

	'Tude NewsJanuary 2009

From Shelter to Home...
Notes from the Editor

This month concludes our "behind the scenes" peek into the New Rattitude organization, with part two of the series From Shelter to Home. If you missed the first part of this series in the November/December issue, you can find it in the newsletter archives on our website. And while you're there, please take a look at our volunteer information page to learn more about the many volunteer jobs and ways that you could contribute to helping our ratties find the very best furever home. We'd love to have you join the pack!

WE WON!

New Rattitude came out on top of the 362 Georgia shelters/rescue groups participating in The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com's Shelter Challenge. The winner was determined by the total number of votes each organization acquired during the contest, which ended on December 14. Thanks to a dedicated effort by our members and friends, NR was awarded the prize, a $1,000 grant. Thank you, everyone, for those votes! This money will help a lot of needy ratties.

NR Rattie Idol Premieres

Is there a canine star in your family? Don't miss this chance to have fun, win great prizes and help NR raise money for the puppy nursery fund! Send in your funniest doggie photos for just $5 per entry, then encourage your friends and family to vote. You must submit your photos and register to compete by January 21. Voting will begin on January 22 and continue through February 5.

First Prize:
For our four-legged winner, a $100 gift certificate to PetCenterDirect.com. For our two-legged winner, a $25 e-gift certificate to restaurants.com!
Second Prize:
For our four-legged winner, assorted SitStay.com goodies. For our two-legged winner, a $50 hotel gift card, and a $25 e-gift certificate to restaurants. com!
Third Prize:
For our four-legged winner, assorted SitStay.com goodies. For our two-legged winner, a $25 e-gift certificate to restaurants. com!

To enter, or for more information, please visit our fundraising page. Best of luck to everyone!

Welcome New Members!

Our New Rattitude family continues to grow! We'd like to welcome the following new members.
Thanks for joining our team!

Mardi Denny, Temporary Foster Parent - OH
Merrianne Etter, Volunteer - CO
Diane McClane, Foster Parent - WI
Anne-Kathryn Love, Volunteer - GA
Nancy Breedlove, Volunteer - IN
Lisa and Patrick Schnieder, Foster Parents - MN
Shannon Bayless, Volunteer - GA
Rochelle Evans, Volunteer - GA

In the last issue of ‘Tude News, New Rattitude’s state coordinator for Alabama, Debbie Collins, described Mattie, the sweet but sad mama rattie, who had been dumped at a night deposit along with her five puppies. Not long ago, an application to adopt Mattie was submitted through the New Rattitude website. The application was immediately forwarded to NR’s adoption manager, Connie Hendsbee. Norma Downing details just how Connie helps Mattie and all the other NR rescued ratties find their way from Shelter to Home.

Volunteer Job: Adoption Manager
Head and Heart Decisions

By Norma Downing

When an application to adopt Mattie arrived in Connie Hendsbee’s online mailbox, the first thing she did was scan it for unusual or missing information. Fortunately Mattie’s application looked complete, but sometimes Connie can locate some pretty unusual revelations. Connie may need to ask herself, “Did the applicant really plan to tie the dog outside for umpteen hours or let it run loose?” While she doesn’t reject an application out of hand just because something doesn’t look or “feel” right, she does highlight any questionable areas.

After Connie completes her initial review of the application, she assigns it to a processing team, consisting of an application coordinator, a home visit coordinator, and of course, the dog’s foster parent. Connie describes her application volunteers as “crackerjack” and says that she depends on them to get the job done. “They are able to put aside their emotions in the pursuit of the best home for that dog. They may love the applicant, but if something about the environment isn’t quite right for that dog, they recognize it and can move on.”

Mattie’s application was assigned to application coordinator Sharon Smith, home visit coordinator Kathy Puckett, and Mattie’s foster mom, Debbie Collins. Faster than you can say "cyberspace," the application was in the e-mailbox of each member of the team less than day after Mattie’s prospective adopter had submitted it.

