Tegan’s fostering journey: A Love Story with Greyhounds
Tegan and her soul-hound Andrew Salvador (a foster-to-adopt!) have fostered two greyhounds together…
Tell us about your first foster dog?
My first foster was an older lady named Minty. She was rescued at 9 years old and has the best overbite. She ruled our house with her queen energy and dreamy cuddles. Someone gifted me a small portrait style photo of her in a tiny regal frame that still lives on the wall next to the phone. Minty adjusted quickly to pet life and we still keep in touch with the family that adopted her. I love seeing pictures of her going on holidays and her cheeky shenanigans with her dog-sister on their farm.
Can you tell us a bit about Andrew?
My very first foster (to adopt) Andrew has the most moving story. He was quite shutdown, anxious and scared. His growth in the first three months was huge: watching him come out of his shell a little more with each day that I loved him was so special. Second to this, I have loved watching the people who adopt the greys I’ve fostered get all giddy at the meet and greets, it’s so cute. Bittersweet for me, but knowing these people are about to fall in love with a greyhound is wonderful.
What does Andy think of his foster sibling?
Andy loves it, because he can be an anxious noodle at times, he enjoys the company and I’ve found he is more relaxed with another grey around. He even learnt how to “chitter” from our last foster Wiggle (aka “The Big Wig”). The fosters also learn from him, basic tricks and house manners mostly but most importantly how to relax and live the good life.
Did you need to be experienced with greyhounds before fostering?
In my experience, greys are a good breed of dog to foster. If you have the capacity to give them the space and time they need to decompress post-rescue, they’ll love you for it. I’ve had dogs all of my life, but never a greyhound, they’re a really quirky and different dog but with an awesome community like Gumtree Greys, I felt guided and supported while I learnt about greyhounds and their needs.
Have you ever foster failed or thought about foster failing?
I’ve actually never foster failed, I did think it would be the biggest challenge for me but surprisingly it wasn’t. There was the worry I’d end of with a gang of greyhounds but I haven’t (yet). I shed a tear or ten when the fosters leave but I am happy for them and their new families. I have my soul-hound Andy so that makes it easier when they get adopted, but being their “half-way-house” is a special job in itself and recognising that someone fostered Andy before he came to me was my way of giving thanks to the community.
Do you need a lot of space to foster?
Not at all, keeping a freshly rescued dog’s world small at first is important. Almost everything is new to them, so slowly introducing them to things is best. Having a safe, quiet and cozy space for them to rest as well as lots of patience and love is what we’ve found effective and all they needed.