20/06/2024
I am a foster for an animal rescue. Here's just a small part of my story.
I love animals and have volunteered to care for them in my stay in Tennessee. I’ve volunteered to groom rescue puppies on their way to other foster homes, I’ve fed baby squirrels and possums at Walden’s Puddle. I’ve been a foster mom to several dogs at my tiny farm there and had 19 dogs at my house the day the 500 year flood hit.
It had been raining and the water from the nearby river had been going up and down all afternoon that day. A walk 2 doors down would show the water had risen over the banks and was filling the neighborhood. As dark fell,I ran through the house with water squishing under my feet and up to my waist outside.
In disbelief this was happening to me, to us, with the help of my neighbor we were able to get 15 dogs and a cat in my SUV. In the pitch black we made our way to a friend’s house who had a super big yard, but she wasn’t home. It was good we were traveling away from flood waters and ended up in Nashville at a red Cross station where people were gathering away from the flood.
It just so happened the Nashville Humane Society had stationed a semi with cage banks inside. They had plenty of room for all 15 dogs, Smokey the cat and me.
Disasters can displace many people and their pets. I was very fortunate to have a network of other animal rescuers who had exactly what I needed. We were invited to stay at their home that not only had a private room for me, but a huge fenced area complete with dog houses, water bowls and dog food.
In about 3 months, not being able to return home because it was only rubble, we were able to secure another house with an exceptional fenced-in yard in a nearby town.
I felt very fortunate to have such a journey with almost 20 dogs in tow.
Fostering can be a super rewarding experience. Many people can send the babies they’ve cared for for many months to forever homes. I am one who did it, but not without sadness and letting go.
If you have the room in your home and heart, so many dogs and cats need you to be their foster parent while they find their forever homes.