Once an application has been assigned, team members take over with their individual responsibilities, but Connie’s job isn’t finished. Connie tracks the progress of each application by checking a Web-based spreadsheet to which each team member posts as each step of the application process is completed. She helps to make the “tough calls” if the team hits a snag or needs advice. And in the event that an applicant is not felt to be the best home for the particular rattie, or sometimes, for any rattie, the responsibility for emailing a denial letter rests on her shoulders.

Fortunately, the majority of letters that Connie gets to send to applicants are happy ones, and the adoption team and others in the organization celebrate with shared congratulatory emails when they receive her copy of the approval letter. Despite the challenges of overseeing and organizing a vast amount of information and making tough decisions, Connie seems to relish her job. She finds that it is much more than assembling and transmitting data. There is plenty of room for hearts and intuition to assist in the process. Sometimes “my head may tell me that this isn’t the right home for the dog because of the facts I am reviewing, but my instincts tell me there’s more to this home than what is written...The team has a ‘feeling,’ and they keep on digging...and eventually the dog is adopted by that ‘questionable’ applicant.”

What kinds of outcomes are most heartwarming for Connie? She loves it when a dog with a disability is adopted by a person with the same disability because “they understand what the dog needs.”

And what kind of letter did she get to send to Mattie’s applicant? You’ll have to read on to find the answer to that!

Volunteer Job: Application Coordinator (AC)

By Sharon Smith

When I received an assignment from New Rattitude’s adoption manager to process an application for a beautiful girl named Mattie, my stomach did a flip-flop. Mattie was one of those "grab your heart and squeeze it" kind of girls. She and her five puppies had been dumped at the night deposit of a shelter, but while her puppies had all been adopted, their sweet mommy had been left behind. Living on begged and borrowed time, thanks to the insistence of a kind-hearted shelter volunteer, Mattie was rescued and being fostered by Alabama state coordinator Debbie Collins. (Editor’s note: Debbie describes her role in Mattie’s rescue in the last issue of ‘Tude News.)

The application for Mattie looked great on "paper.” One of the first things I do when I get an application is to print it and read every question and answer, highlighting any areas about which I have questions or concerns. There was nothing to highlight on this application, and that was a good sign, indeed.

Next I always send an email to the applicant to acknowledge receipt of the application and to introduce myself and others who will be contacting them. The home visit coordinator assigned to the application and the foster parent receive a copy of this email so that they will know I’ve started my screening process. My email also explains the application process, encourages contact with the foster parent, and requests a reply from the applicant. This helps to assure that the application is a legitimate and sincere one.

Mattie's applicant, Pam DeLozier, was prompt with her response. She expressed her excitement and told me that she had already been corresponding with Mattie’s foster mom. Another good sign.

Next was the vet reference. ACs check vet references to determine proper care and vetting of any past or present pets, including whether they were spayed and neutered and kept up to date on their vaccinations and heartworm preventative. Pam's vet reference was perfect. She took excellent care of her former beloved dog, giving him needed insulin shots and medications towards the end of his life. Her current 13-year-old female rat terrier, Hunter, also received excellent vet care. This part of the process was a definite “pass.”

Once an applicant has passed the vet reference check, I begin calling the personal references listed on the application. In Pam’s case, it was warm fuzzies all around. One of Pam's references stated that she would "love to be one of Pam's dogs.” I was feeling confident enough about this applicant that I emailed the home visit coordinator to begin her search to locate a volunteer to visit with Pam in her home.

My final responsibility in the approval process is a telephone interview with the applicant. I plan out my phone interviews with specific questions that refer to the particular dog the applicant wishes to adopt. I also have set questions and scenarios that I present to all applicants. Pam was a joy to interview. Relaxed and focused during our conversation, she answered many of my questions before I even had to ask them. She was dog savvy and committed, and she had taken her time and put much thought into her decision to adopt a new family member. One of Pam's desires was that Hunter and Mattie enjoy and get along well with each other, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that Pam and Hunter had already made a 2 1/2 hour drive to meet Mattie. Of course, the two dogs hit it off beautifully.

Working as an AC can, and most often does, include many twist and turns. However, Pam DeLozier's application for Mattie was a dream! And I knew as a posted my “AC pass” on this applicant, it was going to be a dream home for our sweet Mattie, also!

