In Memory of Lily

Lily was born, raised and perhaps had 13 litters of puppies at the Reedgate Kennels in Missouri before she was purchased at auction by her new family.  Although not a Boston Terrier,  Lily's poem is definitely worth reading.

In Memory of Lily

She withstood her life of misery
Her cage was her domain
The hopelessness, the loneliness
She was a number with no name.

Her eyes had never glistened
No love, her heart had known
Her cries were never answered
Her doom was hers, alone.

Her body, torn and tattered
So weak, so thin and frail
Her small sweet face disfigured,
As she languished in her jail.

Like the others all around her
From neglect she lived in pain
Oh, humans void of heart and souls
Were surely those to blame.

Shrouded behind secrecy
They perpetuate their lies
The puppy mills breed misery
Kept hidden from our eyes.

Then breaking thru the darkness
An angel brought the light
Reaching down with kindness
To alleviate this plight.

And so a few were taken
To be given a new start
And a mission was now realized
From deep within a heart.
Discarded were the numbers,
Now Lily was her name
She was nurtured now and cared for
And the others, just the same.

She responded to the kindness
She was kissed upon her head
Each night as she lay sleeping
In her warm and cozy bed.

From beginnings that were tragic
Lily now embraced the love
But she would only stay a minute
She had lessons up above.

Her life brought inspiration
She taught her humans well
About courage and conviction
To save others from the hell.

Lily's life had purpose
As she endured such strife and pain
She emerged with great forgiveness
Oh, her life was not in vain.

Now the cozy bed is empty
But Lily's memory lingers still
And hundreds more will follow
…..Rescued from the mill.

Bari Mears
Copyright 2008

Julie and NEBTR in The Wall Street Journal

One of our Members !! In the Wall Street Journal !THE Author of a GREAT Book !!! With Clementine, who just foud her new Furrever home !!! Great Article !! Thanks so much Julie for all that you do !! You had us at I'll do it !!

Julie is pictured above flanked by Wisteria and Fiorello, and foster Clementine in the center.  Julie just found a great forever home for Clemmie, and received word that Clemmie's housebreaking is coming along great, even though her former owner said she was unable to be housebroken.

You can read the complete article here.

From Our Resident Nutritionist

For those who don't know Linda Antonelli yet, she is our resident nutritionist and the care giver of many Bostons who come to us in a horrific state, especially the most heartbreaking skin conditions you will ever see. I've lost count of how many she has healed over time - and it doesn't happen overnight.

She has a lot of knowledge and you can tell she doesn't mind sharing it.

This is for all of us who foster.

First, go out and buy one or more of these books which are my favorites:

• "Reigning Cats & Dog"s by Pat McKay, which covers good nutrition. She will tell you about what every fruit and veggie does for the body, and you'll learn how to feed yourself from this book.
  
  
• Then, her other book, "Natural Immunity and Why You Should Not Vaccinate" by Pat McKay. After reading this book you won't want to vaccinate your kids. It's a personal issue that you just need to research.
  
• Then my favorite, The Goldstein's Wellness & Longevity Program from Dr. Robert Goldstein, the holistic vet who saved my Rotties.
  
  Okay, now my opinion on dog food. I don't feed it to my dogs. If you can't do a home cooked/raw diet, at least get a good food like Wellness dry. Can food even at its best has 74% moisture, which means what, 74% is water. The protein is 9% meaning if it is beef, chicken or whatever meat, it's only 9%. If you are paying $3.00 per can, why don't you just go get some chop meat, saute it up and that is your new can food. It will cost less. Read the label. Check the crude analysis.
  
  Favorite Snacks and flavor inhanscers: apples, pears, melon balls, bananas, apple sauce, brussels sprouts, zucchini, carrots, popcorn, shredded wheat, grated cheese, plain no fat yogurt, eggs,
  cottage cheese, and I'm sure I missed a few.
  
  When I watch a movie and eat popcorn, I throw a handful of popcorn on the floor and my dogs eat it like cattle (LOL).
  
