[beautyqueen]

This is my first post here. My husband and I are looking into starting fostering with the hope to adopt within the next couple years. He is currently in school and should finish this fall and I will be starting in January and it will take me approx. 1-2 years depending on what program I do, Im torn between LPN and finishing up with an RN through a home program or just going straight to RN. LPN pulls me because it means we could start this journey sooner. Also we want to make sure we have our home setteled and have it furnished which we dont know because we cant agree on furniture!

My main concern is our dogs. We have 3 boys that weigh around 50-60 pounds, all 3 are harmless and the most they will do is lick you to death. One however is VERY hyper, hes part husky and fully shows it. He will be going to obedience classes as soon as we can work it out with our work schedules. The other 2 are pretty calm, they dont jump, they sit and lay when asked. Our other dog is a cocker spaniel (the other 3 are mixes) and he is very nervous and does not like strange adults but loves kids. He thinks my 3 year old niece is his play toy and offical ball thrower and he loves to run around the house with her. Im just afraid that when we have the home study the way he will act towards the adults will cause problems. I have already talked to my grandma and she will take him if need be (he may be happier with her anyways) but I really dont want to do that. Hes a little old to do obedience, hes almost 5 and we have tried it on our own but hes such a nervous little guy and has seperation issues it just dosent work well.

Also we are wanting to mainly foster to adopt and would like 2 girls and a boy or 2 boys and a girl. We have a friend who is currently in the process of adopting 2 boys and a girl from foster care and depsite what they have been through they are perfect happy healthy children. We are prepared to deal with minor issues. My husband works at the state mental hospital and I currently work in a group home for girls ages 10-18 so we do know what we could be facing. The majority of the girls I work with have come from foster care but I dont think these girls would represent the majority of children in foster care. These girls have some horrible histories but they are all great kids, they just have more problems then your every day child.

Also my husband and I will still continue to work, my grandma would more then likely be the babysitter for our kids. Another thing, when it comes time for the homestudy do they talk to your family? My ILs don't know we plan to do this because when we expressed intrest in it before they were not pleased. They do not know we are unable to have bio kids and we don't want them to know we are doing this until we already have children in our care.

Well since I wrote a book I will end this. I am sure I will be here with more concerns.

[ebur]

in my state, there is no problem with animals they see it as a good thing for the children, we have four pets and it wasnt a problem for us and as far as talking with family no they dont they usually ask for four refernces and we did no family just friends so feel comfortable

[riley6]

I don't think there should be any problem with your dogs. I know some counties have breed restrictions, no Rotties or Pit Bulls.

Please don't think that because you have worked with kids, that you will know how to deal with the foster kids. I made that mistake. The kids you work with don't have a vested interest in you as a parent and many times won't show the issues they will show you if you try to BE their parent. There's a big difference!

I did LPN to RN. Go for your RN if you can. What is it in your area? Another year? Go for it! You will have so many more job opportunities. Not to mention higher pay

Welcome to our journey! It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done!

[DianeS]

Having pets is perfectly fine as long as the animals are not on a "breed ban" list either in your area or with the personal restrictions of your agency or social worker, and as long as they fall within your city/county restrictions - especially in regards to number of animals in the home, if you've followed liscencing laws, etc.

Do be sure they are up to date on all their shots, and I'd recommend you keep paperwork to that effect in your home. That way if the worker needs to see it you have it right there and don't have to get it and mail it and such at a later time.

As for obedience classes for the Cocker Spaniel, almost 5 years old is NOT too old for obedience lessons. It's only about a third of a lifespan for a Cocker Spaniel - humans can still learn things at 25 or 30, can't they? Dogs are the same way and he'd learn a TON in obedience classes - plenty enough to learn to stand still instead of running away when a stranger enters.

One more thing ... I'd caution you that if you cannot find time in your schedule to take one dog to an obedience class that typically runs one hour per week, you are going to have real problems figuring out a schedule that allows quality time with three young children - never mind all the appointments they'll need to have. Even the kids with "minor issues" will still have appointments, and visits with parents as often as several times a week. If the dogs aren't a priority enough to you to arrange it, that's fine, but a social worker will have a similar reaction to hearing that you haven't done something because you don't have time - she will then need to hear what will change so that you have time for children? So be careful how you phrase that if you really meant something else.

