In the neighborhood of Murrysville, a tale of love, care, and undying dedication unfolds. Jodi Petrarca, a resident since 2001 and a dedicated realtor with Coldwell-Banker, embarked on a heartwarming journey of fostering puppies in 2019. Today, she boasts an inspiring record of fostering 86 puppies, with a penchant for taking in quadruplets, triplets, and twins.

Jodi's journey began humbly with a single pup named Sophie. Jodi keeps track of all her foster puppies’ names. With love and commitment, she gradually expanded her nurturing umbrella, fostering increasing numbers of pups at a time.

The community spirit doesn't just stop with Jodi. Situated a mere mile and a half away, her sister, with whom she shares an unbreakable bond, plays a vital role in this tale. Her nephews, Brendan, 18, and Nathan, 15, have been involved since the inception of her fostering journey. From picking up the foster dogs to brainstorming thematic names—ranging from alphabetic sequences to holidays and even games—the young duo was an integral part of the process. Coming home with new foster puppies was always an occasion. Bathing them, helping them settle in, and playing with the kids was all part of their decompression ritual.

Yet, as life's responsibilities caught up with hockey matches and school, Brendan and Nathan's roles lessened. Enter Mackenzie, Jodi's 3-year-old niece, who lives her best toddler life with the puppies.

From Jodi's extensive foster list, the 'love litter' holds a special place, as Brendan, Nathan, and Mackenzie adopted Romeo from it. This heartwarming adoption story is just one among many. Most of Jodi's foster puppies find their forever homes with friends or acquaintances, thanks to Jodi's active sharing on social media. With her foster puppies being socialized extensively—from babies and teens to entire families and other dogs—it's no surprise that many adopters return for more.

Jodi's commitment to the canine community traces back to 2016 when she began walking dogs at Animal Protectors in New Kensington. This is where she met Sampson, an endearing rottweiler who soon became part of her family. By 2019, while collaborating with Pet Match Rescue and helping a friend, she had a "foster fail" with Lola, which deepened her bond with the world of dog fostering.

As time went on, Jodi associated with multiple rescues. In 2020, she began an enriching association with Cross Your Paws Rescue in Greensburg. Here, she experienced another "foster fail" with Petey, a former 'Precious Pet' from Stroll Murrysville, who was a triplet. Staff at Cross Your Paws had their bets on Jodi adopting Petey, and they weren't wrong!

Jodi's admiration for Cross Your Paws is immense. Their dedication to animals, coupled with their unwavering support in facilitating the fostering process, makes it a joy for her. From administering shots to attending to the pups' needs, the staff is always there, ensuring the foster parents only need to open their homes and hearts.

While her day job as a realtor offers her the flexibility to ensure the puppies are seldom alone, it's her undeniable love for them that stands out. From the annual puppy foster events at Coldwell Banker's Murrysville location before the pandemic, her commitment to these little lives is evident. For Jodi, the rigorous routine with the puppies is a labor of love, justified wholly by the lives she saves.

Together, Jodi, her pups, and her supportive family form a heartwarming pack, saving lives, one puppy at a time.