An insight into what it’s like to be a Dog Foster Volunteer at Mayhew, from Laura & Matt: 

“After having spent some time learning about the Mayhew and attending several of their events, I really felt like I wanted to do more to actively help. I already do a shift a week volunteering as a crisis counsellor and so wasn’t sure about taking on another active role in person. Then on one of my visits to the Mayhew I met an elderly Frenchie who had recently come in, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her in kennels having lived in a home all her life. The idea of giving a dog a loving home to stay in at a tricky time in it’s life really excited me, and though we have a dog of our own and don’t feel like we want a second permanently, we know that our dog Eric could be a good candidate for a foster brother. Luckily Florence, the Frenchie in question, was adopted before I had finished the process of becoming a foster carer, but Chloe told me there was another dog that could be a good fit for our home, which is when we came in and met Bessie.”

“I can’t say enough what an incredible dog Bessie is and how lucky someone will be to have her. Bessie is such a gentle bear, and a beautiful soul. She loves going out on walks and adventures (unless it’s really pouring in which case she will lay down and refuse to leave the house!), then she is happy to curl up on the sofa and nap. She loves her food, she loves meeting other dogs and people, and is fantastic with kids. Her absolute favourite thing is getting her back scratched.

Our dog Eric was initially quite hostile towards her, guarding the sofa and snapping at her in the first week but her behaviour has always been exemplary, she has never fought back, and always just showed her bum or wandered off. We had been told she was the mother hen of the shelter, helping other dogs to calm down when needed and they weren’t wrong.

Bessie adjusted to our routine and our home instantly, learnt quickly she wasn’t allowed upstairs and was happy to be tucked up in her bed in the kitchen at night. Bessie seems to take everything in her stride, she’s using stairs well and goes on the overground with us with no problems. She’s very quiet around the house and generally very obedient. We really can’t believe our first foster dog has been such a delight. If anyone reading this is thinking about fostering I would highly recommend it, and the Mayhew couldn’t have offered us more support throughout. Most importantly, they were so considered in making sure we had the right dog for our home and that our home was the right one for Bessie.”

We’re thrilled that, since publishing this story, Bessie has been adopted and is happily settled in her forever home.

If this story has inspired you to volunteer with us, we’d love to have you! Please visit https://themayhew.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/ to find out more.