#MyFirstFoster Changed My Life

Petco Love celebrates National Foster a Pet month every June to help save the lives of shelter pets nationwide. To bring awareness to the joys of fostering, we are encouraging fosters to share their first foster story with the hashtag #MyFirstFoster and tag @PetcoLove. Here is my story. 

Like most people I went about my life, which for me meant mostly work with some time here and there for friends and family, including, of course, my dog. Murphy was my first dog; he was my heart. As a young lawyer, I was career consumed, in a good way, but having a dog provided balance, and filled my days with love.   

When he passed away, I couldn’t bear the emptiness. I needed that love again and began searching dogs for adoption – the sheer numbers of pets in need of homes was overwhelming. One caught my eye in Connecticut and since I was often driving from Virginia to NYC, I made an appointment to meet him. 

When I got to the foster home, I learned that the dog was part of a group confiscated by animal services, and I was introduced to two dogs instead of one (I am sure this was the plan all along). Two? At least they would have each other for company, and I could save two lives.

While I sat there getting to know the dogs, I learned more about the young woman who ran the rescue organization. She was an energetic go-getter. I was impressed.  She seemed connected to everyone – at least those that were instrumental to helping her save lives – yet in many ways, she was a one-woman show.  So, it wasn’t long before I volunteered my professional expertise to help.  

Although the idea was I would help with administrative paperwork, shortly after returning home with Mason and Spice, my two newly adopted family members, I received a call. There was a hound dog in Virginia, with a litter of puppies that needed help. Could I get them and take care of them temporarily? ... Then came the photo. 

I don’t recall thinking much about whether this was convenient, or if I had time, or even if I knew exactly what to do. I thought about one thing only – this sweet momma dog and her babies, needed me. And with #MyFirstFoster, my life mission of saving animals began. 

That was in 2001, and while there is so much more from then to now --- hundreds of animals fostered in my home and a career change to animal welfare, where I led one of the first local animal welfare organizations to create a lifesaving community -- #MyFirstFoster started it all. #MyFirstFoster started me on the path that brought me to where I am today -- proud to serve as the President of Petco Love, a national nonprofit inspiring change coast-to-coast.  

Clearly, fostering brought transformational change to my life, but it also impacted me in other simple and beautiful ways. #MyFirstFoster created new friendships and strengthened existing ones. Fostering a litter of cute puppies (or kittens) is a sure-fire way to have lots of friends drop by to visit. New adopters became new friends, and as a foster parent, you become pretty popular with everyone’s children too

The bonds of friendship often continued after adoption – with everyone sharing the stories of their newly adopted pups. One of my best friends, Stacey, adopted a pup from this first foster group.  She named him Kinley. And bringing them together would mean we shared this bond forever.  #MyFirstFosters even had a couple birthday party family reunions. 

Twenty years later, another friend that adopted a pup from that first litter, adopted one of my other fosters named Dash. In my experience, fostering, not only saves animal lives, but fosters lifelong friendships. Pets have a way of bringing people together - something we could all use a little more of.  

#MyFirstFoster impacted me significantly, bringing me joy, love and friendships that would last a lifetime. Years ago, I might have saved eight pups and a mom, but truth be told, they gave me so much more. #MyFirstFoster led me to a new career, a new mission, and in many ways, a new me. 

 Become A Foster today – and help create a better tomorrow!  

Please help encourage others to foster by sharing your #MyFirstFoster story and tag @PetcoLove! 

Some of my other fosters are pictured below: