Bringing Awareness to the Fostering Community
Althea with her foster dog, Otis.
It’s amazing and rewarding to foster a dog, but also one of the hardest things to experience.
In Caribbean/West Indian culture, owning a dog—let alone fostering one—isn’t very common. My relatives would often exclaim, “Dogs belong outside!” But when I rescued my first dog Moxie, a two-month-old Beagle and Border Collie mix, my family’s outlook on dogs changed. After Moxie passed away from lymphoma, not only did it tear me apart, but it broke my family’s hearts as well. Despite having a background as a Veterinary Technician, I had no idea how to save my own pet. I felt useless and defeated.
A year passed, and to this day, my family and I aren’t quite sure yet about owning another dog. But when my parents agreed that I could foster, it was one step in the direction of continuing the movement that I wanted to create as a Black woman: getting over the idea that dogs just “belong outside,” and raising awareness to the fact that our pets are more than just guard dogs—they’re family.
Just when I thought I knew a lot about fostering, my foster dog Otis taught me so much more. On an emotional level, he’s helped to heal me and teach me a new level of love and patience. Coming from a hoarding site, Otis knew nothing about toys, affection, a leash, or even treats for a month and a half. I had to earn his trust. But when I did, I earned his cuddles, his personality, and his love—all to prepare him for a home that is willing to accept him and allow him to accept love as well.
I am grateful for my experience with Otis. Him and I helped to heal each other. Though the timing wasn’t ideal in terms of what’s going on in the world, I couldn’t have asked for a better time to foster and see the light in the midst of the dark times we’re facing. Thank you to all the work the animal welfare community puts in to save animals and help heal the hearts of people in the process. I’m glad to be part of the movement.
-Althea Thom, IG: @alleyonpurpose
