Today we share a foster’s experience in her own words.
My name is Tina Dotson. I am a licensed optician and I manage the 20/20 Eye Care store in Shepherdsville, KY. I am married and have three grown children.
My husband, John, and I are volunteer fosters for the Kentucky Humane Society. I primarily foster pregnant or nursing mamas.
I started fostering in January of 2017. My first foster was Sonic, a chocolate lab. I am not used to big dogs. Big dogs typically have lots of babies. I was thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?”
I remember sitting in the living room with my husband watching TV when we heard a cry. We went in to check on Sonic, and she had already had three babies! It was so exciting! We sat there with her to comfort her and let her know she wasn’t alone. She had 10 sweet little ones within 4-5 hours.
The first few weeks were a breeze, as mama pretty much does all of the work. I just make sure she has fresh water, food and blankets.
When the babies start opening their eyes and ears and getting mobile, the fun begins!
When they start cutting teeth, I get to watch them eat soft food for the first time. It is so cute!
It is so rewarding watching these little ones develop their own personalities. I fall in love with each one! They grow, we play, I clean lots of poop and pee — LOL! But I love each minute of it. Knowing that I am here for these families and helping them have a good chance at life warms my heart. I wish that I could help so many more.
If you are looking to become a foster, you have to have the heart to bring them in, love them, then the strength to let them go and faith that they will find loving homes as good as you had provided for them. It is hard to return them. My heart breaks a little each time, but I remind myself that there are more dogs and puppies out there who need me.
When not fostering, I work 40 hours a week at my optical job. I also enjoy crafting and knitting, and I have gotten into the essential oil business with Young Living. I have incorporated my essential oil knowledge with my nine dogs and my fosters.
We live on four acres, and our dogs are spoiled! We call our place Chihuahua Ranch! I am learning my way around social media, spreading the word to adopt don’t shop! I do “Puppy Palooza” on Facebook and Instagram, where I feature our fosters in hopes to find them loving homes. My dream would be to open my own rescue!
Thank you, Tina and John, for all you do to provide these young ones the time and human interaction they need to prepare for forever homes.