Fostering thoughts

Fostering was fun and challenging, saying good-bye was hard. But given the right circumstances and if my youngest son is up to it I will foster again. My youngest son adored Akua, and saying good-bye to her was hardest for him. What I would say is if you have ever thought about fostering, is you should do it. Is saying good-bye hard? Yes, but knowing the quality of people that make it through the screening process makes it a little easier. Also, when you know that the little one you have will bring fun and basenji humor to their new home, you know you have to share that with their new family. After all our family is already blessed with 2 wonderful basenjis, so sharing is only right. Will Akua have exactly the same life with her new family that she would have had if she had stayed with us? No, but she will have a wonderful life. And I know that she is in good hands, and will have an amazing adventure. It won't be the same as if she had stayed with us, but that doesn't mean it will be worse. I am sure she will have a great life, and will have many great tales to tell.

12 things that fostering taught me
1. Sometimes you have to leap, and do something even if it isn't the perfect time or circumstance. (As Optimus Prime said "Destiny rarely calls on us at a time of our choosing.")
2. Enjoy each and every moment you have with your dogs even the frustrating ones.
3. Everyone/dog learns a little differently. Respect that difference. It also gave me a different perspective on my own as far as behavior and learning things. It certainly gave me a reason to dedicate more time to training.
4. 2 females in the same house won't necessarily kill each other. 3 dogs can actually co-exist in peace.
5. When you have multiple dogs you have to be the big dog. Recognize problems when they are small, and fix them then.
6. Record the moments with words/pictures. It is amazing the progress that they make, and how quickly you forget how far they have come.
7. You get more than you give when you foster.
8. Walking 3 basenjis by yourself isn't impossible. It can even be enjoyable when the appropriate ground rules are set.
9. One basenji can heal the heart and soul of another basenji quicker than any human can.
10. You should always keep a couple of spare leashes and collars around the house.
11. No matter how basenji proof you think your house is, a new basenji will always find something you missed.
12. Basenjis are really good at teaching each other their bad habits. They also help with the good ones.