From Stressed Out Shelter Dog to Beloved Foster Dog: Lita Ford’s Story
From Stressed Out Shelter Dog to Beloved Foster Dog: Lita Ford’s Story
Fostering a dog is often described as an amazing, rewarding, and inspiring experience. It’s a unique opportunity to bond with a shelter dog and watch them grow into their best selves before they find their future forever home. Instead of hearing the same speech about the joys of fostering, let’s dive into a real-life story from one of our dedicated fosters, Abbey, and her time with a dog named Lita Ford.
Abbey’s Journey as a Foster Dog Parent
Abbey stepped up when Lita, a CAC dog in urgent need, required a foster home placement due to her deteriorating mental health while living at the shelter. Lita was diminishing quickly in the shelter environment, losing weight and becoming more anxious by the day. She had a rough start to shelter life, found injured on the road, and was clearly struggling to adjust to the stressful kennel life. That’s when Abbey entered the picture, offering Lita a home to heal and recover in—a decision that ended up saving Lita’s life.
“When Lita and I met for the first time, she was very shy, letting me pet her but sniffing everywhere else in the fenced play yard. Embarrassingly, I was a bit scared of her and underestimated this girl so much,” Abbey recalls.
It didn’t take long, however, for Abbey to see Lita’s true personality shine. On her very first day in Abbey’s care, Lita surprised her foster mom at every turn. “She hopped right into the car, went right into the apartment elevator, and greeted my roommate so kindly,” Abbey says. Even when another roommate entered the apartment quickly and unexpectedly, Lita wasn’t scared. Instead, she jumped up, eager to give and receive love.
What was originally planned as just an overnight foster dog placement turned into 87 nights of bonding, love, and adventure. While Lita’s journey to finding her future home took longer than some, Abbey fell in love with her foster dog and was determined to stick by her side until the perfect family came along.
The Rewards of Fostering a Dog
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a foster dog parent is the knowledge that you’re making a difference—not just for the dog you’re fostering, but for the shelter community as a whole. By opening your home to a foster dog, you’re giving them a chance to thrive outside the stressful shelter environment and helping to create space for more dogs in need.
“It is so rewarding to know you are making the world a better place. This was the best summer ever thanks to an overlooked pittie,” Abbey says. Her time with Lita wasn’t just a fostering experience—it became one of her most memorable summers ever. Abbey will never forget Lita’s full-body wiggles when she got home each day, the affectionate face licks, her erratic zoomies around the apartment, and the way Lita became her little shadow, following her everywhere she went.
Why Fostering is Worth It
Fostering a dog is more than just a temporary commitment; it’s a life-changing experience for both the foster dog and the foster parent. Dogs like Lita often struggle in a shelter environment, where stress and anxiety can take a toll on their physical and emotional health. By stepping up as a foster dog parent, you provide these dogs with a safe, nurturing environment where they can relax, heal, and show their true personalities.
The bond you form with a foster dog can be incredibly deep and meaningful. Many foster parents, like Abbey, find the experience so fulfilling that they continue to foster more dogs after their first experience. Fostering not only enriches your life but also prepares these wonderful animals for success in their future homes.
Start Your Foster Dog Journey Today
Abbey’s story is just one example of how fostering a dog can be an amazing and transformative experience. Whether you’re fostering for a night or long-term, the impact you have on a foster dog’s life is immeasurable. Each foster dog brings their own personality, quirks, and joy into your home, making the journey unique and incredibly rewarding.
If you’re ready to start your own foster dog journey, consider picking up your first “overlooked pittie” or any shelter dog in need of some extra care. These dogs might just change your life, offering you unconditional love, loyalty, and a lifetime of cherished memories.
Fostering saves lives, both for the dogs in your care and for those waiting for a spot in the shelter. It’s an opportunity to create a better world, one foster dog at a time. Ready to make a difference? Sign up to foster with Cincinnati Animal CARE today and experience the joy, love, and fulfillment that comes from fostering a shelter dog.
