Pet's Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

-- contributed by Joan Starkey

School Fundraiser

I just thought I would share with the group another fundraiser that I did with my students at school that earned some more money for NEBTR. I organized a school wide talent show and for the night performance, my students set up a donation table to raise money for dogs in need. We received $80 in donations and I am splitting the donations between NEBTR and another rescue group.

After the first fundraiser that my class did, my students became very interested in helping raise money for dogs in need. It was their idea to set up a donation table at the talent show, which was a wonderful idea. Also, in the past month, 2 of my students' families adopted dogs from rescue groups. Both families told me that they decided to adopt because of the impact that my first fundraiser project had on the students. I will be doing another fundraiser next year. I am grateful that I am in a position where I can educate the children while they are young and hopefully have a lasting impact on their attitudes towards animals and helping animals in need.

--contributed by Janice

Bobby at Pabby's

Bobby visited Pabby's Pet Pantry on the NEBTR fundraising day with his family. Bobby's family had gotten their adorable Boston Terrier Rufus last year from NEBTR.

Bobby also met all the member dogs who were there at the fundraiser. He must have seen Charles look longingly at the treats that were on sale, because Bobby bought a custon designed cookie for each of the dogs who were at the event.

All of the pups say "Thank You" to Bobby for the delicious treats!

I Am A Boston Terrier

All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny!

All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny!


Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There’s no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of
the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the Easter season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!


Happy Easter!



Shela, Toby, Tyler, and Trooper

Happy Easter

-- Contributed by Shela Walton

Pabby's Pet Pantry NEBTR Event

Hi All,
We had a great turnout and even better time Sunday at Pabby's Pantry! We 'sold' $75 worth of Boston Kisses. While all contributed, a special thanks go to Astro Wilson and Cal Riley for their tireless efforts of kissing everybody that came within leash-reach .
It was so great to meet Ellen Thelin (our webmistress extraordinaire) and her incredibly fun and talented daughters, Alyson and Alex. Of course, Charles and Rory kept us all entertained. Charlie is one of those pups that makes you laugh just by looking at him--he's always up to something!! Lisa Vaughn and Louis came along with Penny, Cleveland and Lucy the baby (who went from one lap to the other to sleep :-). Hunter and Astro Wilson were an immense help in setting up and taking down. And, of course, a special thank you to Barb Carnahan who made all the arrangements and has made one of the coolest 3 panel displays of our dogs' and their stories. It is truly a professional job!! And Carol Becker was there with her wacky puggle! We even had a special visit by Rufus, who we adopted out last year. There were also several people from the Boston Meet Up group that dropped in.
Pabby's is such a nice store and Sue and her staff are incredible. I think we all contributed to their bottom line today as a number of our Bostons now have cool new harnesses, tags, toys, cookies, etc.
Boomer and Cal are absolutely exhausted. I was really proud of Boomer in his first "public" outing. He was a little overwhelmed, but settled down nicely.
Ellen's daughter Alyson took a ton of great pictures. We'll get them posted.
Thank you SO much to everybody! We really must do this more often!!!!
Joy
Cal and Boomer

Some Photos from Pabby's Event

Rory

Lucy

Astro

Boomer

Cleveland

Cal

Penny

Charles

Rufus

NEBTR at Pabby's - Photo Gallery

Pabby's Pet Pantry April 2009

Rocky: Brain Damaged Foster

Rocky was rescued from a shelter by NEBRT. They were a caring shelter, and they adored him. He stayed in the office with them, and they all hugged and kissed him when he left, followed me out to the car, insisted on photos and updates. They were a very caring group.

Rocky had an inflammation of the cerebellum, which caused disabilities. Rich and Marcia Goldstein offered to foster him. The Goldsteins have a foster failure named "Bug". This was a match made in heaven, because Bug also has special needs in the brain department. Both are very loveable pups too, and the Goldsteins are an amazing foster family.

Rich Goldstein writes:

"Hi to all,

Rocky is doing well and still adjusting. I spoke prematurely about Rocky's disabilities not being so visible; they really are quite visible. He walks like a drunk on gravel and on certain surfaces. We feed him on a small skid proof rug, because his rear legs begin to spread apart when he's eating and then he falls. His depth perception is really bad also, so he's having a hard time learning to go out the doggie door. And does have housebreaking issues. He growls when you pick him up; however that bad habit seems to be getting better. He might just be scared.

What's really funny when he walks beside Bug they look like two drunken sailors :) He gets along with all three dogs and the cat. However he's much younger then my guys and he wants to play. This is the only time we have fights between them. He tried playing with the cat today and "got smacked". He never barks, he loves sleeping in the bed with us (although Bug hates it) and without any other animals in the house he would be a quiet little dog. He's crate trained.

Keep you all posted on his progress.

--Rich Goldstein"

Walking the Dog

On a flight from Seattle to San Francisco, unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind, her Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.

