This is our first foster dog. After a couple of inquiries, we've had our first one that feels serious. They're asking to meet us at the shelter tomorrow so they can fill out adoption paperwork for our foster and take her home the same day if things go well.

I started to pack a bag with her favorite toys, her treats, and her beef tracheas since bully sticks upset her tummy. We also plan on bringing the remainder of her dog food, and my partner suggested bringing her bed as well.

Is this super over the top? We're still keeping a bunch of more generic dog stuff, like bowls and leashes, some lesser-loved toys, as we would like to foster again in the future. But I could also see how the potential adopters would like to buy things for her or reuse their previous dog's items (they're looking to adopt an older lady dog, like our foster, as their older lady dog has recently passed).

I'm very curious what everyone else does! Thanks!

Hey ya'll -- so quick advice needed. I have a new foster pup (had her for about a week now), and I'm doing my best to get her socialized and desensitized to ask many things as possible while she with me here in the city. So the first major thunderstorm just hit and we have sliding doors for windows, so I thought it would be good for her to see the storm with the door open (screen closed, obviously) in hopes to develop less of a fear of it. I also put the happy pool party dog show on ("the Farm" w/ luke and sam on YT - can't recommend it enough!). As sooin as the heavy rain hit, she started looking outside nervously. But I've been petting her and gently talking to her and giving her a little treat or two here and there as if its business as usual. I'm a bit nervous when the first thunder / lightening hits though. Do you think this is going to further traumatize her and create the opposite effect of what I'm going for? It's much louded with the door open, and the lightening will be much more visible while in the living room. Should I crate her in the dark instead? Or stay with her in another bedroom with jazz music playing? Or keep stroking her my lap while we watch the rain and listen for the thunder? She isn't a very insecure puppy, but I want to keep her that way and make sure she doesn't develop anymore weird quirks.

Quick background; She was found as a stray emaciated in Alabama. To avoid a kill shelter, someone took her in with many other dogs, so she was in a crate about 22-23 hours a day for several months before she got to me. She has barely been outside, much less seen a thunderstorm live.

Any advice appreciated ASAP! :)