One of the most common issues with children who are adopted. Is an issue of trust. So many times in their life they have depended on someone to be there for them only to be pulled out of that persons life and placed into another home with new people.

So it is hard to relax and learn to love and trust again. Which is one of my reasons for allowing my adopted children to choose a pet of their own.

I usually like to have them choose a cat or a dog.
Because pets like these love us unconditionally and they will cuddle and give us many hours of needed attention. The more we love them the more they seem to love us back.

I also like to take lots of pictures of my kids and their pet. We hang them on the wall in their bedrooms. Add them to their life books and scrap books. They put them on their lockers in school and their relationship with their pet brings them unconditional joy and love. It also gives them that release that they have inside to care for someone. They are so used to caring for themselves or a sibling that they need to carry on and be responsible.

My son was a dog person. For some reason dogs either loved him or hated him. For those who loved him he taught them tricks and trained them to be good pets.

My daughter Angela is a cat person. Every stray cat in our area ends up sleeping on our porch and taking over our patio chairs. It is like they radiate to her. Recently we found a group of kittens that were about four weeks old. The mother cat had been hit by a car. My niece took 3 of the kittens and we agreed to take one. My daughter has nurtured that kitten so well that this kitten alone has been the soul survivor of all of these kittens.

It is thriving with love and showering us all with attention. My daughter said "Mommy you should have let me keep more of those kittens." She was so sad that they had all died except Cali.

My oldest daughter has no grip on pets. She is a really stern mom and about all she will allow her boys to have is a kitten. Since it has brought fleas into her home. I doubt it will last long as an inside pet. She gave and gives all her love and attention to her children. Much like she did her siblings when they were young.

My middle daughter loves every animal she see's until she has to feed it or clean up after it.
Then it becomes a chore.

But for most of the kids who have trouble bonding.
A pet seems to be able to reach into their barriers and bring them to the surface of healing.

So you might consider putting picking out a pet for your foster child on the long list of "To Do's" after your adoption is final and you are sure they are capable of caring for a pet.

We all need something to nurture and love who will love us back. Pets seem to do that. They bring us one closer step to healing.