{"id":893,"date":"2025-11-12T09:46:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T09:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=893"},"modified":"2025-11-12T09:46:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T09:46:13","slug":"woman-whos-fostered-nearly-60-pets-takes-in-feral-hound-6-months-later-she-is-a-completely-different-dog-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=893","title":{"rendered":"Woman Who&#8217;s Fostered Nearly 60 Pets Takes in Feral Hound. 6 Months Later, She Is a \u2018Completely Different Dog\u2019 (Exclusive)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">NEED TO KNOW<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tracy Fosterling is no stranger to fostering and managing a busy household full of animals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The 34-year-old, who has seven pets of her own, has opened her door to nearly 60 other animals in need<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In April 2025, she took on one of her biggest challenges yet: fostering a feral dog desperate for a loving owner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since 2018, Tracy Fosterling has opened her home and heart to animals in need \u2013 fostering close to 60 animals while also caring for her own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7528504041509244190\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:five dogs and two cats;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">five dogs and two cats<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt\u2019s chaotic, not going to sugarcoat it,\u201d Fosterling tells PEOPLE exclusively. \u201cBut it\u2019s also really fun, so much unconditional love in every corner you look! Having a large pack isn\u2019t for the weak, but we make it work!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Over the years, the 34-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla., has faced countless challenges that come with fostering and adopting, yet her dedication has never wavered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In April 2025, Fosterling decided to take on one of her most difficult cases yet \u2013 a feral dog named Blossom who was in desperate need of human connection.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling Blossom laying in her pen.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/I51xRtzCdNF.HhAWi58gnA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/7265ce342f8dfd3c7f79d95d9ff28f46\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling<\/p>\n<p> Blossom laying in her pen.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Afraid to let anyone touch her and shaking from nervousness, the Jack Russell hound mix, assumed to be just over 1 year old, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7533018202595527966\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:had to be carried;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">had to be carried<\/a> from Fur Sisters Rescue to Fosterling\u2019s home in a crate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cShe stayed in her crate for a while, didn\u2019t make eye contact, growled at me, and didn\u2019t want to come near me at all,\u201d Forsterling recalls. \u201cIt was very sad to see a dog in her condition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite having fostered a feral dog before, she admits that Blossom was in a far worse state than she had ever imagined.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Given that Blossom was born and raised outdoors, Fosterling had to quickly come to terms with the fact that the process of domestication wouldn\u2019t be an easy one.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cOnce I understood that, I could move forward and not be so hard on myself when she wasn\u2019t hitting milestones that \u2018normal\u2019 dogs would hit,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Over six months, Fosterling shared Blossom\u2019s transformation on TikTok, openly documenting the tedious but deeply rewarding journey of helping a dog learn to trust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">During that time, she received numerous comments questioning why she would choose to invest so much time and effort in a feral dog rather than one more easily adoptable. To that, Fosterling\u2019s response was simple: no dog should ever be \u201cwritten off.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cBlossom ended up at the shelter due to absolutely no fault of her own, so why doesn\u2019t she deserve a chance?\u201d she questioned, highlighting that since shelters and rescues often cover fostering costs, the process isn\u2019t as difficult as many believe.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling Tracy Fosterling&amp;#39;s five dogs.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"944\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/gGsNNIHy.hHwNsEnwXS1Ow--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk0NDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/c12e17132cf8567ff4b128b161b87a5a\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling<\/p>\n<p> Tracy Fosterling&#8217;s five dogs.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cYou just need to provide a safe place and endless love,\u201d Fosterling emphasizes. \u201cWhen things get hard emotionally, you have to remember the bigger picture of why you\u2019re doing this: to keep this dog alive and make sure that they find their forever home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">With that mindset, Fosterling set up Blossom\u2019s crate in her office and spent hours every day sitting on the floor with the feral dog, making little to no movements, and holding treats in her hand in hopes that Blossom would come to <em>her<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It took eight days for Blossom to finally gain the courage to leave her crate and wander into different parts of the house. Although she kept her distance from Fosterling and her husband, Blossom enjoyed spending time with the other dogs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Getting a leash on Blossom proved to be one of the biggest challenges, with each attempt sending the dog into a panic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After a week of trying, nearly four times a day for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, Fosterling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7527034152630095135\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:finally got a leash latched;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">finally got a leash latched<\/a> onto Blossom. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7527775304689945887\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:teaching her how to walk;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">teaching her how to walk<\/a> with it on was an entirely different hurdle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nevertheless, through patience and countless treats, Fosterling gradually earned Blossom\u2019s trust, and by July, she was finally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7530372727492889886\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:able to take Blossom outside;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">able to take Blossom outside<\/a> for her first walk since being rescued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cOf course, she\u2019s still a little bit hesitant with humans, and probably always will be, but she\u2019s a completely different dog than when I first got her,\u201d Fosterling shares.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling Blossom the dog.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"940\" height=\"960\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/BN.Usyx6EmzaEsWd3QhYeA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk4MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/c04bc5bebbdb2470525b8c87a1318555\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling<\/p>\n<p> Blossom the dog.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Unfortunately, in October, Fosterling learned that one of her own dogs required major surgery and would need eight weeks of recovery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Faced with weighing her responsibilities, she decided to transfer Blossom into the temporary care of the woman who runs Fur Sisters, but tells PEOPLE that she is still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7538538494830857503\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:making great progress;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">making great progress<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7566011103172414750\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:recent update video;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">recent update video<\/a>, Fosterling shared that Blossom now enjoys more freedom in her new foster home and has begun <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7533713119026138398\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:actively seeking affection;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">actively seeking affection<\/a> from her caregiver and family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Viewing herself as a stepping stone in each foster animal\u2019s journey, Fosterling emphasizes the importance of understanding that caregivers are only a chapter in the animal\u2019s story \u2013 not their forever home, no matter how long they stay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI have five of my own resident dogs, and the biggest reason I can\u2019t keep her is that I want to continue fostering dogs. As a rescuer, it\u2019s very important to understand your boundaries and what you can handle,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIf you don\u2019t take care of your dogs, yourself and your mental health, then you won\u2019t be a good advocate or foster, and I know my limit is five of my own dogs (plus two rescue cats), and so keeping another dog would likely lead to me no longer being able to foster.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling Blossom the dog.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"371\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/i2ATkmxSr5fWd_5kD0MeDQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU1NztjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/b4b45e888b5fd6eb7867e5d61ca2debc\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Courtesy of Tracy Fosterling<\/p>\n<p> Blossom the dog.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:PEOPLE's free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">PEOPLE&#8217;s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At the time of publication, Blossom is still on her <a href=\"https:\/\/new.shelterluv.com\/matchme\/adopt\/FSJB\/Dog\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:search for a permanent home;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">search for a permanent home<\/a> in the Jacksonville area \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@tracyfosterling\/video\/7541136353862487327\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:one that will recognize her worth;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">one that will recognize her worth<\/a> and shower her with the love she deserves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cJust because a dog is in a shelter doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re damaged goods,\u201d Fosterling says. \u201cAmazing dogs are sitting in shelters across the U.S. So please don\u2019t assume they\u2019re there because they are \u2018bad dogs\u2019 because that\u2019s not the case.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/woman-transforms-feral-foster-dog-exclusive-11843972\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:People;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">People<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEED TO KNOW Tracy Fosterling is no stranger to fostering and managing a busy household full of animals The 34-year-old, who has seven pets of her own, has opened her door to nearly 60 other animals in need In April 2025, she took on one of her biggest challenges yet: fostering a feral dog desperate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=893"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/893\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}