FOSTER HOMES NEEDED... Foster dogs can fetch you comfort and joy December 11, 2009|By Mary Schmich The last time I wrote about Valerie Kennedy, the movie 102 Dalmatians was a holiday blockbuster and Kennedy wanted to spread a message to shoppers: Do not go out and buy a Dalmatian just because you like those movie dogs. That cute dotted puppy could turn into an unhealthy, hyperactive hound youll soon discard. Kennedy got in touch a couple of days ago with a different Christmas tune: Why not adopt a dog, even if its just for the holidays? Kennedy isnt suggesting giving pets as presents. Shelters are filled with barking Christmas gifts the recipient didnt want or couldnt handle. But a foster dog is different from a gift dog. Its a gift you give yourself, maybe just for a while. I keep seeing stories in the news -- and in e-mails that I get -- about dogs who are dumped at the shelter these days because the economy is so bad, Kennedy says. I cant imagine what it must be for them to go from the arms of a child, or the dog bed on a kitchen floor in someones home, to a shelter. In the spirit of Christmas kindness, maybe folks could consider fostering a homeless dog. Kennedy owns four dogs. Shes drawn to mutts, rejects, orphans. The dog rescue service she founded was once featured in People magazine and though she gave up the business when she got breast cancer, she never gave up the cause. One of her dogs, until his recent death, was Lucky, the paraplegic, incontinent son of the dog who played Pongo in 101 Dalmatians. Lucky, who had been abandoned in a house in Malibu, wore a diaper and ambled around attached to a wheelchair. Kennedy adored him. Since we talked about dogs nine years ago, Kennedys life has changed. She has moved from Chicago to Wilmette; left her job as Midwest media director for Humana to work with her husbands TV production company; survived cancer, lost Lucky and acquired Wrinkles, another Dalmatian. One thing hasnt changed. She hates to see a homeless dog. I had my son at 41, she says. People said, Oh, when you have that baby, youre not going to care about those dogs. That might have been somebodys truth, but its not mine. Helping dogs, Kennedy says, doesnt mean you dont help people too. And vice versa. There are a lot of sad things in the world, she says. There are people who have different passions. And these guys, they bring me joy. Whatever I do for them, I get back in spades. Im not a dog person, but I admire passionate people who act on what they love, which is why I think Kennedys message is worth airing. And shes not alone in advocating a foster dog. Petfinder, an online consortium of more than 13,000 pet adoption agencies, including many in the Chicago area, is running a program this year called Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays. If you do it, Kennedy warns, think about it first. Does your mother-in-law who hates big dogs baby-sit for you? Dont get a big dog. Do you work all day? Dont get a puppy. Consider how much dog hair you can tolerate. Then give it a try. Its like test-driving a car, she says, or going on a date. You may fall in love, but if it doesnt work out, you havent lost much. If someones looking for an easy Christmas kindness, she says, this is such an easy kindness. --------- mschmich@tribune Something more about Mary: More of columnist Mary Schmichs writings can be found online at chicagotribune/schmich
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 06:42:12 +0000
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