Fostering is temporary, but the dedication to saving lives is a lifetime commitment.

This is why I love fostering, and you will too!

When I was asked if I would write this blog I was like sure! I’d love to, then I realized, I’ve never really sat down and thought about my why.

Why do I foster and why do I volunteer with Path of Hope Rescue?

In 2020 I started following Path of Hope and another rescue. Like most everyone during that time, I was looking for something that I could do that would help out and I have a deep love for dogs.

A cute little puppy named Monica with dark black fur sleeping on human bed with blue white soft blanket and many dog toys looking up at camera — We’re a foster-based rescue and we have many cute puppies! (Path of Hope Facebook)

I got serious about it in 2021 and Path of Hope posted for a creative writer and I applied. I guess they liked what I had to offer so I started writing posts for social media. I would get so wrapped up in the dogs that I wanted to be able to write about them from a day-to-day perspective.

It took some convincing of my husband, but I finally got him to cave. We got our first foster in November of 2022; his name was Coke, and he stole my heart. We were nervous about starting, we had the same questions as everyone.

Would I fall in love? How am I going to let them go? What if the dog isn’t a good fit with our dogs or our lifestyle?

Lucky for us, Path of Hope has been doing this for a hot minute and knew how to make it work.

When you foster, you get a Case Manager assigned to you and that is your go-to person for all things foster.

When we got Coke, he was not fixed and had been living outside so he wasn’t sure about the whole house thing. We got belly bands from the rescue so he would not mark in the house until they got his appointment for his neuter.

Oh yeah, they take care of all of that, they even have people that can help transport to and from appointments if necessary. Coke wasn’t with us for very long, he found his furever home and is living his best life.

Picture of a cute adorable older rescue dog named Coke with white brown dark gray fur big pointy ears and yellow eyes wearing red collar with metal dog tag sitting on dog bed sleeping — Old picture of Coke from November 2022. (Path of Hope Facebook)

How did we let him go when he stole our hearts? By knowing that I had a say in where he went, and that the rescue was thorough on the interview process. They do home trials, so if it doesn’t work, they can come back. I also knew that I had amazing dogs that did great with new dogs coming and I could continue to save other lives.

Everyone always asks me how I can let them go. It’s simple.

I know they can come back if it doesn’t work and the more I let go, the more I can save. It honestly is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life.

Every new dog that comes into our home is another opportunity to help them become their best self. Each dog is different, and each dog has its own unique quirks.

We have a Husky and Border Collie as our personal dogs so quirky is kind of our thing. It’s not always easy, it takes patience and structure and so much love. When you foster, you agree to take on all those quirks and help these dogs grow.

We both work from home full-time, so we only foster older dogs. That can be kind of scary to think about, but there are great resources within the rescue to help along the way. You don’t need to be afraid to ask for help, they will help you find your way through it.

Picture of a cute pretty rescue dog named River with white light brown and gray fur wearing gray dog collar sitting in front of an indoor pet gate on wooden floor looking up at camera — Picture of River from May 2023 (Path of Hope Facebook)

Our third foster dog, River, hated having her nails trimmed. She didn’t want anyone to get near her, and she had an ear that was bugging her and she didn’t want anyone to get near it. The rescue has amazing medical volunteers who were able to help us get that taken care of and relieve her of her discomfort.

Here are my short answers to some of the most common questions I get.

How can you let them go?

I’d fall in love with all of them – you do fall in love with all of them, but isn’t that what fostering is all about?

Showing a dog love that may have never experienced it. I can let them go because I know there are 6 more waiting to be saved and they are going to be with their forever people.

Do you have to supply the food, medical supplies, etc?

Nope! The rescue takes care of all of that for you.

You just have to let them know what you need and when you need it.

A cute handsome rescue dog named Coke with white gray light brown fur big pointy ears and round yellow eyes sitting on wooden floor in a house looking up at the camera in surprise — Coke found his furever home and is now living his best life. (Path of Hope Facebook)

What happens if you are having issues with the foster dog?

You can reach out to your case manager, and they work with you to get it resolved.

What if you go on vacation and can’t take the dog?

You let your case manager know and they find a temporary foster to take care of the dog while you’re away.

(We have also done this in between fosters)

What kind of support do you get?

As much as you want.

You need help with a nail trim? Ask. You need help with a bath? Ask.

They do as much as they can to get you the help you need to help you and your foster dog be successful through adoption.

Aren’t you sad when they get adopted?

Honestly, not as much as I thought I would be. I miss them when they’re gone, but I know they are truly living their best life.

A cute little labrador retriever puppy named Giorgio with short white showy fur lying on indoor wooden floor with paws to the front smiling and laughing with wide mouth — We rescue dogs from the streets of Texas, and you can too! Would you join us? (Path of Hope Facebook)

If you were thinking about fostering but just aren’t sure. My advice to you is to just do it. Take the leap, if it doesn’t work out, you can always pause or find another way to help within the rescue.

Your heart will be full.

Sheila. Writer at PHR.

Path of Hope Rescue is a foster-based rescue located in Spokane Washington.

We have a page called Available Dogs for all of our foster dogs & puppies who are looking to find their forever homes just like Coke and River did! Some of them have been with us for a while but many of them are still young puppies.

Many stray dogs are living on the streets of Texas, and we need your support to save them. You can read our Why Texas page to learn about our mission. If you wish to support us directly, our Donation page is Right HERE.

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