Good luck!

[tnajk]

Our other dog is a cocker spaniel (the other 3 are mixes) and he is very nervous and does not like strange adults but loves kids. He thinks my 3 year old niece is his play toy and offical ball thrower and he loves to run around the house with her.

I just want to caution you. Cocker Spaniels are one of the worst dogs to have around children. Specifically because they have a tendency to be nervous. Your dog may love children and get along with them wonderfully, but the first time the child learns over to pet him and he's nervous for some reason... he may snap.

My parents learned by experience. When I was a child, our Cocker Spaniel (that we had for about 3 yrs) bit me one night when I was heading to bed and leaned over to tell her goodnight. I was about 12. Her tooth got caught in the corner of my eye and tore it a little. After a trip to the ER, I was indeed ok. Animal control told my family about Cocker Spaniels when they reported the dog bite. Too bad they hadn't have researched dogs more in depth before hand or they would have seen the warnings of Cockers vs. Children.

I'm sure your dogs won't get into the way of becoming licensed but I urge you to consider the safety of the children anyway. Dog's (Especially Cocker Spaniels) can be so unpredictable. You wouldn't want to take the chance of a foster child being bitten!

Good luck with it all!

[HeatherRene]

I was very concerned about this too. I have a 60 lb Lab that is the love of my life. He is a totally spoiled baby. I took him to classes (at 2 yrs, got him at 1 1/2) He learned things, but I didn't work with him at home like I should have, so while he minds me when we are alone, if there are any other people around or major distractions (like the option of running out the front door) he throws all the obedience out the window.
He is really good with people and kids but might jump if excited. I was thinking of just leaving him in the backyard when there are any visits for the home study. He will NOT be allowed in the children's room. He isn't allowed in there now (it is a guest room) as my mom is allergic and I don't want her having any problems sleeping in there.

[Sarah0518]

We're in a differnt program then you, but we just had our case worker come over to update our homestudy. We also have a large dog (70 lbs) that gets extremely excited when people first arrive.

When our case worker first arrived, the dog was shut in a separate room before even opening the door. (From the pathetic sounds from time to time, it was very apparent there was a dog somewhere around.) After we had our interview and some chat time, my husband slipped off to get the dog. He put on her training collar and leash, since she tends not to mind us as well as we would like when extremely excited. This let our cw meet her, and once she settle down some we took the leash off. We also talked with the cw about the dogs experiences with children. The cw is an animal lover too, so the dog was a hit.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas on handling your more rambunctious one. Good luck!

[vegangoddess]

i think you will be fine with your pets , we have horses and livestock in addition to small pets. however, as a technician in a veterinary hospital....... i agree with the advice about the cocker......there are great cockers out there.... one of our surgeons has one too..... but there are a few cockers that are fear bitters...... they are not agressive perse.... just bite first ask questions later.... congrats on the schooling and your new adventure.

[wantto foster30]

I am a pet groomer and I to agree. A cocker will fear bite. If a child pulls on the dogs ears or the cocker is cornered or nerves it will more than likely bite. I wouldnt have a cocker, Pit, Rottie, Chi, Lahsa, Corgi, I hope I dont step on any toes. I know that every dog is different. But, I seem to have problems with these breads.

[Cheryl62]

I agree on the Cockers - cute as they are. I worked as a Vet assistant and at a dog kennel for three years while in college (thought I wanted to be a vet at that time). I was probably bitten 20 times during that period. Interestingly NEVER by a big dog that people tend to be afraid of. Don't think I was ever even growled at by something over 20 pounds! It was the little ones, adn particularly the Cockers. My kids grew up on Lady and the Tramp and always wanted one, and are to this day angry with me that I won't get one. I agree they're cute, and maybe some of them are ok, but I just have had too many bad experiences with them to feel good about it.

