In January I hit the four-year mark. Four years of introducing furry beasts to my family and home every few months. Four years of teaching abandoned, surrendered, stray and homeless dogs about kindness and helping them learn to trust humans again. Four years of happy tears, sad tears, and of love and loss.

It's not always easy (just ask my husband or my pooch Bailey!), but the reward of helping a dog go home with a family that is perfect for them, and loves them unconditionally, far outweighs the feeling of sadness when they go.

The people I've met in the animal rescue world are some of the most compassionate I'll ever know. The patience I've developed working with the dogs is astronomical. And the bonds I formed with each of the dogs, and some of the people who've adopted them is a gift.

There's nothing quite like the unconditional love of a dog you've had to work your butt off to earn. I've experienced that love 18 times in the last four years - and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know that many friends in rescue feel the same way.

This post is a celebration of animal rescue and all of my furry loves that found amazing homes over the last four years. It's also a tribute to my furry angel Brave Dave, who will forever hold my heart in his paws.

Lila

Cotton

Jackson

Jonesy

If you've adopted one of my fosters, I love to get updates and hear how they're doing! Feel free to contact me via my contact page, Facebook or leave a comment below.

If you're interested in fostering dogs, or cats, or any other animals, do some research on the rescues in your area. I'm currently fostering Derek Zoolander (above) with a wonderful organization called Zoe's Animal Rescue Society in Edmonton, and I encourage you to check them out.

I also donate my time to photograph rescued animals in the Edmonton area, and you'll find all of the wonderful fur-balls I've photographed and available for adoption on my adoptable pets page.