2foster or not2..................

neeroz · Master

2foster or not2..................

JanW · Master

I can't imagine how you manage at the moment, we've only got two greys and it's total chaos at walk/feeding time! (still working on the SIT for food/walks)

All the homeless dogs all look so georgous, I know how you feel wanting more.

Best wishes whatever you decide

BOWGANG · Master

We are also seriously considering fostering. We live with Gambol, Keera, Smudge the cat and 4 daughters in a 3 bed terrace (sorry forgot the 3 fish!!!!) so it's mayhem when we're all in ...but hey there must be room for another pooch! Go on you know you want to...! I know we do! So lets save another couple of lovely greys from kennels it'll make the world of difference to them and such a little inconvenience to us.

Good luck whatever you do

Jim and Shirley

sha · Master

Hi

I have 3 dogs of my own - 2 Whippets, a lurcher & 2 cats. We foster for GAL. At present we have Maisie as our foster, that making it 4 dogs! We live in an old type terraced 3 bedroom "thing". Our dogs don`t have the run of the house, they are restricted to the kitchen, conservatory and the garden. I don`t think it matters what size your house is so long as you are 100% commited. My dogs are exercised to the point of exhaustion (that`s my secret!) so they tend to just sleep when they are in the house, they are really no trouble. Ok the introduction of a foster dog can alter the dynamics of the pack and that`s something you have to think about, but GAL advise on this. GAL are very supportive towards foster carers (Denise & Dave are great shoulders to cry on!).

Being a foster carer is extremely rewarding, Go for it, try your hardest and if it doesn`t work out, well at least you gave it your best shot.

Best wishes

Sha x

Carol · Master

Me, Iain, Luca, Eilidh and Whistler all live in a two bedroom tenament flat!!

I too believe that it isn't the space that matters, it's the TLC that counts and a really good routine helps too. Because we live in a flat and it isn't practical for our dogs to have the run of our garden (it's out the front, then round the back), our dogs do get a lot more exercise that your average family would have to give. But hey, that's good for everyone, right?

When they're inside you honestly wouldn't know that they're there. They each have their own wee space that they lie in and by and large don't get under your feet at all. I'm sure that if we can have three in a flat, it would be possible to have four in a house.

Dawn · Guru

For what its worth, you have to get the balance right....!

And, in order to do that, its always easier to walk with two on either side!!!

I'm sure Dave and Denise will have 'someone' in mind who would settle into the formation without causing too much disruption, to your already hectic lifestyle.

Go for.......

Suzanne · Guru

I would go for it !! They take up such little room & it sounds like you are well use to juggling a busy household anyway. Fair enough Ive only fostered the once so far but it was very rewarding just knowing that you had done a little bit to help

On a very basic level - it free's up a kennel for the 'waiting list' Dave constantly has on the go & gives folk as real chance to get to know the foster dogs through posts on here. You get to find out characteristics that would prob never show in kennels - AND it can also put paid to attributes that they may have developed in kennels & it turns out that they are nothing like that in the home. These dogs may be passed over time & time again if foster homes didnt exist & GAL need all the fosterers they can get - if purely for the poor dogs sake, who have already endured so much...a comfy sofa & a guaranteed cuddle on tap is pure heaven to them & they will love you for it!!

neeroz · Master

Cheers to everyone who has replied..............the heart and the head are still at odds!

I will let you all know what the decision is......................oh and the dogs have already been suggested!

neeroz · Master

We are off to Langbank kennels on Saturday to see if any boys are willing to put up with my 'mob'. Everyone think positive thoughts...........(hope Peter and Buster make it down in time!)

Spare a thought for me on Friday, as Toffee and Cookie are both in at the vets on Friday for dentals, plus Toffee is getting a tumour removed. (My last ferret didn't survive the aesthetic.)

-- Edited by neeroz at 12:24, 2005-05-25

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

All the best to you for Saturday at Langbank! Hope there's a boy who'll get on with everyone - and wel'll have our fingers crossed for Friday at the vets with Cookie and Toffee. Let us know how you get on!

Christine

Janice · Old Hand

Hi Louise

Hope your wee ferrets got on ok at the vets. I'm sure if you have 3 hounds already one more will make no difference. Our first foster dog, Jacky, is a lovely boy despite his little 'cat fixation' problem. I thought we would have problems with him getting along with our greyhound Mandy but they soon sorted out the domestics and it was then we discovered his feline fantasies! You never know what to expect when fostering but knowing that the dog is in a loving home makes up for any little quirks. Hope you meet a nice boy for your family tomorrow.

Janice

neeroz · Master

Hi All

Saturday didn't go as planned, we didn't get to meet any of the boys none of them were deemed suitable for my three (Thanks Rachel, for saving us a trip anyway). Maybe sometime in the future..............if not I will still have my happy three anyway .

As for Toffee and Cookie, they are both doing fine. Cookie was his usual manic self on Friday, but Toffee slept Friday & all day Saturday. The lump removal was a success so far and she gets her stitches out next Tuesday.

See you all on Sunday at Strathclde Park.

takecon · Master

Hi,

I have 2 greyhounds, a lurcher, a rescue cat and a foster greyhound. We all get along - but have to work at it.

I live in a ground floor - 1 bedroom flat in west end of Glasgow. The advantage of my flat is the adjacent 2.5 acres of maintained grass open space (its 2 metres from my front door) - disadvantage my dogs think it's there private garden so get stroppy when other dogs / cats / foxes trepass lolNumber

Numbers are not so much of an issue if you are prepared for the extra work - extra dog bowls, bigger water bowls etc

Key thing is walking - how many dogs can you walk? I can manage 4 but we have our moments - Full stop when they see cats. squirrles, fluffy toy dogs, bigger dogs etc. it comes down to a weight issue. Four dogs cannot drag me on ground very far.

In my flat numbers are not an issue - everyone finds a comfy spot. Feeding times - divide in two - two in kitchen two in lounge - saves any aggro.

It comes down to what you are prepared to put up with!

Charles

Andy · Old Hand

After reading about all of your experiences it does sound very rewarding and it helps to save another greyhound. We would love to help now that Fiddie is more settled.

When I say settled he is currently snoring contentedly in the corner

Dave · Enlightened One

Andy wrote:

After reading about all of your experiences it does sound very rewarding and it helps to save another greyhound. We would love to help now that Fiddie is more settled. When I say settled he is currently snoring contentedly in the corner

*Dave starts looking through the books for suitable female greyhound*...

-- Edited by Dave at 20:35, 2005-06-04

greyflintstone · Master

Dave wrote:

*Dave starts looking through the books for suitable female greyhound*...-- Edited by Dave at 20:35, 2005-06-04

Never one to miss an opportunity eh?!!