News and Events

Ho Ho WOOF!
By Janell Brown

Was your dog a good little canine in 2008? Did he or she get a chance to visit Santa and explain just why destroying squeaky toys shouldn't get a pooch placed on the naughty list? Well, if you lived near one of New Rattitude's PetSmart Partner stores in Alabama, Indiana or Washington, your dog could have had that chance.

PetSmart provides an opportunity for rescue groups to raise money by taking pet photos with Santa. For every photo purchased, the participating rescue is paid $5.00. In spite of the economy slowing sales in general and a weekend snowstorm in Washington, New Rattitude volunteers were still able to make a total of $1,330 to be used toward the vetting of rescued rat terriers!

Debbie Collins in Alabama reports that the most difficult part of Santa days was convincing her husband to spend two full weekends impersonating Mr. Claus. After the first day of ho-hoing, though, he was hooked and even walked around the store to drum up business when things were slow. It was a learning experience for Santa Rick Collins. Among the things he noted were: a cat's bones turn to liquid when the cat wants out of your grasp; fast, evasive moves can prove beneficial when a dog is not happy to be held in the lap of a strange-looking and strange-smelling, hairy man; and, no matter what, in kids' eyes, when you put on a Santa suit, you are Santa, so you'd better act like the jolly old fellow!

In Indiana, things were slow for volunteers Jessica and Chris Mannon and friends, thanks to a holiday parade and football game happening on the same day they were taking photos. However, Jessica told us, "The best part was when Pumpkin Angel (Jessica's foster rattie) saw Santa and asked for a forever family. At 10 a.m. when the doors opened, they walked in!! Pumpkin Angel went home four days later."

Western Washington was covered in snow and ice during a rare snow and wind storm, keeping most folks home where it was warm. Kathy Young and her team were there for each of their assigned days, though, photographing the dogs, cats, and even a bird that showed up to sit on the jolly man's lap.

NOW AVAILABLE...New Rattitude Hats!
Custom designed and sold exclusively in the New Rattitude ReTail Store, these unique rat terrier hats are a must-have! The low-rise light beige ball caps feature a beautifully embroidered rat terrier head in profile view on the front. The back has an adjustable opening and the words "New Rattitude" in small navy blue lettering. This hat is very attractive and very comfortable! Price is just $18 plus a small s/h fee. Visit our ReTail Store to order.

Rescue-themed Pewter Collar Charms, Car Magnets, and Stickers
Show your rescue pride with these great new items in the ReTail store. The pewter collar charms come in two different styles. You'll want one for your pooch and one for yourself as well...perfect for a necklace or bracelet! Oval magnets (3.875" x 5.75") are great for your vehicle, refrigerator, or file cabinet at work. Choose from "Rescue Mom," or "Rescue Dad," each with a pawprint design. The 4" x 6" stickers are also oval, with four different designs to choose from.

Be sure to check out all the great merchandise in the ReTail Store. We still have the rat terrier socks available, as well as the one-of-a-kind rat terrier earrings and the rattie photo note cards.

Coats and 'Jamz' by Best Friends Fleece
Comfy and warm, hand-sewn fleece garments for dogs! Coats and 'jamz' are created from the "Woofy Wear by Wendy" Simplicity pattern, with minor modifications for embellishments, customized fit, and fabric. All BFF are sewn from soft fleece, which provides a comfortable, stretchy outfit for your dog.

50% of proceeds from all sales of Best Friends Fleece will go to New Rattitude!

The price for coats, all sizes, is $10 plus $3 shipping. 4-legged Jamz, all sizes, are $15 plus $3 shipping. Visit Best Friends Fleece for more information and to see fabric choices.

11-Year-Old Donates $500 to NR

By Terry Beale

Ask a typical 11-year-old boy how he likes to spend his money, and you'll probably get answers like video games, sports equipment, iPods, DVDs, or candy. But Paul C. of Duluth, Georgia, is not a typical 11-year-old boy. A couple of years ago, Paul began saving his money from Christmas and birthday gifts. He wanted to do something special with his money to make a difference in the world. His original intent was to donate to a program that builds huts in Haiti. But when he reached his savings goal, he hesitated because he couldn't be sure that his money would be used as intended once he sent it off. His thoughts turned instead to a couple of causes closer to home, with which he had direct experience.

