Scott Koons: Fostering with Love and Patience
If you’re wondering what it’s like to foster a LOLIN dog, Scott Koons can tell you.
Scott has been fostering for us since January 2020. He began with a pup he describes as “a super sweet Yellow Lab named River” which he says is, of course, “the perfect name for a Lab.”
Scott’s current foster dog is named DeeDee, whom Scott says happily answers to Sweet Dee as well. We asked Scott to help us explain what the foster experience is like to people who might be interested in doing it themselves.
DeeDee is a 13-year-old Black Lab that most definitely loves you (and your kids, dogs, and cats) even though she hasn’t met you. Her owner ended up passing away earlier this year. After her owner’s relative realized she couldn’t take care of her and her own dog (she is 82 years old herself), the owner’s relative made the heartbreaking decision to surrender her. When LOLIN was contacted, we sprang into action!
In my case, this question is most definitely a “Who” more than a “What.” His name was Porter, the most handsome, charming, funny Chocolate Lab that has walked the face of the Earth. Saying goodbye to him gave me a little push towards service.
Patience is definitely the most important thing. It’s important to remember our fosters have sometimes come from difficult situations. Sometimes their biggest need is space and their needs to be filled (food, water, and me letting them sleep wherever and whenever they want). I’m more of a personal servant to my fosters for the first 3-7 days of their stay with me.
Reminding myself to go slow with a new foster. Every time I get a new foster, I have to fight the overwhelming feeling that I’ve just won a new car on “The Price is Right.” Having other dogs helps with that. It gives me other things to do instead of smothering my new foster.
The look of appreciation the foster looks at you with. Where they look at you like you are exactly the person you want to be. That’s an incredibly meaningful thing for me.
If you’re interested in joining our team of LOLIN fosters, we would love to hear from you! Please visit our Foster page to learn how to apply.
