Tales of a Failed Foster

May 27, 2009 -

Four weeks ago, at the close of a PetSmart adoption event, I arrived to pick up my latest foster dog. The rescue group's foster coordinator motioned toward a cowering little red and white dog with the face of a Jack Russell and the body of a Bassett. "Oh gosh," I said. "That's exactly the kind of dog I didn't want to foster. You'll never get her back."

The foster coordinator encouraged me to be strong and explained that Leila was going to be the easiest foster for me of the pets needing temporary homes. "You'll be fine, she's highly adoptable," the coordinator advised me.

Leila was no sooner in my car than the cowering stopped and her real personality started to emerge - she is actually quite wild, a terrier/hound to the max. She is obsessed with toys. She will play fetch until her paw pads are no more if you let her. And she loves a good brisk, walk. This was not the dog I saw standing and scared in the cage on adoption day. I assure you.

I introduced her to my sister and niece who immediately fell in love. Leila bonded especially quickly with my niece who the dog had clearly voted "Most Likely to Throw the Ball Without Tiring Out. Ever." In the meantime, I wrote up the following profile to be posted on 1800saveapet.com:

I'm Leila and I love to have fun! If you're looking for an activity partner, I'm your gal. I'm a great little dog with a lot of energy and love to give. Whether it's a trip to the dog park, going swimming, a great game of fetch, a session of tug-o-war, or a nice hike, I'm up for a good time. I'd love a forever home with someone who can keep up with my energy level though I do chill out between adventures. I get along just fine with other dogs and cats, but I wouldn't mind being an only dog either. I like kids quite a bit (especially ones that will keep on throwing the ball for me!), I'm potty trained, and I know how to use a doggie door. Oh, and I love to eat! I'm a petite girl so I'd fit just in a smaller home and I'm easy to take along on car rides (which I love!).

I dutifully took Leila to adoption events each Sunday and each Sunday I would return to find her not yet adopted. I quietly patted myself on the back for continuing to bring her back. But on the fourth week, when I picked her up and my niece had a full scale meltdown while clutching Leila in the back seat of the car, I knew I was in trouble. "No more," my sister declared when we three got home. "We're keeping her." "What?" I said. "I knew this was going to happen," I thought.

So, with those few words, miss Leila, who we call Squirt is now part of The Pack. We're kind of one big happy family with all of our dogs, so even though Leila isn't technically mine, I consider myself a failed foster of epic proportions (the whole thing only took four weeks!).

That said, I'm still looking forward to fostering (and failing) again really soon.

--Cat