Foster Friday: Opening Your Heart to Foster
Welcome to the May edition of Foster Friday! This month we’re featuring a new foster, Lauren Gima, who most recently took in Irving! Read on to learn how fostering for the first time has changed and inspired Lauren.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I'm a West LA native, cancer genetic counselor, and fierce lover of cooking, dancing, and dogs. I'm also an avid podcast listener (typically comedy or true crime), Netflix binger, and ice cream enthusiast.
What got you started fostering for Wags & Walks?
After almost 10 years together, I had to say goodbye to my amazing rescue dog Riley near the beginning of the pandemic. It took me almost a year to feel ready to welcome another dog into my life, and when the time came I decided to try fostering as a short term/flexible way to ease back into dog ownership while I sort out when I can return to the office. I heard about Wags & Walks through a podcast years ago and had only read good things since, so W&W was the first place I reached out to for fostering opportunities.
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'm new to fostering, so my current foster boy Irving is my first (and default favorite)! He definitely won't be the last though; I'm already bargaining with myself to try and bring in a second foster now :)
What has been your biggest challenge fostering?
It has been extremely challenging to maintain some self restraint and not foster fail immediately.
How has fostering affected you?
Fostering has shown me how quickly my heart can grow to love another dog, as well as how easy and impactful it can be to help others! It's also a beautiful reminder of how resilient and loving dogs are.
What's been your biggest surprise as a foster parent?
The biggest surprise of this experience has been the few emotional rollercoaster moments I've had while Irving is finding his forever family. He's a special guy who needs the right fit, so he's trying on a few different homes before he finds the one that's just right. Each time I've dropped him off, I always hope for a successful match, but have always been so glad to welcome him back. Prior to getting involved with fostering, I imagined a more linear experience; Now that I'm actually experiencing being a foster dog parent, I'm along for the ride and enjoying every twist and turn this adventure has to offer.
Do you have any advice for anyone interested in becoming a foster?
Definitely try it out!!!
If you’d like to start fostering with Wags & Walks, please begin by filling out our foster application!