Meet the Fosters- Tina and Chico!

When Tina signed up to foster dogs in May, we told her what we usually tell new fosters: fostering can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. We also told her that our Maddie's Pet Adoptathon event was right around the corner and that most of our dogs were likely to get adopted at this event.

We sent Tina home with Chico that month and now, over three months later, Chico is still with Tina. We can't quite figure out what the deal is: Chico is kind of a LBD (Little Brown Dog), but he's big enough that he is a "real dog" size. He's dog-selective: he doesn't love every dog he meets, and his terrier personality comes out around cats, but he is exceedingly smart and trainable, athletic enough to hike and adult and mellow around the house. At the Maddie's event, Tina taught him tricks that he learned on the spot- not an easy feat for a dog in such a highly stimulating environment!

It wasn't the easiest transition- transitions can often be difficult for both the human foster and the foster animal- Chico wasn't super into Tina's dog, Bella, but Tina was patient and Bella was persistent, and you can

see the results for yourself. Tina reports that Chico's leash walking and manners have improved, this LBD is a gem in the crate and has won over his temporary foster home who takes him for overnights. Every experience is different, and Chico reminds us that big challenges and big wins can come in little packages. Tina reports that she has learned a lot from fostering and is now a little worried about her next transition- when Chico finds his forever home!