Why I Foster: Meet Dawn B.
For Dawn Bloomer, fostering began with one dog in need of a safe place to heal, and it quickly became a lifelong commitment to helping shelter pets. Alongside her husband, Kevin, and their dog, Astro, Dawn has opened her home to foster animals through Houston Humane Society, giving them the time, care, and comfort they need before finding loving homes. She shares what fostering has taught her and why she encourages others to give it a try.
1. What made you decide to foster for the first time, and do you remember how you felt the moment your first foster animal arrived home? We replied to an appeal from Bellaire Pound Brigade regarding an abandoned dog, Rosie, "who just needed a soft place to heal" from a UTI. She had recently had pups and was left tied to a fence. Her face got us. BPB said she had a great rescue and just needed a foster. We did a meet and greet and the rescue was Houston Humane Society. So, we did the application and were able to bring Rosie home. She was the absolute SWEETEST dog; but we very soon learned her UTI was cancer and she became a Foster Hospice candidate. Dr. Poche, Houston Humane Society Chief Shelter Veterinarian, said she had 8-12 weeks. She was special needs throughout that time, was a JOY and was with us for a year. That was our first experience being fosters; and while we only had one dog that year; we fostered her for 365 days. We still miss her. When she first came to us, I felt relief and peace watching her decompress in a soft bed surrounded by toys. She was a favorite update to our Bellaire Neighbors Facebook page. The city watched her journey with us.
Rosie
2. Was there a specific animal — or a moment — that made you realize fostering was something you were meant to do? Fostering appealed to me because I have a college friend in Kansas City that fosters. All her Facebook page is about is her latest foster. She encourages others to foster and helped us when we had Rosie at home. Then she would share posts for local animals in need. That's how we got our second foster, Shadow (Boo), from BARC with Houston Humane Society as the rescue. As an animal lover; fostering has always been appealing, but became more "practical" after my husband retired; so honestly, he bears the brunt of our foster pups.
3. What does fostering mean to you personally? I love the dogs. I wish we could do more, it's a small part to play. I cry for each one when we part.
4. How do the animals you foster seem to change between day one and the day they go to their forever home? We understand the evolution from decompression time to personality emerging. Every one of them has a very unique and distinctive personality.
5. What keeps you coming back to foster again and again? Seeing a sweet face in need; but also, we try to support Houston Humane Society when they send out an appeal for a specific dog. We ask them to pick who needs a break and try to help that way. But there may be 20 dogs who need that break; so we say, pick from these 6 or 8 and we'll come pick up. Or we try to support Harris County Health Volunteer Urgent Needs Facebook page or BARC. Social media appeals keep me coming back. My husband, Kevin, will usually go along with it; but also, our actual dog Astro, is such a GOOD FOSTER BROTHER!!
Astro, red leash and sweater
6. What's the most meaningful thing an animal has ever "told" you without words? Thank you.
7. How does your household respond when a new foster comes through the door? Astro responds to each one differently. Some he pals up with, others he avoids if possible. He steers away from puppies who are trying to play too hard...
8. What does giving an animal a safe, loving temporary home actually do for them — in your experience? Gives them hope that more exposure in a family setting will create a better opportunity for them; more interest.
9. Have you ever received an update from an adopter that made your whole day? What happened? Our most recent adopter sent an email the next day that broke me. He was so sincerely grateful not only for the pup (Lottie) but for us caring for her. Lottie was so sweet. Another adopter works at my office and brought our former foster back in for a visit. He didn't remember us... lol... Boo aka Shadow
Lottie
10. How does it feel to see a foster animal find their forever home? Super rewarding to know they found their place and are out of the shelter. Poppy was adopted from Houston Humane Society while we were on vacation; which was particularly joyous as returning her to Houston Humane Society while we travelled was very hard, so we were thrilled she was picked up. LOVED POPPY!!
Poppy
11. What would you say to someone who's hesitant to foster because they're afraid of getting too attached? Try it. You may find your purpose.