One of those causes was the Atlanta Food Bank, which Paul had supported in the past through participation (with his mother) in their Hunger Walks. The other cause was rat terrier rescue. Paul had become very aware of the good that animal rescue groups can do when his family adopted their rat terrier, Katy, in 2004. Katy is a very special member of Paul's family. "She makes me feel better if I'm sad. And she makes me feel even happier when I'm happy," Paul said. "I wanted to help dogs like her because I like her so much, and I know other people would want dogs like her, too."

So in early December, Paul decided to split his money between those two causes. Since I was Katy's former fostermom and I've stayed in touch with the family, Paul's mother, Kathleen, contacted me to get New Rattitude's donation address. I directed them to the Canine Clinic page of our website, which profiles NR's current needy dogs. Kathleen promptly responded, saying that they loved the website. "Paul loved reading the stories," she said, "and deciding how to split up his money. He ended up splitting it between all three (of the profiled dogs), but most to Popcorn as her need was greatest and he fell in love with the story."

Aware of the imminent donation, New Rattitude's treasurer Sue Kangas was nevertheless floored when it was received. "I thought we'd be getting a sweet little boy's pocket change... But here was what he donated: $100 for Bess, $120 for Chryssy, and $280 for Popcorn!! $500 TOTAL!!"

The New Rattitude membership was rocked by Paul's thoughtfulness and generosity, especially when they learned that he is only 11 years old. Members responded with an outpouring of thank-you notes, but Paul reacted with maturity beyond his years. "I had to reach my goal," he said. "It took a couple of years, but I don't spend my money on anything else." When asked what he would spend his money on if he weren't saving it to donate to a charitable cause, Paul responded as a typical boy—video games. "But," he said, "I use gift cards for that."

Only a few of Paul's friends know about his philanthropy. "They think I'm crazy," he said. "They just spend their money on anything." For fun, Paul likes to play golf (and video games) and to do things with his family, which includes an older sister, Julie. He plans to continue being a donor to good causes as he grows up. "It makes me feel good," he said. Paul's future plans also include dog ownership, and when he has a home of his own, he expects to have two rat terriers. Those will be very lucky dogs indeed.

Furever Home

We are proud to announce that 28 more New Rattitude ratties have found their furever homes. CongRATulations to all, and to the new adopters, WELCOME to the New Rattitude family!

Tex - Fostered by Becky Patterson, adopted by Chelsea Cartwright
Basil - Fostered by Nadia Chiodini, adopted by John and Kim Schelich
Nutmeg - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Chris DeRosia
Jasper - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Dan Degen
Ziggy - Fostered by Robin Woods, adopted by Kathy Bogucci
Pumpkin Angel - Fostered by Jessica Mannon, adopted by Kelia Hamilton
Delilah - Fostered by Terry Beale, adopted by Donna Stephenson
Popcorn - Fostered by Jessica Mannon, adopted by Tom and Mary Clements
Lillie - Fostered by Neil and Jaime Restorff, adopted by the Baker family
Oliver Twist - Fostered by Kathy Puckett, adopted by Hoang Bui and Jason Anderson
Dodge - Fostered by Connie Hendsbee, adopted by Elvia Carpenter
Otto - Fostered by Bethany Adams, adopted by Jessica Rich
Zen - Fostered by Diane Cosentini, adopted by Michelle Woodworth
Henry - Fostered by Nadia Chiodini, adopted by John and Erin Schelich
Pepper Anne - Fostered by KellyLea Clarke-Johnson, adopted by Andrea Raynor-Minton
Blessed - Fostered by Janell Brown, adopted by Jeni Martinez
Benny - Fostered by Michelle Harris, adopted by Megan Lingafelter
Bruiser - Fostered by Kathy Young, adopted by Sharon Landis-Green
Chevy - Fostered by Connie Hendsbee, adopted by Ken and Meg Bossone
Katie - Fostered by Michelle Harris, adopted by Rhonda Gardiner
Annie - Fostered by KellyLea Clarke-Johnson, adopted by Jennifer Graffagnino
Corkie - Fostered by Kathy Young, adopted by Lana Baroudi
Cinnamon - Fostered by Kim Markham and Donovan Conrad, adopted by Susan and Jim Sanders
Nuggett - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Lisa Stoinski
Morgan - Fostered by Jodi Cotner, adopted by Coby Davis
Rocket - Fostered by Janell Brown, adopted by Robert and Patricia Malone
Holly - Fostered by Kathy Young, adopted by Margaret Anne Wiese
Alexa - Fostered by Terry Beale, adopted by Jill Heizer

