Susan and I have been fostering Schipperkes (for Midwest Schipperke Rescue) four years now. We did not know much about fostering when we started, and we are learning with every dog because each foster is unique. This is our latest, Ozzie, a show dog in his senior years. He is a champion quality dog whose owner was a Schipperke breeder until this year when her health failed. Her dogs went to new homes and this old boy came to us as a foster to prepare for retirement as a house pet.
Ozzie lived in a deluxe kennel with his own outdoor run and was not a house dog. We often have to housebreak the fosters for various reasons, and we adjust our days to fit the dog and change their habits without stress. We use frequent walks with lots of rewards for the behavior we want. As the dogs learn how to behave they are introduced to our dogs and cats, and become part of our household. Ozzie adjusted well to our home and liked sleeping in our bedroom at night, but he never tried to get in bed with us because our bed was already full of Schipperkes. He learned to bark at us when he needs to go out and would go to his kennel like the other dogs when it was time for meals. Ozzie was a joy, and we would have liked to keep him, but someone out there needed a dog like him.
Ozzie's new mom lost her Midwest Schipperke Rescue dog to old age earlier this year. She felt lost without a Schipperke, so she applied to Midwest again for a dog to adopt. We were given her contact information, spoke to her over the phone, and took Ozzie up to St. Louis to meet her. She was the "Someone" that needed Ozzie.They hit it off, and on our second visit, with a little bit of paperwork, Ozzie was adopted. He has a bed in every room, lots of toys, and a choice of two beds in his new mama's bedroom. Ozzie chose her bed, though, and that is where he sleeps. It is gratifying to see the joy in dogs and humans when they become a family.
If you have the time and inclination to foster Schipperkes in need of a home, contact Midwest Schipperke Rescue and fill out an application. Volunteers are needed for transporting dogs, and for rescue and rehab. Donations are welcome at the address listed on the link.
3 comments:
Ray & I are so Thankful for people like yourselves fostering these sweet dogs that need you so much. I don't think that most people know how much of a job it is for fostering. I think of our own rescue Schipperkes (the Kuvasz breed) for the past 30+ years & how we have to introduce each rescue into our household depending on the mental & physical conditions of each rescue.
And the fact that not all dogs are going to be "instant" doggies in your home.
More often than not there are usually at least a few mental or physical issues with each rescue & sometimes that's why they're a rescue in the first place.
Also, you can only expect them to reach their own potential depending on their past history. We've had "hard" rescues that were neglected/abused etc. that took a little longer to ease them into the household routines & were eventually a great loving doggie.
So a big Thank you again for doing what you do for these rescues!
Thank You for visiting and commenting! You are correct that some are easier than others. They have all been a joy, though, and the people who adopt fosters become lifelong friends. It is especially satisfying to see these dogs realize that they can leave their ex-pen and kennel and move into our bedroom at night. They mature well over a two or three month stay with us. Letting go is not easy and we love to get updates about dogs who have stayed with us.
"...we would have liked to keep him, but someone out there needed a dog like him." It takes a big heart to host a dog knowing that it's only temporary and you will lose them along the way.
You're doing God's work, David.
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