Not a dog person

[Bootwall]

I love animals and really wanted a dog of my own since I remember.

DH & I haven't been in a position to get a dog, but recently I was able to foster one temporarily (3 months).

She was a breeze really - quiet, housetrained, not destructive, slept a lot, she had a few niggles on lead with being reactive with some dogs and people but I did a lot of research and used positive reinforcement and patience to help her become happy, friendly and settled with no more reactivity.

She was underweight and shut down when she came, but trotted off to her new forever home fit, healthy and totally confident.

Thing is - it was a HUGE relief when she left. I was exhausted! The endless cleaning, feeding, walking, training, thinking of her first before everything else - it took over my life! And I'd say she was an easy dog. Everyone is asking me if I'm heartbroken but I'm just delighted she's got her perfect home and I have my life back!

My anxiety has gone down, I appreciate my freedom in a new way and I'm suddenly feeling maybe I'm not a dog person after all?? I've been asked to foster another but I've asked for more time!

I know a couple of fosterers like you. Absolutely do not want the 10-15 year commitment to a dog but like to see a temporary support role well done before the dog goes to a permanent home. Which is fine!

Dogs are a huge commitment and they're certainly not for everyone.

I love my boy, but my FIL offered to have him for a full day last week and it was amazing having time to myself without being followed, or without needing to let the dog out, or fill his water bowl, or stop him barking at the door, lol.

Remember the purpose! Giving a ddog a second chance. Without people like you pts may be the only other option.. I used to foster dkittens.. Lost a LOT of sleep. Worth it when they go on their merry way!
Recharge your batteries op. Ddogs need you!!

I also just finished fostering a dog.

I'm a dog person in same way grandparents truly adore their grandchildren -- lovely to visit & pamper, lovely to give back.

It sounds like you are the perfect foster carer. You should do it again after your break and then again and again. You can make a difference for lots of dogs and have breaks inbetween.

I have two dogs of my own and also foster. Fostering is absolutely exhausting in comparison to my own as I am always thinking about every little thing, the pressure to have everything done really right, not allowing any bad behaviour and so on

Maybe you need a break and will feel like fostering in a while...nothing wrong with that.
We got a rescue dog a year and a half ago, and it's hard when I realise we won't be having foreign holidays for the forseeable future. We have to take her into account every time we want to go out or go to the cinema etc. I don't mind, but it is a big commitment.
You sound more sensible than those who take on a dog, then give it up for being too much hassle.

You're incredible

It's an amazing thing to take a dog and make it feel safe and improve its behaviour and send it off to a new family

It's clearly your sweet spot - have a rest then do it again

As others have said - you're the perfect fosterer!

I'm going to go against the grain and say maybe you realise you don't want to do it again. Don't feel personally responsible or emotionally strongarmed. You've done a brilliant thing. It doesn't mean you must repeat it. Just give it time but don't feel pressured.

@Feckaffoutofit

It sounds like you are the perfect foster carer. You should do it again after your break and then again and again. You can make a difference for lots of dogs and have breaks inbetween.

I came here to say this. Whilst you are not obliged to foster again, it sounds as if you can offer a dog a loving home and the care and attention they needed for the time period needed for a foster carer. Now you know what fostering a dog involves, you can plan to take on your next dog at a time when you know you have the time and energy to devote to their care. Take as much time as you need to get to that point.

(And if you do not feel able to foster again, you have still done a great thing.)

But without people like you, who are willing to foster a dog without wanting to keep it, where would doggy rescues be? I think you can like dogs without wanting one full time.