Samantha Snyder’s Post

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Broker Associate at Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby's International Realty

We don't deserve dogs. Fostering has taught me so much about patience, compassion, empathy, and reserving judgment. Being in a shelter is tough on dogs, even the most relaxed ones show stress behaviors. Many expect a perfect pet instantly, but that’s rarely the case. Dogs go from familiar environments to noisy, chaotic shelters, and then to new homes with different rules and boundaries. Imagine being taken from your home without warning, placed somewhere you don’t understand, then moved again. You’d be frustrated and insecure. That’s what these dogs go through. Thankfully, dogs are forgiving and adaptable. Despite the confusion, fear, and trauma, even the most fearful dogs start to open up after being in a stable environment. Our first foster, Carl, was shy and nervous in the shelter but turned out to be incredibly loving once he felt secure. Bruno, another foster, had many health issues but an incredible zest for life. Despite his shelter behavior, he was polite and good at sharing in a home environment. We’ve had dogs described as "rigid" or "high-energy" that turned out to be the sweetest couch potatoes. Dogs labeled "poor walkers" in the shelter were actually great on a leash and even better listeners. Our foster, Rummy, was too anxious to be dog-tested at the shelter but ended up being patient and caring with our other pets, earning a permanent spot in our home. Here are some key lessons we've learned: - Don’t judge a dog by its shelter behavior; you never know what they're going through - Love and patience can change, and even save, lives - Stability and comfort allow personalities to shine. Once out of survival mode, dogs show their true, beautiful selves - Life tip: the same is true for humans! From the dogs themselves, I've learned to stay adaptable, let go of grudges, and enjoy life's beautiful moments, even those that may seem mundane. Fostering has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and I’m forever grateful for these lessons. #DogFostering #AdoptDontShop #GreenvilleSC #GreenvilleSouthCarolina

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