Foster puppies: a fetching proposition

Bella enjoys a new leash of life. Photograph: Eleonore de Bonneval.

It was a bit like internet dating. I’d seen her online photo and profile and something about her sparked my interest.

First impressions were only so-so, and she smelt terrible until I got her home and gave her a bath.

Bella was my foster dog and I quickly fell for her charms.

People who have never had a dog sometimes do not understand how anyone can get so emotional about an animal that seems nothing but an inconvenience.

Dogs need to be walked and fed. You have to take them to the vet when they are ill.

You have to pick up their poo and train them not to go to the toilet in the house.

Who can be bothered?

Dog people, by contrast, are possessed by an addiction to man’s best friend and enthralled by canine optimism  and oompf.

The thought of never again stroking a dog or watching a dog leap about in the park or lie sleeping on the couch is enough to make them want to give up on life.

I belong to the latter camp, and although I grew up in a family full of dogs, the fact I have only ever lived in flats without a garden since leaving home and have had jobs where I have worked long hours has rendered me dogless.

So when the opportunity arose to foster a dog for a short period I grabbed it with both paws and wagged my figurative tail.

It is painful to think the abuse and abandonment of dogs is now happening on an almost unprecidented scale.

The recession and a lack of controls to ensure the breeding of dogs does not exceed the demand for them have led to rehoming charities being forced to take in vast numbers of strays. The kennels are full of bored, lonely creatures that could become devoted pets if only they were given a chance.

The majority are Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossbreeds, which fill up the dogs’ homes like refugees belonging to some persecuted race.

‘Staffies’ have a bad reputation, due largely to their abuse by people who exploit the fact this breed is physically strong and fearless and condition them to bite.

By nature, however, they are far from dangerous and make excellent pets as they are affectionate, intelligent and good with children.

Their love of being around people means kennel life is particularly tough on Staffies, hence efforts by some charities to place them in temporary foster homes.

Bella, a one year old Staffie cross, lived with me and my partner for three months in Stoke Newington until she found a more permanent home with a family in Essex.

My partner isn’t a dog lover but even she found it rewarding to turn Bella from a wretched, mangy mutt into a strapping and attractive young bitch, and although it was sad to give Bella up it felt fantastic to be able to provide her with a halfway home.

All Dogs Matter is one of several charities that place rescue dogs in foster homes.

The Dog’s Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, also arranges foster care for dogs in certain cases.

The Dog’s Trust regularly runs events offering free microchipping in Hackney and is taking part in the Bark-i-tude Dog Festival (in Abney Hall, Stoke Newington, from 12noon-5pm on 15 June), which promises to be a great day out for any dog lover.