Foster Doggie Insanity: Tips and Tales to Keep your Kool as a Doggie Foster Parent

by Tamira Ci Thayne, Tamira Thayne

Have you ever fostered a dog-happy to make a difference-but wondered why you felt frustrated and alone in your experience? Do you want to foster a dog, but don't know where to start, how to prepare, and what to expect? If so, this is the book for you. Described as "an embrace from a friend who understands what we all go through. It is a beacon of hope to let other rescuers know that they are not alone. It is a must-read for anyone involved in rescue." The image you see on the cover of this book is not 'real' life. It's how Thayne wishes doggie foster parenting could be-she walks her tiny foster doggie down the street, the red leash matching Thayne's designer pumps, her couture dress swaying with each sexy stride. And then once in awhile, oops, Princess and she get tangled in the leash. Goodness Gracious! But soon they're back in sync again, swishing their way up the block, being envied by all those who wish they were as cute a couple as Thayne and her foster doggie are. Ah!...but who is Thayne kidding. That's not her reality, and it's probably not yours either. Fostering is not for wimps, cowards, or the otherwise mess-or-insanity-challenged. It's hard and emotionally draining work, and there are days we all could use an understanding shoulder to cry on. You are not alone! Let Foster Doggie Insanity be there for you. Crates ripped asunder, fences demolished, couches obliterated, doors splintered...these are the nightmares that routinely go along with doggie fostering. Thayne gives you simple, daily tips for keeping your sanity while fostering. You are not alone in your struggles, and you are not the first to feel you can't press on. We can all press on together. What Doggie Foster Parents have said About this Book's 1st Edition, "Scream Like Banshee": "I regularly buy books with a rescue theme but always felt a bit disappointed because there hasn't been a book that portrayed my rescue experiences. So I wasn't really prepared for Tamira Ci Thayne's book. It is the most honest account of the perils and pitfalls as well as the joy and fulfillment that rescue volunteers face daily. The book was beautifully written and brutally honest...Thayne's book feels like an embrace from a friend that understands what we all go through. It is a beacon of hope to let other rescuers know that they are not alone. It is a must read for anyone involved in rescue."-Amy Snyder, Volunteer for Dachshund Rescue of North America "I have been doing rescue for years. When I started to read the book, it was like reading my own story. I never thought that it would be so similar to the way I did rescue, but it was as if I had written the book myself. I recommend it to anyone who does rescue or fostering. It helps to know that you are not the only one that feels a certain way at a certain time. I also recommend it to anyone who is thinking of helping dogs in need. It will prepare you for what is to come in your life. GREAT BOOK!" -Joe Maringo, SPARRO.org "Whether you've fostered hundreds of dogs or none, it is an enjoyable read, mixing laughter and empathy with real life situations. Thayne may even leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about our canine companions and the people who care about them. A book that is more than a tool for fostering; it is a declaration of the spirit, heart and soul of rescuers universally. The moral to this story is 'It's OK not to be perfect; a dog will love you anyway.'"-Dawn Ashby, former Dogs Deserve Better rep "I just read the book and I can't say how much I LOVED it! I've been fostering for nearly four years, over 120 dogs, and your book was everything I needed to hear. I definitely learned from my mistakes but I have beat myself up over some of them. Living without the guilt and moving on is what I got from the book, and what I needed to hear. I'm down to two and just took my first vacation in 6 years. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"-Cathy Sullivan, Oklahoma

Genres: Dogs

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Tamira Thayne is the author of The Wrath of Dog, The King’s Tether, Foster Doggie Insanity, and Capitol in Chains, and the co-editor of Unchain My Heart and Rescue Smiles.

Tamira pioneered the anti-tethering movement in America, forming and leading the nonprofit Dogs Deserve Better for 13 years. During her time on the front lines of animal activism and rescue she took on plenty of bad guys (often failing miserably); her swan song culminated in the purchase and transformation of Michael Vick’s dogfighting compound to a chained-dog rescue and rehabilitation center.

Tamira’s spent 878 hours chained to a doghouse on behalf of the voiceless in front of state capitol buildings nationwide, and worked with her daughter to take on a school system’s cat dissection program, garnering over 100,000 signatures against the practice.

In 2016 she founded Who Chains You, publishing books by and for animal activists and rescuers.

Reviews

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My experiences with fostering have mostly limited to cats and kittens. My one time fostering a dog ended in an epic foster fail that is curled up beside me as I'm typing this. The information found in this is extremely helpful, and quite a bit of it can translate into any animal rescue situation. Highly recommended for those considering animal fostering!

Unbiased rating based upon a copy won through the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide for fostering dogs. The author breaks fostering down into easy steps, from why you should foster in the first place to how to maintain your balance while dealing with sometimes unpredictable canine behavior. The tips are all about discovering what works best for you, individually, as you navigate through inviting a foster dog into your home. To illustrate her points, Thayne gives a day-by-day diary of her fostering experiences. As someone in rescue, this entire book rings true.

Thayne's writing style is conversational and often humorous. I do not give a lot of 5 star reviews on Goodreads, but this book is a winner.

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never rescued a dog, nor ever owned one. I did rescue a cat once though... Foster Doggie Insanity opened up a new world to me. Let's start at the very beginning - I loved the different collection of fonts used in the inner cover and dedication; they really made me want to start the book. The read was a rollercoaster ride of emotions spanning from joy to outrage as I joined the author in her journey. The black and white photos tugged at my heartstrings too. There are so many stories here... it is inspirational that the author has made the effort to share her ups and downs. I felt for both the author and the dogs. The truth of what is out there is shocking but the fact that there are foster parents, rescuers and other carers is reassuring. The sense of humour and candid opinion kept me going until the end.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Information For Dog Fosters

It’s a tough job, but so rewarding. This book encourages everyone to foster, but advises all foster ‘parents’ to know their limits. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Sometimes one doesn’t know too many is too many until they find themselves stressed out on a daily basis. One main message of the book is to remind those who foster to make time for themselves.

The book includes lots of the author’s personal experiences, some positive, some negative. She gives examples of the consequences of such things as trespassing to rescue a neglected dog, failing to obtain proper signed paperwork when an owner agrees to surrender a dog to rescue, etc. She stresses the importance of videotaping and documenting as a means to protect the rescuer.

My favorite quote from the book is “For me the question and the struggle always remains the same: How do we address and confront the abuse we see in the world without becoming victims of the negative energy put out by the perpetrators of the abuse?”

Good book, I recommend it to anyone involved in rescue, or those considering getting involved. Some information will be nothing new, but there are many good reminders to be found here.

[Sonal Panse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated with many black and white photographs of the dogs she's known, this is a memoir of the author's varied and quite extensive experiences in fostering dogs, in trying to gain justice for abused dogs, and in locking horns with the less than helpful authorities. The author is quite remarkable in persevering with what she had to do in face of the quite blatant corruption in Surry County. The corruption and harassment part is frustrating to read, but I really enjoyed the stories of the individual dogs. If you've been thinking of fostering a dog, you might want to pick up this book. There are many pointers and advice about fostering dogs and maintaining your own sanity.