Dogs Without Borders: Nicole and Tyler's Story
10 Jan 2024
What inspired you to start fostering dogs, and how did you get involved with Dogs Without Borders?
I have always been a dog-lover and grew up with them. When I left for college, my family got their first rescue dog, which gave me a glimpse into the world of shelters and rescues, and I have since been super interested in helping these organizations ever since. I had always wanted to foster and finally decided to take the leap because of the shelter crisis happening post-covid. I had heard about the rescue Dogs Without Borders through friends and finally decided to signed up to foster, because I want wanted to help
Could you share a bit about the dog you fostered and eventually adopted?
I had originally signed up to be a foster parent simply as a means to help out, without the intention to adopt. While on the waiting list, DWB matched me with Tyler. Little was known about his situation but he was dumped at a high-kill shelter along with four other dogs, and DWB was able to get them out and find them each fosters to get them out of that situation.
Tyler was a friendly and spunky dog from the start. It doesn’t seem to be like he was abused, but he was definitely neglected and had really infected skin. Poor guy!
He just filled my life with joy in a way I can’t even comprehend, which eventually led to a "foster-fail" a.k.a permanent adoption! It has been so rewarding to see how much he appreciates the things that I thought were just rudimentary necessities (meal times, routine walks, etc) and to watch him reveal more and more of his personality.
Can you describe the process of transitioning from fostering to adopting your dog? What motivated you to make that decision?
Absolutely! The decision eventually came down to the fact that he felt like a part of my life and member of my family. Adopting is a big responsibility so I didn’t make the decision frivolously, but had decided that the reward far outweighed the work, especially because he happened to adjust to my schedule relatively well.
The transition from foster to adoption was easy because he had already felt like mine for a while. I think I had subconsciously known he was here to stay before I actually committed. Once I realized Tyler was here to stay, I reached out to DWB and they guided me through the adoption application and process!
What message would you like to convey to people who want to do their part to help rescue dogs?
Anything helps! If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, volunteer or raise awareness. So many of us love dogs, and bits of effort from all over can make a big impact. I wish I had gotten more involved even before I was comfortable with fostering. Dogs Without Borders offers many opportunities to donate, help with adoption events, and spread the word about their mission.
What advice would you give to someone considering fostering or adopting a dog from a rescue organization like Dogs Without Borders?
That the process has its challenges but is so worth it. The 3-3-3 rule is a very real thing! 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to get into a routine, 3 months to feel at home. The first few days can be challenging and each dog is a little different, but the process is filled with love and appreciation and I guarantee it will be a fulfilling experience, whether you are fostering or taking on a new companion for good.
