Collie & Sheltie picnic

One of the activities Relay missed out on while he was on bed rest was the annual Collie and Sheltie picnic. This is the first picnic Jeff and I got to attended and we had a great time. In addition to seeing so many wonderful animals we had fun meeting adopters and volunteers.

Our favorite surprise guest? Our lovely former sheltie foster, Ruby. That beautiful girl is doing wonderfully with your new family. And of course we saw Max who's staying with the rescue until Relay feels better. I'm not sure who was more exited, but there was a love fest between Jeff and Max going on.

Our special contribution (other than my Cuban sandwiches ;-), a custom made pet portrait by Jeff for raffle. It was a very big success and garnered the rescue a couple hundred dollars in donations. While we wait for the perfect picture from the winning family, Jeff completed one other portrait (the model was Tucker, the rescue president's very disguised senior sheltie) for the rescue's 2013 calendar.
With a few dozen fabulous poochies, terrific weather, great grub, and cool prizes, we had fun and were glad to get to know the Collie and Sheltie rescue family better.

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Lessons learned from Elmer and K9JL

With everything else going on, I neglected to mention that Elmer has been adopted! Now known as Alpha (or Alfie for short) we could not be more thrilled about his happily ever after.

Trying to sneak food, looking like a meerkat

From the beginning, Elmer Alfie was a perfect fit in our home. We don't play favorites with our fosters (or at least I don't, Jeff) but I will go on record as saying that this was the easiest fostering that we have done thus far. Not that the scamp didn't get into mischief, but he was simply too cute for his own good, so we could never get upset with him.

We were touched at how he bonded with Relay. The two were inseparable. Alfie was so effervescent and sweet-natured, we all felt great having him around. Just a happy go lucky dog; every day consisted of a great adventure or a great nap. It isn't a wonder we fell in love as fast as we did.

Now, how did our new rescue K9 Justice League rate? Well this time around I vetted the rescue. I looked up reviews, met them at a few adoption events, and most importantly conducted a phone interview with my list of questions to make sure this wouldn't end up in heartache like BTTR. Not only did they put up with all my scrutiny, they encouraged it. K9JL wants all the volunteers, adopters, and shelters they work with to feel like family.

And it really is a family. I have yet to encounter such a sense of community as I have found with the K9JL. Every person that I have met in person and online is just so encouraging, supportive, and welcoming I felt like a rock star. (And if you haven't yet seen the video by Emily, swing by that post and watch. Makes me tear up every time :-)

The group is well run, has a loyal fan base, promotes the heck out of their dogs, and takes care of their volunteers, even when things don't go quite right. 5 stars all around, and I will be adding it to my list of keepers alongside Collie & Sheltie Rescue.

What I'm most greatful for is getting a chance to meet Alfie's new family. I kept it together all the way through the meet until the end when I turned into a complete spaz. Geof and Jon live a touch too far for my taste, but other than that they are perfect and I have to say Alfie looks perfect with them. Don't you love happy endings?

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A good rescue will let you take vacation

One of my favorite advantages of fostering is that generally you can have all the perks of owning a dog with half the responsibility. The rescue covers the vet bills while we "rent" Relay a playmate. But what happens when you need a break? Well there's a whole foster family network that can cover. We got a call from K9 Justice League to say that Murphy's foster parents were headed on their honeymoon, so... Introducing Murphy!

Just before Murph was dropped off, I had read a post by Blueberry's mom on Spotty, Spotty, Polkadotty musing if she should start fostering again. I commented that acting as a temporary foster or foster sitter as it turns out here can be a great way to test the waters to see if you and your household are ready to foster a dog. The time commitment is limited, and if you find it doesn't work a good rescue will find a better suited foster home. 

Murphy is an absolute sweetheart!

But oh my goodness we sent him back.

