We need a bigger sofa...

'I know... I'm fabulous.'

We're asked quite regularly about our experiences fostering, people's questions vary from the obvious 'is it going to be hard giving her up' to the quite frankly odd, 'if a home isn't found for her soon, you're not going to let her be put down are you?'. Answers to these questions, in case you were interested... 'yes, I'll probably blub a little, but it will also be one of the best days of my life', secondly 'No, you must be mental'. 

I guess the first question is asked because some people see dogs in just the one way, they either are yours or they aren't. I think I probably subscribed to this, I have to admit I was worried that this impulse would come into play, that after Saskia had come into our home I'd feel that rehoming her would feel like giving one of my dogs away. Thing is, when you foster you are often taking in a dog who's had a hard trot, and for us knowing we could provide a bridge for Saskia has become a very cool thing. We've lived with her, she is treated as one of our family (she is) and of course we have fallen in love with her. For Al and I, seeing that Saskia has a future ahead of her has become really exciting, and weirdly her being such an easy, loving dog makes her leaving easier. 

As for the second question, as extreme as it sounds really all it does is highlight how little people know about the work that rescues do. I suppose when people think 'dog rescue' they think of the 'big boys' but they have no idea that small rescues, either breed specific or more general are operating quietly and below the radar. These rescues are desperate for funds and are often run entirely by volunteers. These volunteers need to make hard decisions, receive phone calls all through the night and work for nothing other than the continued safety of the dogs in their care. 

'Don't tell but I think this white fluffy one is O.K.'

Saskia does not belong to us, she was signed over to the rescue, and we picked her up from the pound in their name. We remain her custodians, all of her vaccinations, medical care and spaying will be paid for by 8 Below Rescue, which is why although she is staying in our home and  not a rescue centre, those funds are still needed. We will continue to be lucky enough to look after Saskia until the time that someone is even luckier, and she becomes a permanent part of their home. 

I'm sure one day we will 'fail' and a foster will stay with us. One thing I can say is that the dog we 'fail' on won't be a perfect dog like Saskia, we know she'll just be the perfect dog for someone else. Alex and I are destined to 'foster fail' one day, but unlike our gentle, quite perfect Saskia, it'll be the dog who makes our lives hell until we realise we've come too far to let them go...

If you'd like to read more about the fab Sled Dogs neeeding homes with 8 Below please visit http://www.8belowhuskyrescue.co.uk/