Moment Foster Chihuahua Mix Conquers Fear of Stairs Is Full of Love and Joy

There are so many ways to lend a helping paw to the animals who need it the most, especially those who are waiting in shelters for the perfect owner to find them. Even if you can't commit to rescuing a dog right now, you can follow in so many others' footsteps by fostering. This is a much more short-term responsibility, but it completely changes the life of your foster friend as well as the dog who can take their place in the shelter.

NYC foster mom Isabel is practically an expert at giving rescue dogs temporary homes while they wait for their adoption, and she shares many of the moments--big and small--that make fostering as rewarding as it is. On May 7, she and her dog, Simon, helped foster pup Hallie finally face her fear of stairs. This may have been one small step for a dog, but it's a huge leap for foster dogkind! And best of all, it gave Hallie a boost of confidence she never knew she needed.

Aww--good girl, Hallie! Stairs must be so daunting when they are just about as tall as you are. Especially if she's never tried going upstairs and downstairs before, it can certainly be a learning experience. Luckily, this tiny Chihuahua mix girl has a loving foster mom and a temporary big brother to show her the ropes.

Related: Chihuahua Mix's First Good Night of Sleep in New Foster Home Is Everything

"I love how Simon showed her, 'like this!'" wrote commenter @ashleyinwonderland. This confident dog was meant to be a foster brother! Not only is he welcoming and patient with every new friend he meets, but he also has no problem showing his pals how to be a dog. After all, this is the first time many foster dogs are experiencing the love, safety, and routines of a home!

Dogs Can Benefit From Foster Siblings

Not every adoptable dog will be the right fit for a foster home with a current canine resident--and that's ok--but those who are can benefit greatly from the presence of another dog. It can help them feel at ease to see another dog trusting their foster parent, and it can offer another source of comfort for a scared new friend if they're not ready to seek out attention from people.

As you can guess, the benefits go both ways! Isabel's dog, Simon, still gets the stability of being the resident dog, but he also gets there chance to socialize, play, and build relationships with many other dogs. It's like an extraverted dog's dream come true!

While Hallie is bound to be adopted soon (just look at her adorable face), there's no doubt that her time with Simon and Isabel has changed everything for the better. This tiny dog has gained so much confidence already and has even begun conquering the stairs!

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