Transforming Lives through Kindness
by Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Board of Directors
as seen in the "Aiken Standard" on November 17, 2013
They became FOTAS foster families for different reasons.
Carolyn McCarthy wanted to find a way to ward off the inevitable holiday blues caused by her mother’s death. Sylvia Igoe wanted to celebrate the memory of the family’s special dog, Apple. Dineen Daniels wanted to express her life-long passion for animals and honor her own upbringing to value the importance of all life.
They each had slightly different expectations for the foster experience.
Ms. McCarthy wanted to teach Liam and Reece the importance of giving back, of helping out in the community. Ms. Igoe wanted Isabelle and Sean to experience first hand significant life lessons like overcoming adversity and the power of forgiveness. Ms. Daniels wanted to reinforce the qualities of kindness and compassion in Baily, Parker and Josh.
By all measures, the fostering experience has been a success for all three of these families.
Liam and Reece request supplies for the Aiken County Animal Shelter in lieu of birthday gifts.
Bailey and Parker take their jobs of feeding and caring for the puppies seriously, often getting up at night to help their mom bottle-feed. Josh helps his mom administer medicine. He plans on being a veterinarian when he grows up.
Isabelle and Sean help their mom with all aspects of caring for the momma dog and their puppies: feeding, filling water bowls, cleaning the crates, playing and socializing with the puppies and giving extra special love and attention to the momma dogs. They know how important their efforts are in helping these puppies find a forever home.
Life lessons learned? You bet. Parker loves to watch the puppies being born. “It’s so cool that each puppy comes into the world in its own little sack.”
Isabelle and Sean have learned that even though these dogs have had challenges and hardship, they never give up. With a little help, they can forgive and learn to love again.
Liam and Reece have learned to let go gracefully when the time comes for the puppies to leave. “We know they are going to a safe place and a nice home,” says Liam.
“It’s hard,” says Reece, but he thinks about the next dog he will foster and help find a new home.
Foster families like these are a critical component of FOTAS and the County’s efforts to find every adoptable animal a permanent home. Every dog or puppy transferred to a foster home frees up space on the adoption floor of the County’s grossly overcrowded shelter for another adoptable animal. That’s a big deal.
Carolyn McCarthy says, “The change that occurs in a dog when it is shown a little kindness is amazing. It can take weeks, days or sometimes even hours, but every dog is different by the time they leave us.”
So, too, is the family who fostered that dog – it is transformed by the kindness it shows.
FOTAS desperately needs more foster families. Call us at 803-514-4313 for more information. You’ll be glad you did.
FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road. For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.
Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”
Nov. 4 - Nov. 9, 2013
10 dogs and 2 cats adopted
Year to Date:
629 terrific pets adopted
THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!
**All adoption fees include: spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.
BABE, shepherd mix. Female, 2 years old, 31 lbs Only $35 -- adoption special.
BENJAMIN ---- Domestic short hair, Male. 4 months old 3.4 lbs Only $35.
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