Maltese Only News
February 2002

Maltese Dog Rescue News

The back bone of any rescue is the foster families who open their homes and hearts to these little dogs for how ever long it takes to find them a permanent home.

It sounds so easy when we read the posts and look at the pictures of the clean sweet faces of these little dogs and when we hear of successful placements. But there is a lot more to foster care than what it seems and these are just some of the aspects of foster care. Call or email comes anytime of the night or day. The owner as made the decision to place a Maltese into rescue. Often this is responsible people who for whatever reason just can’t keep the life commitment to this little dog. Just as often it comes from a situation not so nice, out of abuse, puppy mill or neglect or a stray placed in a shelter. The wheels of rescue start to turn and a foster is selected to care for this particular dog. A transport might be involved or you might have to drive the 100 miles each way to get this little one. When you get home you have a dog who is probably in high stress and confused. If it is out of a bad situation you will first have to bath and tend to grooming needs even to get rid of fleas in some cases. Then it is off to the vet for shots and spay /neuter. In-between this is the first night in your home. Some dogs just crawl into that little bed you have waiting for it, others must be in a pen the first night for safety reasons. Then it is off to bed for the foster, thinking what a full day it’s been. But sleep does not always follow. Then the little one starts to bark because it wants to be in bed with you. Of course what does any good foster do but get that baby into bed. Sometimes a crate on the night stand so you can just keep a few fingers in the door so rescue can sniff your fingers and know all is safe.

Foster care can be as simple as getting a rescue in that is completely housetrained and groomed and current on all shots, no behavior problems displayed. But this really is not the norm. Dogs need time to adjust to a new home and new dogs in that home with them. There is the accidents in the house, vet visits, grooming, pickups and deliveries of dogs, the dog who is so scared you must hold it for hours at a time because you can’t stand to see the pain in its eyes. Dealing with your own dogs needs as well. The list goes on. Do I make it sound hard? Yes, because it is not a easy thing to do. BUT!!!!! The other end of rescue, like child birth , makes it all worth it. To see the faces on the families who adopt these little dogs, to see that tail wag because they do seem to know when that family walks into the house. When the emails come telling you how grateful that family is that you helped to save this bundle of love and joy that has come into their home. When others recognize the job you have done, then rescue is worth all of it. If it is not you to do this, then who?

Mary Palmer, President/Rescue Coordinator
Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc.
malteserescue@hotmail.com