Vicki

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.