After fostering Stella, we thought we were a little more prepared for whatever came next. We had learned how emotional fostering could be, but we also learned how rewarding it was to help dogs who needed a safe place. When we agreed to take in our second foster dog, Gigi, we were excited and hopeful. We imagined slowly gaining her trust, watching her personality come out, and eventually helping her find the perfect forever home. Instead, within an hour of bringing her home, she disappeared.
From the moment we picked Gigi up, she was terrified. Her body shook constantly, and her eyes darted around at every sound and movement. It was obvious she had been through a lot before coming to us. We tried our best to make her feel safe by keeping the environment calm and quiet. We knew foster dogs need time to decompress, and we were ready to be patient with her.
When we got home, we carefully brought Gigi into the yard on a leash so she could look around. Everything happened so quickly. One sudden movement scared her, and before we could react, she slipped right out of her collar. Within seconds, she was sprinting down the street as fast as she could. Panic instantly set in. We chased after her, calling her name over and over, but she was too scared to stop. Eventually, we lost sight of her completely.
The next few days were heartbreaking. We searched everywhere we could think of. We drove around neighborhoods for hours, walked through nearby woods and parks, and checked every place someone said they may have seen her. We barely slept because every time the phone rang, we hoped it would be someone saying they found her.
We printed missing dog posters and hung them on telephone poles all over town. We posted her picture online, contacted local shelters, and spoke to anyone willing to help. Every small lead gave us hope, but each one eventually led nowhere. It felt awful knowing Gigi was out there scared and alone, especially after only being with us for such a short time.
As time passed, we slowly had to accept that we might never find her. Even now, thinking about Gigi still hurts. Fostering is full of beautiful moments, but it can also come with heartbreak and guilt. Although we only had her for less than an hour, we still think about her and wonder where she ended up. Gigi taught us how quickly things can happen and how deeply you can care about an animal, even in the shortest amount of time.