You don't have to foster to helps a pet in need.

Have you ever thought that you would REALLY like to help all those animals in rescues ans shelters, but do not think that you could foster for fear of keeping all the animals that cross your threshold? Here is a list of tasks that you can do in a relatively short amount of time that would be of great service to both the rescue you work with and most importantly the life of the dog (or cat ;] ).

Start with finding a rescue for one of your favorite breeds, as many of you know D and I help a few ACD rescues, as well as a local shelter with special cases. A quick google search (example: "Corgi NH Rescue" brings up quite a few) will aid you in finding rescues near you to assist, just call one up and ask if you can help, many will jump at the chance to let you do something for them.
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There are so many volunteer tasks that are important pieces in the rescue puzzle. Each piece, put together, help needy dogs find their forever homes. Below is a list of "other" tasks that are so very valuable to the "big picture" of rescue.

How Much Time Will You Have To Dedicate?
It's really up to you. You can spend as little or as much time as you are able. Since we are all volunteers, we have busy lives outside of rescue. Often just a few hours of "help" makes a big difference. We always welcome new additions to our rescue family!


What Will You Be Asked To Do?
There are many tasks associated with rescue. Some require a larger time commitment, others only a few hours per month (or less) Here are some examples:

Visit a dog in a shelter: Confirm the dog is of the breed the rescue specializes in, evaluate their temperament, interaction with you, general manners, knowledge of basic commands and how well they behave on lead.

Time commitment: Depending on the location of the shelter, this task can take under an hour.

Call a vet for a reference: Rescue's must have a veterinarian's reference for each applicant. They simply need to know if any current/past pets are current on vaccines and receive regular veterinary care. Determine if there are any glaring concerns.

Time commitment: These calls generally take 5 minutes.

Evaluate a new surrender: When we get a call from an owner who wishes to surrender their dog for adoption, rescues need volunteers to "visit" the family and evaluate the dog, take photos, etc.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

Contact a potential adopter: When a rescue receives a new application from someone wishing to adopt a one of their pets, they review the application carefully. They speak with them to get a feel for their knowledge of the breed, their family dynamic, their experience with dog ownership, etc. We ask questions about fencing, other animals in residence and cover any "red flags" that appear in the application.

Time commitment: The length of each call will vary.

Home visits: Visit the home of a potential adopter. Meet the family members and any current pets in residence. Evaluate fencing, lifestyle, proximity to a busy street, confirm all family members are on board, etc. Essentially, you are simply trying to determine whether this is a home in which you would place your own dog.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

Transport a dog from a shelter to foster home: If a dog is accepted into foster care from a shelter, they often need to be removed from the shelter and transported to their foster home.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

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Of course, we are always in need of foster homes. Sometimes even just for a few nights to a week until transport can be arranged to another foster location. So, even if you are not able to commit to a longer-term foster situation, a short-term "spot" for a dog is often all that is needed in order to pull from a shelter (to save them from being euthanized), arrange vet care and transport to another location.


***Courtesy the German Short Hair Pointer Rescue via Facebook. www.gsprescue.org/contact.html

Up and Down

We thought that we had a home for Oreo, but unfortunately the prospect changed their mind. So we still have 5 dogs in the house.

On that note, I thought I would share this, it is one of those forward along to whomever things...I edited all the pass it on to 20 people junk and give you the essentials:

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me.. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Ruphus.

Ruphus is Colbert's litter brother. Donovan found his adoptive owner (mom) on facebook. She had photos of all five of the Corgi pups when they were first brought to the shelter.



Kenya, Sudan behind her, Colbert, Chad, and Ruphus.




Colbert and Ruphus.




Ruhphus and mom Kristyn.




Doing the Colbert crawl/stretch




Handsome little stud.

Many thanks go to Kristyn for posting these to facebook, and adopting Ruphus. We have had a few messages back and forth and they both have some of the same quirks, sleeping under blankets, fears of thunder storms, and initial dislike of car rides.

FAQ's and Updates

Who is Colbert?

Colbert is our first and failed foster. He was feral and abused. He is still afraid of many things, lights at nights, strangers, and sirens freak him out a little bit.

He sings to us, and we sing back.

He sleeps on his side and his leg falls asleep.

We tell him he has furry hobbit feet and that he is getting a lion cut this summer if he keeps (whatever it is he is doing) up. (he's not going to get one...we promise)

The first few months we had him he lived in his own room by himself holed up in a dogloo not wanting anything to do with us, regardless of what we had to offer, and we tried everything from rawhides to dog food and treats including chicken, beef, and bacon.

He still doesn't come up to us unless we are lying down on the couch or in bed, and even then you'd better not make any sudden movements.

