I had an idea yesterday (uh oh)

[aly]

When I went to Town Lake to see the little injured Poodle, I started thinking that I'd really like to do Poodle rescue. The woman who formerly did it for our city has recently left the state. I just don't have the resources right now to start my own rescue group so I got a plan.

I emailed the Poodle rescue in Dallas and asked if they needed an Austin branch. I could foster and pull Poodles from the kill shelters here.

I hope they say yes! I would have so much fun. I never know what to do with myself when I don't have a sick or sad little foster to help. When I was on the phone with a friend, telling her the plan, Reece perked right up and started bouncing around. I think he loves the idea too :)

[mugsy]

You're a good girl aly!! I admire your spunk! Good luck with the adventure.

[sammi]

Aly, you were suppose to relax today and enjoy your freedom!
Poodle rescue that would be a plan. I hope it goes through.

[Pam]

Aly that is an awesome plan! The only drawback would be (for me anyway) in time a houseful of poodles!!! HA! Seriously, I know that you would be wonderful for such an undertaking. Watch out, though, as this may be the path that leads to doggie #3. But then, there's nothing wrong with that! ;) Oh, and I think that was Reece's way of saying "go for it Mom!" :)

[aly]

Still no reply... :(

If they say no, I have another idea: Senior dog rescue.

I had been trying for the past year to get permission from my work to start a foster program with people who will foster senior dogs (we usually don't take them if if they're over 5, but there are exceptions). Then once or twice a month, we could take the dogs to Retirement communities for Adoption days.

I would really love to start this on my own now. I just need to find people to help me and figure out how to fund it.

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Aly, have you thought about writing a proposal for a grant to start your rescue group?! That may be a way to start up. I am sure you will be able to find people to help foster and pull out from the shelter. Having a vet friend could also help.

I have a friend that writes proposals for grants. That's her job. I can ask her if she thinks it will work.

[aly]

Thanks Souraya... I've never done anything like that so any advice is much appreciated! :)

Hey.. what about Senior Poodle Rescue? :D

[Sudilar]

Go for it, aly!!! Sounds great! Good luck!

[CountryWolf07]

Good luck!! Sounds like a grand idea.. :) - Rachel

[ChrisAK]

Oh Aly, what a wonderful idea, and I do wish you well.

As a rescue volunteer, I would recommend first and foremost, you volunteer full time at a rescue shelter first. Attend pet CPR and First aid classes, spend time with your vet to get aquainted with the types of parasites, diseases, and ailments, you will run across. Read books about the breed you plan on working with to become familiar with common problems, temperament, and health issues specific to this breed. Then attend obedience courses all the way to the advanced courses. This way you will be familiar with the proper handling and treatment of those hard cases. Check you finances to ensure you can provide all necessary medical, dental, and routine feedings and medications. Make sure you have the proper training to evaluate dogs to ensure they are not a danger to others, that the people you place them with are going to give them permanent safe homes, and not adopt for all the wrong reasons. Be prepared to go to court. Be prepared for the emotional downs you will experience caused by their "humans". Be prepared to work 24/7 with no break. Know your laws in your state pertaining to rescuing/placing dogs. There are some strict laws out there we are not aware of.

The shelter owner I volunteer at, has missed many family events because of her dedication to the animals she rescues. She tell everyone, ... If I can get one dog adopted today, then I have done something worthwhile..." She also spends a very large portion of her personal finances in funding rescue. Even after 15+ years of the business.

Please, please spend a lot of time volunteering at these places, there is alot more involved than just taking a dog in, and placing it. I applaud your effort, but I'm not going to candy coat the responsibility either. The affects of inexperience can snowball, and cause more harm than good especially to those you try to help.

[aly]

I've been working heavily in the rescue field for several years. Its been my whole life in fact so I'm well aware of the sacrifices and the work :) I have done everything from raising bottle babies to obedience to taking care of special needs animals. I've taken both of my dogs through obedience and almost always have a shelter dog going through the class. I worked full time as an adoption counselor and know how to screen for new homes. I have gotten to be quite the expert on denying people and will have no problems telling someone they are not the right match for an animal. I am also quite used to the hostile remarks that come after that. I am willing to sacrifice anything to get an animal to the right home. I already have sacrificed my life to the job.

I also know the costs related to rescue. You should read my Nookie thread :) I spent a TON of money on him and .. well ick thats a long story and I don't wanna go into it again. Way too emotional.

I've had some internships with dog behaviorists and learned a ton about temperament testing through them. I am a big fan of Sue Sternberg and have almost all of her video tapes.

I appreciate your warning though!! :D

[ChrisAK]

Thank you Aly. One unfortunate thing about being a newbie, is you don't really get to know about a person until you begin to regularly post.

Then with that all being said, and I'm not really a dream crusher:

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

[aly]

You'll get to know everyone in no time. Then before too long when you see certain dog breeds on the street, it'll remind you of someone on the Pet Talk board :)

I'm glad to have someone else here who so deeply cares about rescue! Welcome!!

