Fostering has given me a sense of purpose I would have not found anywhere else. I have always volunteered with animal groups, but wanted to make a bigger impact on the homeless pets issue we face in our country. That’s when I looked into fostering.
-Kathryn

We joined RMLR because we have always loved labs and our yellow lab had passed away in December of 2016.  We weren’t ready to adopt another dog at that point, so we decided that fostering would be a great way for us to have a dog in our home without the commitment of adopting and we were also helping to save dogs in need.
-Dave and Julie

It is rewarding to know I am making a difference and keeping a dog from being euthanized. When I take a dog into my home and watch it grow into a mentally and physically healthy dog, it fills my heart with an overwhelming love. People ask me how I can give the dog up and isn’t it hard to say goodbye. My response is always the same, “Of course it is hard. But, with each dog that gets adopted, my home is open to save another dog. It would be harder knowing the dog did not get a chance to live because there was not an available foster.”
-Laurie

Fostering is an adventure! Taking an unknown dog into our home is always a fascinating challenge as we discover the dog’s personality, and manage the new dog’s relationships with our own dogs. We like the challenge! The first 24-48 hours can take a good amount of attention and problem-solving, but usually everyone settles in well together. We get to enjoy a new dog, and sometimes help that dog regain its health. By the time we fostered about 10 dogs, our knowledge, skills, and confidence had grown much stronger. Nevertheless, we learn more with every dog.
-Joanna

When you first take the dog home, it may be overwhelmed with joy from being out of a shelter and can act a little crazy. Or, it may be fearful because it has lived on the streets or in an abusive/neglectful situation. Understand that it may take a few days for the dog to settle into feeling comfortable. The transition is overwhelming for the dog. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. You have the support of many volunteers that have a ton of experience.
-Laurie

Why do we keep getting foster dogs? Simply put, it’s become an addiction. Figuring out who we might pick up, when only given a photo and approximate age, is half the fun. Picking up a slightly wild foster dog and seeing them transform into a respectable, adoptable dog, is very rewarding. Teaching a dog stay, down and other simple manners makes them more adoptable and more likely to find a great home that will continue the training. We’ve seen so many dogs with issues of some kind come a long way in a short time, and seeing them find their family makes it all worth it. Dogs are so smart and funny. When the right family arrives for a meet and greet, we have seen out of character good behavior that we just have to laugh and know they have found their people.
-Ethan and Tegan

I think that the best part of volunteering with RMLR is the huge impact that you can have on one dog’s life. In the fall of 2017 RMLR was contacted about a female black lab mix that needed to be rescued from the Houston animal shelter. She had been picked up as a stray. She was estimated to be between 7 and 9 years old, she weighed just 38 lbs, had recently given birth to a litter, and had tested positive for heartworm. She was not a dog that was likely to be adopted from the shelter. RMLR agreed to have her transported to Colorado and took care of her heartworm treatment and other vet bills and medications to get her healthy again. Julie and I adopted her and she has been an amazing dog. Keira is one of the smartest dogs that we have ever had, and she has the sweetest personality. She is living her very best life every day now.  I often think about how many other amazing dogs, just like her, are sitting in shelters waiting for that same chance. That is why my wife and I continue to volunteer and support Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue.
-Dave and Julie