Testimonials

The Adoption Process through the Eyes of an Adopter

My name is Kelly and I feel compelled to tell my story of what I lost, what I found, and what I have gained. This story is not only about my own personal experience, but to educate anyone who is interested in adopting one of these beautiful dogs through the BSDRT. Please keep in mind that this is an adoption process with the key word being process. If you feel adoption is right for you and your family then you should definitely sit back and take the time to read this so you truly understand all that is involved and the hard work, care and love that goes into the Belgian Sheepdog Rescue Trust’s adoption program.

“My Story”

On September 21, 2009 I had to make a decision to put our beloved girl Coupe to sleep as she had been suffering with cancer for a little over six months and I knew it was time. I went to my husband Jim and the kids sat them down to say today is the day. We all spent the entire day together along with little Missy (Coupes best friend) walking, playing, talking, crying, and watching the clock until it was time to go. Jim put that red leash on her for the last time and off we went to the vet the longest ride of my life. Coupe put her nose out the top of that window smelling all those smells for the last time wagging that tail and before I knew it, we were there. No one wanted to open the doors; no one wanted to get out except Coupe she loved the vet and everyone there loved her. We all got on the floor said our goodbyes and held her until it was over. We were numb life as we knew it was over and what would poor Missy think? I cried myself to sleep that night and vowed I would never get another dog this was too much to bear.

The next morning the house was very quiet and I found myself on the BSDRT website, a place I had visited many times before. I don’t think a lot of people really sit down and read every detail of how this organization works and what is really involved in adopting one of these dogs. The first things they see are pictures of available dogs and they want one, they fill out the application and assume they will get called, asked some questions and get a dog. It doesn’t work that way, let me stress this again it’s a long process because most rescue dogs have been through hell and back again with the exception of a few and they are not going to just any home, they are going to the home that is a perfect fit for them. A lot of love goes into the selection process and these dogs deserve it.

While going on the BSDRT website that morning not wanting another dog, the first thing I saw was Buddy, this big black beauty, and my heart felt something, a connection, like my Coupe had sent him to me for a reason. I can’t explain it but before I knew it I was sending co-chair Sharon Roundy an email asking about him, telling her my story and then filling out an adoption application for Buddy, the first step. I got an email from Sharon the next day that they would be processing my application. Meanwhile my own family was bugging me to call, send another email - we want Buddy! I had to explain to them it doesn’t work that way. If the BSDRT likes what they see on your application and think you could be a potential adoptive family they will respond back to you, if you don’t hear back it means you are not the right family for this dog, but there are others out there and maybe you will be the right family for the next dog (They keep applications on file for one year).

I don’t think people realize how all this all starts. Once a dog is “rescued” the dogs need to be vet checked for heartworm, ticks, fleas, etc. and then what about behavior or temperament - that’s really important too because these dogs need to be placed in a foster home. Sometimes the dog and the foster home are not a good fit, so off to the next one until one works out. This is not easy on the dog and it all takes time. Once the dog is placed in a foster home that’s a good fit, what’s next? The dog has to be evaluated. Is the dog house broken; does the dog have any type of aggression or behavior problems? Remember this dog may have been through a lot and needs to be evaluated so he or she can be placed in the proper environment with the right family. Let’s just put it this way, these are not just dogs they are like our children…would you just hand your child off to a stranger who sounded nice on the phone? Or would you find out everything there is to know about them to make sure that child will be loved, cared for and in the safest environment possible. Of course you would, it’s the right thing to do.

Step 2- I received an email from application processor Cathie L. wanting to set up a phone interview with me about Buddy. This meant they reviewed my application and think my family could possibly be a potential home for Buddy. Remember, they have many applications and it doesn’t mean you will be the one, it means they liked what they saw and now they want to learn more about you which is a step in the right direction. I did my phone interview with Cathie a few days later and it went well. There were a lot of questions and for good reason - they need to know if you can give these dogs the life they deserve in every possible way. Cathie also did a reference check and a vet check to make sure everything I told them was correct.

