This was in a post for Social Greys out of Jacksonville

For Foster Homes Everywhere:

I lay beside my mistress, on tile where it is cool, and I will wait
for
however long she wishes to stay down here, and tap tap tap on her
computer. That tap tap tap makes words that help us animals she tells
me.

Sometimes when I listen to her familiar sounds, a memory-wind brings
to
me sadness, of days when I was not permitted amongst those who walk on
twos.

Of days when drink and food were the only interactions we had.

Of times when my litter after litter were given off to unfamiliar
humans, never to be seen again.

On cold and rainy days, of snowy frosty days, of days so hot my coat
felt like a prison out in the sun.

All those memories surface when that memory-breeze slides in... and
that is why I look up at you.

Had it not been for you, with the kindness of your bottomless heart,
in
your arms that held me when I came, matted and feces infected, in
your
house
amongst your own litter of human pups, I would not be here today,
laying at my mistress' feet, listening to those sacred familiar
sounds
in a home
that I know is mine, away from elements of wind and cold--MINE.

I am adopted.

Had it not been for you, my foster home, I would not have known how to
act inside, nor trusted this good woman's touch, nor trusted the
attention
I receive consistently and tenderly.

I think of you when that memory-breeze comes by, for now you are
associated with it, as my bridge from there to here. You sacrificed
your
own heart
to allow me to find love amongst your kind.

I will forever be grateful for this.

When I was out alone in the cold and wet, the world was such an ugly
place to belong. I never thought of wanting to be anywhere else but
there, for I
did not know there was anywhere else except there.

You proved me wrong.

I still remember your smells and the movements of your day. It was
your
touch that awakened me. You thought you were just removing mats from
me. All the while you were taking away the smallness of my world.

Do you think of me at times, as I do you? I could smell the many dogs
that have been in your dwelling. For me, you were my only bridge. For
you,
there were many that came to you and left again. Were there so many
that I am not one to be remembered? My eyes flit back and forth as I
think of
this, and my mistress instinctively drops her hand from her tap tap
of
her laptop
and softly strokes me. It is her touch that assures me that you do
remember
me.

You chose her for me. If you loved me enough to give her to me, then
I know
you remember me. Thank you.
::::a soft sigh::::
My mistress looks down at me and smiles. She tells me we will be
having
company. There is a dog who will come to stay with us a short while,
until he gets to go to his forever home.

My mistress cups my muzzle in her hands and reminds me we must give
back what we are given.

I know my mistress' heart. It will break her heart every time a dog
will leave.

My tail thumps. Surely she needs me to get through this. It is what I
am here for.

To love her when she needs to be loved. I rise and lay my head upon
her
lap.

I remember your eyes and realize the new dog will always remember my
mistress' eyes. Her touch.

It is wonderful to have an adopted home but our foster homes are just
as important, even if we are only there for just a short while.

My mistress turns to tap tap again, and I lay my head back upon the
tile. I settle into the wondrous familiarity of my home and begin to
count the
breaths until our foster dog arrives. . .

Author Unknown

Very touching Beryl. Thank you.

doG Bless Foster parents everywhere

Thank you Beryl, this reminds us all of the greys that have passed thru our homes to their forever homes. Having fosters is one of the most rewarding experiences to have come into my life. I hope to be able to do this for a long, long time.

I have never fostered but 4 of my 6 were and they all did one heck of a job on teaching them everything that was needed. Even two of my three Bridge Angels had greyt foster parenting. My Jams whom we have had almost 9 years still remembers her foster mom and checks her address everytime she sees her and I get away from her tail that goes 90 miles an hour. I have a pic taken of her and her foster mom from last year will have to find it and post it

Glad you like it - It think it is a greyt tribute to all foster parents

That Beryl is just beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us. to all foster familys for what you do.

That was Beautiful! brought tears to my eyes.

sometimes..when we foster, its almost like my dogs all know...and they are so forgiving and loving about every single foster we have had in the last 4 years.

pictures

Did you get her yet?