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Contributors: Pia Salk

Meet Dr. Pia Salk

Dr. Pia Salk is a psychologist, animal welfare advocate, and expert on the human-animal bond. Pia frequently highlights the important role that animals play in our lives and how our societal treatment of animals conveys important messages to our youth. In her own work, Pia often credits the animals as being "the real therapists."

Pia is also a writer and the spokesperson for Adopt-A-Pet.com, North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website. She is a professor in the area of diversity and family systems and a frequent guest on national radio programs, speaking on such topics as companion animals being important members of the family. Her extensive involvement in animal rescue efforts and her expertise on animal welfare have been featured on many national shows including The Martha Stewart Show.

Pia is the niece of polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk and daughter of bestselling author and psychologist Lee Salk. She resides in Los Angeles, California, with her multiple adopted animals.

Contributor's Archive

Ms. Pepper’s Journey, Part 2

Posted by Pia

Last week I shared the benefits of fostering and introduced you to my latest foster, Pepper. I also promised that her story would have a happy ending. In reality, Pepper finding her forever home isn’t an end at all — It’s a wonderful new beginning! Naturally, our parting pulled at my heart strings. I will miss the little spice girl but I’m thrilled to have been a part of her journey.

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1 Pepper and I had some good times. We discussed Freudian analysis over mini martinis (virgin, of course). First, she sniffed...

2 Then she ventured to have a taste...

3 Soon things began to appear a bit blurry. Perhaps a placebo effect....

4 Much to my surprise, Pepper then asked for a cigar....

5 And here is the infamous Gus, Pepper's adoptive brother. Why the uniform? When Pepper's adoptive mom Kelly is not at home policing her canine crew, she is hard at work fighting crime as a real life police officer!

6 And here is Gus with his late friend Dyson, a rescued bulldog. Gus lost his best buddy last year, but thankfully for Pepper, Gus and Kelly have opened their hearts to a new family member.

7 Kelly reports that Pepper sleeps under the covers cuddled up to Gus. She gets 4 walks a day and apparently she and Gus play non-stop! Here are the two siblings together.

8 Here Pepper is practicing a little runway walk to showcase her chic new pink winter-wear!

9 Best buds and partners in canine crime....

10 Pepper asks, 'Does this parka make me look fat?'

11 Pepper and Gus creating traditions of their own now. Waiting of for the local coffee house to open and give them a treat

12 Pepper has taken it upon herself to guard the plush kitten Kelly gave her as a welcome gift.

13 Somebody's getting sleepy...

14 Pepper approves of Kelly's hip taste in furniture! And of the radiant heat flooring!!!

15 She recalls the days of needing to be bundled up for warmth!

16 An email I just got form Kelly... Hi Pia- Pepper is doing great! I'm so glad you saved her and happy she's with me and Gus now. She's so funny! She now knows when I'm off to work so she plops herself on my bed and looks at me as if saying, 'Are you sure you'd rather not stay home and cuddle? Look how cute I am on your pillows!' Too funny! And so lovable! Big hugs, Kelly, Gus and Pepper

17 Only thing I'm having trouble explaining to Kelly now is why Pepper expects a martini at happy hour, analyzes Kelly's every move and insists on being called "Dr. Pepper." Perhaps I overindulged her a bit while fostering?

I’m often asked about the possibility of becoming too attached to a foster friend that you eventually plan to relinquish. Fostering is not for everyone, and as animal lovers we can of course get attached — it’s natural. Certainly if it’s a good fit to adopt your foster, then the rescue group can help you decide that. For me personally, I am of the mind that if a great home can be found for my foster, than I can weather the transition knowing I have space to step up in the final hour for another worthy critter in need.

Actually, I have often stayed in touch with many a grateful adopter. I get periodic reports, photos and holiday cards showcasing the happy little mugs of those I’ve helped save. It feels good to be a link in that chain and it reminds me of the importance of keeping a space to always help more in need.

To learn more about fostering an animal in your area, visit AdoptAPet.com.

In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk

Posted on November 25th, 2009 in Adoption | direct link to this entry |

Ms. Pepper’s Journey

Posted by Pia

How fostering a pooch can add a little spice to your life

I often talk about the myriad benefits of fostering an animal. It’s a great way for those who cannot adopt to get a furry cuddle fix and help an animal in need! It is also a great way for someone who is uncertain if they are ready to commit to a companion animal to test the waters.

I thought I’d share my latest foster with all of you, as she is quite the little treasure! Here is Ms. Pepper- the original Spice girl!

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1 With the ears of a rabbit, one blue eye and one brown, Pepper is like no pooch I've ever met!

2 I find her black nose with pink nostrils to be quite fetching!

3 Pepper has had it rough in her short life. She was rescued from an abusive home, so she needed a little stability before we could assess her true personality and what kind of home would be a good fit.

4 Some rest and time to adjust are among the most important things a foster home can provide, especially for animals whose time is up at a shelter and who may be a little shaken by the experience.

5 While with me, Pepper relaxed and daydreamed about what her forever home would be like.

6 I even caught her reading some Freud.

7 Who new she was so analytical?

8 Professor Pepper is quite the pooch!

9 Deep in thought....

10 She also played with some new toys...

11 And enjoyed some good backrolls!

12 By fostering Pepper we were able to learn she was fine with cats.

13 More than fine, actually -- I often discovered her lounging in the afternoon sun like a lady of leisure with my uber-tolerant rescued feline, Max.

14 Her adventures with me included...

15 ...meeting a giant version of herself...

16 ...and a stop in San Francisco.

17 It turns out she had always wanted to visit and drive across the Golden Gate bridge.

18 Here we are with Alcatraz behind us.

19 Knowing I'm able to help an animal in need makes it all worth it!

Rescue groups always have more animals they want to save than places to house them. Contrary to what many people think, most rescue groups do not have a physical facility and they rely solely on fosters to be able to save the animals they re-home. It’s heart wrenching for these rescuers to have time run out for a wonderful adoptable animal before a home or foster can be found. So fostering is literally the life-saving link in so many happy endings.

And fostering can take many forms. Typically a rescue group will first do a home visit to assess what is a good fit for you, what other animals are in the home if any, and to hear what you are able to provide. To find a rescue group in your area and learn about fostering opportunities, visit AdoptAPet.com

Next week I’ll talk more about fostering and share the very happy ending to Pepper’s journey to her forever home.

In Kinship,

Dr. Pia Salk.

PS: Remember to tell us your pet adoption stories for an opportunity to win a $10,000 donation to the One Hope Network shelter of your choice — not to mention a trip to New York City (my hometown!) to see the Martha Stewart show!

Posted on November 18th, 2009 in Adoption | direct link to this entry |