Happy Tales
For the Panabakers, fostering isn’t just a word; it’s wagging tails, curious sniffs, and the promise of a new beginning.
- Shelley Morrow Mark
- Fred Lopez
At the Panabakers’ home, Donna answers the door with a warm, welcoming smile while Hal follows closely behind, cradling a tiny, fluffy black-and-white dog in his arms. This is Jada, the latest rescue to find temporary refuge with them. Her little head pops up with wide, curious eyes, eager to greet a new visitor. Three of her legs don’t work well, so while she’s learned to get around on her own, she still needs help. A new dog wheelchair rests on the porch, ready for her first spin—designed to give her freedom and independence. On sunny days, the couple wheels Jada through their quiet neighborhood streets, letting her nose twitch at fresh scents, her ears perk up at the rustle of leaves, and her eyes meet those of passing dogs and smiling neighbors.
Donna and Hal call themselves “brokers of joy,” a title that fits perfectly. Their home is a sanctuary, a bridge between the chaos of dogs’ pasts and the stability of their future homes. As foster parents for Polka Dogz, they take in pups of all ages, sizes, and medical needs—some for a few hours, others for months. They nurture broken bones, tender hearts, and the scars of neglect or illness, all while Polka Dogz provides the medical care. The Panabakers provide the love, patience, and safety these dogs need to heal, giving them a temporary place where life is calm, predictable, and filled with affection. Their home, quiet and free of other pets, is ideal for dogs who need extra care, giving them space to rest, learn, and regain trust in humans.
Their journey as foster parents began after the loss of their own beloved dogs. Donna remembers that she deliberately chose a new guiding word for her life: “joy.” “I just decided I needed more joy in my life, I needed to be responsible for bringing joy to others,” she says, her voice carrying the weight of both intention and relief. Hal embraced her mission with small tokens of encouragement: a painted sign, a book, little reminders around the house that celebrated that word. It wasn’t long before the idea became action.
While attending their first National Night Out in Winter Garden, they witnessed a dog named Maverick having the time of his life in a wheelchair. “I said if I can be a part of that joy, then I want to do it,” Donna recalls. That night, she filled out Polka Dogz’s volunteer form, and their lives—and the lives of countless dogs—would never be the same.
Fostering didn’t start with a grand plan. But when Ambrose arrived to the organization with medical needs, Donna agreed to help transport him to the vet. When she saw him looking up at her with eyes full of trust after all he had been through, Donna’s heart melted. She just wanted him to have a familiar person to come home to after his treatment at the vet.
In addition to his injuries, however, Ambrose was also fearful of loud noises, riding in the car, men, being on the sidewalk near cars and bikes, and he wanted to stay outside rather than inside. That’s when the Panabakers took in their second foster, a dog from the rescue facility who could help Ambrose to feel more comfortable and model behavior for him. Both dogs soon found their own loving families.
For Donna and Hal, fostering is more than service; it’s a way of opening their hearts to the unexpected and allowing love to expand. “When you have a foster, they’re your dog,” Donna says. “You get to enjoy them and love them and do all the things.”
Saying goodbye can be gut-wrenching, of course. Donna recalls crying through the first two adoptions. “The reason we didn’t get more dogs before was because I didn’t want to say goodbye.” Now, after four months, it still hits, but she knows every goodbye makes room for another life to be saved.
Hal, ever the pragmatist, smiles. “It’s harder for Donna, I think. But I’m happy that they’ve found a home.”
Over time, they’ve learned to balance attachment with purpose. Each dog that passes through their home leaves an imprint on their hearts, but also opens space for the next one in need. “It’s joyful for us, it’s joyful to share it, it’s a joy to bring more through,” Hal says, reflecting on the rhythm of their work. Donna nods, her eyes soft with both pride and humility. “It’s given me purpose,” she adds. A way to give back to the community while letting her heart grow in ways she didn’t expect.
And then there’s Jada, discovering her own version of happiness under the Panabakers’ care. Her paws, some lifted by the new wheelchair, scuff softly against the pavement, and her nose twitches at the breeze carrying the smell of freshly cut grass. For her, and for every foster dog that passes through, the Panabakers’ home is more than a temporary stop—it’s a place where love, patience, and a little human kindness can transform the world.
Fostering Hope
Here are the sweet faces of just a few of the dogs who have come through the Panabakers’ loving home on their way to a new family. Polka Dogz Pet Rescue of Winter Garden counts on volunteers like the Donna and Hal to help care for the dogs until they find their new loving homes. For volunteer opportunities or to donate to help with medical care and supplies for the dogs, visit polkadogz.org
