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So, as I noted in the comments on my last post, I didn’t take home the adorable pit bull puppy I met at the Doggie Street Festival, but I did decide to volunteer as a foster for Pit Bull Rescue San Diego — and I brought my home my first foster puppy last week. Meet Chevy:
Chevy, on his way to his first day of work at PETCO!
Look at those eyes!
A bunch of people have asked me why I’m doing this. Well, a couple of reasons:
1) It’s a great way to help out a rescue group that’s doing everything they can to save these animals, get them out of local shelters and help them find their way to permanent loving homes.
2) I’ve been suffering from a severe case of doggie envy since the day I started working at PETCO. Problem is, I know I’m not ready for a 10 or 15 year commitment yet, so this gives me a temporary fix of puppy love until I’m ready to be a full-time pet parent.
3) I’m curious about the controversy over pit bulls and wanted to learn about them first-hand. I’m also thinking about doing the same thing for other breed-specific rescues so I can learn what kind of pup might be best for me when I’m ready to adopt for good.
Hangin' out under my desk.
He had a great first day at work, made lots of four-legged and human friends (I swear he made more friends on his first day here than I did!) and rested quietly under my desk all day.
OH!! he is so cute!!
There will be a group play date this coming Saturday at Doggie Beach. About 10 pitty owners and their babies will be there. You two should come on down and socialize!
Me gusta Chevy!! How’d he do at the doctor’s? I’m so glad you’re doing this. Think it’s a great idea.
I think it’s great you’re being a foster pet parent Lisa! Your point is right on – what a great way to help a pup in need while also getting some puppy love of your own!
I hope your story inspires people to become foster pet parents. Be sure to keep us informed about Chevy!
Hi Lisa,
I’m a foster coordinator with Pit Bull Rescue San Diego.Thank you so much for fostering Chevy, as well as for publishing this blog. It’s a great way to get the word out to the public about how rewarding it is to foster one of our dogs! I loved reading your first post and I’m anxiously awaiting the Chevy’s next chapter!
I think it is so great that you are a foster puppy parent Lisa! Chevy is a lucky puppy to land where he did. I’m just wondering how you are ever going to be able to part with him, that is going to be a happy day when he gets his new family but I can only imagine how hard it will be to say goodbye. We adopted a rescue puppy last May and I can’t imagine life without her. I think you will be ready for adoption soon!
Congrats on becoming a foster.
I’m not an expert, but I want to share with you my experience with fostering. I had a roommate that fostered a dog from a rescue. It was a badly abused dog that came from Mexico, with huge scars that tore away the fur. From the pictures prior to fostering the dog looked totally cute and cool, but when she arrived at our house, she was afraid, and her tail was constantly between her legs, etc. It took a while for us to bring her real personality back to life.
For me, I felt my roommate was focused on teaching the dog tricks, and wanting companionship from the dog. However, I focused on teaching the dog safety, as in how to walk, run and bike with me (so WE don’t trip over each other) and to teach her not to run into the streets, off collar. Sooner or later all dogs escape the “leash”, so it’s best to teach them how to behave, off leash, as soon as possible before they mistakenly dart into the streets getting hit by a car and causing damage to the dog and other property. Eventually, the dog was placed in loving home that was a perfect match for her and her adopted family and we were able to provide the family with useful advice and history about their new pet.
I suggest you take some time to really train your foster dog, 1) Safety, 2) Socialization with other dogs, adults and kids, 3) who is the alpha/pack leader? 4) Standard commands, etc. in that way, when the future parents come along, you can share with them what you achieved with your dog, in fact, start some type of journal that you can share with the new family.
Sadly, most rescue dogs come with little to NO history, and pre adult to adult dogs, are somewhat programmed based on how they were treated prior to being rescued, in most cases, badly treated.
I guess what I’m trying to say, is that as a foster you need to learn how to become a good trainer/owner, so start with a step by step plan to become one, it requires attention and repetition and taking the next step in achieving a new goal for you and your dog.
Think of it just like being a personal fitness trainer for you and your dog, in the end, it truly becomes a healthy lifestyle.
He is very handsome