“I said to foster a dog, not a cat!!!” A furious gchat message early Monday morning sent to me from my friend after showing him that I picked up my first foster cat from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.

Most of my life has been spent with a dog in my household. All through my childhood I was Bear’s, a cocker spaniel, second favorite (the most favorite if my mom was not home). As I grew older, from childhood into high school years I realized the joy of spending time outside playing fetch, going on long walks, or getting chased around the dining room table with a toy with Bear. At family gatherings you would find me not actually out with the family but rather hanging with my cousin's golden retriever. After college my parents got two black labs (Lola and Maggie) and although I didn’t live at home I would focus my time mainly on them when I was in town.

I struggle with taking chances in life and always choose the more conservative choice when it comes to changes in lifestyle and life responsibilities. A year and a half ago I was consistently having discussions with a friend of mine at work about how I would love to have a dog in the condo but knew the added responsibility that would come along with the dog. He finally broke me down and suggested a great conservative idea.  “You don’t have to straight up adopt, you can test out the new responsibilities. Why don’t you foster so it is only a temporary responsibility and then you are both helping yourself and the dog.” I thought this was a great idea and immediately searched for a location in the DC/MD area and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue popped up. I sent in an application but before I hit send I clicked on both dog and cat as types of animals to foster. After a day or two I got an email back and being conservative and knowing I live in a condo I chose the cat option thinking the responsibilities would be less. I didn’t tell my friend of course. A couple weeks later I took home my first foster and immediately fell in love with the idea of owning a cat (also fell in love with the cat but sadly he was already spoken for). I sent my friend a photo of the cat the following week and after his gchat response shown above he was happy I went through with fostering even if it was for a cat and not a dog.

Today, one year from the start of my Lucky Dog journey, I find myself living with three forever cats: Leo, Dorito and Peanut. (All orange tabbies. I have a type). Along with my three forevers, I have also fostered 13 cats and plan to keep fostering into the future. Along with fostering, I have found joy in attending the adoption events and helping set up as well as screening potential adopters.

Helping out and being involved with Lucky Dog has shown me how to take chances and try out new things.  Even if the beginning of it is temporary, such as fostering, it can ultimately end with giving a dog or cat a lifetime of happiness and a forever home.