http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30892505/vp/43964930#43964930This is a bragging post on mypart because I'm a rescue volunteer for Bichon Frise rescue. Part of this story was on Dateline the other night (segment from Dateline st the above link), but here's the story behind that story.
It was NOT mentioned in the video (or on the NBC Dateline broadcast last night) is that Dakota is a RESCUE DOG!
How do I know? Dakota (not his name at the time) had come to the shelter as a stray 18 days earlier. There had been three applications on him, and all fell through. As I recall, the shelter had a volunteer do a behavior assessment on him and he did not fare well. The woman who runs the department at the shelter that is the liaison with Rescue groups (and has a bichon among her pack of dogs at home) asked me to come in to assess the little guy.
I went to meet him that same day. I had him brought to me in a quiet office area where there were no other dogs and very few people. I got on the floor with him and let him show interest in me (and some tasty dog treats). I found him to be a little scared and a bit fearful .... but he was sweet and just wanted to be loved. I have found that most of the bichons I pull from the shelter are scared and fearful. After all ... they were just dumped by their family or found after they were on the run ... and then put in large chain link cages and are surrounded by very big and very loud dogs.
I got in touch with Lynn Ramich (co-chair of BFCACT, the Rescue arm of BFCA, the national breed club) and our local person who works with Lynn to determine which bichons can come into Rescue (dependent upon having a foster home available plus funds for medical care). It was agreed that this little boy was coming into Rescue, so I returned and got him out and he was taken to his foster mom, Zandra (who happens to also be one of the Board members of Maryland Bichon Frise Rescue, Inc.). It was Zandra who found the perfect family for Dakota: Senator Conrad and his wife. As I recall, most of their Hill office staff were present at Zandra's home visit since they would be a part of Dakota's "work family". Dakota goes to work with Senator Conrad every day and attends most of his meetings. The Senator is the one who usually takes him for potty breaks unless he is in a critical meeting and cannot leave ... then a staff member will take him out.
I found a photo I took of Dakota at the animal shelter. Because his hair was so long, filthy and matted the shelter had him totally shaved down. I just have to smile when I see what a handsome boy he is now ... living an extraordinary life and getting the love and life he (and each of G-d's creatures) deserves!
I only wish there had been a mention that Dakota was a rescue dog! I can only believe it would have done a lot for all rescue/shelter dogs ... letting people see the kind of dog one can adopt .... and that they are not all old, sick or troubled!
Volunteer, Maryland Bichon Frise Rescue, Inc.I didn't include the rescuer's name because I didn't contact her for permission.
It's such a nice story and we here atDU need some GOOD stories at least once in a while!
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