Introducing the Foster Chronicles! We’ll be sharing some wonderful Rescue Ranch dogs and their fabulous fosters. Fostering longtime shelter dogs is a wonderful way to make a difference. And we need it! There are simply too many homeless animals for shelters to cope with alone. Fostering lets homeless pets decompress in a home environment while waiting for adoption. For Mabel and Mayzie it’s been life-changing.
Longtime shelter dog to perfect housemate
Mayzie transferred to Rescue Ranch from the county shelter in November 2021. Just two weeks later, she went home with another Rescue Ranch dog, Lenny. Unfortunately, Lenny and Mayzie couldn’t agree. She returned early in 2024. A month passed, then another. A whole year went by and Mayzie was still waiting.
That’s when she met Brian. Brian began volunteering by walking dogs at the Adoption Center. He’s a pit bull lover (his first dog was a Staffordshire terrier) and new to rescue. Fostering offered a way of easing into the rescue experience. While Brian wanted to help longtime shelter dogs find families, he also hoped to find his ideal companion along the way. He came close with his first foster dog, Samson. However, Samson found a wonderful family after one month, leaving Brian free to give another dog, Peterbuilt, a much-needed sabbatical. Then there was Mayzie.
Mayzie the great
Brian describes Mayzie as a couch hippo with impeccable manners. She has her terrier moments (chasing deer out of the yard) but indoors she’s a dream. She’s calm and chill, a bit timid in larger groups but genial with friends. She enjoys her walks and cruises happily around the yard. Brian knew about the rule of 3’s and was prepared for challenges. But Mayzie was perfect: no accidents, no destruction. She and Brian get along like peas and carrots.
Still in her prime, Mayzie would thrive with either adults or families with kids. Given enough exercise, she could even adapt to an apartment. Her one kink is a checkered past with other dogs. For now we recommend a home without other pets.
While we search for Mayzie’s forever family, Brian faces a tough decision: should Mayzie stay? We’re not biased, but we can’t imagine a better dad.
An anxious wallflower with a heart of gold
Like Mayzie, adorable Mabel has been overlooked too long. Unlike Mayzie, she’s been an interesting challenge. Mabel’s past is a mystery. All we know is that a community member died, leaving several dogs on his property, including Mabel. She was wide-eyed and terrified but gentle. Calmer now, she’s still timid and panics easily. Anxiety meds help. Her round eyes beg for affection, and we know her perfect home is out there.
Like Brian, Mabel’s foster mom (she prefers to remain anonymous) began by walking dogs at the Adoption Center. She’s delightfully self-deprecating and calls herself “cold hearted” because she’s comfortable letting go. Yet her bond with Mabel is obvious.
Adventures with Mabel
One thing is for sure: life with Mabel is never boring. Every day is an adventure. In short, she’s quirky. She won’t cross the threshold without a leash; won’t eat with someone else in the room; hates loud noises; avoids visitors like the plague. House-training is a mystery, but increasing her exercise might help.
Despite the challenges, there have been victories. Mabel walks on leash and has learned to take treats (she accepted my gift of peanut butter). She trails her foster mom like a shadow, sleeps on a dog bed and enjoys cuddles every morning. She’s learned to load up and ride quietly in the car. Her watchdog instincts are emerging. And she plays! Her foster mom says Mabel is possibly the smartest dog she’s ever known. She enjoys puzzles and specializes in destroying “indestructible” toys. Her favorite treats are peanut butter and collagen chews. Oh, and she snores.
Mabel’s ideal home would be out in the country, with a fenced yard where she can run and lots of long walks. She’ll do best in a quiet home without a lot of foot traffic and the right canine companion (Mabel’s choice, of course). She needs someone who will take it slow and continue to help her blossom.
Fostering longtime shelter dogs is life-changing
When you foster, you get to enjoy a dog’s companionship without committing to forever. It also allows a prospective adopter to test a dog’s compatibility before signing the adoption papers. True, letting go is never easy (I speak from experience). But as Brian said, it’s fulfilling to “send them on their way better than when they came to you.”
Above all, fostering gets homeless pets out of shelters and into loving homes where they can bloom. There is no cookie cutter experience because every rescue dog is unique. Brian’s advice to new fosters is to have patience, go in with realistic expectations, and take things slow. It will be an adventure, so as Mabel’s foster mom says, “Appreciate the challenges.” Believe us: it’s a journey worth taking!