Yeah, not my proudest moment, here, but let me explain. Most rescue dogs are not perfect family pets right away (not even Relay), but thankfully most dogs have just a few rough edges that need to be worked out and become great companions in no time. I've dealt with poor potty training, poor leash manners, no crate training, dogs that get territorial, dogs that steal food from other dogs, dogs that steal food from you, some separation anxiety, and even a little barking. Murphy has all those issues and then some (big baby is afraid of doorways and storms), but thankfully he was cute and so sweet we thought we should be okay. 

Thing is his seperation anixiety is much worse than I have ever encountered. The pups sleep in the front room at night, and if you aren't fully potty trained you are crated at our home. This did not sit well with Murphy and he barked non stop. Unfortunately, we do not live in a single family home; so while I signed up as a foster to work through those sort of problems, the very kind lady who lives below us did not.

Reading back on my comments to Blueberry's mom about trails and errors with fostering I smile a little and wonder if I was just tempting fate... maybe I needed to live through something first before I was entitled to give advice on the subject. 

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Fostering: Sometimes you just feel like a Rock Star!

First, I wanted to start this post with an incredible video made by Emily, a volunteer at K9 Justice League (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite people.) This video sums up beautifully what rescue really means and I love that our foster, Elmer has little cameos throughout. Now back to my blog post :-)
One very cool and unintended consequence of all my fostering adventures is the huge boost to my self esteem. Seriously, I feel like a rock star. Having served in the military, I can tell you that it's that same sense of pride and accomplishment, the idea that you belong to something greater, that you are doing good.
There are times when I go to the dog park and people stop and ask if we're that fostering family. Some people recognize Relay from his Facebook page and stop us to say hello and thank us for what we are doing. When we meet up with other volunteers or hit up adoption events Relay gets a hero's welcome and we feel a great sense of camaraderie and friendship that comes so freely I am always humbled. 
This sense of community continues in the blogging world and throughout the vast array of social media. One of my posts got a shout out on the No Dog About It Blog post: Finding the Right Rescue and I immediately called up Jeff to tell him that I felt like the coolest person in the world. Every time we get a shout out on twitter, every like on FB, makes me feel like the world is cheering us on.
But you know what the greatest thing is? That validation that can only come from within. When a good dog just gives you a look that he is content, you know in your heart that where he came from may not have been great, but he is on his way to a happily ever after; and you are helping him there. When an adoptive family like Miss Ruby's send you email updates and photos and are so greatful that you helped make their family complete, I just feel so... 
Well, some of you know just how that feels. And I want to be able to share that feeling with everyone. Get involved in small or big ways; every bit counts. When you do, I promise you, you're going to feel great.

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Introducing...Elmer!

Ohhhhh, we have another hound in the house! You know I have a soft spot for beagles and this little man is just perfect. Elmer is our first foster with our new rescue group K9 Justice League. (So far this group is just terrific and I just feel like a super hero just volunteering for them :-) A North Carolina shelter dog he is about a year old, around 25 pounds, sweet as pie and just too cute.

Our initial take on him is that Elmer is very loving. It took him all of about 5 minutes at the house before he was up in Jeff's lap, snuggling like a pro. Very eager to please, curious, and friendly to both people and dogs he quickly won over Relay, Jeff, and I. Elmer is submissive with people and can be handled easily. He is very playful with Relay and shares toys and soft places to rest. He is just so easy going that I have no qualms about any potential home; he would do great with children and dogs. Crate trained and potty trained, he is working on his sit. I got him with a warning that he is a chewer, but so far we have not had any issues.

And now on to (a few too many) cute pictures!

I like to call this first set, hold the treat up, hold the treat down.

Like any good hound, Elmer is very food motivated. Here he is making sure that he has cleaned up all of his breakfast.

 

And again, like the typical hound, here he is sniffing everything. While Elmer explored the back yard, Relay just hung out and chewed a stick.

  

    

The boys play great together. Chasing, wrestling, playing tug of war, keep away, it's just really nice to see my pup have a buddy. I love this action shot of Relay's classic move: I'm going to put your face in my mouth.

