How do you cope with the loss of a loved canine pal? Should you just get another dog and carry on? Perhaps fostering provides a bridge to your next four legged family member.
When we lost Lily, our beloved ‘blond bombshell’ golden retriever, my husband and I were not sure about having another dog. Changed personal circumstances and our obvious grieving meant that for the first time we wondered whether we could cope with another canine companion. Our hearts said yes but we had serious doubts.
A simple walk in the local park on a crisp Spring morning changed everything. I got to talking with a woman about her dog – a large happy retriever who immediately rolled on it’s back for the obligatory belly rubs. To my surprise, the lady told me that she was not the owner, and that she was fostering the dog whilst it’s real owner was in hospital for a few weeks.
Soon after the fortuitous encounter in the park, we fostered two adorable characters from ‘The Cinnamon Trust‘, an organisation that specialises in helping elderly, infirm, and terminally ill dog owners manage their canine companions. The process was easy but thorough, and the organisation were always on hand to answer any queries. Digger, an overweight Chihuahua, and Suzie, a Chorkie or Chihuahua Yorkie cross, were our new doggy friends.
The two dogs were inseparable and were quite the team. Despite their small size compared to our previous dogs, the two really kept us on our toes. Domineering Digger ruled the roost and the two pals would fight like demons and then quickly make up with some loving licks.
As the months passed, we realised that we were ready for another dog of our own. When it came to bid a sad farewell to Digger and Suzie, as their infirm owner decided she could once again cope with her beloved pets’ return, we acted straight away.
If you are interested in fostering in the UK then please use this link:
And, now we have Lucy, our lovable though extremely active Sprocker Spaniel. We are so pleased we tried fostering. If we had not, we may never have considered owning another dog. I recommend that anyone facing a similar dilemma as ourselves consider fostering as an option.
Please visit my website, where you will find information about all of my books plus a gallery of my paintings and photos. Love, Katy.
Fostering: what a fantastic option. My two small dogs are twelve and sixteen years old. I had already decided not to get another when they were gone. Fostering, though, is a wonderful way to help others and still get that doggie-love that is so warming.