When we left of from our story Ericka was recovering from a devastating event. Well at least to her it was devastating and you might agree. She had convinced her family to go along with her selection of this years Birthday present and then it happened. The most horrible thing, just a few days from her big event... She was faced with the fact she could not get what she wanted... This had never happened before. Well at least not that she could remember in ages, maybe when she was 20 and her father had given her the wrong gift. To make matters worse, it was really meant to go to her older sister who's birthday was the next month.. A shattering experience for the whole family...

It was settled, at least in Lisa's mind. She had called the Breeder to make the final arrangements. She was going to get the PURE BRED BOSTON who's photo she had fallen in love with. A perfect Birthday gift. Those eyes, Lisa just knew that was the one. But when she called to make the final arrangements to come get this amazing Boston It happened The worst thing possible! It had been sold! That was yesterday and the disappointment and shock she had not gotten over. And of all things, when she called her best friend Lisa, pouring her heart out, when to her surprise instead of being as sympathetic as she would have like Lisa to be, she instead, made a strange suggestion. She could not believe what  Lisa had said. "There is a reason why you did not get THAT Boston."  Liza explained "... Because it was not meant to be yours." Then of all the stupid things to say just to humor her, something about meeting a friend who "adopted" a Boston! Who ever heard about "adopting" a dog! What was she talking about.. And a dog from a rescue at that! That is just plain crazy. What kind of birthday present would that be a mongrel, sickly, warped dog. Nope. That would not do, not at all...

"What did you do that for! What do you mean you are on your way over with a mutt! Liza I NEVER said I wanted to meet your friend and her dog. What on earth were you thinking! Oh alright but if you were not my friend I would not even let you in the door! I can not believe your doing this!" Ericka slammed the cell phone on the counter. Sometimes Liza just goes to far. Boy am I going to tell her off. What a horrible day this is going to be!

Okay I will try to be nice at least while her friend is here but after that.... The doorbell... OH no their here. Hello come on in,  OH MY  Goodness!  Nice to meet you and THIS IS A RESCUED DOG!

In walked Lisa and her friend Jasmine, and in her arms was the most beautiful dog Erika had ever seen.

She could not take her eyes of the Boston in Jasmines arms. WOW ! Lisa seeing how stunned her friend was took charge.... "Jasmine, Please come out of the doorway and have a seat, I think that Ericka would like to take a look at Lady Mae."  Ericka managed to back out of the doorway enough for them to enter the room.. It took a little bit, but Ericka did finally gather her wits enough to hold a conversation. In fact there came a torrid of questions from Ericka. Jasmine did manage to answer most of them. Lady Mae in the meantime, was busy trying to lick Ericka's face some of the time, then became busy jumping and bouncing around the room checking it out in normal Boston fashion.

" Most pets end up homeless through no fault of their own—"moving" and "landlord issues" are the top reasons people give for relinquishing their pets, meaning shelters and rescue groups are full of wonderful, family-ready pets." Jasmine was explaining how Lady Mae landed up in rescue. "Pets adopted from shelters and rescue groups typically cost less than pets purchased or even acquired for free—once you add in the cost of vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchip, dewormer, and other "extras" included in your adoption fee, you'll probably be surprised what a bargain an adopted pet really is!"  By now Lady Mae and explored the room and was trying to get up in Ericka's lap... "The rescue I adopted Lady Mae from always conducts through behavioral analysis of each pet to ensure that she would be the right fit our family. Jasmine smiled as she watched Lady Mae making friends with Ericka who had reached down to help her into her lap. "Expect to fill out an application, be interviewed, and have an in-person home check. It may feel like a hassle but there is a reason for the red tape. There are too many instances of people who adopt dogs only to neglect or abuse them, to turn them back in to the rescue when things don't work out. Any rescue worth its salt will do extra work to avoid these outcomes." Reluctantly  Ericka returned Lady Mae into Jasmine's arms and said good bye. "I'll call you later." Lisa smiled as she shut the door and they were gone. THE END.....  or maybe not.. 

Something to consider.

• 6–8 million pets end up in shelters each year; half of those will probably not be adopted.
• 25 percent of pets in shelters are purebreds. Breed-specific rescue groups always have purebred dogs and puppies looking for new homes.
• What is also great about breed-specific rescues is you can get a dog that is the breed you want and also has personality characteristics you know you want.
• You can find dogs of all ages, and all temperaments; you can look for an adolescent dog with a boisterous personality, or an adult dog that has mellowed out.
• The rescue will be able to tell you everything you need to know about each dog's personality and quirks so you can minimize the surprises when you bring your new pet home.
• If for some reason you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, don’t be discouraged. Sadly rescue groups receive new animals every day, so keep checking back with them.
• Some groups also keep a waiting list, so they can call you if an animal matching your preference becomes available.
• Before most Boston Terrier Rescue places a dog with a family for adoption, the dog is vetted.
• Then the dog goes to a foster home so we can learn about his personality.
• Then the dogs matched are easier to place with approved applicants. We want the right match for the dog and people so the placement is forever.
• There is also the appreciation that if the wrong dog is placed with a family that much unnecessary stress will be placed on the family and the dog may have to be returned... which is just not fair to the family or to the dog we are trying to help.. That is why it takes sometimes only weeks sometimes months some times a year to find just the right family. 
• The goal is to ensure each dog is happy and safe in the arms of its forever family... Otherwise, what would be the point of all of this to start with?