I brought my first foster dog home on November 1st 2007. 
 
I had recently moved here with my family from GA where I had worked with an all breed rescue. I found ALGBR on the web while searching for Great Dane rescues. I had always wanted a Great Dane ever since I was a child, and thought that fostering them would be great. When I stumbled upon ALGBR I thought: Labs and Giants, what a wonderful concept. I had labs growing up, so I knew that if the Dane thing didn't work out Labs would be great too. I brought my family to the Franciscan Renewal Center in October and met several of the ALGBR members and rescues that were there. I was pleased with the welcome I received, and shortly got set up with my home visit and fostering.
 
Since then I have kept track of all of the dogs I have fostered and my total comes to 61 so far! Some of them I shared foster time with other foster homes for various reasons.  I tend to have one foster dog at a time, but sometimes I have doubled up. I have had a couple of times where I had up to 4 (puppies) for very short periods of time.
I didn't count dogs twice that were returned and fostered again by my family, which happens on occasion.
 
When I started with ALGBR I had no idea how much it would mean to me. I have made some wonderful friends and have had the opportunity to have my life touched by some very special dogs. I am so honored and proud to be a part of this group where I feel like I have really been able to make a difference in lives. Not only saving lives, but completing families in the process. This isn't something I have ever gone into lightly, it's a passion for me, and ALGBR has been a wonderful organization to work with.
 
I have had some very special dogs that have been heartbreaking to see go, but in the end I am always able to look back and remember them and know that I made a difference in their lives. Others; I have been really happy to see go!!
 
I wanted to share a couple of key memories of some of the most special (to me) dogs that have been a part of our family.
 
Sam 2: I haven't ever met a stranger dog than Sam! He was such a horrible neglect case that it was heartbreaking to think of what he must have been through. He spent a lot of time with us and did some very strange things. We will never forget the way that he would slide down to the ground and scoot like a seal. Also, the way he would snuggle up when you were giving him love. He was a dog that had to be taught that affection was a good thing, he is amazing these days and his forever family enjoys and cherishes all of his quirkiness. I had have had the honor of dog sitting him a couple of times, and there is no doubt that he remembers us and his time here.
 
Nala: Oh, I will never forget that sweet yellow girl. She was the smartest dog I have even known. She could learn a new trick in minutes, and loved to learn! I fostered her twice, and the second time I nearly became a foster failure. She is the only dog that I have honestly regretted not adopting. When I saw her a few months after her adoption, I literally broke down into a blabbering heap of tears. It was still great to see her and know that she was loved so very much by her forever family. Boy though, that one hurt A LOT!
 
Bucket: I also fostered her twice! I thought a few times that she was going to end up staying, she feet felt so firmly planted in our home and our hearts. She slept with my youngest daughter every night and made her feel so safe and secure. She was a major pain in the behind at times, but lovable in so many ways. I was amazed how happy my children were with her adoption. I thought there would be nothing but tears at her leaving; instead they were all smiles, and content that she went to a wonderful home with a man that was her perfect match!
 
Higley: Hmmmmm, another double foster... are we seeing a pattern here?  What a riot that dog was! He was very high energy, but once he had some direction, he was amazing. He was the first dog that got to sleep out of the crate in my house. If I tried to have him sleep in it, he could literally bark for hours on end.  He slept beside my bed without so much as a peep!  I will always remember his super soft ears J
 
Max 4: He is still touching our lives. He has brought a whole new experience to our family. His presence is almost human-like; I often mistake his approach from behind me for my husband or my children. I recently had a really long and sad day spent at an equine vet with my dear friend and her very sick horse who passed away. I was emotionally and physically exhausted when I got home. I walked into my bedroom where Max was laying on my side of the king sized bed, took one look at him and said "I need a hug" and laid over the top of him and just held him. He stayed there and gave me the quiet comfort that I needed. He is always there for us, his steady love, his calm demeanor, his great huge size with the most gentle and patient temperament I have ever known.  Whoever ends up bringing him into their family is getting a gift, I truly believe that. He is going to be a dog that we never forget.
 
I asked my kids to share a little bit about their experience and here is what they had to say:
 
From Paige, my 10 year old:
I have always loved working with the shy dogs and gaining their trust. Patsy was really nice because she would run away, but she began to trust me and liked laying on my lap.
 
From Claire, my 7 ½ year old:
I liked Bucket because I liked dressing up her and I liked putting her in the Tinkerbell costume. 
 
From Brynn, my 6 year old:
I like Max 4 because he is gentle and doesn't jump. Nala was a great dog who loved to fetch. Bucket, I Iiked her because she laid in my bed every night.
 
I am happy to say that I have been around for 2 years and look forward to more experiences. ALGBR ROCKS!
 
Jenn