It’s been awhile since we’ve done a Foster Friday. We literally couldn’t do what we do without our fosters. Thank you Morgan for volunteering!
 
Interested in learning more? Check out our webpage at www.segsprescue.org for information and to sign up! ​

It’s time for another edition of FOSTER FRIDAY where we highlight an amazing foster volunteer. Interested in fostering too? Click to learn more: https://www.segsprescue.org/volunteer.html

Your Name: Liz Connell

• Who have you fostered?: Hank, Jep, Picasso, Honey
• How long have you been fostering? Since 2019
 
• How did you get into fostering? I was looking for a way to get involved with the rescue. I was not in a position to adopt, but thought the idea of fostering could allow me to do what I could within my parameters!
 
• Why do you specifically foster with the SEGSP Rescue? I am a little bias to the GSP breed, and this organization is very well organized and makes the process easy for volunteers, fosters, and adopting families.
 
• Do you have any pets of your own? How do they adjust every time a new foster arrives? Pepper is my 5 year old GSP. She is my best girl! Pepper is the BEST foster sister. She loves when a new pup comes to stay with us. She takes on this maternal role and really cares for the dogs. It is fun to watch her interact, teach and care of the fosters.
 
• How has fostering positively impacted you and/or your family? SEGSP Rescue came into my life during a difficult time in my life. Being able to foster and get plugged in the rescue brought me so much joy! I also have met some of the best people I know through this rescue! I still keep in touch with each of my foster’s families.
 
• Is it difficult to say good-bye to a foster and not get too attached? YES!! I won’t lie and say it’s not. What makes it easier is knowing that I have chosen the best family for the pup and that I got to make a difference in that dog’s life. I also remind myself that fostering allows me to KEEP being able to foster over and over again!
 
• What are some myths that you have heard about fostering? That it is time consuming and hard to say goodbye.
 
• What would you say to someone who might be considering fostering? Fostering is very rewarding! What you give in, you will get out. Also, SEGSP gives you a lot of autonomy (i.e.choosing a vet, choosing foster family) which I appreciate since I am the one living with and taking care of the dog.
 
• Do you have a favorite foster story or moment? I think my favorite moments are getting to connect with my former fosters and their families. It warms my heart to see those pups being loved on and living their best life!

It’s another great Friday & we have a Foster Tail for you. Learn more about Vicki and her experience as a foster mom. 
 
• Your Name(s):
Vicki DeBord
 
• Who have you fostered?:
Penny (formerly Harlequin), Gunner, Cricket Mae (formerly Umbro), Mattie formerly (Cherry aka Maggie Mae), Tempi (formerly Tempo) and Olaf – and I can’t forget my only foster fail, Minnie Pearl.
 
• How long have you been fostering?
A little under a year.
 
• How did you get into fostering?
I was looking for a second dog that would be the perfect fit to follow in my GSP Jake’s footsteps as he helps me train other dogs for many things likes loose leash, off leash, hiking, socialization and more. I thought, “What better way to ensure a dog is a perfect fit than fostering one for a few weeks?” Unlike others that might stop once they found their perfect fit, however, I continued. The love that you receive from a foster dog is unlike anything you will ever feel and it opens a part of your heart you never knew existed.
 
• Why do you specifically foster with the SE GSP Rescue?
German Shorthaired Pointers have had my heart for 25 years now. I’ve rescued 10 GSPs in that period of time. Most people idolize powerful, rich, or famous people — but, for me, it’s the GSP. The first time I saw a GSP working a field I knew I wanted to be just like them — strong, confident, elegant, with the heart to accomplish anything and the energy to get it done.
 
• Do you have any pets of your own?
How do they adjust every time a new foster arrives? I have three GSPs of my own Jake (aka: Fatty McFatterson), Tate (formerly Griffen from the SEGSP courtesy page) and SEGSP Alumni Minnie Pearl. My dogs are so used to me bringing dogs in and out of our house for training and boarding that I swear they don’t even acknowledge them anymore. They just give me the side eye and say, “Well, mom brought another stray home, place your bets on if it stays or goes.” Fostering has honestly been one of the best ways to keep my dogs well socialized. You know your dog is socialized when a new dog walks into the yard and they don’t bother rushing over to sniff it, they’ll get to it when they can.
 
• How has fostering positively impacted you and/or your family?
Fostering keeps me very active and keeps my dogs entertained — and when you have a high energy breed, you know how important that is. Fostering brought so much laughter and happiness into my home, every dog has a different personality, different funny traits and all of them bring snuggles and love. I’ve also made life long friends, hiking partners and have endless amounts of support just from people I’ve met through fostering and adoption.
 
• What are some myths that you have heard about fostering? 
The biggest myth I hear is, “I could never foster because I would want to keep them all.” I was guilty of saying this exact thing but I couldn’t have been more wrong. As a foster I evaluate, watch, learn and grow to know the dog so closely that I start to see their future, and 99% of the time, their future doesn’t include living with me — and that’s okay. I know there is a perfect family out there for each of them that will give them exactly the life, love, and happiness they deserve.
 
• Is it difficult to say goodbye to a foster and not get too attached?
The joy and love I feel when I bring a dog to their forever family far outweighs any other emotion in the moment. I think each dog has a talent and job waiting for them — sometimes that job is being a front porch, sunset watching companion other times there’s more out there for them. And finding that perfect fit for them is so rewarding because you’re responsible for the happiness of that dog and their new family. It’s tough work, and not always sunshine and rainbows. I’ve had holes dug in my yard, food stolen off counters, an accidental pee here or there — but when you get to Gotcha Day, you see the real magic in fostering.
 