Can you tell I'm excited to have Elmer? This foster is going to be a breeze ( I say jinxing myself.) Problem is, I can see us getting too attached to this one, so, someone please, adopt him soon!

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Review your rescues

You can review your mechanic, your stylist, your realtor. But what about your rescue? Not only can you, but I encourage it!

There's only two ways this can go. Either you liked your rescue group (in which case you want to shout it loud for all the internet to read, which brings positive attention to your group) or you didn't like your rescue group (in which case you should let everyone know so that people avoid having the same kind of troubles).

Here is a list of websites that are perfect for getting your opinion out there.

The Top 4
Yelp: This is a great website that reviews just about everything and gets the best search results.

Guidestar: This site is amazing. From here you can not only review your organization, but you can also look up quite a bit of vital statistics for the group, such as tax records, not for profit status, etc.

Volunteer Match: This site helps people find specific volunteer job listings and needs from groups, but also allows for reviews of the groups as well. (A great way to solicit fosters!)

Dogster: This site is heavily trafficked by dog owners across the country, why not add your group to increase its exposure? The reviews here are the most user friendly.

And a few more:
Zootoo, Find the Best, Canine Chat

Please, make sure that your review are honest, and that criticism and praise are clear, constructive, and respectful. Bringing attention to your rescue groups not only helps them, but also the cause of homeless pets across the country, so get your volunteers to start typing!

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Questions to ask a rescue Before you foster

Success in fostering is more than getting a dog adopted. The rescue group greatly dictates how positive the experience is, and after a few trials and errors, we now understand that we want to feel that any group we foster for is also the best fit for our family. The rescues we volunteer with now must organized, legitimate non-profits, and have views and principals that align with our own.

We've talked about some examples of not so great groups and we talked about our own follies with our first rescue group.  Now, before we ever sign up to volunteer again, I ask for a phone interview. The following is a list of questions that I have ready so that I can better understand the organization, and to weed out rescues that simply will not work.

Name of organization:_____________________ Telephone:_________________
Website: ___________________ Point of Contact:___________________

Questions about the dogs:
-What type of dogs do you take in?
-How many dogs does your group normally have?
-Where do you typically get your dogs?
-What are your normal intake procedures?
-Do you conduct personality assessments prior to placement in foster care?
-Do you have trainers or support for behavior problems?
-What are your typical adoption fees?

Questions about medical care:
-Do you provide all medical care prior to placing in foster care?
-Do you provide heartworm and flea preventative while in foster care?
-Who is your vet?
-Who is responsible for securing vet care and transport?
-What are the procedures for emergency vet care?
-Do you spay/neuter prior to placing in foster care?

Questions about fostering:
-Do you have a dedicated foster coordinator?
-What do you provide fosters? Food? Collar & leash?
-What are your expectations for foster parents?
-In the event of travel or an incident is there a backup plan for dogs' care?
-How long are dogs typically in foster care?

Questions about the rescue:
-Are you a state registered non-profit / 501(c)?
-Do you have any paid staff?
-What percentage of donations and fees go to dogs?
-Do you have liability insurance?

Questions about outreach:
-Are you active in social media?
-Do you hold events in the community?
-Do you have adoption days? Who is responsible for transport?
-Do you have a relationship with local animal controls?

Questions about adoption:
-Who is your typical adopter?
-Are there any restrictions to people wanting to adopt?
-Are fosters involved in the adoption process?
-How far away do you adopt to?
-What is the policy on 'foster failure'?


This is by no means the end all be all of lists, but it is a great start. Very quickly you'll be able to see any red flags or get a sense that the group could be just what you are looking for. I recently went through this whole process with our next prospective rescue, K9 Justice League, and I just felt so much better. Having a nice long talk with the group I found them to be open, friendly, and sincere in their desire to help dogs find perfect homes. Our next foster will be with them, and we cannot wait to be a part of their group.

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Ain't gettin' no pug love

Oh my goodness, I love me some pugs. I turn into an absolute child when I see one, and I can't get enough. Shetland Sheepdog is Jeff's favorite breed and we have had two turns fostering shelties, it's now my turn.

