It happened again. Last week a new bunkmate came. That’s my name for fosters. I can tell someone new is coming because the second fluffer bed plops down right next to mine. OK, here it goes again. My folks know I don’t even like other dogs. But I give myself a good pump up speech and put on my best welcoming tail wagging. I am a foster family’s best ever dog. So I guess they expect me to do all the work with these newbies. I never thought I would get along with other puppers. The new fosters are every size and shape. I don’t body shame because some of them are very skinny but I do keep my eye on my food bowl. And my bed…but all I hear about my toys are, “share, share.” Oh brother.
I’m the teacher. I walk outside with them to show nifty shady places in the bushes and good squirrel watching spots. After the outside tour we go inside. You will not believe how many of them don’t know about doors or stairs. It helps that I’m super patient. Some bunkmates seem old. They like to sleep and snore and SNORE. I know the shelter is noisy when a dog sleeps for 15 hours straight (15 hours!) I know it’s because it is quiet here.
Have we talked about puppies? I’m a big dog (almost 3 years old!) so I had no idea even what these little fluffers were! Each weighed less than 3 pounds. They slept on top of each other in a crate. They drank a bottle! I don’t think they could see or hear me. After 3 days they opened their eyes and came close. Bonanza! They smelled like formula. I never get milk but I licked their faces where they dribbled. The best part was when my folks saw that they sprinkled more and more. In a short time they pitter pattered over to my bed and then I had to teach them to play. It was follow the leader all day long. And then they took over my bed.
But if a foster mate comes who is my age we zoom and zoom around our yard. We all know the rules. Chase, chase, change direction, chase, chase. At bedtime I teach about walking on a leash, the privacy of food bowls, oh and barking. It’s ok to bark but as soon as my folks say “thank you” I stop barking. My folks are thankful to my alerts because wow I save them from danger!
Oh, and foster bunkmates show me things, too, like how to tilt your head sideways when you want to look even cuter. I picked that one up from a funny looking hound mix.
I only have less than a week with my bunkmates. I must be a great mentor because every single foster dog gets adopted almost immediately after I graduate them. I can sense their last night with me. We both get a special dinner and even more hugs. Sometimes a bath. It does help to smell pretty. That’s the night I pull out my surprises. I drag my bed really close and I tell them about snow, the ocean, rivers, horses, waiting for school buses, mail delivery people and other dogs. I quietly talk about cats. Usually their eyes widen and I have to say, I’m not kidding.
We fall asleep together that night. I remind them to stay off couches unless asked. We go over leashes and staying housebroken. Manners are so important. My graduation rate is 100%. All my mates have forever homes like mine. Some have families waiting. Remember I said I didn’t even like other dogs but now it is me teaching and making new friends. I know their lives are in my paws.
By Scooby Ryberg
