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Ready for Forever

written by on May 11th, 2009 | 11 comments
Chevy looking sweet as can be!

Chevy showing off and blowing kisses at an adoption event in San Diego.

It’s been just over a month since I brought home my foster puppy, Chevy, and shared a little about him here – and what a month it’s been!

Chev, as I like to call him, has been through a lot since he came to live with me. He had surgery for a fractured font leg, spent three weeks in a cast, sprained his back paw and was neutered – all in one month! But he’s doing great now and has been an absolute joy the entire time.

I’ve enjoyed every day with him so far, from the energy he has in the mornings when all he wants to do is play, to his company as he snores the day away under my desk at work, to his sweet kisses and cuddly love when he tires out at night. I’ve loved watching him learn to chew on toys instead of my shoes and turn from the puppy that pees wherever and whenever he needs to, to the potty trained boy that sits, stays and let’s me know when he’s gotta go!

And yes, I’ve fallen totally and completely in love with him.
Chevy waiting for his "forever" love.

Chevy waiting for his "forever" love.

My foster coordinator with Pit Bull Rescue San Diego warned me that would happen and told me stories of what they call “failed fosters,” or people who fall so much in love with the dog they’re fostering, they wind up adopting permanently and falling off the list of available foster volunteers to help rescue more pups in need.
Chev getting love and attention from new friends.

Chev getting love and attention from new friends.

People ask me every day how on earth I’m going to let him go when the time comes. And the truth is, while I know it will be hard, the day Chevy is adopted into a loving home will, by far, be the best day I’ve spent with him yet.

That’s why I’m fostering in the first place, right? To save his life and prevent him from needlessly being put to death because there’s not enough room at a shelter to house him or because some people are so afraid of the stereotypes about pit bulls they wouldn’t even consider adding this sweet, loving animal to their family.

My goal here is to keep him loved and cared for until he finds someone or some family to be his true “forever” love. I will be sad to see him go, but I can’t wait.

He’s ready for forever… and so am I.

11 comments | Tags: , | Category: Adoptions, PETCO Stories

  • Pitbull Advocate

    Personally I despise the term “failed foster”..It’s really unfortunate that PBRSD would remove someone from fostering because they choose to give a forever home–especially since they are always looking for fosters. Since I have been in rescue/fostering for over 20 yrs. I have permanently adopted 2 of the dogs I have rescued & wouldnt change it for the world & I am still extremely active in advocating, rescue efforts and fostering of pit bulls.

  • Pitbull Advocate

    PS…In hindsight–I do hope that Chevy finds his loving, happy & forever home that will allow him to be the wonderful pet I am sure he is.

  • KSP

    I took the comment about ‘failed foster’ as meaning that people adopt a dog and then feel that they don’t have room to foster any more dogs, not that PBRSD no longer considers them for fostering. Almost as if they have room (in their homes or in their hearts) for only one dog and once they’ve adopted, they just can’t extend themselves for another foster pup).

    Just my take.

  • Matt

    It’s definitely a day of mixed emotions when your foster dog gets adopted, and you have to watch him climb into another car and drive away…

    It still brings tears to my eyes (like right now) when I think about my last foster pup Brie. The day she went to her new home I was a mess. I had her for 6 whole months before she was adopted and it was almost impossible to let her go. You just have to remember that they are going to truly great homes where they are being given the love and attention they deserve. And once you’re ready, you can do it again.

    **Pitbull Advocate- I think you misinterpreted what Lisa wrote. PBRSD does not pull you off the foster list if you adopt your foster. It’s just that usually once people have adopted one of the dogs, they pull out of the rescue themselves. When we joke about being a failed foster, it’s more a term of endearment, and has no bearing on being able to continue with our group. Just thought I’d clear that up!

  • Brooklyn’s Mommy

    You are a saint! And just think — the great kick start you’re giving him makes him the perfect pet for his forever family. Can’t wait to see who the next lucky Epstein foster pup will be!

  • Lisa Epstein

    Hey all, KSP and Matt are absolutely right… In no way does PBRSD pull the so-called “failed fosters” off their foster list. In fact, many of them do continue to foster even once they’ve adopted their own permanently (I know several who do this, including my foster coordinator), but that isn’t always the case. They often fall off the list on their own accord because, understandably, it can be difficult to foster when you have your own full-time pup in the house. And yes, I do believe its very much a term of endearment. I was really using the example as a way to explain my personal story and situation. There’s a huge part of me that would LOVE to adopt Chevy permanently and join the ranks of failed fosters, but I know it’s not the right time for me. Which is exactly why, as sad as I will be to see him go, the day Chev finds “forever” will be one very happy day for both of us :)

  • Pitbull Advocate

    yes Matt- I have heard that “term of endearment”…

    thanks for clearing it up.

  • Michael Cheek

    That is why I couldnt do what you do. I would end up being the crazy guy with 1000000 dogs. I had a friend who used to adopt pits and every time she would get one we would always say “we aren’t going to fall for this dog” and always be heartbroken when it would leave. You know it is for the better of the dog but it is just so hard having them leave you after months of caring for them.

  • shorty609

    Fostering is a great way to not only help out rescue pets but also for new pet owners willing to learn about themselves to see if they are ready for “forever”, with unconditional love. I’ve fostered two dogs, one was placed with a great retired couple and my second foster became my “Forever” companion, who comes to work with me. If I had a bigger house and backyard, I’d love to foster another to keep my “shorty” company as well.

  • Jenna

    The last dog I rehabilitated was the hardest to let go. He was a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix with NO manners what-so-ever. It took 5 months of work to teach him how to be a dog again. I found the perfect home with 4 children and a mother who had fostered several dogs in the past. I thought it was perfect…the day we were going to meet up and finalize everything, the 20 year old (Her eldest) didn’t notice when he let him out. Jasper was VERY attached to me…separation anxiety to the MAX. I think due to this, he made a beeline for Portland from Beaverton here in Oregon. He was hit and killed on a highway. Bless the police department as they dragged his little body off the road and took the collar in order to contact me.

    I doubt it will be less than years before I take up another dog. Jasper was my pal. I’ll stick with rat rescue.

  • http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoafZvwO.html Mike Strain

    Awwh, I adopted from the pound and it was the best decision ever! I always encourage people to go that route!