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by aly
before too long when you see certain dog breeds on the street, it'll remind you of someone on the Pet Talk board :)

ain't that the truth!?! lol :)

[mugsy]

You got that right aly!! Btw....WHAT ABOUT ME CARING ABOUT RESCUE??? HEHEHEHE;) ;) :p

[aly]

You? Care about rescue? Naaaaah!!!!

:D :D You know I love ya Molly!

I meant another person in addition to all the rest of us :D :)

[mugsy]

I know what you meant....I just felt compelled to harass you a little bit!! Of course I know you love me....and we love you too!! You do such great things with our furbabies.

Chris, don't panic...I do this sort of teasing all the time! hehe <eg> :p :D

[aly]

Chris, panic!!! RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is something in the air today?? Everyone on PT today is really feisty :D

[mugsy]

ALY!!! That's not nice!! hehehehee Hey...it's one of my last days before I'm almost officially back to school....let me be feisty! lol

[sammi]

Can't believe it I didn't get on the putter at all Tuesday! No time to write now as husband is on vacation so busy, busy (he has a long list of things I want him to get done) but will write more this week. Need to tell ya'll about my new family member (possibly- LOL) as of Sunday night. A cute little golden - red girl! Believe she was dumped here in our small rural town over a week ago. Buddy is in love! I took her to the vet today and got all her shots and medication (she has already been spayed) and her ears are all bitten up by bugs, so got that all done at $91.00. Spent $50 in Target on her yesterday! This gets expensive! LOL Tell you more latter. Aly, Mike said "I will need to start calling you Aly if this keeps up"!LOL:D

[mugsy]

Congrats Molly!!! From one Molly to another....good girl!!! Your Mike should start calling you Molly for me!! lol

Does everyone on here know that sammi's name is Molly as is mine and her husband's name is Mike just like mine AND our middle names are Ann! Now is that weird or what??

Anyway, I'm happy for your new baby and I'm sure that she's pleased to have a nice loving forever home.

Good luck and keep us posted and give us pictures!

[Logan]

Originally posted by sammi
Can't believe it I didn't get on the putter at all Tuesday! No time to write now as husband is on vacation so busy, busy (he has a long list of things I want him to get done) but will write more this week. Need to tell ya'll about my new family member (possibly- LOL) as of Sunday night. A cute little golden - red girl! Believe she was dumped here in our small rural town over a week ago. Buddy is in love! I took her to the vet today and got all her shots and medication (she has already been spayed) and her ears are all bitten up by bugs, so got that all done at $91.00. Spent $50 in Target on her yesterday! This gets expensive! LOL Tell you more latter. Aly, Mike said "I will need to start calling you Aly if this keeps up"!LOL:D

Sammi/Mollie/Aly.....LOL!!!! :D Even I am starting to get confused now!! Not really! :D How exciting!!! Does the girl have a name yet??? I can't wait to see a picture of her too!!! :)

Logan

[aly]

MOLLIE!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! Pictures pictures pictures pictures please!!!! You guys have that spiffy digital camera so there's no excuses! :)

This is great news! Buddy has a girlfriend, yay! When you get a chance, please tell us all about the new girl. I am so happy for you!

Molly - I did notice that you guys had the same names and your husbands' names are the same too, but I didn't know about the middle names. Sheesh! What a coinkidink.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by sammi
Need to tell ya'll about my new family member (possibly- LOL) as of Sunday night. A cute little golden - red girl!

HOW WONDERFUL!!!!! I am a red dawg Golden fan! My Dixie is on the reddish side and when we go to the hunt test there is one judge who asks if he can have the little red dog as his test dog (he means Dixie)! She is my heart dog!!! :D

Pictures Please!!!!

[Puppypower64]

Congratulations!!!! hope they say yes:D If they do good luck!!!!!!!:p

[aly]

Someone has been getting rude with the ratings on all my posts... sheesh :P Do I talk too much or something?

[Karen]

Sammi! A gal pal for Buddy? Congratulations, we can't wait to see pictures!

Aly, you had talked about the internship in New York - how about waiting until after that to start a poodle rescue, as you will have that as more credentials on your side, which may look more impressive to grant-granters. I forget - do you rent? If so, do you have an unlimited number of pets-friendly lease? ;)

When you do start your rescue group, I bet those senior centers will loooove the senior poodles - shouldn't every nursing home have a dog-in-residence?

[Rachel]

Originally posted by Karen
- shouldn't every nursing home have a dog-in-residence?


YES!

[mugsy]

Ditto!!

[Gio]

Congratulations of the new "arrival" Sammi! :D

I also agree that every nursing home should have a dog-in residence - most definitely. I spent to much of my time in nursing/old peoples homes recently and I see how much happiness a pet could bring the residents. I always thought that but even more so now. Unfortunately it's very rarely allowed :(

[K9karen]

Is it a small world or what?? MollyAnn and Mike meet MollyAnn and Mike!!! :eek: :D :D I hope that everything works out Molly (Sammi) with your new addition! :D :D :D You gave hubby a honeydew list!!!