Foster Friday: A Long-Time Love of Fostering, Scottie Wardell

What got you started fostering for Wags & Walks?

We had done some fostering in the past when we lived in NYC, and as soon as I moved to LA I knew I wanted to continue supporting dog rescue. I eventually found my way to Wags & Walks and loved how amazing the staff and facilities were, and could tell the genuine love and care for the dogs was best-in-class. I started with Wags as an on-site volunteer at their facility right when it was opening, and at the time I had a dog at home that was about 2 years old. Once I was confident that my own dog was settled in and ready to help us host a foster, I raised my hand to volunteer to bring a dog home! I love volunteering on site and helping a lot of different dogs at once, but I always try to foster when I can as it is particularly special to spend a lot of time with one dog and seeing how much progress they can make building trust and confidence, letting their personality out, decompressing, and learning how to play!

To date, how many dogs have you fostered for Wags? Do you have a favorite? (Don't worry, we won't tell the others!)

I honestly have no idea at this point! I think somewhere in the ballpark of 7-10? As for a favorite - that is truly a tough one, as they each are so special in their own way. The Wags team does know I have a "type," which is black pit mixes that look like my own good boy. Given that, whenever they call me to foster a puppy that looks like a mini-me of my dog, it definitely makes it extra fun! My most recent foster, Phoebe, came VERY close to being a foster fail for us because she looks just like my dog and her adorable persistence actually won my dog over (he can be a grump with puppies!). She got him to play more than he has in years!! It definitely hurt to drop her off for her adoption, but I'm sure her new family is over the moon having her at home :)

What has been your biggest challenge fostering?

When I first started fostering, especially before I had my own dog, the biggest challenge for sure was the sadness that came from dropping the dog back off to be adopted. Although I was always so happy and excited for the dogs to find a home, it's so easy to get attached very quickly to these perfect pups and it's hard to let them go! I believe I cried all the way home on the subway after dropping off my first foster. After gaining more experience, I was able to shift my perspective of my role toward being an advocate and a nanny to help get these dogs ready for adoption, and thus feel a lot more excitement at a successful adoption rather than sadness! The continuing biggest challenges are managing the surprising amount of pee that puppies contain as well as shark-tooth management for puppies in the 8-12 week age range.

How has fostering affected you?

Fostering rescued dogs is one of the greatest privileges and joys of my life. I feel so fortunate that Wags and the dogs that they rescue trust me to care and advocate for them. Fostering has made me a more loving, happy, calm, and grateful person. I am constantly amazed by each dog's unique and special personalities, their incredible resilience and willingness to forgive humans, their unlimited capacity for love, and the beauty of a perfect foot paddie, expressive brows, a cute smile, or a great snout.

What's been your biggest surprise as a foster parent?

I think it has been the much deeper appreciation I have for how unique each dog is. There is so much bad breed specific information out there that is inaccurate and discriminatory, and I never see it hold up with the hundreds of dogs I have interacted with out in the world and as a volunteer. Each dog, like each human, has their own life experience, their own personality, their own strengths and weaknesses, and their own needs and preferences. I hope we can all start seeing dogs as the individuals they are rather than making assumptions!

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in becoming a foster?

Be patient and remember that it's a big change for them to suddenly come into a new home, so they may not be at their best at first. The first few days and nights the dog is home with you may not be indicative of the true temperament that emerges once they have a chance to settle in and calm down. Some dogs I have fostered are a piece of cake from the moment they walk in the door, but others need some extra love and care before they open up and feel safe. I personally prefer the really shy dogs that need lots of extra love and cookies before they know they can trust me and let their guard down!

Interested in fostering? Start by filling out our foster application!