Update on Bruno/Lefty

This is a Christmas message from my boy Bruno's family (aka Lefty) that was my and Sheryl's project foster from a puppy mill (he came in with my Ivy). To me, this is what it is all about.

-- Happy holidays, Linda


Merry Christmas Linda,

Just a little Christmas greeting to let you know what a perfect match you made for us. Lefty is the best gift Lynne & I ever received.


Cheers, Bob

Cute Christmas Card

Foster Joe

Recently, I got my new foster boy Joe. He is 18 lbs. and very thin, you can see his back bone. He is an all black beauty and 5 yrs. old.

Joe was rescued by Best Friends Animal Society along with 27 other dogs from a puppy mill. They were all slated to be euthanized. The Animal Rescue Fund (a shelter on Long Island) partners with Best Friends and helps them with special medical needs dogs so they had Joe shipped here along with a few others on 08/23. Joe was very dirty, had long nails and was very nervous. He was emaciated. For this reason (and after 2 months in the shelter) he wasn’t thriving and no one wanted to adopt him. They then called NEBTR and asked if we could take him.

Joe will heal slowly but surely, but I’m concerned about his eyes. Only a very special person would adopt him. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I’m glad I have him. He likes my dogs and although he doesn’t play or run, he fit right in. He’s ate their stool a couple of times, but we are keeping him separate from the main dog yard until it is cleaned up. He is absorbing all the activity like a child who never experienced fun. I look forward to a new challenge. He is a very sweet boy and does not bark (YET).

-- Linda Antonelli

Update on Lexington

I was just talking to Lexington and was amazed that it has been a little over a year now that I've had him. It doesn't seem like it could have been that long. This has been quite a year. In the spring I got hurt and spent July and August completely laid up. Lexington went with me to my mother's place and charmed her completely. My mother has never trusted or really loved any other dog, but you should just see her coo to him. She is one of his favorite people, and he is absolutely her favorite dog of all time. We also spent some time in MA with my Godmother, who also fell in love with him, and started to think about possibly getting a dog sometime. With all the different people walking him he acquired some less then ideal on-leash pulling, but we have been working on that since I have gotten up and walking again, and it's improving.

In news Lexington probably thinks is grand, my job got rearranged and so I lost it Sept. 1st. My unemployment insurance has been plenty for our simple needs, including, of course, Lexington's health insurance and his good (Wellness) food. I also have the time to work with training him. In fifteen minutes I taught him to jump over my cane, and to go under it too. This is a dog that was meant for the circus. :)

As I was thinking of the progress that he and I have made in the past year I wanted to also give you an update. He and I are working out really well together, and regardless of whether or not a recent resume I sent in gets accepted, we will be fine financially. I have an amazing ability to make things happen when needed. It's not always pretty, but he will always be taken care of.

GOOD NEWS & OTHER THINGS I KNOW NOW:

* He is now friends with, not only with my neighbor's dog Bertie, but also an adorable French Bulldog puppy, Sam. A couple days ago he met a tiny Boston Terrier puppy, Fig, and it was like they were long lost siblings finally reunited. I have never seen him play so much with another dog. Usually a good interaction is when he sniffs, plays a little and then walks off. With Fig, he was really getting into it and was being really tolerant of puppy behavior like face nipping. It was incredible to see. Just today he met a friendly little Pomeranian and that too was perfectly civilized, but nothing like with Fig.
* He frequently gets walked with other dogs. He also loves his walkers and when I know I have a late night I hire one of them to come hang out with him. I love this dog-walking company and the people that walk for the owner. I know that when they are watching him, it's likely that he's having the best time of his life.
* In this year he has also become extremely affectionate. Besides his adorable cuddling at night, he now will often come up to me, and others, for just affection.
* I can also hug him for extended times between ball playing sessions and he seems to be enjoying it, rather than suffering it.
* He knows Sit, Stay, Touch, Down, Paw (shake), Wave, Leave It, Bring It Closer (the ball), Game Over, and Look At Me. He can also jump over my cane as well as go under it on command. His self control to stay seated while I hide his ball for him to find has also improved a great deal. (He came with some of these, I've just firmed them up.)
* He doesn't mind when I play with or clean his paws now.
* He has developed a new habit of wanting to approach strangers for pets, while on the street. He also wants to actively approach children. This came after he played with a few toddlers and saw that they will throw him the ball a lot. To be honest, a lot of his interest in people is related to who will throw him the ball, but he seems to also be searching out affection at times when he could be harassing people to play, and this seems like a really good step.
* Putting him on the Simple Solutions Wellness Salmon food seems to have solved his allergies as well as his dry skin. It's really nice to snuggle up to a soft and happy hound. It has also made picking up after him far more pleasant.
* I have discovered that while he loves car rides more than anything, it does make his poop a bit soft right after. But at least I now know this.
* I also know that he can swim like a champ, though he does get really cold really fast.
* Wherever we go, people fall in love with him all over the place. "Cat people" love him as well as "Dog people".

