Providing a temporary home for animals in need plays a vital role in easing overcrowded shelters and bridging the gap between rescue and adoption.
For many animals facing uncertain futures, fostering offers a lifeline and a chance at survival.
It’s a deeply generous act that not only changes the lives of the animals but also profoundly impacts the people who welcome them into their homes.
Saying goodbye to a dog you’ve nurtured for days, weeks, or even years is never easy.
One quote about fostering captures this perfectly: “Our heart breaks a little, so theirs doesn’t have to!”
When Danielle Ault agreed to foster a puppy named Fabian, she had no idea how deeply she and her family would bond with him.
So when she received word that Fabian had been adopted, she was understandably heartbroken. But the identity of the adopter brought her to tears.
The Power Of Fostering
Fabian and his littermates had been discovered wandering alone in the wilderness near Covelo, located in Mendocino County, California.
The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County stepped in to rescue them and placed each pup in a loving foster home.
Fabian was welcomed into the Ault household, where he stayed for six weeks.
During that time, Danielle and her family grew deeply attached to the sweet puppy. His adoption left them devastated, especially Danielle.
What she didn’t know was that someone very close to her had stepped forward to adopt Fabian.
Throughout her time fostering him, Danielle quietly hoped her mother would adopt him. But she didn’t want to pressure her, especially since her mom had recently lost a dog and wasn’t ready for another.
Still, Danielle brought Fabian to the Humane Society’s open hours every weekend, secretly wishing her mom would walk in and take him home.
So when the shelter called to say Fabian had been adopted, Danielle’s heart sank.
“We called Danielle into the office today, asking her to come help us review an application for Fabian that was a little different. We told her we needed her to help us make sure it was a good match,” the Humane Society said in their Facebook post.
Though heartbroken, Danielle drove to the shelter, preparing herself to say goodbye to the dog she had come to love.
A Surprise That Brought Tears
Upon arriving, Danielle looked visibly sad. But then came the unexpected news: the person who adopted Fabian was her own mother.
Fabian wasn’t leaving the family after all.
“An adoption application came in this morning for Fabian and we jumped for joy! Our staff immediately called and soon found out this was a special case. It was Danielle’s mom Vicki calling all the way from Idaho letting us know she was ready to make Fabian’s adoption dreams come true.”
As soon as Danielle saw her mother’s name on the application, she broke down in tears. The Humane Society and their foster team captured the emotional moment.
Fabian, now renamed Stan, had found the perfect forever home.
Danielle’s mom, Vicky, lives on a spacious ranch and enjoys spending time outdoors, making her an ideal match for Fabian, who also loves nature.
“We are incredibly fortunate to watch him grow while being connected to him forever. He’s a ranch dog now, has his own special spot in the pickup, goes camping, shopping, and on all kinds of road trips. He is a good boy with a great heart, and he deserves the life he has,” Danielle told Newsweek.
Given all the kindness this foster family has shown to animals in need, there could not have been a more fitting conclusion to Fabian’s journey.