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For the past few years I have wanted to foster a homeless animal. It’s the least I can do. As a dog lover, I always want more dogs. I figure by fostering a pet and not actually adopting one, I won’t prematurely cross the line to becoming the crazy pet lady.

After searching online through at least dozens of dogs in need of foster homes in my area, I found an 8-year-old pit bull named Ginger. I will meet her later this week and make sure she is a good match for my mutt, my cat and I. She caught my attention because she is described as mellow and gets along well with cats and other dogs. After mentioning Ginger to a few friends, the common reaction so far has been, “But, a pit bull?” One friend even asked, “But, don’t pit bulls attack when they get older, and go crazy?”

Obviously I will not invite a dangerous dog into my home. People forget that ANY dog can become aggressive. I reminded my friend that the dog my parents had put down when I was a child was an aggressive spaniel, a breed I consider sweet and overly happy.

But, forgetting aggressiveness, why rescue a senior dog when there are so many unwanted puppies and younger dogs in need of homes? Who would want an 8-year-old dog? If I rescue Ginger, it means that a younger dog, one that is more likely to find a home, will be killed. The longer older dogs of any breed sit in foster homes and shelters all across the country, the more often other dogs will be turned away or killed due to overcrowding.

All I know is I do not have the space or time for a young dog. And fostering a puppy is out of the question for me right now. But I do have the time and room in my heart to help an older dog. And regardless of whether or not I foster Ginger, those younger dogs will still be without homes. As for Ginger, hopefully it will only take her a few months before she finds a new loving home for her retirement.