Latest news with #IsabelKlee
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"LEAVE THEM ALONE! The Best Way To Gain Trust Is To Let A Dog Go At Their Own Speed" And Other Tips For Fostering Dogs That Will Make You Want To Foster Every Single Pup You Meet
Isabel Klee, based in Brooklyn, NY, has been fostering dogs for years. She's fostered 23 dogs full-time and creates content that chronicles their progress and candidly shares their challenges and fears. And recently, her 23rd foster, a sweet, struggling dog named Tiki, caught the attention of millions of viewers online. For those of you who weren't following along, when Tiki first found himself in Isabel's care, he was disaffected and fearful of so much, from accepting belly rubs to being held, and nearly everything in between. As Isabel had done with her other fosters before, she vlogged about her and Tiki's experience with daily updates on their journey. And, in doing so, Isabel allowed people to follow along and root for Tiki as he braved the outdoors, discovered the joy of zoomies, and blossomed into the silly and goofy pup his fans have come to know and love. If you want to read more about Tiki's journey, BuzzFeed reported on Isabel and Tiki here! Tiki's story was and continues to be inspiring, but it's not unique. According to the ASPCA, in 2024, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats are estimated to have entered shelters. There are so many other little Tikis out there in need of supportive foster care and loving forever homes. So I spoke with Isabel to hear her thoughts and advice for anyone who is thinking of volunteering as a foster parent to a dog. So, without further ado, here are nine of Isabel's tips, tricks, insights, and pieces of advice on fostering dogs: 1."The best way to gain [a dog's] trust is to let them go at their own speed." I asked Isabel if she had any specific advice for fostering dogs that are disaffected or shut down, and she shared, "LEAVE THEM ALONE! The best way to gain trust is to let a dog go at their own speed. Don't push them, pressure them, or cross their boundaries. They need to feel like they're calling the shots, and most dogs will let you know when they're ready to progress. Tiki approached me for his first pets, and it took 13 days for me to touch him for the first time." you're worried about the potential money stresses of taking care of a pet, even temporarily, just know that fostering a dog is probably not as financially demanding as it might seem. Isabel told me that she has been fostering since she was 25, "because [she] loved dogs but didn't have enough money to get [one] of her own." She said that even though each organization is different, "Fostering is great because, with most rescues, you don't have to pay for anything. They will cover food, vet care, toys, basically any supplies you might need. I quickly fell in love with the process and have continued fostering even after adopting my dog Simon!" three most important traits for being a successful foster parent to a dog are patience, a sense of humor, and empathy. In Isabel's words, "It's so important to go into [fostering] knowing your rugs will probably get pooped on, your foster will probably break something, etc. but having patience and empathy for what the dog is going through is key." don't need to do a ton to prepare, but Isabel recommends designating an area for a crate. "Honestly, I didn't do any preparation, even though I probably should have. I jumped in with zero experience and just figured it out as I went," Isabel told me. She went on, "If I were to start now, I would have a designated area for a crate where the dog can be home and feel safe, and I would make sure to stick to a strict routine." 5."Fostering fits into most lifestyles." It's a common misconception that volunteering to foster a dog means that the foster parent needs to work from home or that they can't travel while they're in their care. But that's not true. Isabel said, "I always tell people, being home alone in a quiet apartment is so much better for a dog than being in a loud, stressful shelter where they're only getting maybe 2-3 short walks a day. Even if you go into the office, the dog will be totally fine snoozing the day away! Also, travel is super easy to accommodate for - you can just request a temporary foster who will watch your foster dog while you're out of town. Fostering fits into most lifestyles!" there is no one set length of time you need to allocate in order to foster a dog. I asked Isabel how long a dog usually stays in her care, and she said, "It really depends. I've had some dogs for four days and some dogs for two months. Most dogs that I have [had] for longer have medical or behavioral issues that need to be sorted before being adopted, but if a dog is all ready to go, they can be adopted very quickly!" Many people believe that you are on the hook to foster a dog until they get adopted, but most organizations are flexible and have fostering opportunities that can be as short as a weekend or just two weeks. shouldn't feel any pressure to adopt your foster dog. When I asked Isabel about the unexpected challenges she's faced since getting into fostering dogs, she shared that strangers have pressured her to adopt her foster dogs. But that she knows "the power of fostering and how important the work [she does] is." She also shared that people often say to her that "they could never foster because they 'love dogs too much' and would get too attached." In both instances, she's gotten good at tuning out these types of comments. dogs is such a beautiful way to give back, but it's also just so much fun. Isabel told me, "People always look at fostering as this incredible, selfless thing, and it can be! But it's also just so joyful and fun. I can't tell you how many nights I've spent laughing as my foster dog learns to play fetch for the first time or does something silly." might want to start fostering ASAP. When I asked if she could go back and tell herself one piece of advice before her first foster, Isabel shared, "I wish I had started fostering sooner! It's such a huge part of my life and so rewarding, and I can't wait to meet all the dogs I have yet to save." There you have it, nine insights from Isabel for those of you considering fostering a dog! And if you want to learn more, Isabel has a book coming out this fall titled, Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About. You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok, where you can learn more about her journey fostering dogs. And if you are interested in getting into volunteering, check out your local animal rescue or shelter. If you're based in New York, Muddy Paws Rescue is where Tiki was located before being fostered and ultimately adopted.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tiki the Dog Finds a New Home! Once-Timid Rescue Ready to 'Settle in' with New Family After Going Viral (Exclusive)
