In Fall of 2007, our family dog, Cinder, unexpectedly became pregnant from a stray lab that had been sneaking into our backyard, and days before Halloween, she had eight puppies who we instantly fell in love with. My sisters' and I were young, and having this excitement in our backyard was so special for us. So when my mom took the litter of eight to get fixed, she at first said no to the suggestion that Cinder gets fixed too. Our vet mentioned how many rescue shelters need help with fostering, and all the strays that need homes.

This led us to foster for the Houston SPCA, which became such a positive part of my childhood. By becoming a foster home, we were able to keep the excitement of puppies, and kitties, in our home, as well as being a safe haven for hundreds of animals that were either rescued from abusive homes, picked up off the streets, or surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them.