The Morris Animal Refuge foster program is a core part of our mission and our day-to-day operations. Karen became a foster in 2021, when she fostered a senior pup in the hospice stage of his life named Beans. Beans was an incredible dog who was incredibly well-cared for by Karen, and she credits him with showing her how rewarding it can be to care for senior dogs in need.

After Beans passed on, Karen came to us looking for another senior to help. She found Tank.

Tank is a senior terrier mix who was anxious, scared, and stressed in the shelter environment. When Karen took him home, we learned that he also had severe separation anxiety. Karen immediately focused on how to make this little guy comfortable, and she tapped into her network of neighbors and friends to make sure that he was never alone as he settled in. Slowly and carefully, they built up Tank’s confidence with being on his own. Meanwhile, the Morris medical team worked on tweaking his medication regimen and booked him a consultation with a skilled behaviorist using the Life Saver Fund.

Karen says, “His growth over the last year has been remarkable. He is so much more relaxed and confident at home, even by himself. It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch him settle into his routines and really adapt to a life of ease and pampering. I’d say he’s a different dog completely but he also is just so uniquely himself. He’s been the sweetest, cuddliest, most loving, quirky little guy since day one. He’s won over the heart of anyone who meets him. Put simply, he just wants to love and be loved and he’s doing a darn good job of it!! I am so thankful for him.”

Karen and Tank have been taking care of each other for a year now, and Karen has officially adopted Tank. Thanks to some hard work and patience, Tank has the best forever home possible.

Interested in making a difference in the life of a dog like Tank? Check out our fostering program here.