I thought I was just opening my home to a dog in need…
Turns out, I was opening the door to a whole new lesson in boundaries, self-respect, and showing up with love without losing myself in the process.

Fostering dogs has been one of the most unexpectedly healing things I’ve ever done—not just for the animals, but for me.

What I Didn’t Expect to Learn from a Dog Bed in My Living Room

When I said yes to fostering, I thought I’d be giving a pup a soft place to land. Which I did. But what I didn’t expect was how clearly these dogs would reflect my energy back to me.

Dogs thrive with clear boundaries. They feel safe when they know what to expect. They respond to structure, rhythm, and calm leadership.

…Sound familiar?

Turns out, so do I.

The Boundary Wake-Up Call

Before I started fostering, I had a real habit of overcommitting. If someone needed help, I was there. If something needed doing, I raised my hand. I was the yes girl—even when it meant running on empty.

But fostering a dog in doesn’t allow for scattered over-giving energy—because it’s not just about being nice, it’s about setting healthy boundaries and honoring my own bandwidth.

Dogs need that kind of clarity. They thrive when they know:

• When it’s time to eat
• When it’s time to rest
• Where they’re allowed to go
• How to feel safe in a new environment

To give them that structure, I had to create it. I had to get comfortable saying no. I had to speak calmly but confidently. I had to stop bending and start standing in what felt right for both of us.

What started as dog training quickly turned into life training.

What Fostering Taught Me About Myself

• I’m allowed to say no without explaining myself.
• I can hold space without holding everything.
• Love doesn’t mean constant access.
• Rest is sacred—for them and for me.
• I feel better in routines, too.
• Boundaries don’t block love, they build it.

The more I practiced this with my foster pups, the more it started to spill over into other areas of my life. In my relationships. My business. My schedule. My nervous system. I stopped feeling stretched thin. I started feeling grounded.

It’s Not Just About the Dog

Fostering gave me more than warm cuddles and wagging tails (though there’s plenty of that too). It gave me a mirror. A rhythm. A reason to come back to myself.

It reminded me that rescue goes both ways.

So if you’ve been thinking about fostering—know this: you’re not just helping them heal. You’re giving yourself the chance to grow in the most gentle, loving, boundary-honoring way.

And trust me, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching a dog learn they’re safe… and realizing you are too.