Foster Friday: Wags Alumni Turned Foster
Welcome to our December edition of Foster Friday! This week we are celebrating an amazing member of the Wags family who not only adopted a Wags alumni, but also returned to foster with us! She is most recently fostered Piggy, a sweet 2-year-old pittie mix. Maria is committed to helping Wags year-round, but is currently helping us bring dogs home for the holidays, because no one should have to spend the holidays alone - especially recently rescued pups!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Maria and I live in LA with my partner, Ben, and our 2 year old pup, Tuna, who we adopted from Wags as a puppy. My favorite activity is hiking and backpacking. Tuna loves to hike too and she has been my hiking buddy on trails in California, Utah, Colorado and Washington.
What got you started fostering for Wags & Walks?
I learned about fostering through Wags from Tuna's foster, Erica G. I saw how much of an impact Erica was having on her fosters' lives and I knew instantly I wanted to help. Once the Stay at Home orders were put in place, forcing us all to work from home, I finally had the ability to foster and help save dogs' lives.
To date, how many dogs have you fostered for Wags? Do you have a favorite? (Don't worry, we won't tell the others!)
We have fostered four pups through Wags. Oh man, choosing a favorite is nearly impossible! But I would say fostering Maya has been the most rewarding. We brought her to our home right after she was pulled from the shelter. She relaxed and became so much more confident right in front of our eyes! It was like you could see the stress leave her body once she knew she was safe.
What has been your biggest challenge fostering?
The occasional pee stain on my favorite rug or dirty paw print on our bed! Ha! But it really is always worth it. The dogs we bring home are so happy and grateful, we get so much joy from the love and affection they give us in return.
What has been your biggest surprise as a foster parent?
I'm surprised by just how happy having a foster dog in our house has made me. Seeing a scared pup gain the confidence to go on a walk, roll onto it's back and ask for belly rubs, or run up to me with it's tail waving furiously because it's so excited to see me, will never get old.
Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in becoming a foster?
Just do it! It may never feel like the best time, or it may seem a bit daunting at first, but I promise you, you won't regret it. No matter what, you will make a pup's life better and that is the best feeling in the world.
Xo,
The Wags Team