Photos of these lucky ratties can be seen in our "Happy Hearts Adoptions" photo album.

In The Clinic

New Rattitude currently has two ratties in the Canine Clinic: Rocket, who needed surgery for luxating patella, and Sebastian, who had surgery to repair a perianal hernia. Wyatt and Aurora are in the Heartworm Hospital.

Dogs in the Canine Clinic have incurred costly vet bills which will not be covered by their adoption fees. Please visit the links above to read about these dogs and consider a donation to help us cover these costs. Many thanks to everyone who donated to Popcorn, Chryssy, Bess, and Allie, previously in the clinic. Their bills have now been paid in full! Without the help of our supporters, we would not be able to rescue these ratties with medical needs.

In the last issue of 'Tude News, foster parent Janell Brown was anxiously awaiting the arrival of an application for her adorable foster, Shelbee. She didn't have to wait long. Laura Casillas spotted the playful rattie's story and picture online and submitted an application to adopt her. Part of the approval process for Laura involved a home visit. Home visit coordinator Levecke Mas explains just what is involved in assuring that a home is an appropriate, safe, and loving one for a New Rattitude dog.

Volunteer Job: Home Visit Coordinator

By Levecke Mas

As soon as an applicant has passed those extensive checks and interviews conducted by the application coordinator, work begins for the home visit coordinator (HVC). Using primarily the Internet and email, the HVC locates a volunteer to make a visit to the home of the potential adopter. Sometimes the dog’s foster home is nearby, so the foster parent will do the home visit and bring the dog along for a meeting. For a dog in foster care, there is no one who understands the dog’s strengths and challenges better than the foster parent. If the foster parent isn’t close enough, sometimes another NR member can do the visit. For Laura's home visit, Washington state coordinator Kathy Young lived just a short distance away, and with a few emails, all the arrangements had been made.

If the potential adopter is located too far from any NR members, then the fun really begins and a search is launched to find a volunteer. Petfinder.com and online rat terrier forums or rescue-oriented chat boards are excellent resources for connecting with potential home visit volunteers. When the applicant lives in a remote area, the search can become quite challenging but never daunting. Home visit coordinators love doing research and delving for solutions. In fact, HVCs have been compared to ratties, in that they love to dig and they don't give up until they find what they're looking for!

Why are home visits so important in the applicant approval process? Well, in an internet-based organization, home visits may provide the only opportunity for someone with the dog's best interest at heart to meet with the adoptive family in person. While much information can be gathered through phone interviews and email, nothing beats seeing firsthand how adopters interact with their current pets and how those pets respond to their owners. Home visit volunteers have been called the "eyes and ears" of our organization, and whether they come from New Rattitude, other rescue organizations, or the community of dog lovers in general, they become NR's advocates for its foster dogs. Home visit coordinators provide their home visit volunteers with a detailed four-page checklist, but sometimes the best information isn't found in a checkbox. Home visits are never about how recently the furniture was dusted or if the floor is waxed, but all about finding a forever home that is a safe place and a perfect fit.

After visiting with Laura, Kathy said, “I liked how their dog accepted me right away – very sociable”. Another thing that impressed Kathy was the fact that the family wasn't just wanting a cute new puppy. “They were thinking about the whole family and the dog they already had first.” Kathy was also impressed with their willingness to commit to the life of Shelbee.