We have three dogs now - a German Shepherd (we brought to Nepal from the US), a Nepali street dog that's kinda big terrier looking (25 pounds or so), and a Tibetan Mastiff -- they're supposed to be aloof guard dog types, so I'd heard, and we got him specifically to watch our house at night, though we made sure to neuter him and to try to get him well-integrated into family life and not let any of our guards teach him to be mean. He's not. He's the most confident, well-adjusted, and laid back guy I've ever owned. He adores the kids. He meets them at the gate every day, and puts my small son's hand fully in his mouth, and tenderly leads him up the stairs like he's putting him in the house where he belongs. He's a sweet boy. Amazing how the reputation can follow from the way they're treated somtimes, at least!.

Of them all, the only one that's EVER even made me worry for a second is the street dog. Our Shepherd has been with us for 8 years, and is the most obedient, and kid-loving dog I've ever seen (of course we made sure to get her from a breeder that was reputable and bred for obedience, not aggression). For whatever it's worth (and please don't get mad if you like small dogs!), without knowing the specific dog or the breed very, very, well - I'd go with a bigger dog if I had kids (though not pits or Rotties - I agree with the previous poster).

[J.Ro]

Not to worry.....We have four dogs ranging from 45 lbs to my Great Pyrenees who weighs in at 120 lbs. They all sleep inside with us at night (not in the bed, though I'm sure that would be their preference!) We also have 5 cats and 4 horses. When we did our little tri-fold brochure to send to sw's with our homestudy, all of the animal's pictures are included.

We were recently matched with a brother and sister who "each want a dog of their own". As we told their SW, "No problem, but they have to choose from the ones already here!"

It will affect who you get matched with, but that's a good thing. Any type of animal cruelty was one of our "red flag, turn back now" issues. Also a child with allergies would not have been happy in our home.

Don't know about cocker's but sounds like you got some good advice and you can proceed slowly with yours.

[SmileMonkey]

Shouldn't be a problem. We have 2 95lb boxers and they love all the kids and all the kids have loved them.

Our fear was the horror stories that you hear about foster children hurting animals. None has ever even come close.

[Love_um_all]

I would just like to say... cps here, are really picky about this.

I have a male pikinese, and on two occassions, when we first started fostering, accually, the first two bigger kids(2&3yrs) He bit. Our dog was not used to having kids around.

The second time that happened, my cw came out and was pretty concered and wanted to make sure this did not happen again. SHe even asked me what what I was gonna do to make sure, get a muzzle? Her idea. I told her no, I was gonna watch really close, and keep Him away from the kids when I am not in the same room.

Three years later, no bites. All i am saying is you gotta take it seriously. These kids are in our care to be protected. And we need to make sure that happens... Cockers are not good with kids, your dogs are gonna need to be watched alot at first, b/c they are territorial and not used to being messed with by kids that don't know when to quit.

And I agree about the time thing... foster care takes alot of time. and you really need to be available for appointments, and the kids need you. I would NEVER try to have a full time job and foster. The kids need me and my time, strength, love, and energy. IMO--- and it is just that, you should foster for three months at least, and then decide if you want to go to school and go into nursing. I don't know how far you want to go with fostering, but to me, it has become my life, and it is all I want to do. The sence of accomplishment I feel daily (even on the hard days) is more than any job ever gave me. And I am really making a difference to that one, or three or five kids and I know they are better for knowing me, but also, I am better for knowing them. Fostering kinda just becomes a way of life, and after awhile, I never want to stop. If you can survive the hard days... You get really good at it....

I say all of this with love,

[mrbyh20]

I can say as a Paramedic, when I see a Cocker, it causes me to take a second look before helping the patient. It has been my personal experience that Cockers, while loving, can be protective at the same time. My wife and I just had our homestudy done and we have a Female Black Lab whom we adopted and there was no problem. We also have 9 Birds which were also not a problem.

Good Luck to you with your homestudy, I am sure that everything will be fine in regards to the animals.

Your Brother in Christ,

Scotty

[Awaiting]

I have a rottwieler, a yorkie and a half breed chow. They are all considered high risk dogs to the state, but when our homestudy was done, it was all the poor guy could do to get them to stop licking him. He pointed to the floor and all 3 of them sat and stayed. My dogs are spoiled rotten and fat and lazy. They are more than happy to let you use them as pillows or warm your feet. Our state had no policies on the dogs other than they had to be up to date on the shot records and had to be licensed. That was it. And we had to sign a statement saying we did not view them as dangerous.
Brandy