Why foster an Animal Aide animal? by Donna Fraser, foster caregiver   Bayley Charlie has just been adopted! Noel Late-breaking news - Sam has just been adopted! Our family has fostered several times for the local Humane Society, so when we saw the Animal Aide ad in the London Free Press looking for temporary homes for cats and dogs we decided we would give it a try. Our first Animal Aide foster dog was a wonderful golden lab X named Bayley. An extremely friendly and outgoing dog, she took little time to adjust to our home, our dogs, and our cats. Then came Charlie, a little more subdued than Bayley, he took things a bit slower but after the third day we discovered that he was not 'cat friendly.' We were sorry to have to return Charlie to the kennel but at least we learned a little more about him and know he should not go to a home with cats. Then a petite 7-month-old shepherd X named Noel entered our lives. A funny girl who loves to play, she made a great buddy for our 10-month-old pup Bear to play with. And now we have a little guy named Sam staying with us. So, why be a foster home? I mean think about it. There's an extra dog to walk, scoop up after, feed at dinner, teach the rules of the house to, and then there's the emotional attachment that can grow, and the mixed emotions you feel when the dog finds his new family. That's how it appears on the surface, but we choose to look at it differently. When we bring a new dog into our home, we know we're giving him a chance to show us what he's really like, and we can share that with others. Kennels do the best job they can, but it's very difficult to see the true personality, likes and dislikes, strengths and potential of a dog living in a kennel. It is a satisfying feeling for us, knowing that while he's waiting to find his new family, he's in a family atmosphere and enjoying the kind of attention and lifestyle he deserves. And then, when he goes, he leaves room for another to take his place…temporarily. With the sadness that came saying goodbye to Bayley or Noel or Charlie, came the excitement of knowing we were soon to meet a new dog. When the time comes to say goodbye to Sam, there will be another dog ready to take his place, another dog deserving a place to be loved and cared for while he waits for his new family to find him. So, that's why we are a foster family, opening our home and our hearts to these dogs in need. I can't think of a more gratifying experience a family can share.