Foster Pup-Mom

This is Gemma, a five-month-old Border Collie mix. I'm her foster mom!

First off, I've always been a cat person...

I've had cats all my life, since I was living on the military bases with my parents, to being a tween/teen in Germany. I've always had cats. I have had my cat, Tommy Boy, for six years. I got him from the shelter one day with my (at the time) three-year-old son, who also gave him the name because it was his favorite movie. Now, Tommy Boy should've cost me $100 that day. I was cringing at the price, but fully prepared to pay it. However, at check out time, the debit card machine was malfunctioning and I got him for free! So I knew it was meant to be, me and my old man grumpy cat.

Now, that doesn't mean I don't like dogs. I do! My favorite dog in fact is a Golden Retriever. Oh, those beauties. I touched one once. Softest dog I have ever felt. He was a support companion and I received permission from the owner to stroke him. I don't think he liked me touching him at all. Hands down the best time I ever had at Walmart.

This little guy didn't seem as thrilled as I was. But he was so soft!

Needless to say, the other day, I received a message on Facebook from a woman with a bunch of dogs, asking if I could foster one before they went to their rescue.

Oh!

I wasn't expecting that.

I have two kids, a nine-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl. My dad has two dogs and the kids absolutely love playing with "Papa's doggies." I have the time. I have the means. The kids will be happy. And it's only temporary. Oh, why the hell not? I went ahead and informed the lady that I would be happy to do so. I picked "Gemma" out of the pictures of pups she sent me and the next day I drove off to the neighboring county to pick up the foster child *cough* puppy, I mean.

Upon arriving at this shack of a building, in this desolate town, I thought to myself oh lord, what did I get myself into? I have a new SUV and now that I'm thinking of it, I do not want paw prints or fleas in there! Argh. My doubts started kicking in already. But I told my tot already we had to babysit a doggy and she wasn't going to leave there without one. We go inside—immediately the odor of wet dog and "accidents" hit my flared nostrils. Oh no. Is this what my house will smell like? The woman, friendly yet completely overwhelmed, was more than happy to see me. She asked if I was there for Gemma, I said yes. She replied with "Oh, okay, here is her medication for her abscess on the side of her mouth." (😧Pills? Abscess?!) "Now she's not used to being on a leash so she's a little wild..." (😑Oh joy.) "... But I did just give her a bath because she stepped in her own droppings so she's a little wet still." (🙄Can this get any worse?) I am thinking that I am about to put this wet, poopy-footed, wild abscess dog in my SUV—I wasn't ready! Instead, she brought out this little, shy and shaking, floppy-eared five-month-old pup with spotted feet. The kind woman gave me a bag of dog food, a leash, collar, and harness and sent me on my way. Which was a bit alarming—good thing I'm not an animal serial killer!

Gemma's First Day!

Gemma did NOT like riding in the car. She nuzzled into the blanket I brought for her, the entire time. I had to carry her from the vehicle to our home, where she quickly found a corner by the couch and stayed nuzzled. When it was time to let her out, she would NOT walk on the leash; I had to carry her to the grassy patch, let her do her business, and carry her back. Each time I had her on a leash, she would freeze. Then hop crazily. Then get in a pouncing position. Then dart in the opposite direction. I agree with the lady in the fact that she was not used to leashes and was wild in that department. I thought to myself it was a little ridiculous. This is not how I imagined having a dog would be.

The next morning I woke up, I realized it was 11 AM. I woke my daughter and went downstairs. Sure enough, there was an "accident" by the door. I expected to be upset. Oddly enough, however, I wasn't. I looked at her corner and she laid with her head between her paws, just looking at me. And that's when I really realized, it's like having another baby. It's not her fault I wanted to looouuunge until almost noon. Baby girl had to go! I should've let her out. This was on me. At least it was by the door, so she was trying. 🤷‍♀️

Baby Bodyguard

Fast forward to today, end of day three. Gemma has not had an accident anywhere since her first time. Gemma walks—WALKS—on her leash, to her grassy patch. She still does some crazy hopping around, but she is five months old. I wouldn't expect anything else. Then she WALKS back to our home. She has left her corner and comfortably lays next to the couch. She has a favorite stuffed animal that she absolutely gets crazy about. She prefers yoghurt filled gnaw bones compared to chew sticks. She still does not like car rides, however is getting better. She went to the dog park today and made some friends. Though I've only had her for three days, and at our fenced-in dog park we are allowed to take them off the leash, she still runs back to me to "check in" or when other dogs annoyed her. She even "protected" my toddler from a three-month-old dachshund. It was comical. When it was time to leave, she let me put the leash on just fine. She was, in all cases, a very good dog.

And then I got the message. Gemma's "mom" will be coming to get her some day this week, where she will be transported to a rescue in Ohio.

Oh.

I wasn't expecting that.

For some reason, I've already gotten used to her. Even though it's only been three days (and Tommy Boy stays glaring at her), I'm not looking forward to the day she leaves us. Yes, I wanted it to be temporary, because I like going out of state, or doing many non-dog friendly things. I'm already taking care of my two kids by myself. Do I need to throw a third baby in there? But it's a rescue, Angie, it's not even a real home she's going to! Yes, but rescues are good—they'll invest time in finding her a real home. But she has one now, Angie! With you! No, no, we agreed, it's only temporary. But you bought her a squeak turtle and taught her how to trust a human on a leash! Exactly, so she can be a good doggy for her new family. But she has a family now Angie!—I cannot stop the inner arguments. I am happy to have had her; if I brought joy, induced trust, and made her life comfortable for a moment, then it's worth it. I knew it was temporary when agreeing. I just don't know how to say bye. I don't want her to feel like she did something wrong.

I will always appreciate my time with Gemma. We'll spend the rest of the week doing fun, pup-friendly things, and I know with her sweet nature, she will have a home in no time. It's amazing to see a shy shivering, dog, blossom to a playful and loving pup as pups should be. If you ever have the chance to foster a dog, even for a short while, do it. There are so many dogs out there in cages, waiting for a kind hand. Even though goodbyes are hard, keep in mind that fostering an animal is not for your benefit, but for the animal's.

Even though you might accidentally benefit from it too! 🙂 Good dog.