After the home visit, the volunteer emails the completed checklist/report to the HVC who reviews it and sends it along with a recommendation to the rest of the team assigned to the application. Usually the recommendation is an "HV Pass" for this portion of the application process. Sometimes the HVC will recommend that small repairs be made to things like gaps in fencing prior to the rattie’s arrival. In those cases, a follow-up visit is required to confirm completion of the repair. Very rarely, adopters are approved but not for the dog they wish to adopt. In these circumstances, the application coordinator will use the new information gathered to find the perfect match.

Happily, for Shelbee and the Casillas family, the home visit was declared a “pass.” This completed the screening process and adoption manager Connie Hendsbee issued her official approval for the adoption. Shelbee was released to her wonderful new "furever" home.

Home visits are an essential part of the application process. If you have never experienced the satisfaction that comes from participating in a home visit, please consider registering as a home visit volunteer through the New Rattitude website. A home visit will take only about two hours of your time, but it will mean the world to a rescued rat terrier.

NR Volunteer Spotlight - Nadia Chiodini

By Sue Kangas

Nadia Chiodini is new to rat terrier rescue. However, she is not a stranger to dogs and the rescue community in general. Many years ago, Nadia’s love of dogs led her to a decision to breed quality German shepherds, but a case of severe hip dysplasia in her first female stopped those plans in their tracks. Next she decided to get a good Australian cattle dog stud/show dog, but one of the dog’s ears wouldn’t stand erect, ending his show career before it even started. Moving on, Nadia agreed to raise a puppy to be a guide dog for someone who was starting a school for the blind. The school never successfully got off the ground, and while Nadia’s dreams of puppy raising went “down the tubes,” she was allowed to keep the puppy as a birthday present. Finally Nadia was inspired to begin doing rescue work, which she is convinced is exactly what she’s supposed to be doing with her life. We agree!

Since 1998, Nadia has owned Chiodini Kennel in Festus, Missouri, a home boarding and grooming kennel where she works as a certified pet stylist/groomer. She is also a certified dog trainer. In 2002, after she began rescuing Australian shepherds and Australian cattle dogs (ACDs), Nadia changed the name of her business to Chiodini Kennel and Rescue. Along the way, she also rescued a few rat terriers and found them to be similar to ACDs in several ways. They have some common ancestry and comparable energy levels, intelligence, and personalities. When she began having trouble placing ACDs in quality homes and since she is the type of person who likes to focus her rescue efforts on a single breed, Nadia turned to the breed that most closely reminded her of cattle dogs -- the rat terrier!

Nadia joined New Rattitude in mid-September and jumped right in with both feet! She has already taken in 13 New Rattitude foster dogs -- six have moved on to adoptive homes and seven are currently with her. She also serves as New Rattitude’s Missouri state coordinator, an applications coordinator (her favorite job next to fostering), and a member of the newsletter team. Nadia loves working with New Rattitude and especially appreciates everyone’s willingness to help and support one another.

Nadia was born and raised in the state of Missouri. She and her husband, Mick, own five dogs -- a Lab/shepherd mix, a shih tzu, two ACD mixes, and a red heeler. She doesn’t have her own rat terrier...yet! Nadia spends her days catering to her personal dogs and her foster dogs and helping other rescues with transports, overnights, and temporary fostering. She is the owner of a Yahoo! group called “Adopters of Rescued Dogs.” The purpose of this list is to keep dogs out of shelters by providing free advice to people needing help with their dogs. Nadia’s life is truly dedicated to the dogs. A quote from one of her websites says, “I am not a hero, the dogs are my heroes & this is why I help them.”

Nadia, you are a hero to New Rattitude. We’re glad you joined us!

The finale to the series of stories that have followed the fates of rescued rat terriers Mattie and Shelbee is truly heart-warming. Both dogs have been adopted--Mattie by Pam DeLozier in Alabama and Shelbee by Laura Casillas in the state of Washington. You might think that our tale of the journey from shelter to home has ended, but there is one more chapter to tell. Follow-up reporter Norma Downing explains how she and Susan Wichman help make sure that New Rattitude dogs live "happily ever after."

Volunteer Job: Follow-up Reporter

By Norma Downing

After a dog has gone to its forever home, the work isn’t over for New Rattitude. Essential to a rattie's well-being and New Rattitude’s success is the effort to stay in close contact with new adopters. After Mattie had been living with Pam about a month, we gave Pam a call to learn how the newest member of the DeLozier family was adjusting to the changes in her life.

