Change a Pet's Life Day: Our Story
Our local animal shelter, Animal Friends of the Valleys, works with it’s foster families (that's us!) to place pets that need a little extra love and care in an actual home environment until they find permanent owners. When we heard Animal Friends needed a foster family for a momma and her seven new puppies, we took one look at that sad pile of fur and instantly agreed to take them home.
It was fairly chaotic for a couple weeks, with ten dogs under one roof, but we successfully weaned Seven from her puppies and began to socialize all those little ones until they were old enough to be adopted. Seven became a part of the family. We gave her breaks from her litter and took her on walks with the rebel pack. After a little over a month living with us all eight dogs, including momma, went to a pet adoption event where to our excitement they all found forever homes.
Helping an animal, even if it's in a seemingly small way, fills the heart with so much joy and compassion. We only wish we could take in dozens more dogs all at once. For now we feel so privileged to be able to help one (or eight) dogs at a time. Aside from fostering, we like to think we change our three dog’s lives every day by giving them the best possible dog life, but who are we kidding it’s these dogs that continually change our lives with their unconditional love.
We’d love to hear your story, how have you changed the life of a dog?