Sorry if I struck a hard chord with you Ginnafer.

I love my Jadie, but I got her from a BYB, she was very sick!! So I did kind of rescue her. Next time I go BT searching it will probably be at a rescue, since I also want to help the breed! And there are so many homeless BT's! My lil sis called me a snob, since I bought a BT instead of getting a mixed breed from the ASPCA, then she turned around and bought a dog from a breeder, and she was too stupid to potty train, and now keeps her dog outside. I could have kicked her A**! I think she did it to copy me, she's done it all her life. She doesn't even really like dogs. I feel really sorry for her dog. Anybody who buys a dog just to have one, to brag about should be shot! Thats why we have so many homeless doggies!! Ok, I'll stop ranting!

My BT was labeled as bad with children because he was mishandled by the younger kids in the first house he lived. Even though I tried to keep him away from kids, kids will be kids and they constantly run up to him to pet him or look at him. Sometimes he will try and run away but mostly he just wags his little stump. BT's seem to be resilient and able to overcome anything in their background, or they simply "forget" bad experiences.

Rusty is a rescue from the dog pound. Shorty after we got him we realized he was a bit kid shy and although he will sometimes bark (but keep his distance) at very young children (under 5) if they are moving fast or making lots of noise. With older kids he is fine.

Oogy (the puppy - not a rescue) likes kids and especially likes to lick them but sometimes it seems like it is monkey see monkey do and he will bark at a little kid because Rusty is barking.

I adopted Jaxon at 2 1/2 years and I will never get another puppy. When I was looking to adopt, I talked to his foster mother twice, for at least 45 minutes each asking her every question I could think of. Midwest BT Rescue (where I got him) prides themselves on being very upfront about their dogs (this is something every good rescue group should do) to ensure their dogs go to great homes. I asked simple questions like how is he on a leash, in a car, around other people etc. Then I asked questions like "If I'm at home, working on homework at my desk, what would Jaxon be doing?" These types of questions helped me to decide if Jason was right for my lifestyle. Also need to know if the dog is OK to be crated if you work during the day, etc. These are very basic questions I think some people forget to ask.

I think a list of all these very basic questions is a great idea! It sure would have helped me, but Jaxon's foster mother was more than helpful and he has been perfect.

Also, make sure you encourage people to check out the rescue group. I know its sad to think, but they are not all in it to save their dogs. Make sure the rescue is not for profit, that they will absolutely take back the dog at any time in the dog's life if their new home doesn't work out. These questions ensure you are working with a good rescue that you can trust. Rescued dogs are not cheap! You want your money going to help dogs, not going into someone's pocket.

I hope that helps!

I may be interested in fostering down the road; however I would like to know what it takes - what steps are needed in fostering a boston terrier. How long is a dog fostered? - unitl a home is found? What kind of money is involved in fostering? What characteristics are needed in a person to foster?

I'd ask a rescue group in your area, it probably depends.

Midwest BT Rescue may have some info on their website:

midwestbtrescue.org (I think that is the site, otherwise google them).

Originally Posted by bailsbabe

I may be interested in fostering down the road; however I would like to know what it takes - what steps are needed in fostering a boston terrier. How long is a dog fostered? - unitl a home is found? What kind of money is involved in fostering? What characteristics are needed in a person to foster?

Depends on the rescue, but for most all the vet bills are paid, including shots, HW pills, etc. Some will also pay for food but not all of them do. Some will provide crates and things like that too. Dogs can be in foster homes for a week to months, just depends on the dog. If you were first starting out you would more than likely get a dog that would be an easy start. Most of the dogs that are kept in foster homes for a while are sick or hurt when they come into rescue, but it really depends on the situation. Patience is key in fostering, most fosters are just like any other dog but some need the extra patience and care.

I wanted to address the 'no children' policy. I work at a no-kill shelter, and most of our dogs are labeled as 'kids 6 years and up' at the very least; some are for 16 and up. not because they are aggressive, but because they want to be sure the dogs are placed in a home where they get enough attention. Homes with very small children often are too busy for a dog to get enough training time. It really doesn't relate to whether or not a dog is aggressive, it's more to do with how much training they require, how active the dog is or how inactive and tired a dog is. They don't want to place a dog in a bad situation where a very young child can torture them with their form of love, KWIM?

I know the shelter allows me to foster any dog I want with my kids as they know my two have had dogs their whole lives and have good dog manners.

Rescues work hard to place a dog FOREVER, so they have to be picky. I don't blame them one bit as a fellow rescue worker of sorts. The sad stories I hear about incoming dogs just breaks my heart sometimes. One was a 12 year old Bassett Hound who was super sweet and cuddly; the owners had gotten a young pitbull who attacked her all the time, ripping chunks off of her. And they dumped the old dog!! Her happy ending made me cry with happiness--she did find a perfect forever home! And we workers adored her and gave her a ton of attention in the meantime.

but she sat in her kennel with us for a few weeks till they matched her properly. We work hard to make the dogs happy when they stay with us--they get walks 4 times a day (good walks), Kongs, massages, belly rubs, training/behavior modification, etc. Last thing we want is to send a dog home to a less than ideal place. We'll see them again for sure!