I thought they needed homes?? Little long

[rog1006]

If I were you, I would call or e-mail the rescue and see if there is something holding the process up. As you can see from above, mistakes happen from all sides.

Just a word about buying from the paper---just visited a home today selling a boxer mix. It was an Pure Bred Shepherd. Once I got there and saw the horrifying conditions, I couldn't leave it and they were selling him for less than $50. So I bought him... :rolleyes: What could I do? They were jonesing for $50 and would have had to pay $20 to turn him in to the pound.

Many MANY MANY MANY times it isn't what you think it's going to be. It seems that most people who are really trying to find a home for their dogs because they truly love but can't handle them turn them in to a rescue. Of course not every instance applies...just putting it out there.

Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

 

[ACEY]

Patience not my strong point...

Thank you all for you encouragement and support. I know the rewards of placing a needy dog are wonderful. My last boxer ACE found us (he ran away from a neglectful home) and he was the best dog we ever had! My husband wants me to wait for the right Boxer and pass on the German Shepherd because he loved our last dog so much and Sheps make him a little nervous around our boys. I have emailed the rescues, I just don't want to be too much of a haunt. I know they get people that must drive them crazy! I wish that the fosters would update more regularly, I love to read about the dogs and their progress. I am almost obsessed with checking the sites. Even if I know the dog is not for us, I still follow it. My heart sinks everytime I see "Adoption Pending" on one that I really like. I am happy for the dog but sad that it isn't me! I think I am going to try to just be more patient. There was a question that the home interviewer asked me about our religious beliefs that I found a little odd and over the top (actually it was kind of funny and I told her so) - should I bring this to the rescues attention or let it go? It is kind of bugging me. Maybe she is holding the process??? I would hate to think so and I don't want to make a bigger deal out of it than it is.

 

[frankied]

That is interesting the question they asked you...I am not sure how I would feel about that. Anywho just to back up the German Shepherd, I got my GSD/Mix from a pound and he was one of the best dogs I have ever had! Prior to owning Boxers (as I was growing up) we had another amazing Shepherd. But you need to make a decision you are comfortable with, I do understand that. Good luck! :D

Christa

 

[Claudia807]

Just to add a quick note to this thread . . . our rescue's web site states very clearly that folks should not apply if their current dog is not spayed/neutered. We simply cannot accept the application if this is not done. We prefer that folks have it done and then apply. After all, everybody SAYS they are going to have it done. Unfortunately we really just don't have the time to follow an applicant around and say, "Didja have it done? Didja have it done?" It makes life a lot easier on us if it is done before applying. And like another person said, when a young, adorable dog comes into rescue, we often have umpteen people who want the same dog. We just try our best to choose the right home for that dog.

Also, on a related note . . . I see posts from people who say they have applied with rescue and that they never heard anything. Well, I am on the application committee for Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI and my advice to potential adopters is: Please make sure you fill out the application as thoroughly as humanly possible. I cannot begin to tell you how many applications come in with incorrect email addresses. In our case, the applications are sent through a secure server so they are not sent directly from the applicant's email address. Therefore, I cannot just hit "reply" and reach you. So if your email address is wrong, we can't send a confirmation. We call if we can, but needless to say those long distance calls do come out of our own pockets. We get a lot of applications with too many or too few digits in the phone number. Missing vet references. Missing personal references. No responses to important questions. Applications filled out with one-word responses (it doesn't help us learn anything about an applicant if they respond to the question "why do you want a Boxer?" with "yes").

I am not saying that this is the problem in all cases, but please keep this in mind when applying! The application is an important tool for us to get to know you initially.

Claudia
Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI

 

[VTbxrFan]

There was a question that the home interviewer asked me about our religious beliefs that I found a little odd and over the top (actually it was kind of funny and I told her so) - should I bring this to the rescues attention or let it go? It is kind of bugging me. Maybe she is holding the process???

