When you give up your rescue.....

[jgponder]

what type of reaction can I expect from my permanent rescue? I have had him for 3 weeks now and they are becoming very attached to each other so I am concerned what the reaction of my forever rescue (I have had since April) will be when he looses his "brother". How long do you think I should wait before another one is added? I don't want one to think there is a revolving door of dogs that just disappear one day.

Jane mom to Alex

[sins]

I'm not sure what advice I can give. It's not something I've thought about indepth.
I've had four or five fosters this year.It wasn't a problem for me as Daisy is a solitary female and doesn't really want anything to do with the fosters.If one jumps onto the couch beside her, she immediately removes herself and slinks off.
I suspect dogs are more adaptable than we give them credit for.As long as your long term cavalier has enough affection and attention I imagine he'll be ok about it. He's the one left in his territory after all.
Hopefully someone else who's dog actually bonds with a foster can be of more help.
What matters really is that you've given a safe,secure home to them while they wait for their forever home.Whatever stresses he endures by being separated from his new pal, it's got to be better than not taking him in at all.It's hard to create a perfect environment that meets all the needs of a foster dog.Seems to me like you do an amazing job.
Sins

[Karlin]

I don't think a dog is going to view this as a 'revolving door'. I have fosterers that constantly have new dogs through -- including some who home board dogs and ALWAYS have new dogs in and out. I've never yet met a dog that had problems when a dog leaves. More often they have problems when a new dog arrives! But having dogs in and out I think is very good for socialising any dog and making dogs used to meeting new dogs. That is far better than defensive, wary dogs that dislike other dogs. My own dogs are pretty indifferent to newcomers -- not too excited about a foster but not aggressive either.

[TKC]

They get used to it. They understand that the dogs are not here to stay after a while. Sure there will be bonds built up but most dogs will simply get on with it when they leave. I do believe that if a resident dog dies that the other dog(s) should see the body as it greatly helps them understand that their friend has left forever. But that is another discussion.

The really good thing about fostering is that it really builds up your own dogs confidence, social skills and other communication skills around other dogs. Because most dogs don't see many other dogs every single day when you foster it means that you are letting your dog meet many of his/her own kind and IMO that is a really good thing and something that a hugh portion of pet dogs are missing. I believe this is where many dog to dog problems stem from.

My own dogs do have their extra priviledges though ... for example they sleep in their own room most of the time rather than the dog room with the boarders and fosters and we maske sure that they get more one to one time with us than the boarders and fosters like in the evenings late at night when the boarders and fosters have gone to sleep.

[Thelly]

I would echo Karlin and Tara on this one. We have fosters and boarders here all the time and our gang have become quite indifferent to the coming and going. There will always be the sniffs and wags but after that they go about their day.

I have really learnt that you have to take your emotions out of what is going on with them. When Lilly and Fabian came in to foster with us they were a little pack to themselves and my gang left them to it. Didn't bother with them on any level. When little Fabian didn't make it home from the vets, my worry was for Lilly and really thought that there would be a broken hearted dog here. Now as I type she is lying on the chair with my two girls and believe me, if Lilly left today, they would move on. And now I know Lilly will too!!

Dogs do become attached to some visitors while they are here but in my experience when they leave that is pretty much that!

[cavi lover]

My gang always look quite pleased that there is more room on the settee and that they don't have to pile up on each other as much!!!

I have found that if you are ok about a foster moving on then they are too. I had an oldie who I was heart broken to see go. The dogs in turn looked worried . So be brave and as laid back as you can be and your dog[s] will be fine. J x

[misty]

Like others have said, mine have never missed any of the fosters.

All I would say is that a new arrival or departure just slightly alters the pack dynamics, but only for a day or so .

I'm proud of my clan because all (except Cazy) are extremely graceful with new fosters. Cazy settles after about a day - she's just being a redhead .

I think our dogs are far more philosophical than we wish to believe.

[WoodHaven]

If you had an only dog, and you fostered another-- and then the dog was an only dog again, you might see the biggest response. Some dogs like company more than others. We have visitors every month, so mine got used to the comings and goings. They are usually on their best behavior once the visitor leaves.

[jgponder]

Thank you all so much for the informational replies. I will feel much better when the time comes to let him go. I think possibly it will be harded on me than on Alex.

Jane, mom to Alex