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Before the pandemic hit, I was an active volunteer at Delta Animal Shelter. Due to the quarantine, in-person volunteers under 18 were no longer allowed and I was searching for a way I could still help. I pleaded with my parents to allow me to foster some of the rescued puppy mill dogs to reduce the burden on the animal shelter. All these dogs would have to overcome malnutrition, injuries, medical conditions, and a complete lack of socialization. When we went to pick up our fosters we were handed two 11-week-old German Shepherd puppies, Delta and Ranger.
We saw the effects of abuse firsthand in the dogs we fostered. It took a long time for them to adjust from living outside and surviving by eating feces to being in loving homes with plentiful food. We met with foster families and their dogs at confidence boosting courses and at dog parks, swapping stories and photos. This past summer we had a huge family reunion for all the dogs and foster parents. It was amazing to see how far the dogs had come, and to share in the sense of happiness and kinship we felt as foster families. Being able to help my local animal shelter and these puppies was challenging, but infinitely rewarding and fun.
Enjoy some of their puppy pictures below.
