A retired couple in Buckinghamshire has spent the past 15 years opening their home to dogs in need, fostering 59 animals through Battersea Dogs Home. Nicole and Gary Wordsworth, both in their 60s, began fostering in late 2011 and continue to take in dogs despite having retired from their careers in electronics design.
The couple's fostering journey started when they saw an advertisement for sponsoring dogs. Having already enjoyed looking after friends' dogs, they visited Battersea for a chat and welcomed their first foster, a Staffordshire bull terrier named Marcel.
Since then, the Wordsworths have cared for a wide variety of breeds, from a Siberian husky to a Staffie. The length of each dog's stay has ranged from a couple of nights to 18 months, and the couple ensures no dog feels pressure if a second stay is needed.
The couple said they find the experience easy rather than difficult. "A lot of people ask us if we find it difficult… We find it so easy," they told the Good News Network. "We love to help get them out of the kennels when they are too stressed and need a quiet spot to perch."
They also value learning how their former foster dogs are doing after adoption. "It's always a joy to hear how they are doing after they leave us. We don't mind that their stay with us is temporary, as we know each dog will have the best new home and that we are a part of all their stories," they told the Good News Network.
Gary Wordsworth said it is impossible to pick a favorite among the 59 dogs they have fostered, though some stand out more than others. "They all have characters though—and it's great to see all their nerves dissipating, and their actual personality coming out to shine," he told the Good News Network.
The couple's early observations of each foster dog provide valuable information for Battersea's adoption staff, including which toys a dog prefers, when it likes to eat dinner, how far it likes to walk, and its sleep schedule. "You help them find the best home for them by giving them the space and quiet to show you," they told the Good News Network.
One memorable foster was a large American bulldog that learned new tricks such as offering its paw, lying down, and sitting. "He got his fairy tale ending too, because his original owner had found him on the ad and taken him back home!" the couple told the Good News Network.
Their most recent guest was a husky named Stormy, who stayed with them for four months and loved snuggling on the sofa. "She had a smiley face and lovable quirks, including her 'happy food dance', when she would excitedly move from toe to toe as her food was being prepared," they told the Good News Network.
The Wordsworths emphasized that Battersea provides extensive support to foster carers. "The people at Battersea Dogs Home don't expect you to know everything about dogs—and in fact they give you a lot of time, training, and pay for everything," they told the Good News Network. "And they often give you the easy dogs to start with. If you don't think you can take on a certain type of dog you can always say that one is too much of a challenge, as well." Cats are also available to foster through the organization.
Reflecting on their experience, the couple said fostering is mutually beneficial. "It is so rewarding to see them relax and find their little personality poking out. You are doing a good thing and you get to have a furry friend by your side. It's a win-win," they told the Good News Network.
