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BARK Store
"Rescued Dog", by Arlene Pace
Once I was a
lonely dog, Just looking for a home. I had no place to go,
No one to call my own. I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow. I ate what ever I could find, I
was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain. And no one stopped to give a pat
Or a gently say my name. I never saw a loving glance, I
was always on the run. For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice So gentle, kind and sweet, And
arms so soft reached down to me And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you Was whispered in my ear."
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear"
"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat"
"And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be
sweet".
I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear. I
can't remember when I let A human came so near.
And as she tended to my wounds And bathed and brushed my fur She
told me bout the rescue group And what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, A line that never ends". "And
in the center there is you
protected by new friends".
"And all around you are the ones that check the pounds, And
those that share their home
after you've been found". "And all the other folk are
searching near and far. "To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star".
She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently, and
pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see". "And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow, so there'll be room for more like
you, who have no place to go".
I waited very patiently, The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent. Then just when I began to think It
wasn't meant to be, there were people standing there just gazing
down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special dog like you". Now every night I say a
prayer to all the gods that be. "Thank you for the life I
live and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet".
Arlene Pace
September 18, 1998
When I wrote those poem it was inspired by my foster Sheltie "Patchie:
who by the way is in a home where he is the light of their eyes.
I think now that it is more in the way I see the rescue efforts
of all the people that are doing such a great a job all over
this country. So I wish to dedicate this poem to all of you in
rescue, the doers, the helpers, the donators of money and/or
time and tears. Please feel free to recopy, reprint or resend to
anyone you would like to.
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Thank you for considering helping homeless animals through
foster care! Foster homes are a very critical part to our, or
any, rescue organization, as we can only save as many dogs as we
can foster. Acting as a foster parent is a lot of work, but is
also very enjoyable and rewarding!
What is a foster home?
Foster homes are the volunteers who agree to raise,
socialize, train, and love the animals we bring into our
program before they get adopted. Foster homes train our
animals in all the skills they will need as to make a
wonderful furry family member. Family members may
participate in the training process, however, one family
member should be designated as the primary trainer.
Primary trainers must be 18 years or older.
Where do our foster animals come from?
Potential foster animals come from our local animal
shelters, off of the streets as strays or from
neglectful situations.
What is involved in the training process?
The training of our animals begins with basic behavior,
manners and socialization. Socialization involves
exposing the animal to a variety of experiences and, if
a dog, public situations on a frequent basis, as soon as
they have received there vaccinations. Obedience skills,
though not always the most fun skills to train, are a
big part of the training and fundamental to the success
of an animal. This gives them confidence and can be fun
for them. We only use positive reinforcement with
all of our animals.
In order to achieve this set of skills with the
animal you are training, as a foster home you must
commit to train the animal at home in several short
sessions throughout each day, and to train the dog in
public as guided by B.A.R.K. You do not need prior
experience in training an animal to be a foster home.
Your B.A.R.K. foster mentor will always be there to
answer any questions. Our training methods are
based on positive reinforcement, and we believe you will
truly enjoy the experience.
Do I need a fenced yard?
For the safety of our dogs, we strongly encourage our
foster homes to have fenced yards.
How much exercise do the dogs require?
Active puppies need physical activity in the form of
play or walking. Foster homes should expect to provide
at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day. This could
be accomplished by brisk walking or playing in a safe,
fenced area. Please understand that for young dogs under
1 year, bones are still forming. Exercise by running the
dog along side you while you run, jog, bike, etc. is not
appropriate for young dogs. Rollerblading with the
dogs is not allowed.
What does B.A.R.K. provide and what does the
foster home provide?
- B.A.R.K. provides collar with ID tag and a crate
for crate training.
- B.A.R.K. provides training DVD's, manuals,
references.
- B.A.R.K. pays for all heartworm & flea preventative,
as well as all necessary veterinary care, unless
something happens at the foster home that was due to
irresponsibility.
- List the animal on our website, as well as numerous other
web listings.
- Provide mentoring and moral support throughout fostering.
- B.A.R.K. helps the foster home screen potential adopters.
What does the foster home provide?
- Foster homes provide a premium brand of dog food
from a list of recommended brands.
- Foster homes provide training leash, dog toys
and treats.
What are the responsibilities of a foster home?
Who takes care of the dog if I go out of town?
Unfortunately we don't usually have other foster homes
for the animal to go to, but B.A.R.K. will recommend a
few kennels or pet sitters that you could use, but this
would be paid by the foster home.
Will I get to meet the individual who receives the
dog I foster?
Yes, as a foster home provider you will have the
opportunity to meet the individual who adopts the dog
you trained and cared for. If agreeable by all parties
involved, a life long friendship maybe formed.
How do I apply?
For more information email us at
barkemail@yahoogroups.com or click on the proper
Foster Application below. Once we receive your
completed application, we will schedule an interview in
your home with a B.A.R.K. representative. This interview
gives you a chance to ask further questions about our
Foster Home Program and gives us the opportunity to meet
you personally. After you have completed these steps, we
will review your application and notify you whether your
application has been accepted.
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We are in constant contact with our foster homes, and you'll
probably make some friends along the way! Most importantly,
fostering requires love and patience. We have no way to predict
how long an animal will be in foster care prior to adoption. Some
are adopted within a month, and others are in foster care for
years! We ask that, if a person decides to foster, they accept
this, and are willing to commit to foster the animal until it is
adopted out, otherwise the animal may have to go to a shelter
due to our lack of foster homes. |
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