After the Tornado

Some good comes from a disaster.

The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie. Someone had already taken him under their wing but they weren't equipped to adopt.

Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers.

I wouldn't think anything could live through this.... but we were wrong.

This little lady also survived that wreckage.

Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe.

and then..they are no longer alone!

Instant friends, they comforted each other while in the car.

.

 

Add two more beagles found after that... the more, the merrier!  

Oh boy, a new traveler to add to the mix...(Note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter...)
Now just how is this going to work? (and remember they are all strange to one another)

It's going to work just fine, thank you very much!

Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends...

If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this.
Lessons of instant friendship;of peace and harmony by way of respect
for one another -- no matter one's color or creed.
These animals tell you... "It's just good to be alive and with others."
Yes, it surely is.
So... Live, love, laugh.

"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!"

Update on Foster Goober

Goober is doing very well.

He is happy as can be and quite the demanding little man. He loves to go for his short walks and will push to the front of the door to be able to go. He spends most of his evenings curled up on my lap, he usually stands at the bottom of the sofa and stares at me until I pick him up. He does not like when the other puppies on the sofa stretch and bump him and he will give them a little snap or growl to tell them so. He usually curls up inside my legs to avoid any other puppies touching him.

He is a gentle kisser and quite the nuzzler. At the end of every day, I look forward to my Goobie dance when I come home, he sounds like hes tap dancing. He dances until I pick him up, then he gives me my kisses. He has been eating great and loves his chewies.

At his last vet visit, he had gained a pound and was given an A+. His hair is 90% grown back, I'm not sure that the last 10% will ever grow back. His flare ups are almost non existent. His energy level has also shot up since he is feeling better. He is like a whole new Goobie.

We love our Oobie Goobie Gooberson!

Lisa
Allentown PA

Does Your Dog Watch Too Much TV?

Does Your Dog Watch Too Much TV?
How much TV is too much for our four-legged friends? Here is the good, the bad and the ugly.

Read more: Does your dog watch too much tv?

WAGS

A continuing feature with brief reviews of books, internet resources, etc for our readers; note that prices quoted are based on book cover or Amazon.

What’s Wrong With My Dog, by Jack Tedaldi, DVM, $12.99
One of the most easy to use and helpful vet books I have seen for the typical dog owner. Breaks problems down into 18 major categories, such as My Dog Is Having Eating and Drinking Problems or My Dog Has a Discharge, and then further categories with 150 different symptoms in different places, e.g. My Dog Is Drooling Excessively or My Dog Has a Discharge From His Ear. Includes simple instructions for examinations for different problems, what to do, simple observations you can make, when to call the vet; even includes a list of what you should have in your dog’s first aid kit. Rather than scare you, it helps you and your dog. So impressed that I bought it! If it saves you even one trip to the vet, it’s paid for itself several times over.

You Had Me At Woof, by Julie Klam, $24.95
This is one of the funniest, yet poignant, dog/human books there is. A true story of how a single woman, living in NYC on her own, evolves into a Boston Terrier owner and rescuer, with a canine/human family that are an integral part of her life and rescue activities. You’ll see Julie grow as a person, learn a lot about life, and turn into a mature adult, all with a great sense of humor. I love this book, reread chapters because I enjoy it so much, a must read for dog lovers. And yes, it’s become a permanent part of my library!

The Pet Web Library
Good information site about diseases, treatments, pet health problems, etc. Does not plug products or have advertising so you don’t need to filter through a lot of stuff to get the information you need.

Trail Barks

by Rosie, assisted by her human mom Jeanne Dross

At last! I’m rid of the lousy weather, time to get out and see what’s up on my favorite trails, now that the snow and ice have melted and the rain has stopped. All those new smells and old favorites, check out the action, let my human know when something gets my attention that might be just as intriguing to her.

My human gets the picture, I’m curious, it gets boring in the winter, same old smells, same old window scenes, same old walls, icy trails. Mom knows I need new sites, sounds, and smells to keep me happy, plus, both of us need the exercise to keep in shape; humans think I’m a lot younger because I’m in such great shape, even vets compliment my youthful physique and fitness despite my 13 years, though Mom could stand to lose a few pounds.

Downer, she always keeps me on a leash, lots of people let their dogs run loose, we’ve both been chewed on by strangers, so I guess she’s right, I’ve even seen people knocked off their bikes by loose dogs. The people on wheels and the hikers know me, they like it that I don’t jump or bark at them, plus those really big dogs with people on top (mom calls them horses and riders) don’t get nervous or spook when they see me. I have a harness, mom says it’s better for my back than hanging on to my neck: bummer, it also gives her more control over me, she doesn’t like it when I try to charge into the woods. She just doesn’t get it that there are such great things to investigate.

