5 Reasons to Foster Dogs

What does it take to open both heart and home to a dog that needs a place to stay until he or she is lucky enough to find a forever home? To earn the prestigious title of Foster Mom (or Dad!), one must be strong enough to love the dog as if he or she is your own and then say goodbye when the time has come. Unless, of course, you decide that foster failure is totally cool. We think so, too!

I owe the happiness I experience with three of my dogs to foster families. Without them, who knows where they would be today? They were fortunate to find a safe and loving home while they waited for one they could call their very own. For that, I'm eternally grateful. Fostering one dog may not change the world but for that one dog, life will have changed quite literally forever.

Still not convinced? Here are five additional reasons you should become a Foster Mom or Dad:

5. You're saving two dogs by opening up your home to one. By providing one foster dog a safe place in your home, you are opening up another spot within the rescue or shelter for another pup to stay while he or she awaits a foster or forever home of their own.

4. You will restore a dog's faith in humanity and life itself. When you foster a dog, you're not just providing a much-needed roof over his or her head. By socializing with your foster dog and giving him or her someone to believe in, you are opening your foster dog's heart and teaching him or her to love again, regardless of what life before you might have been like.

3. You will learn a little something, too. No two foster dogs are alike. Each have very distinct personalities and, more than likely, the dog you foster may come with some traits, habits or health/behavioral quirks you may not have encountered before. Some will teach you a thing or two about patience - if you don't already have it - and others will remind you of the importance of expressing gratitude for the simple things in life daily.

2. You're giving back in a very big way. Most people want to make a difference in life, no matter how big or small the gesture, whenever possible. Some donate funds, others donate time and talent. Still others, open their hearts and homes for foster dogs in need. The bottom line: they give. And to quote some famous person (not Winston Churchill, apparently), "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

1. Your world (and the dog's) would be a happier place. Let's face it: it doesn't take much more than a safe and loving home to keep a dog happy. Where there's a happy dog, there's an even happier Foster Mom or Dad. Even research tells us that pets can improve overall well-being. Knowing you're making a difference is rewarding in and of itself. Knowing that your foster will never forget you for what you did makes the whole experience priceless. Just ask my three and their foster families. 

So...have I convinced you to open up your home to a foster dog yet? If so, be sure to check out our friends listed below. Know of another great Scottie rescue that may be in need of foster Scottie Moms and Dads? Let us know in the comment box below. Can't adopt or foster right now? Consider making a donation to help cover the costs of caring for Scotties in need. Together, we can save the world...one (Scottie) dog at a time!

• Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue
• Alabama Scottish Terrier Rescue Association
• North Florida Scottie Rescue
• North Texas Scottie Rescue
• Scottie Kingdom Rescue
• Scottish Terrier Rescue of Brazil
• Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida
• Scottish Terrier Rescue of South Africa
• Scottish Terrier Rescue of the Southeast
• Scottish Terrier Rescue of Tennessee
• St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue
• Texas Scottie Rescue