THINGS TO STILL WORK ON:

* He seems to have developed further issues with big black dogs, but maybe this worsening is my imagination. It may more be that he's getting better with the smaller dogs and staying the same with the bigger dogs.
* Lately I have been working with his leash walking a little more. I think I have now tried every leash/harness option besides the head halter. Having all sorts of other people walk him while I was laid up led to all sorts of ill behavior to now get rid of.


He's so damn cute, and I am so happy that I have him. Please pass on my thanks again for NEBTR allowing me to adopt Lexington. He is currently curled up in my lap and is happy as can be, if a little chilly from our recent rainy walk.


Love, Kate

Presence More Important than Presents to Dogs

Recently, my dear friend Jess stopped by for a cup of coconut coffee and to give me a much-needed haircut. We were talking about the arrival of the coming holiday season. We’re both holiday crazies, loving the Christmas season but hating the attitude that so frequently accompanies it. This is supposed to be a season for family, sharing, loving, thankfulness, peace, togetherness, and worship.

Too frequently, it becomes a season for stress (financial and otherwise), competition (”My present’s more fabulous than yours!” “I spent more money than you did!”), cutting people off in traffic, fights over the last Holiday Barbie on the shelves, trampling fellow shoppers in search of the best deal, and griping about waiting in long lines. Sadly, it is often a time when we attempt to demonstrate how much we love our friends, family, and dogs through how much money we spend on them. Something about that is just very yucky to me. Ironically, it just seems to cheapen our relationships.

The economy is not strong. Many people are struggling financially and making difficult decisions. The one decision that doesn’t have to be nearly so difficult for the cash-strapped, hard working family, is wondering what to get the dog for Christmas. I’ll clue you in on what every dog wants for Christmas, and it won’t cost you a dime. Believe it or not, dogs don’t know December 25th is a special day (or any other celebratory day or religious event). They want the same thing on Christmas and every other day of the year – the gift of your time.

When Jess was over the other day, she said to me that “presence” is so much more important than “presents.” I think this is only too true and we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays it’s not uncommon to lose sight of this critical fact. I know that I am very busy and that Mokie would probably prefer to have more of my time in training sessions, adventures, walks, last runs at lure coursing before the snow arrives, or a play date with her friend Leila than a 15th Kong or 6th Nina Ottosson toy.

I understand that the holidays are busy. You likely have dinners to plan, guests to accommodate, decorating, cleaning, and shopping to do. If you have a moment to look at your dog’s wish list, at the top you’ll likely find, “Please spend time with me this Christmas. Let’s do something fun together!” (I know many dogs are also secretly hoping for a fenced in yard this Christmas – I hope you get your wish, puppies!)

Things have been crazy around Maison de Lomonaco recently. I’ve been working hard and averaging about four hours of sleep a day, seven days a week, for some time now. I spend lots of time writing about dogs and training other people’s dogs, and haven’t spent as much training time with my own pups as I’d like. I’ve decided that deadlines are less important than relationships, and am making an effort to reward myself for all this hard work with what is for me a very potent reinforcement – having fun with the two dogs I love best. It’s a gift to all of us.

