"Foster dogs frequently come with baggage: fear of certain things or certain types of people, a lack of experience with grooming, discomfort with being on a leash or in a car. Baggage requires me to work to overcome it, to turn the suitcase from a 26-incher into a small carry-on, if I can".

I just loved the above quote taken from a very sweet article written by pet columnist and foster dog parent
Maryanne Dell who writes about her new foster dog and about how hard she is trying not to fall in love with her. In the wonderful world of rescue, "failed foster" is the term we jokingly apply to dogs who are adopted by their foster families. This is meant as a term of endearment as the majority of foster homes are incredible dog people and wonderful homes for any lucky dog.
But failed fosters often mean the end of their fostering career. It may be to much on the resident dogs to add yet another dog into the home, and more likely the town has a number restriction of how many dogs a resident is allowed to have.
While not largely publicized, some rescue organizations encourage people that are not quite ready for a new dog to foster and "try on" a few dogs for size. Rescues and shelters are always in desperate need for foster homes, and any little bit helps, BUT, do not take this huge responsibility on if you don't think you have what it takes to keep the dog until it is adopted. That will only make more headaches for already overworked rescuers.

If you have been thinking of fostering, what are you waiting for? You can start by contacting a breed rescue of choice, your local shelter or any of a multitude of local rescues. Here is a sample list of local organizations to get you started.

We will be fostering for New England Border Rescue in the not too distant future.

About the photo-
Dina and young Charlee shortly after adoption. Charlee had been in an NEBCR foster home for just over 2 weeks.