What kinds of changes? In addition to familiarizing itself to different faces, voices, and smells, a newly adopted rattie, needs to figure out just what is expected in this new setting and to adjust to a different lifestyle and possibly an entirely new schedule. It will need to be comfortable being taken to new experiences and may need to learn to eat different food from new bowls. It may even need to learn to adjust to a new climate.

Often the new dog strides right into the home and is comfortable immediately, and this was certainly the case with Mattie.

Pam...exclaimed that there was virtually no transition period with Mattie fitting right into her and Hunter's life. Pam picked up Mattie on her way to visit with her parents in Tennessee. Mattie was riding in a new vehicle, with a new mom, with a new rattie sister, all the way to Eastern TN from Huntsville...No problem-o for adaptable and good-natured Mattie. --Pawgress Report: Mattie/DeLozier

Shelbee’s new mom indicated that she also had made a smooth transition, albeit with some of the normal discoveries about just who does and does not wish to play.

...little queen Dijinn (pronounced Ginn) wasn't too thrilled to share her home and her family with a new and young whippersnapper. At first Shelbee was a bit "pushy" with Dijinn, who is very shy and aloof. Shelbee wasn't worried about Dijinn being aloof--she just went right next door and made fast friends with a little Chihuahua named Frankie. When the humans let them, they spend lots of time playing and going for walks. Dijinn is beginning to enjoy the whole gang going for walks in the neighborhood, too... If you can't lick 'em, then join 'em. Today, (Shelbee and Dijinn) are beginning to be real fur sisters, with Dijinn, accepting that Shelbee is there to stay... --Pawgress Report: Shelbee/Casillas

While Shelbee and Mattie made the move to a new home with relative ease, sometimes the transition can be a big adjustment for both the dog and the adopters. Some dogs have been through trauma, abuse, or neglect, and they require a patient new owner, willing to help them replace their bad memories with positive experiences over time. It’s important for these adopters to know that there is a community of support available in New Rattitude.

Therefore, follow-up reporters must have a sincere desire to learn about each dog’s progress and to get honest feedback on the adoption process. Rattling off a series of standard questions just won't do. Each adopter deserves personalized attention, and some conversations can last up to an hour. After all, the goal is to help assure that each adopted dog has found its forever home. If the adopter raises questions or describes any problems, the follow-up reporter helps the adopters locate solutions, often though the dog's foster parent or other New Rattitude volunteers there to provide support, encouragement, and advice.

After the follow-up interview with the adopters is complete, the reporter summarizes the interview in a written “Pawgress Report," which is shared with New Rattitude volunteers. Adoption manager Connie Hendsbee says, “With each new report we learn how that adoption has changed lives and we celebrate. We celebrate every adoption because we know we have found the BEST home for that dog, no second-guessing, no what-ifs.”

Now, that's what we volunteers call a "pawsitively" wonderful paycheck!

Want To Get Involved?

Join The Pack!
Volunteer participation is critical to our success and our ability to save dogs. New Rattitude has many volunteer opportunities and ways that you can participate that involve as little or as much time as you wish to contribute: Fostering, transporting, adoption screening, fundraising, organizational tasks, shelter monitoring, public relations, newsletter, special events, recruiting and more. As a member of our team, you will always be treated with respect and your contributions appreciated. Volunteer education and training is ongoing, and support and advice willingly shared. If you are interested in joining our team, please fill out our online Volunteer Application!

Other Ways to Contribute

Donate
Cash donations go directly to pay for veterinary expenses for our rescued dogs, including vaccinations, heartworm testing and treatment, spay/neuters, antibiotics, etc. Since we are an all-volunteer organization with virtually no overhead, 100% of your donation goes directly to care for the dogs. To donate, send check or money order to: New Rattitude, PO Box 14064, Lansing, MI 48901. Or donate via Paypal by sending a payment to: treasurer@newrattitude.org

GoodSearch/GoodShop

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter New Rattitude as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting New Rattitude as your chosen cause.