Well, I can tell you that definitely sounds odd to me. I do a lot of homevisits and would never think of asking about religion. Sure we try to get to know what the family is like, but my questions are always based on understanding the schedule and home environment (loud or quiet, busy household or calm, kids or not) - stuff that will affect a dog so we can help make the best match. I can't see how religion is relevant, and it does strike me as inappropriate. The application process is already invasive enough - people should still be entitled to keep some things private.

I'm not sure what to advise...I agree with Christine that it doesn't hurt to contact the rescue and ask how the process is going - sometimes we get busy and forget that someone is waiting to hear from us - or two people working on the application each think that the other person has been in touch. If in the end things don't get worked out and you feel that the religion issue might be a cause, I probably would just mention it without trying to make a huge uproar about it. I know that "spreading the word" is an integral component for many people with certain religious beliefs, but that should not be a factor in you adopting a dog.

 

[ACEY]

Not "THE ONE"

I have been thinking so much about rescueing the shepherd, but that's it. Rescuing is the key word. I did not get that feeling. Maybe I should go see him again. He did itimidate me a little, he was well up to 100lbs, I am 5'9" and he stood at my hip. He is very strong but obedient, I am just not sure. I do not want to make a hasty descision especially one that my husband does not support fully. I have never owned a shepherd and my son was once bit by one. Alot of people say they are not trustworthy. Back to the Boxer rescue, I did email the rescue again and still nothing. I am interested in knowing from anyone who does rescue how personal should I be or allow them to be? My phone interview was close to two hours for one of them. My home inspection was the same, she even checked my bedrooms, basement and garage! I was very complete with my applications and rechecked them and confirmed acceptance of them. I have researched all the info I can find on rescues, adopting and boxers but there is not much in the lines of what to look for in a rescue. What to accept and what not to accept. What is right and what is not?

 

[TDave]

My experience

I looked for my pup for some months before finding him. I contacted a couple of rescues. They struck me as holier than thou snobs whom, for some reason, were convinced that they had the 'right' to judge me, and my worthiness as a dog owner. I understand that they're trying to find permanent homes for a lot of special needs dogs, but that's not how they came across. I'll never deal with a rescue org again, I'll sooner rescue one from a mill. Word to the wise for rescuers, and I hope you're getting this impression from the gist of this thread, but try not to come off as a snob. Remember, for 10 bucks cover, $40 of margaritas, and an evening in a pub, I can have a HUMAN baby a lot cheaper, easier, and faster. Perspective.

Acey,

If a rescuer had come to my house and presumed to question my religion, I'd have thrown em out, bought a puppy at the pet store, and dumped it at the pound on my way home, just for spite. No one has the right to ask you that for a dog. I'd definately talk to someone else at the rescue group, or cut ties with them all together. If that's a common thing for them, they go too far.

Glad I didn't go rescue !

d

 

[Claudia807]

They struck me as holier than thou snobs whom, for some reason, were convinced that they had the 'right' to judge me, and my worthiness as a dog owner.

Well, the thing is . . . they do have the right to judge how likely you are to take good care of a dog. That's the whole point of rescue. To find the best possible home for a dog.

How nice that folks have so much time on their hands to malign all the rescues.

Claudia
Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI

 

[TDave]

Not a malign

Not a malign Claudia. Take it the way it was meant. Be careful how you come across when people contact you. And no, they DO NOT have any right to judge me. They can ask questions to make sure a dog fits in a home, with that I have no problem, but I certainly draw some lines about what they can ask and how they ask it.

d

 

[myrocky]

I My phone interview was close to two hours for one of them. My home inspection was the same, she even checked my bedrooms, basement and garage!

This is totally normal. When I do a homevisit I am there for a long time. I look at everything the dog will have access to and where the dog will be. I will have the people show me exactly where they will have the dog sleep and eat. I will even check the fences in back yards to see if they are in good condition. If people get put off by that then it's obvious they don't want what is best for the boxer (I'm not implying you are doing this, I'm just making a statement. ).


And we'll just all ignore T Dave because obviously this person doesn't have the first clue about dog ownership.

Andie