Foster Highlight: Paul Butterworth & Andrew Hanes
We appreciate our fosters and have asked them to share their stories.
Foster: Paul Butterworth & Andrew Hanes
How long have you been fostering?
Since 2021
Was there something specific that made you want to foster?
We are surrounded by conservation land and various nature trails that are ideal for walking. Our beloved dog, Toby loved his daily walks and knew each trail by heart, or maybe I should say by nose. We lost him to cancer in 2021 and still miss him every day. As a way to honor him we decided to help other dogs who would love to sniff the local trails and benefit from a safe home full of love, and treats, on their journey to finding a new family. We chose to foster with Baypath Humane Society because of their commitment to providing top-notch medical and behavioral care for all the animals they accept. The staff is exceptionally friendly and from day one has made us feel like part of the team. They are always checking in for a status update and to make sure we have everything we need to provide for the foster pet.
What impact has fostering had on your life?
So far we’ve welcomed four foster dogs into our home (Diana, Ruby, Puppy & Jada). It’s fascinating to experience the uniqueness of each dog’s personality while at the same time seeing how quickly they adapt to our home and routine. After a few days of observing how things work around here, each dog has settled in to become part of the family. The daily walks make us much more active than we normally would be, but the biggest impact is the joy having a happy dog in the house brings. It doesn’t take long for the tail wagging to begin and before you know it, the kisses follow.
Do you have a funny or special story or a special foster to share?
One of our favorite fosters was a sweet girl named Ruby. She had been through a lot before she found her way to Baypath so it wasn’t going to be easy to find a forever family experienced with dogs exhibiting fear reactivity and separation anxiety. Enter Linda and Kevin, an amazing couple, with experience in both conditions and daunted by neither. When I brought Ruby to meet them, I liked them immediately, but when Kevin pulled me aside and earnestly asked, “Paul, does Ruby like ice-cream?” I knew everything would be okay and Ruby had found her perfect match.
