Fostering a Furry Friend

Rosie's first day home, hiding under the coffee table.

Summers are known to be a magical time, full of new adventures and experiences. The summer of 2018 turned out to be all that and more for my then-roommates and I opened our home to a foster dog.

On July 22, Marley’s Hope Dog Rescue helped Jill, Isabelle and I welcome Rosie into the fold. An eight-year old Shih Tzu-Terrier mix, the poor girl was short one eye and a lot of spirit. Our new addition had just been rescued from months of neglect, making hypoallergenic food, eye drops, ear drops, pills, and medicated baths now a part of our usual schedules.

We walked her and fed her, bathed her and brushed her, and in a few short days, the angel who had come to us, meek and afraid, was a ball of energy! She would snuggle by our feet, watch The Bachelorette with us on the couch, and greet us with boundless excitement when we came home. She became a focal part of our small family, and within two weeks, her health had stabilized. All it took was a little commitment, and a lot of love.

Rosie found her forever home soon after. I often reflect on the month I had with her, and never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that a fluffy, four-legged angel would teach me such a pure form of love. If you’ve been thinking about fostering an animal and have the ability to do it, please do. Helping Jill foster Rosie was one of the most rewarding experiences, and when the time comes, I will do it again in a heartbeat. A little goes a long way with furry friends, and trust me, once you give, you get so much more in return.

Want to foster in Halifax? Check out these wonderful resources!

1. Marley’s Hope Dog Rescue

2. Good Bones Dog Rescue

3. Home to Stay Dog Rescue

4. Nova Scotia SPCA