We went to an event hosted by Austin Animal Center to learn how to become fosters. We did not expect to go to the event and leave with a dog, but we became foster parents that day to Mork, a skinny, heartworm-positive dog we barely knew.

Later we found out his heartbreaking background. Mork and his brother were tied to a tree by their owners when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. The neighbor noticed and untied them, but his brother was pinned under a telephone pole. A Good Samaritan took the dogs in but could not find anyone willing to help them. Finally, they were brought to Austin Animal Center.

Mork had been there six months before we met him, and we decided to adopt him after just a month of fostering. Although his traumatizing past that still has lingering effects, he is doing so well. He is healthy, happy and loved. Mork has changed us for the better. Fostering and adopting saves lives, and it is so worth it.