Rescue/shelter/foster people....I need your advice!

No tips from me, I dont have a clue.  I just wanted to say Bless you and good luck!

She can't be fairly evaluated for temperament UNTIL the mouth is ok -- that will make a dog "set up to fail" because the poison is thru her system and it hurts like HECK.

I sent you a PM with the evaluation forms we use for aussie rescue. 

Oh, that's so sad.  You are definitely on the right track.  Remember that being ill and being in the shelter will make a huge difference in her personality.  Don't make any judgements on her potential based on what you see in that situation.  Consider most of all, how she's reacting to extreme stress and pain - that's the clearest picture you can get of what's inside her right now.  Anything else is a bonus.  Mostly what you are looking for are physical facts - her condition, what she'll need in terms of immediate foster care.  If you are getting her into a breed rescue program, it's not necessary to make Ultimate Fate decisions while she's still in the shelter.  Presumably she'd be going somewhere where she'll be throughly evaluated (not to mention made healthy) before going on to a permanent home.

Good luck and bless you for taking the time to do this.  That first link in the chain is so vitally important. 

My main problem now is that it will be hard to leave without her.  I called the shelter and they can't tell me that she's not in danger, because they are a very small shelter and sometimes get full.  I know there are a few others scrambling to help this girl.  If a foster home was lined up I would take her with me tomorrow.  I still can decided whether I'll be putting a crate in the car or not... 

I would put a crate in the car just in case...

I don't think she can be fairly evaluated in the shelter, IMO.

Apollo, was in a tiny, rural shelter, on death row.....he was extremely catatonic in the shelter....barely slept/ate/drank...did not respond to treats/toys/attention. He just walked back and forth in the cage...

Well, fast forward a week after getting him home, he was chowing down, playing, sleeping in bed, being a happy "normal" dog.

Also keep in mind that any food tests will not be valid - this girl is underweight, and is going to want any and all food she gets to be HERS. It might be a bit too much to bring Coke with you, I would see how she reacts to the other dogs at the shelter, and plan to keep her seperate from your dogs until she has had a complete vet check. I would ask how they have been feeding here (malnurished dogs need to be fed often, in small amounts), and handling her.

I've never seen a rescue do a behavior eval on a dog. What we do, is call the resuce, and they come and meet the dog and arrange a foster that way, based on the dogs behavior. Many other times - they take our description of the dog and find a foster that way. I've done rescue coordinations over the phone and computer before. However - we have a long history established with these rescues, and they know what to expect from us and we know what they will and will not take.

Rescue if you can ....by all means....but, once the dogs has been cleared of illness beware.......you have no clue of what you might get yourself into.......I rescued Luke, my oldest GSD that passed last year......he had serious issues.......once you take on that responsibility....that's it.....you are stuck and you have to make it work.......what if there is an aggression issue....are you prepared to do whatever it takes for those dogs to get along?

Are you willing to risk the safety of one of your pets?

Rescue of difficult dogs, such as shelter/rescue or even stray dogs can bring on some serious issues.......

I just spoke to someone on the phone and I feel a lot better.  She is heavily involved in rescue and gave me some specific questions to ask the shelter manager (who she's talked to twice).  Some of the questions I don't understand, but they have to do with under what conditions they will release the dog to a 503c or something not a 503c, etc.  I am under NO obligation to remove the dog, unless I get a call tomorrow saying the foster home has been approved, or the shelter manager tells me the dog with be euthanized the next day.  She wants me to take pictures, check the abscess in the dog's mouth, and get an overall impression.

If I have to take her, I will.  I can "crate and rotate" if need be, but I will only take her if it's a life or death situation.  The rescue lady told me she is very thorough and has a willing foster but she generally will not put a dog in a foster home she hasn't seen herself, so we are waiting on the home check unless an approved foster or applicant steps in tomorrow, in which case I will pull the dog and hand her off. 

What about medical care for her mouth in the meantime???? Can't they give her antibiotics or something?

She is on antibiotics but hasn't been evaluated by a vet. 

I hope everything works out in her favor!! She looks like she just needs a break!! She's a beautiful girl!

What ever happened with this girl??????