• What would you say to someone who might be considering fostering? 
Do it! The moment you bring a homeless dog into your home, is a moment your way of thinking changes for the rest of your life. There is truly nothing like it.
 
• Do you have a favorite foster story or moment?
​Every foster I’ve had has touched my heart and given me so much love. They have all taught me more than I could ever teach them. If I had to pick one, however, it would be sweet Maggie Mae (now Mattie). She was the first foster that came straight to me, and the moment I picked her up and she was placed in my arms we were forever bonded — two souls meant to make a difference in the other’s world. I can’t explain in words what happened when her eyes met mine but it was a force greater than anything I’d ever felt. There in my arms laid a beacon of hope for the human world and my job was to find her the foundation that already had support beams in place to finish building her legacy. I will forever be grateful to Mattie for showing me what it truly means to be selfless and what my true purpose as a foster mom is meant to be: I do not find families a pet to love, I find GSPs the foundation to build the life they were born for and so absolutely deserve.

Yay! It’s Foster Friday and we are here with more Foster Tails! Today we hear from Morgan! 
 
Are you interested in fostering or learning more about it? Check out our webpage at www.segsprescue.org and message us! 
 
Take it away Morgan…

​• Your Name(s):
Morgan Riddle
 
• Who have you fostered?:
Boone, Gertie, Birdy and Honey
 
• How long have you been fostering?
I’ve fostered for almost 2 years now.
 
• How did you get into fostering?
Fostering started for me because I love the GSP Breed so much.
 
• Why do you specifically foster with the SE GSP Rescue? 
I actually stumbled across Southeast GSP Rescue due to a stray that someone contacted me about and in return I reached out to the rescue. At that point I had not signed up to be a foster but did so shortly after.
 
• Do you have any pets of your own?  How do they adjust every time a new foster arrives?
I’ve had Shorthairs for around 7 or 8 years now - once I got involved in bird dog field trials. To be honest, it’s really the only breed I prefer to own at this point. Right now I have 2 GSPs. Nita is my 4 year old female, Boone is my 3.5 year old male - and we will soon have 3 GSPs since we’ve decided to add my latest foster (Honey, 6 month old female) to the family. My crew handles fosters coming in and out pretty well but sometimes Boone can be a little hateful for a few days until he warms up to the new kid. Nita is completely fine as long as she gets treats and her spot in the bed. It can be chaotic at first when bringing in a new foster and we definitely have to stay on our toes for the first few days but we’ve been lucky to have mainly good experiences so far.
 
• How has fostering positively impacted you and/or your family? 
Fostering has been so rewarding for me as far as getting to see the fosters grow, become happy, and come such a long way from where they were when they were first placed with me. Seeing pictures of my adopted my fosters from their families, hearing how much they love them, and just knowing that I was able to help these wonderful dogs find that safe special place in life is incredibly rewarding to me.
 
• Is it difficult to say good-bye to a foster and not get too attached?
Getting attached happens more times than not and honestly I’m the worst for it. I’ve cried every time one of my fosters was ready to go to their permanent family and even now I still miss them, but the feeling of knowing I saved a GSP or that I gave them the love they so very much needed to get them to their permanent home is what drives me to continue to foster. It’s hard letting these dogs go but it’s even harder knowing there are still ones out there that need our help. There are some that you just know belong with you and that’s where my foster fails come in. 😉
 
• What are some myths that you have heard about fostering? 
There are so many false claims about rescues andor fostering and some may be true in other organizations but the things you hear about rescues placing dogs with whoever and not doing things to benefit the dog couldn’t be farther from the truth when it comes to SEGSP rescue.
 
The rescue has went above and beyond to help these dogs and to help me as a foster when I needed it.
 
They’ve helped me make absolute sure I’m choosing the best home for my fosters.
As a foster you’re not just saving 1 dog, you’re saving so many more.
 
You may be only fostering 1 or 2 yourself but you are also freeing up a spot with another foster that may have room to take another.
 
• What would you say to someone who might be considering fostering? 
If you are considering fostering, I say 100% do it, do it for the dog, do it because you are potentially saving a life, do it because these dogs need us.
 
If your heart is telling you to become a foster listen to it as there is no greater feeling than knowing not only have you potentially saved a wonderful GSP from a terrible situation but you’ve also showed them what it’s like to be loved, you’ve took a broken little life and put the pieces back together.
 
This breed is becoming more and more popular and with that comes more of these dogs being placed in rescues and without fosters we can’t help them.
 
• Do you have a favorite foster story or moment?
One of my favorite foster stories would have to be with Gertie. I was so attached to her and had myself convinced that there wasn’t a perfect home for her besides with myself. I had almost had myself talked into foster failing with her but one of our awesome volunteers called me and talked me into giving it some more time and I’m so glad I did.
 
The absolute perfect family came along and I knew the moment we had our meet and greet that they were her furever home.
 
Seeing their eyes light up on the day they finally was able to take her home made me realize that she was without a doubt going to be so loved with them.
 
They still stay in contact, send pictures, give me updates and it’s those moments that make you realize just why you foster.
 
I have many more favorites but that is the one that will always stand out to me.