

We’ve been fostering for Southeast Pug Rescue since 2004; fostering 28 wonderful little puggies and pug mixes.  Living here in FL, we also help out OPRA, CPR, and PROOF.  My advice…do it (sounds like you’ve already started - LOL).  It is a wonderful experience.  It’s hard work, it’s love, it’s rewarding…every emotion you can think of…you’ll experience it!  I always say loving and caring for the foster pug is the easy part, letting them go is the hard part!  And yes, we’ve been foster failures also, adopting 3 ourselves.  The satisfaction and love you’ll feel to/from that little pug in need will make everything so worth it.  Especially when they get adopted by the perfect family that will love them forever and ever and send you pictures and updates.  And well, if you end up being that perfect family, that’s ok too LOL!  You’re welcome to email me anytime!  Good luck!  Can’t wait to here the details.

You are incredible parents and I am certain, would be exceptional foster parents. Benny, Henry and Luna are beautiful, loving pugs and would be wonderful foster siblings. You all would be a blessing to a pug transtioning to a new forever, loving home, and if it so happens that you end up adding to your family, it was meant to be. I dream of being able to foster some day.
Sleighbelle, you made me cry too.

Yes, it does sound like you’ve already made the decision and I say “go for it!”. I have never fostered but think it is a tremendous gesture to help a rescued pug. I unfortunatly would never be able to let the little devil go to a new home. You have a wonderful pug family and I think they would love it!
Cindy and Phoebe the pug

I would love to be a foster pug mom but my husband says two puggies are waaaaay enough!  LOL!

I can’t add anything to the advice since I’m relatively new to the pug scene but I just know that you OBP folks have huge hearts and a wonderful family to share with some lucky pug/pugs out there that need a loving, responsible home to go to!

C.J., Toeby, and I want to wish all of you a very happy and blessed 2009!  I also thank you all for sharing your pug lives and stories and brightening my day so very much!

Gee, how did I ever get along without you all?

We totally admire anyone who fosters!  I think I would love to do it, but my husband says we have too many pets already.  We have a lab, a yellow tabby, and a pug… and we are about to get another lab puppy to train for his dad… Anyway, we never have (besides the obvious) because I think I would get totally attached and we’d end up with 5, 6, ... who knows how many pets!  I say go for it.  Especially since you have nice weather year round.  It gets very cold in NE and it might be a bit much with all the dogs inside…  Good luck and know we’re rooting for you!  It would be great to read your BLOG about the experience…  it might change some minds…  Happy New Year!  We’ll be keeping up with you in 2009 as well.  Thanks for all your hard work!!!

Sleighbelle…you made me tear up (twice) also.  I will absolutely admit that letting the foster pug go is THE hardest part of fostering.  Any person with a heart can’t help but become attached to a foster.  But what helps keeps me going is that I know that by that foster pug getting adopted, that enables me (frees up another spot) to bring in yet another rescue pug in need into my home.  And my husband (the logical one) has a limit on how many pugs we can have in the house at once LOL!  Fostering is so rewarding.  I’m lucky that most all of the families that have adopted my fosters keep in touch with me…it’s a big help! 

OBP, Like everyone has said, you will do great and any pug will be very lucky to have you as foster parents!  I can’t wait to hear all the stories!

Happy New Year to everyone!

All the best to you and your foster pup!  I was also very moved by what Sleighbelle said.  It makes sense that having three happy, well adjusted and obedient pugs would be the best thing possible for a rescue dog, no matter what their past had held for them.  I’m sure that H B and L will be terrific sibs!

And Happy New Year to all the OBP Family!

Stacey, good luck with Willy, and let’s pray for the very best possible outcome for Willy.  Sounds like it could get messy.

We’ve fostered 2 pugs and a kitten. Each time was good. One pug didn’t work out with our family so after a month he went to a different foster parent. It’s work because its a new person. Also I had to have the mindset that “this is not my pet, this pet needs love and care until they find their forever home.” I want to foster another pug but with work it’s hard. I hope to get another foster sometime in May or maybe a little earlier. Because I am out of town a few times in the next few months it makes it hard.

I enjoyed it. It was definitely a fulfilling feeling. It was also very hard to give them up. To me it literally felt like the pet was dying or had died. At the same time I can’t take in any more animals and I wanted to foster again. That’s what kept me going. I think your house would be a great place for a pug foster. So many to keep him/her occupied.

Love the blog and look forward to this years antics!

We adopted our little Rosie from CPR. The foster parents were very involved in getting to know us and approving us to adopt. I think it helped them to let her go. She came from the evil breeder lady here and amongts other health issues, she is blind in both eyes. You would never even know she had a previous life. She is so happy, all the time. She plays and sings. I think she, at 6 years, has more energy than our 2 year old puggy. Rosie’s foster parents will always have a special place in our hearts. We do keep in touch with them through CPR events and Meetups. My husband and I hope to be good foster parents some day too; we just need a big fenced-in back yard!

Bless you and all the other foster parents!