She must have flown this trip before, because the pilot called her by name, said,
"Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off
and stretch your legs?" The blind lady replied, "No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.'"

All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

...Things aren't always as they appear!

Ambrosia is Wonderful!

Here is a note from Ambrosia's (f.k.a. Amber) new Mommy. Ambrosia was a puppymill momma adopted from us in February. I am so happy she continues to make progress with her new owner (she was set back a bit going from foster to her forever home).

Emily

"Ambrosia is Wonderful!"

Emily & Jeff,
I haven't written in a while and wanted to give you an update. Ambrosia is doing great! My hands have healed and she has bonded with me a lot more. Her little accidents in the house have greatly reduced. If she does have an accident now she will go into the kitchen to have them, which I would rather her do if she must. She still makes tiny puddles now and then that are unexplained and right after I saw her go outside. I have also noticed a strange thing that could only be a coincidence, but in the middle of the night she will wake me up my shaking (her collar jingles then) and will be right next to my bed staring at me. I get up and take her outside and she goes right out to do her thing. I truly believe she is doing this because she has to go, and it has happened in this manner many times, she has still had no accidents in my room at all.

Ambrosia has also started a new little ritual in the morning. As soon as my alarm clock goes off she stretches and comes over next to my bed, and if I don't get up or stir right away she will start to bark and jump around in an exited manner. Unfortunately she doesn't understand that I like to push snooze a few times before getting up. I think all the excitement if for breakfast! I am still working on a strategy to get a few more minuets of sleep.

She has also shown signs of bonding my jumping up onto my bed while I was in it during a thunderstorm, she never gets on the bed. Today we had another thunderstorm and as soo n as I sat on the couch she jumped up into my lap! The only problem is that I instinctively went to put my arms around her and she jumped right out of my lap, but she did sit close by and let me pet her until the thunder passed.

We have been taking a lot of walks in the woods together and she is starting to get the hang up keeping up a good pace while I am walking (as long as I allow for breaks when she catches a really good wiff of something)!

Putting on harnesses and jackets is still like dressing a wild orangutan, but once everything is on she likes the warmth and doesn't shake like a leaf.

We are making great strides and it is hard to believe it has been less than two months already!

I hope everything is well with you both!

Sandy

NEBTR at Pabby's Pet Pantry

Hi All,
We had a great turnout and even better time today at Pabby's Pantry! We 'sold' $75 worth of Boston Kisses. While all contributed, a special thanks go to Astro Wilson and Cal Riley for their tireless efforts of kissing everybody that came within leash-reach .
It was so great to meet Ellen Thelin (our webmistress extraordinaire) and her incredibly fun and talented daughters, Allison and Alex. Of course, Charles and Rory kept us all entertained. Charlie is one of those pups that makes you laugh just by looking at him--he's always up to something!! Lisa Vaughn and Louis came along with Penny, Cleveland and Lucy the baby (who went from one lap to the other to sleep :-). Hunter and Astro Wilson were an immense help in setting up and taking down. And, of course, a special thank you to Barb Carnahan who made all the arrangements and has made one of the coolest 3 panel displays of our dogs' and their stories. It is truely a professional job!! We even had a special visit by Rufus, who we adopted out last year. There were also several people from the Boston Meet Up group that dropped in.
Pabby's is such a nice store and Sue and her staff are incredible. I think we all contributed to their bottom line today as a number of our Bostons now have cool new harnesses, tags, toys, cookies, etc.
Boomer and Cal are absolutely exhausted. I was really proud of Boomer in his first "public" outing. He was a little overwhelmed, but settled down nicely.
Ellen's daughter Allison took a ton of great pictures. We'll get them posted.
Thank you SO much to everybody! We really must do this more often!!!!
Joy
Cal and Boomer

Eddie Update

I everyone, I don't post often but I had to show off Eddie's new look.
For those of you who don't remember Eddie he was the stray from Edison. A bag of bones, the poor thing. He loves to go to doggie park and we had a hard time using the Ecollar because he couldn't hear anything. It was very frustrating for him. But...his new doggeles from Foster and Smith opened up a whole new world for those old back legs to navigate!! NOt to mention what a splash he's made in the world of fashion at the Wantage Dog Park!! LOL!

Judy

Sparky Update

Hi, just to let you know things are going wonderfully. My "gem in the rough" has become my shining 20 carat diamond. Sparky still isn't sure this is "home" but with time I think he will become even more confident. I peeked at the pictures on the site that showed him when he first arrived into the system and it near breaks my heart, but he is safely at home with me.

I can't thank either of you enough for setting the basics up for me to work from. He's walking off leash at heel outside and comes on command AND pays attention to me, not other people or dogs. He knows all the hand signals without voice commands. He has some ear allergies, but am working with vet to keep them clean and not itchy.