Someday, I won’t have Mokie or Cuba in my life anymore. I know when that day comes, I would give anything in my world for one more walk, one more training session, one more riotous game of fetch, tug, or hide and seek with my dog. In those painful moments of loss, I will likely never once think, “gee, I wished I bought my dog more stuff.” This sentiment is only too real as I think of celebrating my first Christmas without my dad and without my beautiful angel boy Monte.

Toys, a new bed, expensive cookies, or a fancy collar are nice gestures and certainly will be appreciated by most dogs; but the best gift of all, at the holidays and throughout the year, is your time.

-- from Dogster.com

Christmas Eve Story

A  Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard.
During  the night the folks came across this scene.
An abandoned dog was  looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep.
He chose baby Jesus as his comfort.  No one had the heart to send  him away so he was there all  night.

-- Contributed by Tony Ferrarese

Alicia, now Penny, in Her Fur-Ever Home

Alicia went to her forever home yesterday. And the best part is that she was adopted by one of our newest members, Sara McLaughlin and Chris Ray. In true Alicia fashion, she immediately went over and tried to pee on Chris! I guess she was ready to own her new family.

I've attached a few pictures that Sara shared with me and Sara has reported that Alicia is doing well and in addition to a new family, she has a new name (Penny).

-- Mary Liberty

Sara writes,

"Hi All!
Penny is settling in quite well! We LOVE her! She is a great listener. It is quite clear that she was loved and trained before she was found.

We are trying to keep her off the couch, unless she's invited- she listens when you say NO and when she's sneaky enough to get up there when we are out of the room she gets down (and hangs her head) when we come back and goes right to her bed. But it's hard to say no to her when she looks at me with those eyes...oy those eyes! And she's a snorter! We have lovingly given her the nickname of "little oinker"

Mojo Goes to His Forever Home

Just in time for Christmas, Mojo has gone to his forever home. His foster mom Carolyn writes, "I have to say his new parents were the nicest people ever. As all of the folks that come to see my fosters normally are and that is no accident."

Congratulations to Mojo and his new family!

Update on Oscar

Oscar was trying to get my attention while I was on the computer..here is his solution! This is the funniest dog I've ever known! I should base a cartoon character on him!




-- Patricia Baxter-Ubellacker

Belle's New Life

It’s official, Belle started her new life and went to her new forever home today! She was the little girl who had double luxating patella surgery in September. She will be the complete and total center of attention in her new home and they couldn’t be happier with her.  She will even be able to go to work with her new dad to his studio since he is a self employed photographer. Belle absolutely loves meeting new people so she will be in heaven. It was thanks to all the donations we received that we were able to give Belle this new life and pay for her surgery. Even though she is feeling great she will always have two scars on her knees that will always be a reminder of the life changing surgery that NEBTR was able to provide.

-- Jodi Groff

Trudy and Santa

--  Debbie and Trudance

Boston Finds His Forever Home

Congratulations to Boston, who has found his forever home in time for Christmas with the Nugent family! Thanks especially to Shannon, his foster mom!

Daisy Finds Her Forever Home for Christmas

Here is Daisy with her new family, the Lynch Family. From the looks on their faces,
I think its safe to say, Daisy will be loved very much and just as spoiled :-)

How lucky for Daisy to have found a fur-ever home just before Christmas!!!

And a big thanks to her foster mom, Elly!

Update on Lola

Lola is Terri's first and failed foster. Lola is thriving, earning gold stars in her training classes and generally living large these days! Having lost all 3 of her BT's this year, Lola was a Godsend and we are all so happy they found each other.

Introducing Cliff

Cliff was found wondering the streets of Philly with a Pit Bull friend. We pulled him from the Philly SPCA. He is a sweetheart! He loves cats and dogs. He is very skinny (13.8 lbs) so we will be working on fattening him up. He loves to cuddle with people. He is almost potty trained; hopefully once he is fixed his marking will stop.

Watch this site to see when Cliff will be available for adoption.

Overall he is just a great loving little guy!

-- Lisa Vaughan

Vinchenzo Saves the Day

Sunday was one of those mornings that those of us with multiple dogs asks WHY? Why do we have these dogs. Saturday night one of our GSDs had us up and down all night with stomach issues; you can use your imagination.

