That's nice that you're a foster home. How do you like it? Have thought of doing that, but figured no one would ever adopt the dog or if they did, it would be after I'd formed a permanent bond. Curious to hear the upsides and downsides.
The upside is, dogs that would never make it otherwise, get a chance to thrive, to be trained, to learn how to live in a home, and thanks to the farm, socialize, or learn to stay away from the animals they don't like. You get to see a scared pup in a cage, blossom into a happy, loving dog, and the experience they learn from living in a home, instead of at the shelter makes them much more adoptable. Problems that they may have at the shelter, like hyperness, destroying things, barking, or being scared, may not be problem in a home environment. And adopters, get to see the dog in a true setting.
Downside, you always get attached, but what makes it easier for me to let them go, or take them back, is that I know its time to help the next one. I learn from each dog that stays here, because eachone needs to be loved/taught/cared for, differently.
And of course there is the draw back, all 4 of the dogs I own now, were dogs with severe problems;
Aki was so afraid of people he would lash out.
Akira was so food aggressive that she would protect her empty bowl for hours, and even charge you when you didn't set her food down quick enough.
Skyuka had no sense of discipline, she was, for all reasoning, a wild dog, she hunted her food and had absoulety no trust for people.
And koda, well koda just beaten so bad that no one thought he would ever be okay around people again.
But every single one of them is fine now, sky is the most loyal, loving, smart dog you could imagine, though she will kill anything that isn't a person or dog.
Koda is a giant snuggle baby.
Aki is protective and loyal and wouldn't leave my side for anything.
And akira, my 3 year old nephew can feed her and take away her food.
For me, I always foster the ones in worse shape, because I know, even if it takes 6 months- a year, that with work and love I can help them............ or adopt them.