I’ve learned to poop off trail. Humans really like that! Poop is to sniff, but even I don’t want to sniff it for hours if it gets stuck on Mom’s shoes. And bicyclists don’t like it on their tire treads, gets yucky when it smells all day and your bike is stored in a car that sits in the sun. Every once in a while, I forget my manners so Mom grabs a downed branch to flick it in the woods; just in case, she always carries plastic bags. She also thinks it’s a good idea to carry a bag with her to pick up garbage on the trails, something about tightening the abs and legs when she doubles over to grab it, our nature preserve likes that too.

We plan our daily excursions based on the weather, it’s a lot hotter at ground level so we figure out the trails we’ll hike based on temperature, time of day, available shade, and trail conditions. My favorite warm weather trail is shaded almost the whole length: about half way through, when I want to cool down, we go to a shallow stream, not only do I have a refreshing drink, but I get to stand in the water, it feels soooo good! Sometimes we’re on trails that don’t have water so I have my own special water bottle, with its own attached dish, even has a hook to attach to Mom’s backpack, it’s a souvenir she bought for me at the Times Square M&M store (bet she found special treats for herself that she didn’t share, but I guess I shouldn’t complain, at least she remembered me.)

Mom doesn’t like some insects , especially ticks, says they carry a lot of diseases besides Lyme, babesiosis, encephalitis, and some other foreign words I don’t remember. She has me vaccinated for Lyme, but just in case the bugs find me anyway, she drips a tick repellant on me once a month and carries a tick puller, which she uses on me and her.

I don’t want you to think Mom ignores me in the winter, she even shovels out her patio to make it easier for my potty needs. We have a rule, based on some obscure calculation called wind chill factors: basically, if the wind chill is below 10, we don’t do any long walks. Mom does not wear a hat, says if it’s too cold for her ears, it’s too cold for me, although I have been known to disagree. We walk in sunny areas protected from the wind. She tries to stay away from road chemicals, says they are bad for my feet, and wipes them when we come indoors. Also, if I start limping, she cleans my feet of snow and ice.

I’m Mom’s nose outdoors, we dogs have much better noses than humans, I smell a lot of things before she sees them; she can tell it’s good if I stand and wiggle my nose in a certain way: I’ve shown her fishers, eastern coyotes, hog nose snakes, bear tracks, and other critters, even pointed out coyote dens to her. But to be honest, her interest in wildflowers and Karner Blue butterflies is boring, I don’t like to hang around, walking is better, unless there is a nice meadow where I can wiggle on my back.

Time for me to take a nap, need to rest before our next excursion. Hope to see you on the trails.

Rosie

Shamus Goes to His Forever Home

Shamus, our Beagle/Boston mix foster went to his new home with Jill Nailon in Wildwood NJ. She has adopted from us twice before. He has 2 boston fur siblings and kittie cat siblings.


Here is what his new mommy wrote:

"He’s taken to seashore life like a natural, with us being home all the time he’s in heaven. His personality is starting to bloom, he’s finding his confidence and getting more active. He is very funny! He’s doing great here, you’d be very pleased. Yesterday he and Duncan were playing “chase” back and forth between living room to kitchen, down on their front feet bums in the air and tails wagging madly and then one taking off after the other – and he was the instigator! He’s shown a definite liking for rawhide chewies and almost chased a squeaky ball the other day...so we may get him exercising yet.


Chloe the Angora kitty has graduated to sleeping ON him and he happily permits it. She also sandwiches herself between Shamus and myself under the covers in bed at night and he seems to find this an agreeable arrangement as well. Daisy and Sonny have thoroughly accepted him too, which in Sonny’s case is saying a lot as Shamus has basically taken over Sonny’s traditional sleeping spot. Gradually Shamus is moving down a bit on the bed and then there will be room for Sonny once again on “his personal pillow.” For now he’s decamped to the living room to sleep in his second favourite spot and just visits often throughout the night, staying for longer and longer periods of time. Daisy is my son Connor’s cat, so she’s always slept with him. She makes the odd flying visit now and then and she’s off again. Tuppence and Duncan have taken to Shamus as if he’s always been here, they are all now absolutely at ease with each other. Connor and I are so grateful to have found Shamus! He’s just a sweetie and has basically trained himself. Lisa, I kid you not! From day 2 with us, he’s gone potty without any problem, does his #2’s in the side yard (as we only pee out front, all other business is around the side). He goes immediately and then if you ask him if he’s done, he’s practically trotting back to the house for his treat (“liva snaps”). He’s better trained than Duncan...I just wish some would rub off!! LOL Tonight he actually went to bed all by himself! He’s in there now, hogging the comforter with Tuppence – they build matching “nests” out of the bedding, which I have to dismantle in order to tuck us all in. And, they look so pitiful when I make them move, LOL. "