When I woke at 7 am I put a dog out and said oh Sheet we did not get the boy out as many times as needed. Wanna see a man get to work on time - Mark was outta the house with 2 dogs in 5 minutes flat.....and I began cleaning carpets, floors everything. I was on a roll. Even decided to clean the oven which is really a button on the stove but figured what the hell.

It was then time for me to shower. While in the shower I heard Vinchenzo, our forever foster, barking. He is not a barker, only to go to work or get Oscar moving, none of which was happening. I ignored him for 5 more minutes; he was relentless. I was in the shower saying to myself, "I cannot get one second of peace" all the while Vinchenzo was running around like chicken little. I opened the door to a wall of smoke.

YES I had left a butcher block with our knives in it on the stove and it was ablaze big flames - a real fire. Here I am in a towel, wet and making my way to the kitchen, which was glowing with a red hue.
I really did not want to call the fire department and was able to get the block in the sink and get the fire out. My eyes were burning the house was filled with toxic smoke; that wood must have been treated.

So Vinchenzo saved the day and a lot more. Sadly, my dog Oscar and foster Baxter never moved off their pillows. Only when I opened the windows did the smoke detectors go off upstairs; the ones downstairs must be dead.

Lessons Learned - Always have multiple BTS. Never clean the oven and most important CHANGE THE BATTERIES in your smoke detectors.

And Vin got a new bed today at Home Goods!

Carolyn
Little Falls, NJ
PS - our house still stinks today

Lisa's Pumpkins

NEBTR member Lisa Vaughan made Halloween into a Boston celebration, with these BT carvings that she made. She saw a picture on the Internet, and used that as inspiration for her own.

Man Saved by Dog Who Says Grace

Remember Djaingo, the "grace" saying dog whose video has been making the rounds? Well, Djaingo's story just got much deeper. I think you will be amazed. The link is below.

-- Shela Walton

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/21/man-saved-by-god-and-by-dog-who-says-grace/?hpt=C2

Note: You can see the video by clicking on the "Videos" section on the sidebar at right.

You Had Me at Woof

Congratulations to NEBTR member Julie Klam, on the success of her recently published book "You Had Me at Woof." This is a funny and heartfelt recount of Julie’s experiences adopting and fostering Boston Terriers in New York for the NEBTR. In the November 1 issue of People (on-stands now), Julie received a stellar lead review. The review says: “Without being preachy, each chapter is a lesson in what dogs teach us – about ourselves, but also about community, patience, friendship, and, yes, love.”

NEBRT President Sheryl Trent notes, "Folks, if you buy nothing else for a Holiday present for yourself and friends, you have to buy this extraordinary book, "You Had Me at Woof" by Julie Klam, our own volunteer with NEBTR. This is Julie's second book. Her first "Please Excuse My Daughter" was a riot. She relates her own personal stories of fostering with us, the tragedies and the joys. If you saw the video clip of Julie with her 3 dogs, then you will love to hear the story of how 2 of them became her very own through her fostering with NEBTR. I read this beautiful book on a flight to CA a few months ago (I was privileged to be given a pre-release by Julie). I know it's a cliche, but I laughed and I cried (actually sobbed during one very painful chapter).

I will treasure this book forever. So will you. NEBTR is featured so much throughout so, not only is it a source of pride for us, but will help all of us understand, or relate, to how it can impact you and your family when you volunteer to help rescued animals. This is a huge "Thumbs Up" for Julie and her wonderful book. "

The book was also reviewed and given a glowing review by the New York Times. You can read their review here.

Julie comments, "I'm hoping to bring a huge amount of attention to rescue and NEBTR and all the amazing work we do! You are all so wonderful and my overwhelming admiration for all you do was the inspiration for the book. I am blown away by what everyone does for the pups and the support given to other members. You are all my heroes."

Readers of this blog might also remember the story of Julie's experiences fostering senior Boston Terrier Dahlia, who is also featured in the new book.

Way to go Julie!

Update on Snooks

We are happy to report that our 6 month old foster, Snooks went to her forever home yesterday!!! She is with a furry sister Murphy 3, a mom who volunteers with a local animal rights group and a stay at home dad!!!
Evette Heinle