  Detox Atioxidants: Vitamin C: 250 mg. 2 x per day; Vitamin A: 2,500 iu once a day; I use this for kennel cough too.
  
  Vitamin B6 is a natural antihistamine. It will help clam and quiet the nerve endings of the the skin and reduce inflammation and itch. 25 mg. with meals.
  
  Skin Savers: Cabbage and cucumber.
  
  Growing hair: My favorite, Kale & Carrots - this is how I grow hair on my mange dogs after the cabbage and cucumber.
  
  My stew recipe: Provides sodium, potassium and minerals to heal inflamed joints & skin and stomach disorders:
  8 medium sweet potatoes, 6 celery stalks, 4 broccoli stalks, 6 carrots, 3 cloves garlic chopped
  Fill a large soup pot with 4 quarts filtered water. Cut everything small and add to water and simmer 1 hour. Use as "canned food". Refrigerate for no more than one week.
  
  I have a few more recipes that I'll send another day. If anyone has a special request for a special reason, give me a yell and I'll give you a recipe.
  
  Love ya, Linda

New Foster Goober

Meet Goober!

Goober was pulled out of the Manhattan shelter just in time. He was slated for the euth list. He is roughly 10 and a complete sweetheart.

He will be going to the vet today; we suspect mange and maybe a respiratory infection.

We will be working with Mr Goobs to get him back up and running. Updates on his skin to come!

Lisa
Allentown PA

Update on Cricket

Here is a recent picture of Cricket, who was adopted by her loving mom Joyce from Berlin, NJ. She is her mom's pride and joy, and couldn't be more loved and cherished. Cricket was also featured in the book "Lost Souls Found!" by Kyla Duffy and Lowrey Mumford, on page 82 ("Love Will Conquer").

Update on Buddy

I just wanted to share with everyone a little message from Alan and Nancy who adopted Buddy from us on February 19th. Seems like he is in the lap of luxury now. And I know loving every minute!lol

--Penny Stroup



Good morning Penny!

We just had Buddy to his new vet, Dr. Dawson, and she took really good care of him. He got his stitches out and is doing fine. She said everything about him looks good and healthy and he even got a microchip. His rear left nail has some scaring/calousing on it and he may feel a little sore and favor it for a few months until it total sets. All the technicians at the office wanted to take him home, too. He was so calm and cooperative with them.

There have been no problems when we take him for walks, but we're getting a fence around the yard to let him run and roam when he wants to. Next weekend is his first trip to the shore, but we're not sure what he'll think of the beach. He may have to stay around the house and it's yard there.

It may be a wet one, but have a great weekend!

Alan and Nancy

Update on JoJo

JoJo was adopted by Joseph and Stacie Sakal and their three daughters.

Joseph writes, "Just got home a bit ago with our new addition, JoJo. He is a BT male of about 18 months. Thanks so much to the foster family for doing such a great job with him. Everyone is still adjusting and getting to know one another. He is just such a sweetie pie...tons and tons of those BT kisses!!!. He's doing fine. Taking him to the vet today for a check-up, etc. Lot's and lot's of energy. Can't wait to give him a proper bath when the "cone of shame" comes off. If you talk to the former owners please pass along our gratitude and thanks for taking such good medical care of him. "

Stacey notes, "He's so AMAZING with our 3 girls, ages 6-9. He just slathers them with kisses. A total love man who even had the vet eating out of his paw. Thank you for all you do to help these dogs get acclimated and healthy and find homes.

I can see how unsure he is of whether this is permanent.Constant moving, and wary of settling down in case we leave the room. Like we'll disappear. Last night was the first in 4 days that he fell asleep on top of us on the couch. And today ...he brought out his bag of tricks: crazy runs, exploring the yard on his own, hunting down stray laundry items, launching himself on top of the computer desk, and about a half hour of playtime with his new fur sister. His comfort level is setting in, which is good to see. "

From NEBTR, Laura Guyer Rieger remarks, "Thank you so much for adopting JoJo, I picked him up from the family that did not want him anymore and couldnt be happier for him!!"