Problem is, I just can't seem to get one.

Back in January I applied to be a foster for Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue. The home visit took 5 people to coordinate (that really should have been a red flag), and now months later I am an approved foster home that is just sitting by the way side. It's a crazy thing really, I stalk their facebook page like a mad person, respond to posts about an incoming pug needing foster instantaniously, and yet I am pugless. 6 months I have waited, now having contacted 9 of their volunteers, responded to more pug adds than I can keep track of, and no pug.

I applied to Pug Rescue of North Carolina a few months ago online and simply never heard back.

Finally, I've been in contact with Pugs U Gotta Save. They aren't very facebook active, but I have gotten a few tweets. I spoke to volunteers on the phone and in person, attended some of their community events, and all seemed great. It has been a month since I've applied. We are trying to make this happen, but I am losing hope.

So that's three strikes. I suppose it was just not meant to be, I'm just so very bummed about it. Thankfully, there's a guy that comes to the local dog park every so often, who has 5 pugs. I will just have to get my pug fix then.

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Sponsoring a shelter pet: The story of Tanisha

It began with a phone call.

Pets for Patriots wanted to know if I knew of any dog trainers in the area for a member patriot who has contemplating giving up their honorable adoption. I let them know that I would look into it, but as the person was local, maybe I could try and help in the mean time. Most dogs are good and want to be loved and make their families happy. In my experience most behavior problems stem from boredom or not understanding what it is expected of them.

I called the family hoping to help. The dog, a six year old chow shepherd mix re-named Sadie, had only been in the home a few months, but was chewing up the children's toys. I asked a few questions, gave a little training advice, but found out that they didn't walk, socialize, or exercise their 60 pound dog. I offered to set up some play dates with our pup to see if expending some of Sadie's energy and working on the redirection and training techniques at home would help out the boredom induced chewing. Instead they turned the dog back into the local animal control.

I was so frustrated and very sad for this poochie. I know it is better for her to have a chance at a home that wants her than in a home that doesn't, but it was this girl's second time around at Norfolk Animal Care Center, through no fault of her own. It was bothering me, so I had to go see "Sadie" myself. On my way to volunteer for the Pet Pantry I stopped by the adoption floor to see her.  She was now back to her original adoption name of Tanisha and she was so sweet. I left to start my shift helping give out pet food and litter and kept thinking about her. I went back to the adoption floor.

NACC is a wonderful place with a great staff, so I was sure that Tanisha would be treated well. But now I had an itch to help. Initially, I thought to simply take her to the yard to play. That led to pictures and a thought to post on the blog as well. Finally, I just paid her adoption fee and sponsored her. At the counter there was a slight mix up with the fees, and in lieu of getting a refund, I just sponsored a older beagle named Stan Laurel, as well. (You know I love beagles).

I can't adopt, but I can help get them adopted. So, if you're looking for a great girl who is kid friendly, ready to romp, and has the most gentle disposition, give Tanisha a look. If you want a nose to the ground, kind and wise hound who loves some rubs, Stan Laurel is your man. These are two great dogs needing some great homes with the added incentive that they don't cost you a thing to pick up, as long as you promise to love them the rest of their lives.

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Lessons learned from Harley and CSRSEVA

First off, let me start off with the obvious: Harley is beautiful. He is so perfect a looking sheltie, that I cannot believe that he was turned in. Surprise number two was that the Norfolk Animal Care Center had contacted Collie and Sheltie Rescue of Southeast Virginia because they had believed that Harley was unadoptable. 

Let me take a minute to explain this. NACC is a wonderful organization that I support wholeheartedly. They are breaking the stereotypical concept of 'pound' with a bright, clean, open facility with dedicated and friendly staff. As much as they do for the animals there, however, being turned in is a traumatic event for pets. Most dogs are very resilient mentally, but shelties are notoriously sensitive. Harley just shut down. He was high anxiety, very fearful, and just a wreck. The workers felt that it was too much stress on him, and worried that he would become fear aggressive. So, they called the Collie and Sheltie Rescue and they in turn called me. 

