Easy Chicken Shawarma (+ Why You Should Not NOT Foster a Rescue Dog)

Wait wait wait. Just take a second to make sure you read that title right. This post is not about why you should not foster a rescue dog. It’s about why you should not not foster a rescue dog.

You’re probably thinking that I could’ve made things easier and just called it, “Why You Should Foster a Rescue Dog,” but that’s not quite right. What kept me from fostering for a long time isn’t that I needed reasons to do it. Instead, I needed someone to tell me why all my worries about fostering were silly. In other words, I needed reasons that I should not not do it.

So what is fostering a rescue dog, anyway? Fostering isn’t just a nice way to give a dog some time in a home before he’s adopted — it literally saves lives. Many animal rescues don’t have a central facility where dogs are kept, or if they do, it gets full very quickly. This means they can’t rescue dogs from animal shelters (where they’re at risk of being euthanized) unless people volunteer to foster them. Fostering is caring for a dog or cat in your home. You take it to vet visits, play with it, feed it, do basic training. All of this is paid for by the rescue. All that’s required of you is your time and attention. The reasons to become a foster parent are obvious: you save an animal’s life, you get kitty or pup snuggles, and it’s all for free!

But I can hear the objections popping up in your head. They popped up in my head, too. So here’s why you should not not foster a dog:

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you don’t have much money. Remember: the rescue pays all the bills!

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you live in a small apartment. Rescues often pull dogs of all shapes and sizes out of the shelter, and if they know you have a preference for small dogs, they can keep you on the list for when one comes up. Not all dogs need tons of room to run around and frankly, even the ones who do will be just fine with nice walks around your apartment complex. It’s so much better than the alternative for them.

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you’re worried about getting emotionally attached. You will. And it’ll still be okay to let them go. I’ve cried several times over foster pups at this point, and I now realize it’s just part of the process. But all it takes to cheer me up is seeing a photo of them with their new family. It is so worth the few tears that I shed to know they’re safe and happy, in part because of me.

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you already have a dog. Fostering is a cool chance to give your dogs playmates! It’s socialization for your pup. And if you’re already taking your own pup outside to potty anyway, what’s adding one more leash to the trip?

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you’re worried about how they’ll get along with your current pet. This was scary for us because Byrd isn’t fond of other dogs. She’s either jealous and stingy or scared. But this has been the coolest part: after a week with another dog in the house, Byrd seems to settle into coexistence and sometimes even camaraderie with our foster pooch!

The only exception was the first dog we fostered. Byrd had a skirmish with her over food right off the bat and that set a negative tone. It also taught us a lot. Now we know how to better introduce her: we bring the new pup in and set her in a nice play pen (we use this one) until both dogs are ignoring one another, and then introduce them gradually with no food or toys in sight. This helps us to decide if they can hang out together or if we need to continue to use the pen or baby gates to separate them. Even if they do great together, we never leave them alone together when we leave the apartment. A few little tricks have made this pretty simple for us.

Don’t not foster a dog because you’re worried it will be an inconvenience. It totally will be. You need to give them attention. You might need to train them a bit. They might have accidents on the carpet here and there (though every one we’ve gotten has been almost completely house trained). They might chew something. But it’s an understatement to say it’s worth it when you’re snuggling them and looking into their grateful eyes, knowing you’re helping to save their life.

Don’t not foster rescue dogs because you’re worried about being a “foster failure” and adopting them all. Listen, you don’t lose your mind because you foster. I’m completely in love with the dog I’m fostering right now, but I see that she would do best with a big yard and an energetic child to play with. I want the best for her. Sure I want to keep her, but I won’t. On the other hand, if you’re fostering a dog and fall in love with it and recognize that it fits right in with your family, would that be such a terrible thing?

Don’t not foster a dog because you don’t know how to get started. It’s easy. I put it off for months and months because I was scared I’d get in over my head, but I didn’t need to worry so much. Just google for an animal rescue in your city and head over to their website or give them a call. They probably have a foster application and you can even ask that they start you off easy. Mike and I are just “respite fosters” right now to sub for regular fosters who are on vacation. It’s allowed us to get our feet wet and build foster confidence.

Have you ever fostered or rescued a pet?

The three sweet dogs I’ve helped to foster so far!

My kitchen is mostly vegetarian at this point, but one of our darling foster pups a few weeks ago had some tummy issues. We made a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for her and the I cooked up the rest of the chicken into this delicious chicken shawarma from the New York Times. We had all the trimmings from our Fully Loaded Falafel Pitas left over, which made for delicious chicken shawarma pita pockets!

One year ago: Easy Carrot Cake with Whipped Icing
Two years ago: Gooey Carmelitas
Three years ago: End of Summer Berry Cobbler
Four years ago: Sweet and Spicy Pickled Grapes with Goat Cheese
Five years ago: 48 Homemade Breakfast Cereals
Six years ago: Red Velvet and Oreo Kisses