Story #16 of 60: From Loss to Love
As told by Christine Westen, Foster and Volunteer
My journey with Anderson Humane began with a plea for fosters for the Envigo beagles. I had lost my dog about seven months earlier, and while my heart was still healing, I felt ready to open my home again. That decision led me to my first foster, a small beagle named Motor.
Motor had never been outside or slept in a bed before. In my home, he was given space to decompress, feel safe, and learn what it meant to simply be a dog. In return, he helped begin to fill the quiet space left behind by my own dog. Motor was adopted quickly, but his impact stayed with me.
After Motor found his family, I started volunteering at Anderson Humane. I quickly became someone who could not stop talking about the dogs my family had never met. Since then, I have welcomed many fosters into my home. Some stayed for a month, some for several months, and one stayed for nearly two years. Hera came home with me in April of 2023 and found her loving home in January of 2025. I never imagined having a foster for so long, but I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of her journey.
Each foster becomes part of your family, and it is impossible to forget them. Alongside my ten fosters, there are countless other dogs who have been part of my life through walks, socialization, doggie day outs, and playgroups over the past three years. Some I met only once before they found their families. Others I have walked more times than I can count as they wait for the right person to find them.
Some days can be hard, but even a short moment of joy can make all the difference for a dog. Seeing how happy you can make them in the time you share is what keeps me coming back. Volunteering and fostering have filled my home and my heart with second chances.
Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at Anderson Humane by visiting ahconnects.org/adopt, or help make the next 60 stories possible by donating in honor of our 60th Anniversary.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
Visit ahconnects.org/volunteer/ for more information on how you can get involved.
Interested in starting your own Foster Journey?
Visit us at ahconnects.org/foster-2/ for more information or email fosters@ahconnects.org
