Tax Time

Two scared, sick, and exhausted dogs. Boomer and Delta January 2012

I try and keep track of my SEPR events I attend and things I do with my foster dogs. Fortunately, because it is for a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, I can deduct much of it from my taxes.

I haven't totaled things up yet, but I'm pretty sure I know where most of the miles on my car come from and money in my account go. While I'm certain many people wonder why anyone would volunteer for this way of life, I on the other hand, wonder why you wouldn't.

For an entire year I've fostered Boomer and Delta in my home. It honestly doesn't seem like it's been that long, but looking back from where we started with them seems an eternity. They were both terribly sick with tick borne illnesses which required many trips to the vet in Sioux Falls, SD. The first 6 months with them was spent trying to get them healthy enough to find out who they really were. Neither one of them had any idea about walking on a leash, being inside a house, or having a human they could trust was like. That first 6 weeks neither one of them would even leave the little nest I had created for them in a corner of the kitchen except to go outside for potty breaks. Their whole world had shifted.

Delta continues to thrive in her new life. She loves to cuddle on the couch, antagonize Boomer into chasing her around the backyard, and get Ike to wrestle on the couch. She's been to Canine Good Citizen classes, and passed, is visiting residents in the nursing home, and will soon be a member of Story Time at the Library. She's also a flirt with the male dogs when we go for our Sunday afternoon stroll with our walking buddies.

Boomer is a bit more reserved. He likes his routine. Boomer is pretty robotic in his actions when he is in the house. Eat, potty outside, nap in his crate and repeat. He feels safe and in control a bit more that way. When outside, you wouldn't believe he is the same dog. He's very playful, likes to explore, energetic, and an all around fun dog. He definately feels in his element when outside.

We will continue to work on his social skills. Meeting new people, new dogs, learn to behave around cats, all of those things that make a good dog. He has the ability to do it, he just needs a little more time and patience to get there. I'm not going to hold that against him.

Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! It's what I like to do and what makes me happy.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane income taxes. We'll do it again next year:-)