How long have you been volunteering with
Minnesota Pit Bull Rescue?
4+ years. I started fostering March of
2016.
Why did you start fostering for MPBR?
I didn’t have a dog and I wasn’t sure
if I was ready. My adopted Grandma suggested I try fostering. Little did I know
my life would forever be changed after that moment. I did some research and I
knew one of my sister’s good friends fostered for MPBR. I didn’t really know
anything about pit bulls and I never saw myself owning a pit bull. I always
wanted a big fluffy dog like a German Shepperd, Golden Retriever, or a Siberian
Husky. Now, I cannot imagine my life without a pit bull. I fell in love with
the breed.
Who was your first foster?
Abby (pictured with me above)
When your friends/family find out you
volunteer with MPBR, what do they say or ask?
Sometimes I get mixed feelings from my
friends and family. Some of them think what I do is incredible, but some don’t
know how I let them go or don’t understand. However, if I didn’t let them go, I
wouldn’t be able to help the next ones. My permanent and temp fosters (and some
I just pupsat for an event) have included Abby, Mick, Heath (for a few hours),
Queenie, Porter (for a few hours), Mick, Maisey, Rhodes, Stark (for a few
hours), Navel, Bacon, Link, Ted, Emery, and Truly. Obviously, I cannot have 14
dogs…. And I would not trade my time with Truly (my last foster) for anything.
That is what keeps me going.
 |
| Emery & Bacon |
Who is your current foster?
Indy & Poppy (they
will be on their way to MN soon)
Do you
have any pets?
Yes, I foster failed on Bacon. I
foster failed hard to the point where I was e-mailing his case manager in tears
over not being able to let him go.
Where is your favorite dog friendly place to
take your pups?
Home Depot and training (it is our
date night). However, our favorite thing is walking with our friends that we
have met through MPBR and training.
 |
| Bacon & Truly |
Do you have a favorite memory with one of your
fosters?
My favorite memory was the first time
Truly made the choice to cuddle up next to me. It was an incredible step for her,
and it melted my heart. Otherwise, I always love the look on adopters faces
when my foster is officially joining their home. It is bittersweet as they are
leaving me but joining their family.
When you're not surrounded by dogs, what can
you be found doing?
Currently, I am working from home. So,
I am always surrounded by dogs. Bacon enjoys crawling into my lap halfway
through the work day and bombing my zoom meetings.
Do you have a special tradition you do for
your foster pups?
I usually cry! Lol But, no, I do not
have a special celebratory ritual after my fosters are adopted.
Do you want to give a
special shout out to anyone in the rescue?
Mike and Sue Sweeney have helped me
immensely with any training-type questions I have with my fosters. They have
been excellent resources. Melissa Graunke has helped a lot also with training-type
questions or potential medical-type questions. Amanda, Ashley, Laura… there are
too many people to name. I have enjoyed working with everyone involved with
MPBR. It has been quite the journey and I have learned so much!
).
