Before I fell in love with my last foster dog and adopted him, I fostered many dogs for Spotty Dog Rescue. Despite my full-time job, fostering never felt like a burden. Rescued dogs often come from difficult situations, and it was deeply rewarding to provide my fosters with a sense of security and love while helping them get used to respecting behavioral boundaries. It sometimes took a dog a while to become accustomed to my home and my presence, but we always wound up becoming fast friends and cheerful companions. Each of my foster dogs soon found a forever home that proved to be a good fit both for the dog and for the adopting family.

Spotty Dog Rescue provided everything I needed to care for my foster dogs, such as food, veterinarian visits, crates, bowls, and leashes. Even minor expenses associated with fostering, like using a car to drive a dog to the vet, are tax-deductible. Fostering also introduced me to the other volunteers at Spotty Dog Rescue. Dedicated as they are to rescuing dogs and to helping them recover and flourish, Spotty Dog’s compassionate and committed volunteers make the organization thrive.

My favorite part of fostering was having a loving companion who was always prepared to snuggle, play, or go for a walk. When after a time a foster dog departed to a forever home, it filled me with pride and joy to see the new match create happiness for both family and pet. If you have ever thought of fostering a dog, give it a try! You will be glad you did.

Legacy is a miniature pinscher. We first met her when her foster mom, Wendi, brought her to work at the local doggie daycare, where our two other dogs often spend time. We quickly learned Legacy’s story: found abandoned in the woods of Wolcott, CT, Legacy
would have starved to death without the intervention of local animal control authorities and the persistence and patience of the volunteers from Spotty Dog Rescue.

But could we adopt one more, especially two months after bringing 8-year old Dex into our home from a different rescue? Dex – later determined to be a mountain cur/poodle/dachshund mix – was still adjusting to his new surroundings, and his trust with his new canine buddy, an 8-year-old Yorkie named Calvin, and his new humans was still developing.