Lisa
Allentown PA
Mommy to Hooch, Pebbles, Cleveland, Penny, Foster Goober, Foster Bowser and Tootie the cat

The Blind Side

Every once in a while, a very special senior comes into our care and must wait a long time for that very special someone to fall in love with him and give him a home. Teddy is still waiting patiently.

Teddy was left at the Philadelphia ASPCA last year by his owners who said he was “too old.” They left him there with untreated glaucoma to live out the rest of his years in a cement cell. Glaucoma causes pressure to build behind the eye and the pain from glaucoma can be severe. If treated early, glaucoma is treatable but unfortunately, by the time we found him, he had lost vision in one eye and the vet was unable to save the vision in his second eye. Poor Teddy was likely in quite a bit of pain.

Teddy has been nursed by his foster Mom for a year and is now pain-free and ready to begin the best years of his life! He has fine-tuned his sense of smell and has adapted to his lost vision. He loves to sniff his way through the grass! Teddy is very smart - he understands if you say “watch” that there is something in front of him. He has recently learned to wear a “halo collar” which acts in the same way as a cane would, warning Teddy of oncoming obstacles. He takes lubricating drops for his eyes daily and is very cooperative.

As if he hasn’t already been through enough, Teddy has also been diagnosed with very early-stage Cushings. This is fairly common in older dogs and can be successfully managed with medication. He has no symptoms and takes no medication for this, but he will need to be monitored as he gets older. NEBTR is offering a rare incentive for that very special someone who would give Teddy a loving home. We will completely sponsor his medical bills for the rest of his life – we just want Teddy to find the love and peace he deserves in his golden years!

Compared to younger dogs that can be a lot of work, Teddy is pretty low-maintenance. He doesn’t require much exercise and enjoys just hanging around the house and yard. He is crate-trained and housebroken. He will come when called and sit for a treat. They say he has some pug in him, but just like a typical Boston Terrier, Teddy loves to burrow under the covers and create a nest for himself. He has a few favorite toys that he will bring with him and he will play tug-of-war with you in exchange for a good tummy rub! Teddy loves to remind himself that you are nearby by rubbing his head against your leg. With all that he has been through, he is still a loving and sweet little guy.

Teddy’s story is remarkable on many levels. Teddy’s loving spirit has helped him to forget that he was abandoned. He has inspired us with his strong will and determination to overcome his blindness and his sad past. He is looking for the love he deserves. His progress is also a testament to the miracle of foster care! He has come very far with the help of his foster Mom however, she fosters several dogs and cats and Teddy would like to have his very own home all to himself. It is scary being blind and most other dogs and cats aren’t very sympathetic to this. He doesn’t mind some dogs but in his foster home, Teddy is kept separate from the other pets so he hasn’t had the opportunity to fully blossom yet on his own. He would love to finally relax and breathe in some peace and quiet. We are hoping that Teddy will be one of our greatest success stories once he finds the right home.

If you think you may have some room in your heart to take in this sweet senior looking for a second chance, please contact us and we will arrange a meeting! Trust me – he will steal your heart.

2010: Cost to Save Lives

In 2010, we rehomed a record 93 dogs. On average, we lose $155 per adoption (the medical costs per adoption are higher than our adoption fees.) That means that we needed to raise $14,000 just to make sure the dogs received the basic veterinary care they required. Normally, people are surprised to hear that we lose money even though we have higher adoption fees but the reality is, we agree to take dogs that other rescues could not because of our generous donors. Most dogs that came to us need some sort of medical attention as well as being spayed or neutered, and your donations are truly saving their lives.

There's a Boston About

Ellie Mae Goes to Her Forever Home

Little Ellie Mae the sight impaired BT/Chihuahua mix I took in as a foster in January got adopted a couple of weeks ago. She went to Diane Emeterio in Fulton, NY (near Syracuse).

Diane and her husband and grandson all came to pick her up. Diane met her and said "I knew I would love her". Ellie Mae was so sweet with everyone and was following them and giving them kisses from the first moment. Diane was very happy to take Ellie Mae home. Ellie has a pug "brother" who is another senior dog.

Thanks to Joan for doing the home visit!

Molly Bolger

Penn Yan, NY