Rosita

Rosita: My First Foster, My Forever Lesson
By Lori G.

I've always had a dream of what rescue could look like — if I ever had the time and the means to do it right.

It started when a neighbor moved away and began volunteering at the Ulysses Animal Shelter. She'd post updates, and I'd follow along. Anne, the ACO there, always took the time to answer my questions and point me in the right direction. She introduced me to the Liberal Animal Shelter too, letting me know they needed just as much help — sometimes more.

One day I told Anne I thought I was ready to try fostering. I asked her where to start. Based on where I lived, she pointed me straight to Always & Furever, and she had wonderful things to say about the organization.

At first, I applied to adopt a sweet boy named Tyler Brownie. I met him and loved him — but the whole drive home, my gut kept telling me he wouldn't be the right fit with my pups at home. I called Susan D. and was honest with her. Backing out was hard, and I still think about him.

Then I messaged Jen and shared my dreams for what rescue could be. Her reply was full of everything A&F was already doing and planning — and in that moment, I knew I was home.

I switched gears to fostering, and Susan D. couldn't have been more understanding. She listened to exactly what I wanted to do. Before I knew it, Rosita's story landed in my inbox — and I said yes.

Rosita was an older girl, a little Chi mix pulled from a high-kill shelter in Oklahoma. She was my very first foster, and she was an absolute doll. A&F took care of everything — the logistics, the supplies, the support. They made saying "yes" easy.

I brought Rosita to a Meet & Greet at the Wichita Barn. Aspin was there, and she gently asked if I'd step away and let her handle the introduction. I did — because we both could see that Rosita was watching me instead of engaging with her potential family. That small moment taught me so much about what fostering really means: loving them enough to let them go.

Rosita was adopted by a wonderful family. They kept in touch for a while, and I hope with all my heart that she's still happy, still loved, still that same sweet girl. I miss her.

The photo of her in Oklahoma, and my two favorite photos from her time with me — that's how I'll always remember her.