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 In the rescue world, organizations should have a program in place to provide the basics on the specific breed. New volunteers should be willing to educate themselves. The benefits of having such a program for the organization as a whole, focused on the foster families and prospective adopters, could include providing standards of care and response protocols for emergencies.

 

By encouraging and supporting individual members to sustain each other as equal parts of part of a team, should discourage grandstanding, keeping the focus on the dogs and discouraging bickering over who is the rock star of the group. (Who really cares? It is supposed to be all about the dogs).


Sometimes it seems we forget that not everyone will have the same background or experience with the dogs, yet they eagerly agreed to foster or adopt and we need them. People in breed specific rescues should have someone to ask for help in learning about their chosen breed’s traits. 

ShophiaBudd

 

An example of the importance of knowing the traits of the Boston breed is explained in this recent statement, “I just had a Boston come into care for being "too hyper". I prepared myself for a high strung Boston (we've all seen them, like a mix of Jack Russell and rabid squirrel), turns out, it's just a normal Boston, they just had no idea”.

Many Rescues find that there is one or two of their volunteers which have the ability of helping foster families and prospective adopters select the right dog for their lifestyle. They almost seem to have developed a sixth sense when it comes to matching the right family for the dog. 

 

Sometimes we come across the individual or family that insists on getting a puppy. They are attracted TIBBLESBUDDYSOPHIA 2932to a particular photo but have no clue on what behaviors the particular dog may have.  This is where the gentle council of a knowledgeable person can help prepare the family, or guide them toward a more appropriate aged rescued Boston.

 

Gently we must insist that the chosen dog matches the environment and will thrive with the life style of the proposed home. While a prospective foster or adopter may want a particular dog, the volunteer charged with helping must always keep the dogs needs in the forefront; otherwise what is the point if the dog is returned in worse shape than when fostered or adopted, because the humans wants (notice I typed WANTS) did not match the NEEDS of the dog.

 

It is just as important that the standard set by the rescue not be swayed by the urgency of finding a dog for a family. This is something that in the pressure to take in all rescues being shoved in the direction of a Rescue, or the fear that the foster or prospective adopter family might get discouraged and look at other ways to get a dog, constantly keep in a responsible balance. Rescue is not for the feint hearted. This is very hard work. The joy of doing it right more than makes up for keeping the standard high.   

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As someone wisely stated “It took me about two years before I totally decided and researched what I wanted to do, because I feel that when you get a dog it is tantamount to adopting a child, you are going to make a commitment for about 15 years so you better make the right one for you and the dog. I did......I got two rescued Bostons.”