Isabel Klee came across Tiki through a call from a friend at Muddy Paws Rescue She fostered the dog, and shared his story on social media, where it went viral Recently, she shared how Tiki has officially been adopted by new ownersTiki the dog has found his new home! Tiki's new owners, Vince and Aubrie, first came across the dog's story on Isabel Klee's Instagram — and fell in love from day one. At the time, neither of them were on TikTok, so they had no idea just how many people had been rooting for the pup behind the scenes. "I had a sense of what to expect, and I'm grateful Isabel shared so much," Aubrie tells PEOPLE exclusively. "We knew Tiki would need more care and patience than our other dogs, but that only makes each step forward feel even more rewarding." "We've been dog owners for 10 years, and our first pup, Meyer, was also a rescue with his own set of challenges," Vince adds. "Tiki reminds us of that experience, but Isabel has been incredible; always available to offer guidance or reassurance as we help Tiki adjust." Klee, 25, originally came across Tiki through a call from a friend at Muddy Paws Rescue. The ASPCA had just pulled several dogs from a neglect case and was urgently seeking fosters. A longtime foster dog mom herself, the Brooklyn, N.Y., local took him in and began documenting his progress on social media. His story quickly resonated, amassing millions of views — even catching the attention of Kyle Kelce. "Tiki taught me patience in a way I had never experienced before," Klee tells PEOPLE exclusively. "It took me 13 days to even touch this dog, and it took everything in me to respect his boundaries and go at his pace. My reward for being patient was his unwavering love and devotion, and all I had to do was listen to his cues." For Klee, she says the journey was deeply personal and life-changing. So it was no surprise that emotions ran high the day Vince and Aubrie arrived to take Tiki home. Leading up to his adoption day, she spent time cuddling with Tiki, staying as close as she could. The day before his adoption she even took Tiki on his very first walk around the block, and for her that was the final piece of the puzzle. Seeing him explore Brooklyn confidently was the sign she needed that he was ready for his next adventure. "Tiki was so confident during the handoff — more so than I'd ever seen him with strangers," she adds. "He let his new mom and dad pet him, played fetch, and even did his signature 'rubbies' on the carpet, which he's never done around people he doesn't know. His confidence and comfortability with them made me feel so at ease about his transition.""I couldn't stop crying, and Tiki just sat calmly in my lap and comforted me," Klee tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I felt like it was his way of assuring me that my job with him was done, and that he would be okay." Since bringing Tiki home, Vince and Aubrie say the adjustment has been slow but steady. Like many rescue dogs in unfamiliar surroundings, Tiki needed time to feel safe. On his first day, he slept under their bed and showed no interest in food that morning. But by dinnertime, he finished his full meal — a moment that felt like a major victory for his new family. 'We've made sure to give him plenty of space and let him settle at his own pace," Vince says. "From day one, he decided our bed was his safe zone — he spent the whole first day underneath it. We eventually set up a pen connected to the front of the bed so he'd have a safe, cozy space outside of just under the bed. Whenever he feels overwhelmed, that's where he goes to decompress.' 'A big win for me has been watching him eat, drink and go to the bathroom regularly,' Aubrie adds. "Given his history, we weren't sure how long it would take for him to feel comfortable doing those things. Watching him eat his first dinner and hearing him drink water was such a relief. With rescue dogs, the smallest milestones are the biggest victories.' Looking ahead, Vince and Aubrie say they don't have expectations for Tiki — just hopes. They want to see him truly thrive for the first time: running around the yard, going on walks and enjoying the company of the many dogs who come through their home. "We just want him to keep feeling safe, building confidence and exploring the world around him," Aubrie says. "As he settles in, we know he'll show us who he truly is." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. At first, the couple wasn't sure whether they would continue sharing Tiki's journey online. They both work full-time from home and don't post much on social media. But they quickly realized how invested the Internet has become in his story. "The support he's received has been incredible," Vince says. "People love an underdog story … and his is the ultimate. We're happy to keep sharing it. Eventually, we'd love to use his platform to raise awareness for animal rescue and rehabilitation — continuing the amazing work Isabel has started." "Like everyone else, we looked forward to Tiki updates from Isabel," Aubrie adds. "He gave people hope during hard times, and now we get to carry that torch. Tiki's story shows that with love and patience, even the most fearful dogs can thrive. We'll absolutely be sharing glimpses of his life, because his story can help other dogs and humans alike." Although the transition went smoothly, Klee recently took to TikTok to share how she's faced some criticism for parting ways with Tiki too quickly, which has upset her. In the video, she clarifies some people's concerns and her own hopes for Tiki moving forward. "Fostering Tiki changed everything," Klee says. "He changed my life, he changed the lives of so many other rescue dogs, and I think he changed the world in some small way. I hope he's taught people to be kinder and more patient." "I LOVE his new parents and love that they have two older, confident dogs who will help Tiki feel more comfortable. I truly cherish staying in touch with my previous fosters — I get a new photo from one of them almost daily!" she adds. To keep up with Tiki's journey, follow @tikiplustwo on TikTok and Instagram. Read the original article on People