He LOVES butt scratches, even better if you rub his whole body with your foot (feet cannot grab like hands can, or they smell better?).

He emits what I call the Colbert funk when you pick him up. What's up with that?

He prefers my husband over me.

And yes, he is named after Stephen T Colbert.

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The Ruby trip over Memorial Weekend went smoothly, only spent 2 hours sitting in Baltimore. Spent the night at Lizzie's house, met her awesome kids and super laid back cattle dogs (they make Buela look like she's mainlining Red Bull) then off to Concord and a few day at home with the family for my mom's 65th birthday.

You can find the Ruby Trip thread at AuCaDo...
http://www.aucado.us/forums/showthread.php?t=18022

Her rescue thread is here:
http://www.aucado.us/forums/showthread.php?t=16884

You may need to sign up for a membership to view the threads, but if you are into rescue and the like there is a great setup for cattle dog rescue and they do do cross posting for other breeds if needed as well.

My view in the rear view mirror:


Finally passed out:


A happy little one eyed Ruby:

Ruby, Ruby: Ruby, Ruby SOHO!

Everything is ready, have my directions, road atlas (like I'll need it), suitcase, crate, dog bag, some trash bags and paper towels for the shelter, half of the phone numbers from people on aucado and the ever important cell charger and iPod.

Just have to check the air in my tires with hubby (never done it before, I had mechanic brothers to do this for me in NH), take a shower, and go to bed. (which will be within the hour)...

Just what am I doing? I am going to be picking up a tagalong in North Carolina on the way. Ruby is a blue heeler or Aussie Cattle Dog. She is going to foster home, and seeing as I was going I offered my services. I will pick her up bout 9 am tomorrow. Then off to meet her new foster mom in Concord round 10:30 am, Saturday.

Pictures to come!

Think good thoughts and enjoy your friday cuz I will!

That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me!

So I have been announced the winner of the best on Blogspot's Animal/Pets category.

I was also randomly chosen to receive advertising on the parent site...which means I will be highlighting dogs in need.

If you have a dog you are having a rough time placing, leave a comment about your dog, or a link to their dogster/petfinder page.

Again thank you!

-Wendy

The Cat Saga.

I know it's definitely not dog related or foster related, but it is rescue and adoption related.

For about 2 months+ I had been emailing with Our Lady of Mercy's Catnip Cottage of Summerville about a FIV (Feline Aids) positive cat named Rocky. I was VERY interested. Sadly, because of the fact that I cannot screen in my porch because of HOA rules and he has been placed as a sanctuary cat due to cyclical side effects of his illness, Rockefeller (as I referred to him), is not meant to be at the Hixson house.

I have however, found an all black female at Doc Williams ASPCA, which is where we adopted Corona and where Max originally came from as a 10 week old puppy, she even came to the word come, now that is a cat I can deal with. Her name is Duchess, but I don't know how (Princess) Corona would deal with another royal in the house.

I have to drag D down to see her and see if he will begrudgingly give in. haha.

Back on the grid. (Picture alert!)

So we were without a pc for a little over a week due to a pooped out memory card. And here we are again with some new pictures and adventures.

A lazy Sunday afternoon after yard work and the park:




As promised here is the elusive Colbert on film being a goof:











"Curses! Foiled again!"



Took Oreo to the vets today as his ears are still gunked up. Again we had the wonderful Dr. Jones (who treated Dixie for her heart worm), Oreo was given an allergy shot and had a sample of his gunk taken to be looked at. His sample contained both yeastie beasties and some bacteria. So we have a new round of drops and a follow up in two weeks.

"I hear them talking bout me behind that door"



"What is it with you and that infernal camera? On your cell phone too?!"



"I bumped the door with my butt and there was a noise, I must now check out that noise!"



In all he was the happiest dog I have ever taken to the vet. Lots of new smells, people, and dogs. And yes, he is definitely a puller when he sees something he wants.

Overall, he's a very healthy & handsome old man.



So, want to adopt a tall dark and handsome cattle dog mix for your home?

While you are there...

Vote for my friend Jackie's blog too. Her's is under the humor section and called Yellow Dog Grannie.

Here is a link to her actual blog, and a parental warning...sometimes her language just isn't for the youngins.

Best blog on blogspot.

So I have entered a little contest here on blogspot.com. I have entered this blog about the in and outs of our fosters and Mr. Colbert to be voted as the best Animal/Pet blog on the site.

If you'd like to vote or even just check out the other animal related blogs entered or add you own and see the other categories, click here.



Thanks!

PS: Oreo is doing fine, and so is everyone else! I also caught Colbert playing with Max on film...more on that later.