When Fostering Turns to Forever: Why Foster Fail Greyhound Stories Are Happy Endings

Throughout August, we're celebrating the incredible journey of fostering greyhounds and just how rewarding the experience can be. We've already heard from homing centres and foster families about the impact fostering has on both hounds and humans. In this blog, we're focusing on a special kind of story: the 'Foster Fail' - when a temporary home becomes a forever one. 

Sometimes, people start fostering to help out… but end up falling in love. And honestly, who could blame them? 

Read on to discover some heartwarming stories of greyhounds who never made it back to the kennels, because their foster families just couldn't let them go! 

Hero's Journey: A Foster Fail Greyhound Success Story 

First, we hear from Amanda who shares her tale on how she ended up adopting Hero from Home Run Hounds.  

"I'd fostered greyhounds with my adopted greyhound Gracie for many years and for varying lengths of time, ranging from 4 days to 4 months before I fostered Hero. 

Hero returned to kennels a year after he'd been adopted due exhibiting symptoms of increasing anxiety, reluctance to go out on walks and toileting indoors. Initially he was emotionally shut down and wanted no interaction with me or other humans. He would lie in his bed staring straight ahead for hours at a time. He also showed symptoms of extreme agoraphobia. 

I had to build up his trust in humans and reduced his fear of my garden and the outdoors. As his self-confidence grew on 'home territory', I introduced walks across the fields behind my property. After about 4 months a decision was taken to promote Hero for adoption. He experienced two adoptions and a four day 'home trial' over the proceeding 5 months, however all ultimately failed due to Hero exhibiting severe anxiety and in one adoptive home, fear aggression. After a year of intermittently fostering Hero, I decided neither he nor I could go through another emotional goodbye if there was a strong likelihood he would return. I had grown to love him. His episodes of anxiety I could now predict and reduce in both frequency and severity, so I did what was right for both of us, I adopted him. 

He was my first, and to date, only 'foster fail greyhound'. After Gracie died, I recommenced fostering with Hero. He enthusiastically welcomed each foster greyhound into our home; he loved to cuddle up with them on the sofa and chase them around the garden. Hero never completely lost his fear of open public spaces but in our home environment he was a very happy greyhound. Hero's life lessons for me were trust, patience and adaptability. 

In March 2025 Hero was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma and crossed over the rainbow bridge." 

This was such a heartwarming story to read Amanda, Hero really felt lucky being fostered by you and ultimately landing a permanent spot on the sofa. Thank you for sharing.  

Roxi's Perfect Foster Fail Story 

We now get the pleasure of reading Jules’ story on how she came to adopt Roxi from Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders.

"Having fostered previously and seen the benefit for Harry, our then 7-year-old greyhound, we offered to foster Roxi whilst she underwent significant dental treatment. 

Roxi had never been in a home environment before, which was entertaining, and she got to know us all a little before her operation. Roxi settled in with us incredibly well, wrapping my Mum and us, around her little paw. I had no interest in adopting her had said that once she was fully recovered from her dental she would return back to the kennels to find her permanent home. 

Roxi's ears are often up and on alert, so she didn't appear to be the gentle girl in a home that she proved to be. We decided that if no-one adopted her within a month of being at the kennels, then we would happily adopt her. However, we sat and thought... Why wait? 

This was 18 months ago, and she never made it back to the kennels, she did in fact stay with us and we became her forever family. She gives us so much love and so much entertainment we didn't know we were missing. Roxi keeps Harry on his toes, and they have bonded so well together. They love one another and get on so well. It was a great decision to foster Roxi, but even better choosing to 'fail' and adopt her permanently." 

It's funny how some things work out, it was lovely to see Jules step up in the first place to foster Roxi and nurture her throughout her recovery, but to then adopt in the end is the perfect ending! 

Draco: The Ultimate Foster Brother and Foster Fail Greyhound 

Finally, we hear from Aimee who made an appearance in our foster family blog. Expressing she was a foster Mum for Clarks Farm... but sometimes some dogs are too special to let go. 

"I've been fostering greyhounds for about three years now, and in that time, I've had the joy of caring for 10 amazing hounds. One of them became my beloved foster fail, while the others went on to find their perfect forever homes. 

Draco is my first foster fail and my forever boy. He had already been in a home and came back needing some TLC and one-on-one attention. From the moment he stepped into my house, he slotted into the pack like he'd always been there. It was very clear he was never meant to leave. Foster failing Draco was the best decision I've ever made. I had four incredible years with him, and they were the best years of my life. He will always be my forever best friend. He wasn't just my dog he became the most amazing foster brother to every hound who came after. He taught them about home life, comforted them through the nerves, and was always there to guide them. He truly was, and always will be, the most special and handsome boy." 

Thank you for sharing your story with Draco, we're privileged to know how he helped other foster greyhounds too. 

Why Foster Fail Greyhound Stories Matter

We hope you've enjoyed reading these heartwarming foster stories as much as we've enjoyed sharing them. They show just how easy it is to start fostering with an open heart and sometimes end up with a greyhound you simply can't let go. 

That said, it's important to remember that not every foster leads to adoption, and there's never any pressure from homing centres to make that decision. Fostering is valuable in its own right. It gives greyhounds a gentle introduction to home life, helps with toilet training, and provides vital insights into homing centres about the dog's personality in a domestic setting. 

Ready to Start Your Own Fostering Journey? 

Inspired by these foster fail greyhound stories? Whether you end up with a temporary guest or a permanent family member, fostering makes an incredible difference to greyhounds in need. Every foster home provides love, learning, and a stepping stone to happiness. 

If you're thinking about fostering a greyhound, be sure to check out our main foster feature to learn more about fostering greyhounds, where we explain what fostering involves, the benefits, and how you can get started. Alternatively, email us at [email protected] to find out where you nearest homing centre that offers fostering and we will help you from there.