2 min read (Articles narrated by Mabel)
If you’ve followed our blog for a while, you probably know that Molly and I write about the positives of fostering a lot. She loves fostering dogs, and since I’m her dog, I tolerate it because I know it’s important to her. But I want to take a moment to discuss the less exciting parts of fostering. They aren’t reasons to avoid fostering dogs entirely, but they’re aspects you should be aware of before you care for a dog in need.
Stressful Parts of Fostering Dogs
Anytime things don’t go as planned during fostering, it can be stressful. Caring for a dog is a big responsibility, so naturally, humans want it to go smoothly. But every journey will have some bumps in the road. Whether it’s training problems, health concerns, or a difficult time finding an adopter, it’s easy to get stressed out while fostering.
Molly and I recently found a home for Odin (fka Sonny) after two months of searching. He was one of the easiest dogs to look after due to his extreme shyness. However, we’re now fostering a puppy mill survivor named Cicely. She’s a sweetheart, but Molly is frustrated because she’s difficult to potty train. Otherwise, Cicely is a very easy dog, but that one aspect is stressing Molly out.
But there’s a reason we keep fostering, despite the struggles. Yes, it can be stressful at times. Certain dogs drive us a little crazier than others. But there are lots of ways to overcome those difficult situations.
Overcoming Foster Struggles
The stressful parts of fostering always end up being worth it because the good parts overshadow them. Sure, training can be tedious and time-consuming, but it makes finding a home for the dog easier. Plus, we usually only have each foster for a few weeks, so it only costs a short period of our lives to make the rest of a dog’s life perfect.
Plus, Molly says the cuddles, playtime, and heartwarming memories make up for all the parts that drive her insane. She has a hard time staying mad at adorable rescue dogs who are just looking for a better life.
So, yes, fostering can be stressful and it can make humans want to pull their hair out at times. But there are very few things in life that will make you as fulfilled and full of joy. No matter how many times Molly gets annoyed with a foster dog, she knows she’ll keep fostering because it saves the lives of many lovable canines.
If the downsides of fostering have been steering you away from doing it, I encourage you to give it a chance. Focusing on the good things will make the stressful times only seem like minor inconveniences in the long run.
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Mabel the Rescue Dog 