He thinks he's pretty hot stuff at the dog park & is 2nd in line in the 6 dog hierarchy he participates in. (pit bull takes #1 spot) but #2 isn't so bad as he is the smallest dog by far. He loves having his own home, toys, bed, crate, and person, not necessarily in that order. Sparky still tests me from time to time, but I attribute that to his strong personality and I nip that sucker in the bud immediately. But I give him points for trying.

Take care, and ever so grateful to you all.

ps. picture is w/mylar balloon, which got him so excited that it was near impossible to calm him down. he spent a few hours in the crate and no more mylar balloons for us. however, he was hysterical playing with it untl it popped.

Corinne

Oldie but Goodie

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.



An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.' The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

-- Contributed by Ruth Ann Bowen, 4bostonlovers2chat@yahoogroups.com

The Puppies

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy
'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.'
'Well,' said the farmer,
as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'
The boy dropped his head for a moment.
Then reaching deep into his pocket,
he pulled out a handful of change
and held it up to the farmer.
'I've got thirty-nine cents.
Is that enough to take a look?'

'Sure,' said the farmer.
And with that he let out a whistle.
'Here, Dolly!' he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence,
the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....
'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.
In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said,
'You see sir, I don't run too well myself,
and he will need someone who understands.'
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.


Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'

-- Contributed by Pam Yeates, 4bostonlovers2chat@yahoo.com

Please Read

Please read!

If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a "dangerous-breed" category
and also have a small child, please take this as a warning. Don't leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances.

Only a little moment was enough for the following to happen. See the photo
below:



-- contributed by Joy Honaker

ASPCA Success Story of the Week

One very recent success story keeps taking wonderful plot twists—after being rescued this month from a Tennessee puppy mill, Boston terrier mix Yoder found love with first-time adopter Cindy Stout. “Thank goodness Yoder was transferred to the Charleston Animal Society here in South Carolina. It was love at first sight. He looked up at me with his innocent eyes and barked something akin to, ‘Pick me, pick me!’” recalls Cindy.

It’s been two weeks since Yoder officially joined the Stout family, and so far it’s been fun for everyone. “It’s hard to believe he went through life in a puppy mill,” Cindy says. “He does like to walk on the coffee table and run around the house—though he’s learning what ‘No’ means—but for the first time in his life, he has his freedom. It’s amazing to see.”

Sweet and goofy, this peppy pooch keeps the Stouts laughing. “Yoder is a little clown!” Cindy says. “He likes to run off with the TV remote and one day even brought me the cordless phone. He doesn't chew on either of them. I think he’s just trying to get us to play with him.” The newcomer has also made friends with the family’s 15-year-old pug, Angel. “Yoder likes to sit on her head and she just gives him a little nip—they get along great.”

Though Yoder is beginning to understand commands, when it comes to kisses, “No” isn’t in his vocabulary. “If you’re near Yoder, you’re going to get slobbered on,” Cindy says, laughing. “At night he sleeps on our pillows or right up against us. He also has really affectionate puppy dog eyes, but he doesn't have to do much—we’re already head over heels in love.”

Sparky's Success Follow Up

Here's a recent letter from Sparky's forever Mom:

"Hi Robin;

I was on the NEBTR website and checked out Sparky's "adoption" site and for the first time saw his original pics when he was at the shelter. he looks so scared it nearbreaks my heart, BUT he is safely at home with me now.

We would very much like to be on your successful adoption site. I think it is important that people see that a Boston with a strong personality as sparky can have a successful relationship and life with a new owner.

Sparky has and is going through extensive training & is a sweet, loving & obedient dog. contrary to his writeup, (and with a lot of hard work on both our parts) he is very social with dogs, cats, kids & people, loving and loyal. 99% of the time he is obedient; but Sparky being Sparky with his very strong personality, he does continue to test me the other 1% of the time as he would just love to be pack leader, but he submits to me without a problem any more. I don't think a novice with dogs would have been able to handle him, but after years of owning Bostons (& I've had otherBbostons with strong personalities) I know how to handle him and have not hesitated to get help from a dog trainer also. I expect Sparky and me to have a long and loving relationship. After only two months, he is still not sure this is "it" for him, but time will show him this is home for good. He loves to hang out in the sun with me, ride in the car on errands (dunkin donuts drive thru gives him a munchkin), and he loves to run in the dog park with his "buddies" twice a week.

He dances on his hind legs, gives me a bark when he needs to go out, heels off leash and comes on command outdoors; he responds to all hand signals now without voice.

I can't thank you all enough for matching Sparky with me; I am looking forward to many years of loving companionship with Sparky.

I would also love to do any volunteer work; unfortunately I can only have one dog where I live, but am available for other avenues.

I have attached a few pictures that I don't think I have sent to you. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He has filled a large void in my heart and home after losing my two elderly Bostons the fall of 2008.

Greatfully, Corinne Freaney