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In their own
words, our fosters talk about why they choose to foster,
and what it means to them.
Fosters! Submit your
testimonials to
info@azgrc.org
today! |
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 Julie
B began volunteering with AZGRC almost two years
ago, doing vet checks, home visits, shelter walking,
and dog transportation to name a few. As AZGRC's
Foster Coordinator, Julie is the first one to hear
about a dog waiting to be rescued. She works
closely with the Intake Team, finding the right
foster family for each dog that comes to AZGRC. She
also educates new Foster families on what is
involved in caring for a rescued dog.
Julie has four
children, the youngest 1 month old, and she has two
Goldens, one of which (Finnie) is an AZGRC rescue.
Besides caring for her family, volunteering for
AZGRC, and fostering Goldens, Julie is a part-time
pediatric RN at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
This is one busy lady
and one would wonder why she fosters dogs. Here's
what Julie says:
 I
adore fostering. We have fostered mostly shelter
dogs and puppies. What a rewarding experience to
bring these skinny, scared, and broken animals to
our home and watch them bloom into loving, healthy,
vibrate companions.
As a Foster, you get
to know the dogs and help decide what kind of family
would be best for each one. Some have been a little
naughty (the puppies, of course!) and needed
training, but to work with them and see them move to
a family who adores them is so very gratifying. What
could be better than seeing a dog become an
essential missing component of a family.
Even when I have seen
some of my foster dogs months later, they still seem
to remember me. I have loved them all, but know
they are where they were meant to be. |
To Be Or Not To Be A Foster Mom
 I was not sure about this new adventure of
foster mom. I thought it would be a way for me
to share my quiet home and give some peace to a
confused and weary dog. My first adventure was a
beautiful dog named
Lucky. He had been put aside
and forgotten by people and was not sure about
humans when he came to me. He had a long rap
sheet of misadventures but he told me he was
innocent. He was afraid of mops, brooms, sudden
movements, and cell phones. He loved to chew on
TV controllers and pagers. Supposedly he helped
eat a goat before he was saved by AZGRC. Many
days of kisses and hugs, brushings and playing
passed and he learned that humans could be
trusted again. The first day he met a new
family, he decided it was his forever home and
so did they. He blossomed into the greatest dog.
He loved his swimming pool and long walks.
Then one day I get this call that maybe his luck
has run out. I went to the hospital to see him
and he was on deaths door. He was at the Rainbow
Bridge and undecided. I stroked his head and
whispered into his ear “its okay, you can go or
you can stay”, love is here and love is there. I
reminded him of swimming pools and long walks
and brushings and kisses. He licked my hand and
then gave me a kiss. He decided to stay and play
and swim once again. He recovered and went back
to his forever family. He still remembers all
the humans that gave him the second chance.
So my question is “how could you not foster?”
Lots of love and kisses wait for you.
Joy, AZGRC Foster
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In
October we stepped into the unknown. We
fostered
Snowbelle in October 2005, with the
intent to adopt her. She turned out to be the
perfect dog, a pure golden with a heart only
capable of love and devotion.
 Our lives were complete. We
had Snowbelle 18 months and Piper, a 6-year-old
almost golden (half lab, half golden) who came to
live with us under different circumstances.
Fostering? We did not know if we could part with a
foster dog. We only knew that a dog needed a second
chance. We got the call almost a year later from
the day we welcomed Snowbelle into our lives.
Nervously, we answered “yes.” We are not the ideal
foster home. Both of us work. But we have a love
of dogs, especially goldens.
On
that October day, we learned that an “almost golden”
would be euthanized if not given a second chance.
She was timid, scared, possibly on the streets for
weeks. We welcomed her into our home. Timid at
first, Piccolo turned into a little firecracker.
She cowered when bikes and cars drove by but people
were a different story. Everyone she met became an
instant friend…including Andy, one of my
co-workers. He ended up adopting her and I consider
her part of our extended family. Andy has given
Piccolo the life she so richly deserves. She is the
center of his world and he is the center of hers.
Piper and Snowbelle miss her but she still comes to
visit. It is the best of all worlds.
Heather and Steve, AZGRC fosters |
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.gif) Fostering is very exciting. Every couple of
months, a new friend comes to play with us. We
have a great time loving them, playing with them,
getting to know them, and helping them find a forever
home. Each new Golden is a different adventure,
and we're always looking forward to the next one.
Ann, AZGRC foster
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 It's so
incredibly rewarding. A foster dog first comes to
your home - scared, and uncertain... and with each day
of love and guidance, they blossom into happy, healthy
pets. The transformation is incredible and I'm proud to be a part of
it.
Jerry, AZGRC foster |
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I was afraid I
wouldn't be able to let them go. I'd fall in love
with every Golden that came through my door. And I
do. I fall in love with all of them. But
that just makes finding their forever homes so
gratifying. It's hard for our family to see them
off, but I'm so proud to give so many Goldens a chance.
Pollie,
AZGRC foster |
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.gif) What a rewarding experience!! I fall in love with every golden
that comes to my home and don't want to let them go. Getting a
new friend to love, and teach new things too is fun and
challenging. It is very hard to let go, but when you find the
perfect forever home letting go is easier. I am so happy to be
part of giving these wonderful Goldens a new chance.
Christine, AZGRC foster |
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