The Un-Honeymoon period

So I realized something today...

When people first get together in a relationship- stuff is all Hallmarky and nice.

Everyone is at their best... they feel all warm and fuzzy... they overlook each others flaws... and they see the best in each other.

It's called the HONEYMOON PERIOD.

At the beginning- everyone has their rose colored glasses on and things seem perfect- but as time goes on- and people start to be their true selves... things are often not as rosey as they first appeared to be.

BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

In the rescue/foster dog world... it's the opposite.

The beginning is the UN honeymoon period... there's not a name for it but it's the ugly part first. Stuff seems bad... you see all the negative... you see the worst stuff... maybe they forget their house training- maybe they guard food- maybe they are not social- maybe they are bad on the leash... whatever it might be... it's kind of first impression stuff... and the first impression stuff gets dogs returned to the shelter so many times... often as fast as 24 hours from adoption...

BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

If you can get past the UN honeymoon period... that's where the magic is!!!!

This is where the dogs start to feel comfortable... this is where they start to be their best selves... this is where you start to see the glimpses of the amazing dog hidden beneath that... scared... angry...moody...terrified...anxious...whatever.... dog...

This is the opposite of honeymoon period... this is the real deal... lifelong...true...committed time... this is where lifelong relationships are forged. This is where the magic is... it might take days... or it might take months...

The question is... if you are an adopter or a foster... do you have what it takes (patience- perseverance- love-grace-commitment-etc) to get past the rough starts and get to the happily ever after part?

The beginning is almost never easy- but after fostering and adopting many dogs- I can tell you the AFTER is soooooooooo worth it!!

Every dog I've had the privilege of fostering or adopting has taught me a lot. Some more than others. I can tell you my current foster has taught me the most... he's tough... would have been easy to give up on (and I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider it) ... but I'm so glad I didn't.

Had I given up on him... I'd have missed out on his first time playing tug of war... his first time working through a triggering situation for him... all of his first times and big milestones... so through all his rough moments I've stayed the course and he's rewarded me with cuddles and kisses ... and even when he's still a bit of a jerk ( saying in fun)... I see him... I see what he's going through... I see his growth and improvement... my husband and I celebrate his wins both big and small... and it's worth it to us.

So my point here is this... if you are adopting or fostering a dog... plan to experience the UN-HONEYMOON period. And that's all good... instead of getting worse- it gets better from here!! And it's worth the ride in my opinion

Picture of our previous foster Walla- he was never bad... just needed time to learn to trust and be confident- and he is now in the BEST happy loving home ever!!!!!!!!