The Buzz

Become a foster parent

It is an easy bet when you saw that headline, you immediately put the idea of all kinds of children in your mind and probably, as I often have, wonder what it would be like to be a foster parent and shape a young life. Think about it; maybe you can. It just will not be the child normally thought of when we hear the words ‘foster.’
Our local animal shelter in Daingerfield stays full to the gills, and with the spring season upon us there will be many new births in the area. Due to that, there will be many, many puppies and kittens that are born into a world where they do not have a home. That’s really sad when anyone is homeless. We have many in our communities that are actually homeless when we look at the number of animals in our shelters and others that are left to roam in the towns and in the country.
With the great number of births the spring season brings, an idea was presented to me of putting out a plea for foster parents. Here it is.  Listen up; the plea is officially out for foster parents. Can you take one or two or a litter of puppies or kittens and help raise them until a home can be found for them? 
Yeah, I know, it’s really a lot of work. It takes a lot of exercise taking care of them and walking them and bathing them, etc. This is the time of year also when people are thinking of getting out walking to exercise after months of being cooped up in the house. Having a dog to walk would be a good form of exercise, not only for you but for the dog. Then if you have more than one, you can surely devote more time to exercising to improve yourself. You’d have to burn calories taking care of the extra work an animal requires.
Think about the benefits you will reap from fostering cats or dogs.  Studies have shown that people who have pets are healthier. It isn’t just the activity that owning or fostering a pet can contribute it’s the happiness they bring to our lives. Sometimes foster pets end up being permanent pets, and that is a plus for both the foster person and the pet.
If you have questions about foster parenting a dog or cat and want answers, Cynthia at the Daingerfield City Hall will be happy to answer your questions. Call her at 903-645-3906 and find out how fostering an animal can turn into an act of kindness and a way of paying it forward to the community. There a lot of joy in a wagging tail and a soft meow.