Paws, Patience, and Farewells: The Emotional Journey of Dog Fostering

Fostering dogs is an incredibly rewarding, yet heart-wrenching experience. It’s a journey filled with joy and deep connection, but also the inevitable moment when the dog you’ve cared for moves on to their forever home.

Frank, our beloved Norwegian pug, was more than just a pet—he was a legend in his own right. Having had two previous owners, Frank made the journey from Norway to the UK with his second set of humans. With a personality as broad as the fjords of his homeland, Frank had a way of making his presence known, whether he was exploring the garden, tossing his food around the kitchen, or napping like a champion in preparation for the Snail Olympics. Last Monday, after a day filled with his favorite activities, Frank took his final bow, leaving us in a state of shock and sadness. Frank was the first of three fosters we simply couldn’t part with, joining our family alongside three-legged Ronnie and 10-year-old Poppy, who had been used extensively for breeding and my own two pugs - Lola and Blue.

As often happens as a fosterer, what is sometimes meant to be temporary quickly becomes permanent. Frank with his calm, stoic demeanor and simple needs made him an integral part of our lives almost instantly. He never demanded much, just a cuddle on the sofa. His presence was undeniable, and his loss has left a crater-sized hole in our hearts.

Fostering is not always easy, and sometimes it’s downright distressing. The most heart-wrenching case we took in was Benji, a shabby-looking pug with his tongue unnaturally hanging out who weighed just 3 kilos when I collected him. Benji had been kept in a tiny crate, walked with a turn in his foot, and circled constantly—symptoms of the severe neglect he endured. Left to starve by someone struggling with mental health issues, Benji’s condition was dire. When I took him to the vet, there was serious discussion about putting him to sleep.

But after a blood test revealed that Benji had “only” been starved, we committed to his recovery. Despite his advanced age of ten, we managed to bring him up to 7.5 kilos, making him strong enough to undergo much-needed dental surgery and neutering. Six months later, at a healthy 8 kilos, Benji was ready for his new life. He made a 260-mile journey to Great Yarmouth, where he now lives by the sea with his new owner, Sandie. As we drove away from Benji’s forever home, I was overcome with emotion and a tinge of worry—what if something happened to him now that we were too far away to help? Thankfully, Benji is now a jolly 10-kilo dog, happy and content with Sandie who takes him out in his buggy every day and lets him sleep on her bed.

Fostering dogs brings both profound joy and inevitable heartbreak. We give these animals a safe haven, a place where they can be themselves, quirks and all. And when they leave us, we’re left with bittersweet memories of the joy they brought into our lives. Through it all, we’ve been fortunate to have a team of veterinary experts who’ve seen us through every possible scenario. There’s Alan the pug expert, Alan the eye expert, Alan the spinal expert—yes, all the Alans—and then there’s Ruth, our go-to for older dogs and their unique needs. And let’s not forget the wonderful Fiona, who puts animal care at the very core of everything she does, making sure that every dog in our care gets the best treatment possible. With this dream team on our side, we've been able to navigate the ups and downs of fostering with confidence, knowing our dogs are in the best hands.

The day after Frank’s passing, we honoured his memory with a mini wake at the pub. Over pints, we reflected on the two years Frank had been with us, though it felt as though he’d been part of our lives for much longer. Dogs like Frank have a way of embedding themselves deep into our hearts, and the bond we shared with him was no exception.

Even my partner, who often jokingly refers to pugs as a "sub-species of dog" and "the dog you buy from Temu" and claims he isn't a fan, found himself shedding tears when Frank quietly slipped away in my arms. It was a testament to the impact that Frank had on all of us, even those who tried to resist his charm.

So here’s to Frank, the Norwegian pug with a rock star soul, and to all the other dogs who have found their way into our lives, whether temporarily or permanently. Fostering is a labor of love, filled with moments of deep fulfillment and painful goodbyes. Frank, Ronnie, Poppy, and Benji all remind us of the incredible impact we can have on a dog’s life. And while the heartache of letting them go never gets easier, the joy of seeing them thrive in their forever homes is worth every tear.