By Steve Charnick
The MCSPCA (Monmouth County SPCA) is in desperate need of foster homes for many of the dogs, cats, and other animals that come through its doors on a daily basis. While the MCSPCA is a wonderful shelter for the animals, it is funded entirely by donations. It receives no monies from the state, and is not affiliated with the American SPCA (ASPCA). As a result, while the work done in saving animals is nothing short of miraculous, more lives could be saved through other programs, including the foster home program.
It was a difficult decision for me to volunteer at the MCSPCA. I love animals, but the idea of bonding with a dog or cat that – if I did my job well – would then go to its forever home with a loving family was one I was not sure I could easily handle. After I started, those fears were quickly obviated, because each day, as an Adoption Counselor, I’m reminded of what a good-hearted county we live in. Each day, I speak to potential adopters and on the best days, match them with the best dog for them and see them happily going home to a new life. A saved life.
As I learned more about dog behaviors, I began to strongly bond with a female terrier mix named Remy. She is a beautiful dog, and young, with the potential to make the right family very happy for years to come. However, like many animals, she did not adapt well to shelter life. She would literally jump off the walls when she heard other dogs barking, and as a team, we were concerned that her mental state was deteriorating in the shelter. The shelter is a great place, as shelters go, but it’s still not what one would call an ‘ideal life’ for an animal.
Remy eventually was placed a larger room off the adoption floor for her own safety. I would go in each day to visit her. There was a routine. Remy would get off her bed, wiggle her body as she came to say hello, roll over for the ceremonial belly rub, and smile the entire time she was getting it. Then she’d walk to her bed for a treat or two, some good petting, and a nap. I wondered how such a dog could have a chance at adoption since she was off the floor – adopters wouldn’t see her unless adoption counselors remembered she was there and mentioned her.
It was at that time that our team decided that Remy would benefit from being out of the shelter. Since I live only 5 minutes from the shelter, and live alone, with no dogs or cats, it made perfect sense. Remy knew me, and if I were to foster her, it would be far better than her living alone off the adoption floor. And, were an adopter determined to be a potential match for her, it would only a few minutes for me to retrieve her and have her at the shelter for a “Meet and Greet.”
Initially, I was apprehensive about my ability to giver her up when I loved her so much. But the Adoption Counselor training I’d gotten as a volunteer kicked in – I knew she would be leaving me for her forever home and that she would be a happy dog, with a happy family, and that I’d always have memories of helping her.
I brought Remy home on an indefinite foster. She loved the car. She loved the house. She loved walks in the woods, walks to meet new friends in the neighborhood. She loved rolling on her back for belly rubs or with toys on the rug behind my computer when I was working. And, she loved sleeping next to the couch when I was on it, or in my bed when I was in it. She was my pal.
When I would return home, since she was being crate trained to assist her housebreaking, there was a similar routine to the one at the shelter. I’d open the door. Remy would come out super excited to see me, do little jumps up and down, to which I would respond with little jumps up and down. Thankfully, no cameras were on us at the time…. but soon she would roll over for her ceremonial belly rub and a good vigorous petting session and a long walk.
Within a week, this loving animal, who had been losing her mind in a shelter environment, was quickly becoming a perfect companion. Everything a dog owner could want.
And so, when after a week, my fellow Adoption Counselor, Sue, and I found a potential match for Remy, I drove home to get her to introduce her to them. I was surprised at how happy I was – I had thought I might be sad, but I was so excited that these people would be getting my Remy that I wasn’t sad at all.
Within two days, the papers were signed and her new owners were going to take her home. I drove her into the shelter, and while I was still happy, I did realize this might be the last time I’d see her. I walked her to their car, and she jumped right in. As I was waving goodbye to them as they pulled out of the parking lot, Remy’s face suddenly appeared at the rear window – looking at me as if to say, “Why aren’t you coming?,” followed by a look of understanding. I smiled.
If Remy could thank me, I think she would. The house did feel empty when I returned that evening. But I could not get the smile off my face. I didn’t shed a tear. Remy was home at last.
And in fostering her, I hope I did something that saved her life.
Please consider fostering an animal if you can. Most of the animals the shelter looks to foster are wonderful animals that simply aren’t doing well in a shelter environment. Considering what some have been through, that’s understandable. They are remarkably strong creatures mentally, and can teach all of us a thing or two about unconditional love. They give everything to us, and all they ask in return is a warm bed, food, and love.
We live in tough times, but as the shelter pays for all the expenses while the dog is fostered, all a foster parent has to pay is love. And in the process you save a life. If that’s not a win-win situation, nothing is.