Step 3 – Cathie evaluated my phone interview and then contacted co-chairs Susan Spinhirne and Sharon Roundy to discuss the interview. Susan still wasn’t sure about us and decided to call me with some other questions and concerns on her part which was fine with me as talking about my dogs and my lifestyle is something I’m very proud of. Susan then called the foster home and both agreed we might be the right family for Buddy.

Step 4 –And now the phone call I’ve been waiting for from Buddy’s foster mom Sharon Roundy. Sharon had put her heart and soul into making this dog, who had never spent one day of his life inside of a house, into the best behaved and gentle dog I have ever seen. To see his before and after pictures is amazing and what she was able to teach him during a Canine Good Citizen class was outstanding. Sharon, who had developed a bond with this dog after fostering him for three months, needed to know in her heart that we were the ones. Our phone conversation lasted forever and I felt a connection with Sharon.

Step 5 – After Sharon and I spoke arrangements were made to have a representative come to my home for a “Home Check”. The final step in the adoption process! Marion H. drove an hour to my home to verify the information I provided on my application (i.e. Did we really have a fence). Marion was also a wonderful person with some interesting stories to tell about the BSDRT and her own personal experience with the organization along with the many dogs she had fostered over the years. Marion stayed about 45 minutes talking with Jim and me about Buddy. We have an in ground pool and there was concern about Buddy’s safety walking across the pool cover so I showed Marion how this was a special cover strong enough to hold an elephant and was mounted with special metal springs that are drilled into the concrete which assures the dogs can never fall in. Jim even walked across the pool cover to reassure Marion it was safe, she was amazed. Marion also gave us a BSCA newsletter for more info on Belgian sheepdogs. Before she left she said she would be contacting Sharon to give her the good news about our home check and I could make arrangements to get my “Big Beautiful Boy”. My first male dog I might add and so proud of it!

So I think I’ve summed up my experience pretty well. This should help all you future adoptive parents understand what the BSDRT is and how this adoption process works. Not everyone’s experience will be quite the same…but remember patience is a virtue and if it’s meant to be it will happen.

Sincerely, Kelly I. and Family

“Postscript”

It took 5 weeks from the day I saw Buddy on the web site to find out he was mine. It didn’t even seem that long to me, but the ride to Chicago, IL to pick him up seemed like a lifetime. Even though we didn’t have to drive all the way to Chicago to get Buddy we decided to do a road trip. We left NY in our 38ft. RV so we could spend a night at Sharon and her husband Joe’s house to get to know Buddy and have Sharon show us how he had been trained and the proper way to handle him. To avoid downtown Chicago traffic Sharon gave me detailed directions. Well I screwed up and we ended up right in the middle of the city in a 38ft. RV during Friday rush hour! Thank god my husband is a skilled driver because downtown Chicago was quite an experience (we laugh about it now). It was so worth the trip and the weather in November was amazing, their hospitality was out of this world with Joe’s homemade Chicago style pizza the best I’ve ever had! On Saturday we worked with Buddy and I got to meet Susan and her two beautiful dogs. It was absolutely dog heaven, so much fun. Jim got to rest his weary bones in the hot tub (a plus for him). This was something I will never forget, along with the fact that I have made life long friends and I wouldn’t trade any of this for the world.

Leaving Illinois was hard and some tears did flow, but Buddy has made us laugh every day since bringing him home to NY. He has learned how to go down the basement stairs thanks to my daughter (some liver treats and turkey) and he learned how to jump up on our bed to cuddle and has decided to take over my son Tony’s bed (leaving him “gifts” of drool spots). Buddy has also finally stopped barking at Andrew who loves dogs more than anything and played a big part in training Coupe when we got her. Buddy can finally catch Missy outside now that he’s not afraid of the pool cover and thinks it’s a trampoline, and funniest of all the snow fence Jim put up in the backyard to keep him out of the mud, forget it! Buddy loves the mud and nothing is stopping him. Our family is complete. Missy loves Buddy, we love Buddy, everyone loves Buddy! Thank you BSDRT from the bottom of our hearts for choosing our family.