By the way, this is my favorite picture of Harley.

This is the Harley that I met. A little nervous, needing a good bath, but overall a good dog. Out of the shelter he was just a calm, cool, and collected dude. Initially, both Relay and Holly (our other foster at the time) kept their distance, I think in large part because of the cone. Also, hearing his background, Jeff and I took it slow with him. After two weeks of getting adjusted and the cone no longer in the picture, the dogs were just dogs. They played, they chased, they ate, they slept.

Harley taught me that dogs want to be healthy, happy, and well adjusted. Sometimes even behaviors that are assessed as insurmountable are just factors of circumstance. It is very easy to imagine, had he been dropped off at another shelter that doesn't contact rescues, Harley would have been put down. That beautiful, vibrant, loving dog would have never been a part of our lives. 

Now as for Collie and Sheltie Rescue, after my first failed relationship with a different group, I have to admit being a little apprehensive and more than a little sensitive. I was waiting for the shoe to drop, but it never happened. Logistically, there were some issues with correspondence via email, but that is pretty much the only hiccup. Our foster coordinator, who also runs the rescue, was just kind, supportive, and completely engaged with every dog who comes through her group. She has a passion for the breeds and a big knowledge base. When I called with a question, I got her undivided attention and we worked through to a solution.

Thankfully, this is a group that I believe we can build a lasting relationship with. Jeff was always partial to shelties, and now having known Harley I can very much understand the appeal.

Harley's now happily settled in his forever home. I did get a chance to meet his adoptive family prior to and I'm very happy to say that my blog helped facilitate that. It was great to know that someone was able to read up on our boy, learn about his personality, and have that information help aid his adoption. There are times when I feel I'm just talking to the wind, but there are times when I get feedback letting me know I'm on the right track. Hopefully, we'll be able to see Harley again here soon (and you'd better stop chasing those cats, Mister!) Until then, lots of love for the best looking dog in Hampton Roads.

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Lessons learned from Holly and BTTR

To start with, despite all our best efforts, we fell in love with Holly. Yes, she wasn't fully potty trained; yes, she was an escape artist; yes, she had some nervous tenancies that made her almost impossible to train. There were moments where we were going to pull our hair out, but we loved her anyway. That sweet baby girl was just too much of a charmer. And she loved Relay. To see the two of them together just melted hearts all across Hampton Roads.

So, we understood that letting her go would be hard, but somehow I never thought it would happen as it did. I thought it would be as simple as everyone involved wants to help animals in need, and the most challenging aspect of fostering would be working though behavioral problems and letting go after adoption. Turns out I just completely forgot about human nature.

To say that we didn't get along with the head of BTTR is a large understatement. Thankfully, our interactions mostly went through a very kind hearted foster coordinator, but there were enough exchanges with the president that things came to a head. I wrote a very long email detailing the problems I had to that point. In retaliation, she took back Holly. "I don't need some snot-nosed do nothing telling me how to run my rescue." Jeff was furious, I was just heart-broken. Things had gotten so ugly, so quickly, but I wanted to put all that aside because Holly didn't deserve to be a casualty of someone's ego.  After a few days of diplomacy, we got her back for a few days. She went to an adoption day, where she caught the attention of a family already looking to adopt a puppy as well. BTTR did not want us involved in the adoption process, so we never saw Holly again.

The lack of closure hurts, but I know she is with a good family, even if I have not met them. My foster coordinator was kind enough to pass on my contact information, and I spoke to the mother once, and she even sent me some pictures of Holly at her new home. But I don't know if we'll get a chance to meet them all. I hope so.

In the end, BTTR taught us to vet our rescue organizations prior to accepting a foster. And Holly, she gave us a crash course in the full range of emotions that a foster could ever go through. But if we can experience the best and the worst and still come out okay in the end, I think we'll be alright in the rest of our fostering adventure.

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